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Storytime BearsI posted the following on another thread and thought it might be deserving of it's own thread
Have any of you used the postage on line thing, where you pay postage on line then print your own mailing label and send it from home? I am thinking of using it, but not sure it will be as fast, I have a niece in florida that I sent a package to, I mailed it on tuesday morning and it was there by 5:00 wednesday. I used priority , now if I do it from home does it take a lot longer or is it as fast? if it adds just a day, I may go for it. but if it adds a bunch of days not sure if I would like it.
And here is Tammy's response:
Jodi, I use the online service for Canada Post all the time and I expect UPSP is similar. The delivery time isn't any different as I can choose the delivery method I want , and I think I get a little discount to use the online service here. It is so much better than standing in line at the post office. I print out the forms, attach to the box and can either drop it in a mailbox or at the post office. It is fun walking to the front of the line and plopping the box on the counter !!! Now if I can only get Canada Post to give out free boxes like USPS...that still amazes me....they charge about $4 for 1 small box here.
I say give it try Jodi !
P.S. To keep on topic........SHILL BIDDING is wrong, no if ands or buts. I didn't know about the Ebay protest- oops.
Tammy thanks for the imput , that cracked me up about the walking in and plopping down the box, I know I hate when I am walking in trying to balance 4 or 5 boxes and people that come in after me with one little envelope look at me and groan, then I try to whisper really quiet "yes I need a customs form and signature comfirmation please" Man I hate that.
Yes it is nice about the free boxes, not sure how they afford it, I think they are getting us addicted to it and will one day stop it and we will be like crack addicts, willing to pay any price just to get those big bundles of boxes delivered to us. I am thinking of stocking up.
Bear Hugs
Jodi
Jodi I ship that way ALL the time!!!!!
Although technically I COULD do that for international shipments too (the postman has to take it from you personally though) I bring those to the Post Office because my postman is kinda grumpy....
PottersHouse BearsJodi,
I use the online USPS shipping. I have had no problems, and I have found for me that it is cheaper and faster than UPS.
Jodi I use this through Pay Pal for anyone who purchases through Pay Pal...it is much easier...although I did purchase a small scale so that I don't have to guesstimate and a tape measure for sizes since the one I use likes everything to be in cm!! With the Pay Pal one, I believe you can only ship to someone who has actually sent you money.
I don't use the actual postal one since their only form of payment is Credit card, and it defeats the whole purpose of bear stuff goes through the Pay Pal account and doesn't touch the household money!!
Hope this helps
hugs,
Krista
What about weighing your stuff? Do you own a scale?
I use the automated machine at the post office. I can use it 24/7. I go there after hours all the time, no wait, pay with debit and don't have to take my kids.
Yup I got one at Staple's Jennifer for $40.00 it is digital and can weigh anything up to 2 kg
Hugs,
Krista
fribbles, ltd.Jodi, I think the free boxes are covered in the price of the postage for Priority Mail, as you are only allowed to use the free boxes if you are shipping Priority Mail. Plus, we subsidize the USPS through the government, that's why our postage, compared to other countries, is so cheap. Alas, we still don't have health care for everyone, like lots of European countries.
I'd of course like to keep the cheap postage, but with times having changed so much and there are so many more different ways to send information other than snail mail nowadays [originally USPS was subsidized so that the masses would have an affordable way to communicate with each other], I think the free health care would be so much more helpful to Americans.
Amelia
Posts: 1,836I posted on the other thread, but thought I'd throw it out here to 
I used the label system via paypal and for me it just didn't pay. The fees cost more that the 2-4 minute drive to the post offices near me..the wait isn't that bad and at certain times of the day there is no wait. If you have another situation where it costs more to drive or wait, then the fees they hit you with would probably make sense.
I have a scale I found online, it's called an Ultraship. It's a good size, very easy to use and has some great features. Here's the maker, that links to retailers. I used the first retailer listed under USA sales and had no issues. http://www.myweigh.com/mediumscales_ultraship.html
:hug:
~Chrissi
Krista , you should get the paypal debit card. I it is perfect for using the online shipping or any purchases. It is a mastercard but works like a debit card in that it takes the money from your account right away. When you use it at the store you don't enter a pin, juust sign the slip like a credit card. You can use it at the ATM also ( $1 US fee). I use it for all my bear stuff. All the info is on the paypal site here
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cm … -ext&flow=.
It says you need a US account, but I don't and had no problem getting the card. I did upgrade to a business acount though.
p.s. I also have a 2.2KG/5lb scale I got from staples and it is almost bang on with the post office scale. That is great as my packages often hover near the magic 500g mark for international shipping where the price doubles !
Thanks Tammy, I tried to apply for it before, but it wouldn't even let me get to the application part since I have the Canadian account....could be that I just have the premier account, I will try again....thanks Tammy
Hugs
Krista
Nope it won't let me...Tammy did you get yours before we went to Pay Pal.ca? That could be why I can't get one
Hugs,
KRista
Storytime BearsThanks everyone for your info, I might try it and see if it will be better , do you need special label paper or can you print on any sticker paper?
Hugs
Jodi you can just print right onto white printer paper and then tape it on or get the clear sticky pouches from your PO either or works fine
Hugs,
krista
...... Plus, we subsidize the USPS through the government, ....
Not anymore.... that ended a number of years ago.. it now must pay for itself!
Kiprie BearsOh...we have a similar service in here too. if anyone wanted to know...hahahaha 
Post man or woman will pick up the box if you make reservation for pick up thru on-line.
Just for you info...Japanese Post are own by Country now but from after October 2007. it will changes to private management.... 
