How Do You Handle Shipping Cost On The Forum

USPS.com, fedex.com and UPS.com have shipping calculators.  Enter origin and destination zip codes, weight and dimensions.  Both will give you a very good estimate of their price.  A listing which includes delivery penalizes buyer who is located near the point of origin.  John

Nick, I use the calculators that John mentioned.  You just need the buyer’s zip code, enter that and the box’s weight and outside dimensions to get shipping cost.

I do the opposite.  I sell for what I feel is a fair price plus shipping.  If I have an interested buyer I get their address / zip and get the shipping price based on actual quote.  That way its just a pass through.  If anything I will round down. i.e. its 11 or 12 bucks to ship so  will just ask for 10 more to cover most of the shipping.  I only sell on the forum though.  If it was a sale to a general public crowd such as ebay I would stick to the quoted shipping price.

Depending on the words you use to search for shippers rates, some of the shipper's ratings sites are overly involved and can get too complicated.

I prefer to use:

fedex.com/en-us/online/ratings.html

Very simple, just enter zip codes, weight, dimensions, value, click for rates.  Done.

.

Simple...I always use USPS Priority Mail. Has been my go-to for years selling trains. Reliable, fast (usually), and you can track the item. And I use some of the calculators mentioned above. Main drivers are weight and destination zip code.

Has served me well every time except for once during the infamous slow down this past holiday season when the package ended up in a holding pattern.

fyi - I often use ups.  reason being I that ups comes to my work daily an I can drop off in the warehouse outgoing pile and it will get picked up.

@johnstrains posted:

Simple...I always use USPS Priority Mail. Has been my go-to for years selling trains. Reliable, fast (usually), and you can track the item. And I use some of the calculators mentioned above. Main drivers are weight and destination zip code.

Has served me well every time except for once during the infamous slow down this past holiday season when the package ended up in a holding pattern.

My thinking is USPS Priority Mail has gotten inordinately expensive in the past year. Comparing recent prices, a 8 lb pkg., insured for $350, was north of $50 to LaJolla, and $35 via FedEx Residential.

I like PirateShip.com.  It will search out the best shipping price and often discounts even USPS.

George

I just include USPS shipping in the price I ask. I'm not running a business. Sometimes I just have some stock that is taking up room and not being used. I'm happy to pass it on to someone, while getting a few dollars in my paypal account.

@cjack posted:

I just include USPS shipping in the price I ask. I'm not running a business. Sometimes I just have some stock that is taking up room and not being used. I'm happy to pass it on to someone, while getting a few dollars in my paypal account.

This is how I usually do it when selling on the forum. When selling on eBay I use the calculators mentioned above and get a quote based on the worst case scenario because once you specify a shipping price you can't later make it more money. Recently I sold two cars on eBay for friend. We based the shipping quote on going to California but the guy who bought them was in Virginia. I refunded him the difference which in this case was $17. Unfortunately, the problem I encountered was that I still had to pay the eBay 15% fees on that $17. I didn't know that. Next time I do this I will refund the person the shipping difference but I will keep 15% of it. I don't think it is fair of eBay to charge the fees on the shipping over payment but that's what they do. I know the OP didn't ask about eBay but I thought it was useful information.

I very rarely sell on the forum, mostly purchase on the forum.  When I do sell something, most times I split the shipping with the buyer and I get it all boxed up and then get the actual cost and notify the buyer of the actual cost and what their portion will be.  If its a large ticket item, like over $550, then I usually pay the costs, I think the buyer appreciates it more and might end up a return purchaser in the future.  When you start adding on the shipping costs, especially these days, that might just make or brake a deal for some people.  Just my 2 cents worth which isn't really worth much these days anyway.

I use Paypal shipping calculator. The price paypal quotes is a discount from the counter. If paypal fails and/or I have computer printer issues, i go to my nearest Staples who gives me the same Paypal discount for UPS.

I only buy.  Given that I live at the end of the road in South Texas shipping is always a consideration in buy or no buy decisions.  It has gotten to the point on ebay that I normally don't buy single cars because the shipping is more than the car in some instances.

