postage and packaging solutions for an occasional seller

[chezzy]

After quite an absence from selling I decided recently to try ebay again.
(My amount of feedback is no reflection on my knowledge - I am hoping
some of you guys can help me come up with some options so I can get back
into the decluttering).

For the moment I have a limited supply of prepaid 3kg and 500gram AP satchels.

I can not get to Post Offices on a regular basis so at the moment I
am somewhat restricted to items that will fit in a post box. This will
rule out larger/bulkier items 😞

When I quizzed Australia Post about pick ups to get around the issues
of me not being able to get to a PO, was told they can not pick up
prepaid satchel items. Even if I have other items done by say
Click and Send for example they can not take the prepaid items.
I don't send enough packages to qualify for e-parcel apparently.

I was aware of Click and Send satchels/arrangements online and have
used it a couple times in the past but had problems with printing
the bar codes etc. And I would actually prefer to avoid cranking up
the big printer and printing out paperwork.

I love the idea of prepaid postage satchels and envelopes and
spitting out address labels speedily with my little Dymo.

Am I missing anything in the quest to streamline my posting and
packing? Thankyou

[shypansy]

If you use satchels would it not be possible to get to a post office once or twice a week?  you could state in your description that you are only able to post on a specific day or days,  or do you have a friend or family member who could do the drop off for you.

Alternatively, list as Pick up only.  that way no need to pack and send anything, the buyers come to you and pay cash.

[chezzy]

Yes I do put something in my listings but I don't specify what days or anything because I just don't know. In reality sometimes I am only able to get to a Post Office on a Saturday morning and even those items would sit at the Post Office until Monday clearance.

My ideal solution would be to have say one day a week for despatch - with Australia Post/courier picking up all my bulky items in one hit (small items I can still mail out several times a week).

[davewil1964]

I would seriously look at C&S. The satchels are significantly cheaper than the standard AP ones (and looking to be more so in a fortnight), so the extra work in cranking up the printer to print the labels would be worth it, imo. Depending on how much AP charge for pickup.

Plus, buyers don't always read things, so if you take a more than a day to post, even when that is clear in your listings, your postage time stars could well take a hit.

[chezzy]

If the AP postage prices are supposedly changing in a fortnight, why am I having trouble getting information on the products? I would like to be prepared for when my current satchels run out.

On the phone to Australia Post this week and they could not give me the information I wanted. They did offer to get someone to contact me about e-parcel even though I had made it clear that I wouldn't be sending large quantities! 😞

Looks like I will just have to wait and see, and then compare the new options to Click and Send.

[davewil1964]

Have a look on these boards. There are a couple (at least) threads about the new charges. With links even.

A bit of an imposition to have to look, admittedly, but there you go.

[chezzy]

Thanks. I just had a package arrive that was done via Click and Send (it's an ebay 500g Flat Rate satchel with a Parcel Post Plus label/slip of paper the sender has obviously printed). I had to sign for it.

Helps me know what I am dealing with should I choose to go with C&S myself.

What is the actual total price (current) for C&S, ebay 500g satchel with tracking and cover up to $100?

According to my calculations re the 'new' satchels/service it would cost me $9.75 for pre-paid 500g with the $100 cover.($12.70 if I want a signature too?) Is that right?

[chezzy]

If the C&S prices don't go up it really is worth me considering:

$7.20 for 500g track/sign (versus $12.70 for pre-paid satchel)

$11.55 for 3kg track/sign

[davewil1964]

If the C&S prices don't go up it really is worth me considering:

$7.20 for 500g track/sign (versus $12.70 for pre-paid satchel)

$11.55 for 3kg track/sign

Plus the satchel price; 15-25c 500g, 21-35c 3kg. Plus ink and paper. Still significantly cheaper