I wonder what will happen to our Post offices.
This was Marie..reporting from Japan. hee hee 
Storytime BearsI love using the packing peanuts and I know so many of them just get thrown out, I wish there was a packing peanut recycling center, where you could buy them for really cheap. Does everyone charge a handling fee, for supplies used in shipping? I am torn between doing it and not, What's your feeling on it?
BrisbaneYou guys are so lucky to have this service...we have to go to the post office to post and to buy our boxes and they don't really have a good range of sizes either!!!
As for a handling fee, I charge a small (usually $1.00 at the most) just to cover things like sticky tape, peanuts, bubble wrap etc.
This seems weird.... another topic is trying to give extras and gifts to customers in order to make them feel special ..using extra fancy papers and wrapping and tissue..etc... and striving to have them as repeat customers...... while this one seems to want to charge extra for shipping.... I don't think you can have it both ways.
I figure the shipping and "handling" (whatever that is) are covered in whatever amount the bear sells for ...even more so on ebay as the customer does pay for shipping on top of the price of the bear. That should be enough to cover shipping and handling... For me it is sometimes cheaper to ship to the U.S. than it is to elsewhere in Canada. I charge a flat shipping rate that covers the highest U.S price and some are a bit less...... so I lose a bit on the Canadian customers...but... it almost breaks even after a few. I have to drive to get groceries and do banking and errands.... I am not charging anybody for a drive to the postoffice if I am already going in that direction anyway....
Posts: 1,836You can have it both ways within an industry. I agree that one person can't have it both ways.
I don't think anyone who is using papers and extras for their packaging is talking about charging for that. I haven't seem that mentioned or even implied on either thread. Quite the opposite, it's something extra being done that doesn't affect the shipping quote already given to and paid by the consumer. Personally, if I've quoted $6.00 for shipping (the exact cost to ship that item) and my "extras" push the price to $7.50, I'm covering that $1.50....not the buyer who has already paid me.
But if the shipping boxes in your area cost $1.50 and you know that ahead of time, you can include that in your shipping and handling cost if need be. I reuse boxes (no..not the priority anymore 
) so I wouldn't need to charge a handling fee. Some might have to. Even a toaster from QVC will have a shipping and handling charge. Boxes, tape and bubble wrap cost QVC just like the cost Jane Doe the bear artist. Jane Doe might be able to recycle supplies at her smaller level and not hit her consumer with the handling charge that QVC hits its customers with. Consumers are aware that buying online means shipping (and maybe handling) will apply.
:hug:
~Chrissi
Chrissi....I was not saying anything about anyone charging for the extras...please don't put a different spin on my post...
I was merely noting that it seemd strange to read one and then the other.... that in one topic people were wondering how to do more for their customers.... and on the other hand... others were talking about charging extras for handling.....
It was just an observation more than anything else.... food for thought if you get my drift....
I round up my cost on shipping to the nearest dollar. I don't charge for handling. But I figure since I am rounding up the cost for shipping that pretty much covers the box. Everything else I do extra is out of pocket. But see, my stuff is SO small that it doesn't matter, it's 25¢ here or there. And yes, Priority Mail boxes are free. But do I use them? No...because I am usually mailing after hours and they lock up the boxes. Oh well.
Drea's BearsHas anyone ever ordered anything from Amazon?????? When they ship the use these great little packets of air that they put in the box to keep the books,cds from moving around when shipping. I wonder where those would be available? They would certanly be an alternative to foam peanuts since they are larger and I think you could pack them a little more firmly that peanuts also.
Just a thought from my very sleep brain 
AndreaM
Storytime BearsI think charging a SMALL fee for , bubble wrap,packing peanuts, tape and gas to post office is OK, because there is an actual cost involved, (as sellers we already get charged a fee from paypal if we are paid that way), but I agree, if it is all those wonderful bells and whistles it shouldn't be , but I know when I bought the bear from Aleta I wasn't charged extra, it was great advertisement, I told everyone I knew, about how wonderful the bear was and how creatively it was packed. I do think the artist should list the handling charge in the auction, and for the most part I think they do. I don't think a seller should make a ton off of shipping, but I really don't see that as a problem in the bear area. But I was charged once 4.50 for something that came in an envelope with a 39 cent stamp, it was an old stamp. Now I never bid until I look at shipping.
BrisbaneAhhh Jodi I've been caught like that too, now I always look for the shipping cost and email for a quote if there isn't one in the auction.....I hate feeling like I've been ripped off when it comes to shipping but as a buyer of many different items I don't mind at all if there is a small 'handling' charge. As long as I don't feel that people are profiteering off me!!
Posts: 1,836The worst selling "scam" out there are the sellers who sell and promote products as best deals, no lower prices, blah blah blah when it's not. Yes, the item's cheaper than what others are selling for, but the shipping and handling charge of $20+ makes up the sellers cost/profit. So in reality the seller is making out just the same as the other sellers profit wise....but doing it by pulling unaware buyers in with tricky shipping tactics.
If not listed I always ask what the shipping charge is. I pretty much have a set text of things I ask each seller if it's not mentioned in the listing...shipping cost, any odors at all: animal, smoke, must, mildew, perfumes or fabreeze type products ( I always question the odors.... some items I bought years ago were just plain gross!!). Any water damage. Fabrics I now ask if there are any marks on the back. For clothing I question tears, holes or repairs.
Most sellers are honest, but quite a few sell by a don't tell unless asked fashion...that can lead to stinky (literally) purchases!!
:hug:
~Chrissi