I just received a car from a guy last week that had tried to be helpful and put a K-Line car in a soft shipper rather that a box.  One pair of trucks arrived in pieces and while the car was sitting on the counter, the other truck crumbled before my eyes.  Since I have had this problem with K-Line trucks in the past  (which is why I buy L-Kine cars when they are cheap) I just swapped trucks off a spare car and moved on.

I have bought a bunch of K-Line sets recently and I don't mind the $125 to $150 for the sets but the $50 to $70 shipping is really pushing the limit.  The 15% shipping fee does not appear to be fair from a consumer viewpoint.  Having been in business where shipping costs are substantial I understand but really?

I vote for the, 'just tell me what it cost at my door price' and I won't have to refrain from buying because of the shipping cost.

Shipping fees have really risen in the last year or so.  They have taken most of the fun of buying on line.  High shipping fees are a big plus for buying at a trains show if you can and not travel too far.

Charlie

I tend to use UPS exclusively for shipping and rather than go to the closest UPS store, I drive the extra few miles to the UPS shipping terminal. Significantly cheaper. Also, on an expensive item requiring insurance as well as shipping eg. a locomotive, I will split the shipping and insurance with the buyer. They seem to appreciate the gesture.

Thanks for all the replies.  I'll continue to ship USPS Priority but I'm going to buy a scale to take the guess work out of  the sale.  I'll also continue to list an item as INCLUDES SHPPING.  Thanks again.

@G3750 posted:

I like PirateShip.com.  It will search out the best shipping price and often discounts even USPS.

George

I also use PirateShip.com.  When I sell on the forum, I indicate that shipping is extra.  Once I have the buyer's zip code, I can get the discounted price from PirateShip.com. 

I never heard of PirateShip.  I’ll have to check that out.

How many times do I reply trying to help someone, and I learn something new on this forum?  Many times!  

@rattler21 posted:

Bill,  I think you will find USPS rates reasonable for one or two cars out to about five hundred miles.  More than two cars(heavyweight passenger car) over five hundred miles generally will be less expensive via UPS or FedEx.  The most I've spent was $97 to mail four GGD heavyweights to Australia. John

Most directions from where I live and you are still in Texas.

@Mark Boyce posted:

I never heard of PirateShip.  I’ll have to check that out.

How many times do I reply trying to help someone, and I learn something new on this forum?  Many times!  

Mark I think this forum is the greatest asset the O Gauge community has.

@Hudson J1e posted:

I don't think it is fair of eBay to charge the fees on the shipping over payment but that's what they do. I know the OP didn't ask about eBay but I thought it was useful information.

eBay started this because there were buyers that were charging almost nothing for the item with huge shipping costs in order circumvent eBay fees. A few bad apples as always causes everyone else to pay the price.

I personally don't use the buy/sell much because several members here have stated that they really don't like quoting shipping prior to the sale for some reason. I am not one to commit to something before I know what I am getting in to.

I calculate shipping into the selling price and offer free shipping.  Everyone loves free shipping.

Most of my few sales have not been train items and have not been on the OGR Buy/Sell page.  The initial ones I handled badly.  I went to the USPS, found out what their shipping rate would be for the items I was selling and then rolled the shipping cost into the item cost.  The difficulty was that buyers would want discounts for multiple items or would want me to use a different shipping method.  The shipping costs and/or hassles always ended up being greater than I anticipated.  I then shifted to price plus shipping with a local pickup option.  It is amazing how many people will spend $10 in gas to avoid an $8 shipping charge.

I figure rolling stock is $12.95 via UPS and USPS. That’s pretty middle of the road.

Engines, I ask the seller his zip code first, then I look at the master shipper,  plug in the weight, dimensions and zip code as this gives you a good example of the cost. If I don’t have that information, I put get in my scale with the package, get a ball park weight and do the same above.

Why do I do this? Because I miss calculated one time and it cost me $50.00 more than I expected and quoted to a buyer. I wasn’t about to ask the buyer to pay for my mistake.

Works for me.

I still just include shipping. It's easier since everyone knows the price right off. I do think, however, that the guys in California and Oregon are on to me. I've had a few sales to out there. It's a bit pricier from Illinois.

