Postal charges

[2bargainhunter]

Hi there!

I sold an item and I weighted it with an accurate scale. I put the weight and size on the postage calculator and turned out I should charge $7. I thought it was a bit cheap but I usualy dont sell small stuff so just trusted the calculator.

It turned out I had to pay $14 for postage.

What did I do wrong?

Regards

Marc

[horizon1907]

Hey ya Marc, What was the weight & dimensions of the parcel ? 

[kyjati]

 Hi, its possible that the packaging wasn't taken into account, I have been caught out a couple of times with that.  You would be suprised how little it takes to bring you over the 500 gm weight limit.

[2bargainhunter]

Well, no. The weight of the parcel was 650g and the postage calculator stated $7 to $15 or therabout, however when it came to send the invoice to the buyer it automatically added on $7, so basically it is a useless distraction if it can not determine the postage. I could have chage it manually but the buyer wouldn't have been too impressed. 

[davewil1964]

Thye postage calculator on eBay uses Australia Post's calculator.

There is no way, unless it will fit in a B1 box through eBay labels, that you can send over 500g for 'around' $7. You have been hit with the price for a 3kg satchel it would seem.

What postage method did you choose? That is what the price is based on.

[cherry*135]

up to 500g parcel, own packaging is $7.20, that is the lower end of parcel rates.

I noticed this yesterday on Aust Post calculator.

It calculated the right rate for the small parcel measurements/weight (400gms) I entered - $7.20

But for a satchel recommendation it  came up with a 5kg one ($16.70). It does say recommended size is a guide only.

What help is that to someone who isn't familiar with satchel sizes? Why doesn't it recommend a 500g one?

[davewil1964]

I have nfi.

I use the calculator through TL and select the correct satchel for satchels.

For the rest they are pretty much either large letter ('free') or B1 boxes (flat).

[haolove13]

And remember with the final value fees on postage that you will lose money if you only charge $7.20

$ 8.60 will leave you very close to breakeven with 85 cents for Final value fees, and 50 cents for paypal charges.  

(if you have already recovered the 30 cents per item paypal fee you can reduce it by 33 cents. )

Everybody else makes money from postage except you and the buyer.

And a $13.40 satchel is getting close to $16.00 now to recover fees. 

[davewil1964]

The extra FVF for postage attracts an extra Paypal charge of 2.4% on any extra postage you charge, not the full value of the postage, nor including the 30c transaction fee.

Unless, of course, the buyer is only paying for postage and not an item plus postage.

Please don't misrepresent the cost.