topic Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats) in Selling

Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

msaville1 — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 09:44:46 GMT

I'm going to start selling some NBA Snapback Caps soon.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to post them,

I've been able to fit one in a satchel before, But they might become damaged or bent,

I think I will be able to fit them in BX1 boxes.

But they are $1.38 each + $6.50 postage...

So I would have to charge $8 per item postage, Which seems a bit steep.

Has anyone got any ideas?

Matt

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

davewil1964 — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:01:24 GMT

If they aren't going to be safe in satchels, then you might not have any option. It would depend on what your selling price is going to be, what your margins are. maybe up the item price by $2 and charge $6 postage. Assuming you're selling at BIN.

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

thesoulyearns — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:18:14 GMT

I remember wearing one or two NBA hats back in the day. Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls were the big teams back then.

Anyway, the cheapest would be if you can flatten them out to send as a large letter. The thickness must be within 2cm thick. You could try putting them in between one or two very thin flat cardboard stiffners and see how you go as far as thickness.

Otherwise, it's the option you mentioned.

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

msaville1 — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:05:41 GMT

Damn, Thanks anyway.

Hard enough competing with other sellers 😞

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

i-once-was-bump — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:12:41 GMT

I remember wearing one or two NBA hats back in the day. Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls were the big teams back then.

Anyway, the cheapest would be if you can flatten them out to send as a large letter. The thickness must be within 2cm thick. You could try putting them in between one or two very thin flat cardboard stiffners and see how you go as far as thickness.

Otherwise, it's the option you mentioned.

I think that way is a really bad suggestion.

The OP wants to protect the caps from damage, not do the damage himself.

A box is the best way to send hats and caps that have any sort of stiffener in them, to try to fold or flatten will only cause damage to the stiffener.

If they have a curved peak then it cannot be flattened.

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

thesoulyearns — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:19:26 GMT

If they have a curved peak then it cannot be flattened.

I did a search and snapback caps don't have a curve. They're flat alone the brim.

Stamps for a large letter is maximum $3 but usually about $1.20 - $1.80.

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

patchoo78 — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:40:08 GMT

I did a search and snapback caps don't have a curve. They're flat alone the brim.

Stamps for a large letter is maximum $3 but usually about $1.20 - $1.80.

Either way, the cap will still be crushed.. The idea with wearing these types of caps is to have a flat brim with the cap part still remaining quite stiff. Unlike when I was at school where the caps had a curved brim and molded to your head.

I wouldn't advise flattening the caps and sending them as a large letter. You might just have to send them in a box and explain to your buyers why postage is so much..

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

tonalidesigns — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 02:11:41 GMT

If you do a search on eBay for packaging there is an Aussie seller a seller who sells small boxes that are just under 2 cm thick so can go as a large letter. These may be perfect for your items - gives some rigid protection but gets you the large letter rate. The packages work out at around 50c each for 50 or more and the postage would be either $1.20 or $1.80 depending on the weight of the caps (the package itself weighs 80g so if the caps weigh more than the 45g you will be in $1.80 postage bracket.

They also sell boxes designed specifically to fit inside 500g satchells - again the price of buying them in 50+ works out around the 50-60c mark and if you put them inside the Click & Send satchells (@$6.20) this still works out a bit cheaper than sending them in the $1.35 boxes plus $6.50 postage (plus you get tracking, proof of postage etc).

If you check my feedback as a buyer you'll be able to find their name!!!

Also - if you buy the Aust Post boxes by the 100 you will get a significant price reduction - they are still a little more expensive than the supplier I mentioned but it is an option to consider.

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

thecatspjs — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 03:34:43 GMT

Thank you tonalidesigns - fantastic tip !!! :-x

I've just snapped up 100 of these packages - just perfect for packaging my low cost lighter, thinner items

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

patchoo78 — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 04:33:51 GMT

I'm not sure a buyer of one of these caps would appreciate it being flattened to under 2cm thick.

The OPs concern was about the caps being damaged or bent in a satchel

Just to save confusion, the caps look like this:

They are usually worn as pictured, with no flattening of the cap part

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

thesoulyearns — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 04:55:47 GMT

Simply depends if the cap portion is noticably altered in any way after flattening. Might be a good idea to flatten one of the caps, leave it flattened for a while and then pop it back up. The results you get will decide whether it's a good idea or not.

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

dylan11235813 — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 05:12:14 GMT

Thank you tonalidesigns - fantastic tip !!! :-x

I've just snapped up 100 of these packages - just perfect for packaging my low cost lighter, thinner items

Except when your local post office gets so pedantic about sliding it through their slot. I just started putting them in the red mail box and have never had an issue.

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

i-once-was-bump — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 06:59:17 GMT

The caps are usually made from 8 pieces and the front 2 panels have a very strong stiffener sewn into them. Bend, squash, fold or roll and you will damage the front of the hat (where the logo is placed).

If the cap has no stiffening in them then maybe send as a large letter but be prepared for some unhappy customers.

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

thecatspjs — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 08:30:06 GMT

Except when your local post office gets so pedantic about sliding it through their slot. I just started putting them in the red mail box and have never had an issue.

I have to say that I am very fortunate to do most of my postal business with a very customer friendly, family-run local post office. :-x:-x:-x

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

licoricebabyandfabmama — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 08:44:11 GMT

For items like this where you are wondering why the competitor can sell them so cheap, I feel its worth ordering from one of your competitors (on another id, duh) and seeing how they package and send them. If they are sending them in sachels or at large letter rates then look at their feedback and see what their customers are saying. If they can afford to send them in boxes or insured sachels then maybe they are buying in large quantities and can afford to lower their prices.

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

plonkacolin — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 11:41:20 GMT

I also would love to sel lhats on here I sell many at the mkts

but the postage costs stop me from listing ive ask many times from post office but been told its $6.50 every time plus box

when you add ebay and paypal fees its just not worth it

Re: Cheapest Way To Post A Cap (Hats)

tonalidesigns — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 11:14:20 GMT

Sounds like the OP might be stuffed then if you can't squash them down!

Re the large letter compatible boxes - when we first purchased some they were spot on 2cm thick - and any tape stopped them from going through the slot. The supplier has since re-engineered them to be 1.6 cm thick - we don't have any problems from our post office with them.