I always ask and appreciate shipping charges.    That determines the price to me, a really good selling price makes no sense if the seller adds an amount unknown until after the deal is negociated.     I don't buy on Ebay.   I have heard too many stories from friends being burned one way or another, and the new fee schedule just adds to the negative  opinion.

I like best when seller gives a price including shipping.

I just weight the item, figure how big the packaging is going to be, then do an estimate from the USPS/UPS/FedEx shipping sites.  For anything that's more than around $100, I also include insurance.

I charge exactly what USPS, FedEx or UPS charges me.  Once a buyer gives me their address, I weigh the item in its shipping box to calculate shipping and then email the buyer the exact cost of shipping.

Neal Jeter

@Lionlman posted:

I charge exactly what USPS, FedEx or UPS charges me.  Once a buyer gives me their address, I weigh the item in its shipping box to calculate shipping and then email the buyer the exact cost of shipping.

Neal Jeter

I went back to what Neal does.  I had started including shipping into the as for price.  However, when a buyer said he was in California, I ended up paying a lot more than I had expected for shipping.  It was on a building, not heavy, but large box.  As a buyer, I don't have any issue agreeing to shipping cost as I keep it in the back of my mind when negotiating a sale price.

I to used to sell my trains with shipping included in the negotiated price. Well, I sold a Lionel ZW-C transformer to a forum member in California, Assuming $45 would handle it, Wow, $88 was the actual cost. I shipped the ZW packed real good and the buyer received it fine. However, from now on I’m using the online calculators from FedEx and UPS, and USPS. I’m in the hobby for fun, just selling extras, so if I lose a few dollars it’s not a big deal. I’m not a dealer, also when attending shows it seems buyers are looking for good deals, it’s all in the Game. I’m thankful for the available OGR For Sale, and Want to Buy Forums. Thank you OGR. Happy Railroading Everyone

Years ago I bought a cheap ($25) postal scale on ebay.  It still works and is accurate.

I've shipped plenty of items here and on ebay, but I'm done doing that.  I used to store tons of boxes and packing material.   So much so that my garage was half full of empty boxes.  The next time I get rid of a train item it will be at auction at Cabin Fever Auctions.  I'm very impressed by them!

Including shipping in the price of a heavy item can be tricky.  It cost almost $100 to ship a tinplate 392 engine from here in NJ to California.  I've also shipped 2 similar items, one to Texas, and one to Duluth, with wildly different shipping costs.  Sending the item to Texas was a little over $5, while sending the item to Duluth was over $20.  I presume it has to do with shipping routes and distribution centers.

I think your best bet is to pack the item, record its dimensions including weight, get the recipient's address, then use the online calculators to find the best option.

Yes. Big box, and heavy. It’s interesting to see how the cost varies with the size and weight. I had a 15 oz  box to ship for $10 something and then finished putting tape onto it. The weight went to 1 pound and the shipping went up to $14 something.

I quote shipping based on experience - I usually come with a dollar either way. Shipping quotes need to be a little higher if the buyer is west of the Mississippi, I am on LI, NY

When you think about it, it’s an incredible bargain to have something taken across the country in 3 days and delivered to someone’s front door for a few ten dollar bills. I know that there is economy of scale, but still it’s quite a deal.

BTW, I’ve recently bought some ham radio kits from a very cleverly run company by a British fellow in Turkey that get delivered here in a week or two for about 19 bucks. Another miracle of technology.

@rattler21 posted:

USPS.com, fedex.com and UPS.com have shipping calculators.  Enter origin and destination zip codes, weight and dimensions.  Both will give you a very good estimate of their price.  A listing which includes delivery penalizes buyer who is located near the point of origin.  John

Easy fix there. Give the buyer a credit. Seller should not be making a profit on shipping. Problem for the seller is the opposite situation where the shipping cost exceeds what the seller charged because the buyer is far away.

Pat

I have found Shippo as the best option. It provides a ton of options plus discounts too.

If you sell through eBay or FB Marketplace you will get a discount on shipping. Buyers only need to be signed up with their zip code and those platforms will automatically calculate and show shipping to potential buyers. In the lead up to Christmas, Marketplace was offering free shipping and that produced an avalanche of orders.

I have an account with Shippo for orders through groups. However I only sold a couple things that way.

Quick comparison of UPS rates offered through their website, vs. through Pirateship, for an 8 lb, 29.5” L X 8.0” W X 5.5” Railking Steam Locomotive, insured for $300, being shipped from NY to OR via UPS Ground.

UPS $31.12

Pirateship $18.19

I am amazed at the difference.

Stupid question here, being relatively new to this world: where are things posted for sale here? I see the "Store", but that looks like only merchandise....or is there a different Forum for buy/sell/swap?

When selling, I like to include the shipping cost in the asking price. I usually have a pretty good idea of the cost to ship. Sometimes though, I am a little low, and take a loss on the shipping. Very rarely, I am a little high, so it averages out. If I come up with a sale where I find the estimated shipping was way too high, I will offer send the buyer a refund for any overcharge. I almost always have the shipping a little underpriced. But hey, so I lose a little, I am not in this hobby to make a profit.

Jeff

The shipping calculators are not very accurate for UPS and FedEx.  Usually way overpriced. 

I shipped a large item (4 ft x 3 ft) and the calculator said 325.00.  At the UPS drop center, it was 126.00.

I asked them about it, and he had no idea how the website calculates stuff.  Everything is by dimensional weight now, not actual weight.

If it is a small Item, I just give an estimate that is close and if it's a couple bucks more I just pay it.

Large expensive items (over 1000.00) I usually charge a flat rate which covers half and I pay the difference.

Super expensive items I include shipping as a courtesy for buying such an expensive item.

If buyer wants exact actual, I just give an estimate I know will cover it and it is very easy to refund the difference if it is less.

I will say some sellers shipping has been so high it has nixed the deal.   I like sellers who share the shipping costs with me when I buy something.

@endless tracks posted:

Stupid question here, being relatively new to this world: where are things posted for sale here? I see the "Store", but that looks like only merchandise....or is there a different Forum for buy/sell/swap?

On any page, go to the upper left and click on the three horizontal white bars. Then, click on Home, then Directory, then scroll down to Miscellaneous. You will see both the For Sale, and Want to Buy boards.

Mark et al,

Your advice apparently does not apply to my browser on a computer because I see no "three white bars" at the top of any page.  Here's some advice that works for all, I believe.

Go to the top of any forum page and find the white menu bar just underneath the OGR advertising boxes of varying sizes.  Then, click on Home, click on Directory, and scroll down to Miscellaneous to find "For Sale or Trade" and "Wanted to Buy."

Chuck

@PRR1950 posted:

Mark et al,

Your advice apparently does not apply to my browser on a computer because I see no "three white bars" at the top of any page.  Here's some advice that works for all, I believe.

Go to the top of any forum page and find the white menu bar just underneath the OGR advertising boxes of varying sizes.  Then, click on Home, click on Directory, and scroll down to Miscellaneous to find "For Sale or Trade" and "Wanted to Buy."

Chuck

The three bars only appear on smaller screens (phones, tablets, etc.) or when the browser window is sized below 1000 pixels.  Some older computers maxed out at 800x600 (or less) and some people manually set the resolution to that size to make the text bigger. 

On a computer, at the top there is a horizontal navigation menu.  If you hover over "HOME" with your mouse pointer, then move the mouse down to "MISCELLANEOUS FORUMS" another sub-menu will pop out and you will see "FOR SALE or TRADE".  Click that.

Here's a direct link for convenience.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/forum/for-sale-or-trade

As usual, more than 1 way to skin a cat.

I have a pile of stuff I've been meaning to take photos of for sale on the forum.  I was leaning toward actual shipping cost capped at $30.00  verses a guestimate of $15.00 to $18.00 for the majority of items and a cap of $30.00 for larger items so I don't have to run to the post office twice for a shipment.

Anthony

I use the UPS calculator. Once someone is interested, I'll give them packaging dimensions and weight. Many times, the shipping is high so you have to set the price to be competitive for the used product to influence them to buy your item vs the item new. People are cheap these days anyways.

Even eBay recommends offering "free shipping" to get more sales. My limited experience with it  ... I don't know if it's true.

I live on the east coast in NJ, so I would box up the package, weigh and measure it, and use the online calculators to find the shipping cost to the middle of the country, and include that in my selling price. You win some, you lose that way. But, I'm so stupidly honest, I would still refund buyers if the actual cost of shipping was less because they were close. lol

I prefer to charge the buyer for shipping. And, I enable the price to printed right on the shipping label, so the buyer knows I'm not padding the cost. (Yet, I still had a person on eBay accuse me of ripping them off on the shipping charges. Friggn' people )

@CNJ Jim posted:

I prefer to charge the buyer for shipping. And, I enable the price to printed right on the shipping label, so the buyer knows I'm not padding the cost. (Yet, I still had a person on eBay accuse me of ripping them off on the shipping charges. Friggn' people )

This is what I do. There's no right or wrong way, as long as both parties agree to the deal.

Wow....never knew there was a For Sale tab until I saw inquiries about shipping. Now I have to wonder how many good deals I missed! LOL. Thanks to all who responded!

@Sean's Train Depot posted:

Everything is by dimensional weight now, not actual weight.

I will say some sellers shipping has been so high it has nixed the deal.   I like sellers who share the shipping costs with me when I buy something.

I’ve been selling off a portion of my collection over the last year or so and the dimensional weight thing is the real issue.  

For example, MTH buildings and accessories in their original boxes.  They require large dimensional shipping boxes (usually cubical in shape)…but are typically very light.  The shipping fees are outrageous.  A building that I sell for $25-$50 will very often have an actual shipping cost that is equal to—or sometimes much more—than the actual selling price of the item!  And it doesn’t matter which carrier…I’ve tried them all and they’re all crazy high!

Buyers sometimes don’t believe me when I quote them a total with shipping, so I give them the dimensions and weight of the shipment and encourage them to check for themselves.  

And as far as sharing the shipping cost with the buyer on these bulky, but lightweight items…I just can’t justify selling an already discounted $50 building and split the $40 shipping fee.  I would net about $30 and just can’t afford to do that.

Meanwhile I can ship a 9-10 lb. $500 locomotive insured in a 24” x 8” x 8” box for a fraction of the cost of the lightweight (but dimensionally large)  cubical box containing a $25-$50 building.  Doesn’t make sense to me!

I still have quite a few buildings and operating accessories to sell, but I’m seriously thinking of renting a table or two at one of our local TCA shows so I don’t have to deal with the ridiculous shipping fees.

@CNJ #1601 posted:

…
Meanwhile I can ship a 9-10 lb. $500 locomotive insured in a 24” x 8” x 8” box for a fraction of the cost of the lightweight (but dimensionally large)  cubical box containing a $25-$50 building.  Doesn’t make sense to me!

I think with less trucks running space is at a premium.  So big lightweight items ship for the cost of what something heavier would.

I expect to collect the agreed upon price and the actual shipping to the buyer. I do not charge for packaging or handling. I've noticed anything coming out of eastern New York state has higher shipping than that coming from the Carolinas. Nearly the same shipping distance, so I have to believe there are higher structural costs there. California (west coast) can be high as well, just depends. I get the shipping included idea, but if there is $20 or more cost savings to the closer in buyers, why not let them know that upfront instead of later in the form of a credit?   I suppose being in the Midwest helps keep shipping down.

I have accounts with FedEx and UPS so I can get reasonably accurate shipping costs. On occasion I will step up a dummy listing on the bay to confirm shipping costs. For me, FedEx is usually more cost effective and includes a higher insurance coverage. I prefer to pass the savings on to forum members, but I have never sold anything through this forum. It goes on the auction site and sells for 20% more plus there. 

Lastly I sell my unwanted equipment at usually my cost which is where I price it at. The only things that don't are engines I've bought new and later sold off. Those lately have been at 75% of new and when adding in 10% Illinois sales tax and shipping, I am down 40%. I see those as payments for lessons learned.

I don't sell a lot of stuff, but have sold a few items via ebay and the forum.  Prior to listing the item, I find a box, pack it up with adequate padding (don't seal it), take it to the machine at the post office and enter the farthest CONUS zip code to get a price that should be near the maximum.  Then I based the shipping cost on that number and included it in the listing.  I might make or lose a couple of bucks on the shipping - not a big deal. 

This method isn't viable for someone who sells a lot of stuff or lives a long way from a post office.

@Mallard4468 posted:

I don't sell a lot of stuff, but have sold a few items via ebay and the forum.  Prior to listing the item, I find a box, pack it up with adequate padding (don't seal it), take it to the machine at the post office and enter the farthest CONUS zip code to get a price that should be near the maximum.  Then I based the shipping cost on that number and included it in the listing.  I might make or lose a couple of bucks on the shipping - not a big deal.

This method isn't viable for someone who sells a lot of stuff or lives a long way from a post office.

I got my self a small digital scale.  Better yet, you can get a digital force gauge or analog spring scale (pictured) and then you'll have something to measure drawbar pulling power and drawbar load/drag for your trains!

The one pictured will do up to 5kg or 11 lbs.  With the dimensions and weight, you can just plug in into the USPS website for an estimate!  https://postcalc.usps.com/?_gl...LjAuMTY0MzExNjU0NS4w

@Mark Boyce posted:

I never heard of PirateShip.  I’ll have to check that out.

How many times do I reply trying to help someone, and I learn something new on this forum?  Many times!  

Just bumping this thread. I've been using Pirate Ship recently and it's awesome. From, To, Dimensions, Weight and you'll get rates for UPS and USPS. They will generally be 50%+ less than retail from the USPS or UPS directly. You can also add insurance, signatures, etc. Your average engine shipping carton should ship most places in the CONUS for 12-15$ with insurance. With all the buying/selling people do on here, it can really save the buyers and sellers some money.

Also, don't let the name Pirate Ship scare anyone - it's basically just a shipping label website where they can pass along "commercial" style discounts to anyone. In the end, same labels/shipping service you would get from USPS or UPS directly.

I have accounts with various shipping companies and do the transaction online.  The estimates are what it costs.  I print labels then drop them off.

Bruce

@endless tracks posted:

Wow....never knew there was a For Sale tab until I saw inquiries about shipping. Now I have to wonder how many good deals I missed! LOL. Thanks to all who responded!

You can subscribe to the For-Sale forum and see each new post as it is posted.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

You can subscribe to the For-Sale forum and see each new post as it is posted.

Where do I click to subscribe?

I use the UPS site with the zip code to where it is going with the size and weight of the box. Then I usually split the cost with the buyer as I ship from my job as I get a discounted UPS shipping rates. This way the buyer saves.

@Windy City posted:

Where do I click to subscribe?

It's not as easy as it should be.

Go to Your Settings in your user profile, select NOTIFICATIONS.  Scroll down and click on Show Per-Forum Settings near the bottom of the page.  Now scroll down until you get to the For-Sale forum settings and check off the options you'd like.

Thank you very much John.  As always, you make being a member of this forum a learning experience.

God Bless and Stay Healthy

@GregK posted:

Just bumping this thread. I've been using Pirate Ship recently and it's awesome. From, To, Dimensions, Weight and you'll get rates for UPS and USPS. They will generally be 50%+ less than retail from the USPS or UPS directly. You can also add insurance, signatures, etc. Your average engine shipping carton should ship most places in the CONUS for 12-15$ with insurance. With all the buying/selling people do on here, it can really save the buyers and sellers some money.

Also, don't let the name Pirate Ship scare anyone - it's basically just a shipping label website where they can pass along "commercial" style discounts to anyone. In the end, same labels/shipping service you would get from USPS or UPS directly.

Greg:

Great information. Pirate Ship provides a terrific option to sell trains (or anything else) outside of eBay. I did a few sample searches, and PirateShip offers exactly the same shipping rates as eBay, and you avoid the ridiculous eBay fees. Thanks.

Pat