I am searching for the cheapest shipping method. Who beside USPS is the most used. Does anyone use a scale to determine weight? I was thinking about DHL or UPS but I don't think they are listed. I want to give my buyers the best rates. I know I always check to see how much the s&h will be and sometimes I won't buy because the price is so high. I would appreciate any help.

Hi Weezie - I think it depends on what you are shipping. People have their favorites. I like USPS for most items that are fairly light. For heavier items UPS seems to be cheaper. Haven't really done much with FedEx, they seem to do more business deliveries. I would research prices on their sites. Insurance is another issue, overseas service another. A lot to consider depending on your individual situation.

Auctiva's lister-page dropdown menu shows all USPS and UPS services, plus catagories called "Flat-rate shipping service" and "Other" which are catch-all terms you can select for using other services, or if you want to be able to use whatever is cheapest for a particular listing without having to be specific.(Some buyers don't like that vagueness though)

By all means, get a DIGITAL postage scale so you can easily determine your s/h charges in advance. Ebay itself has some good ones. I got the 10 lb USPS model for sale on their site. for $40, like it a lot.

quote:

Originally posted by ninth_wave:
I like USPS for most items that are fairly light. For heavier items UPS seems to be cheaper.

Hi Weezie,
I have to agree with Ninth, for light weight things, I tend to use USPS. That would be mostly items around 1-2 pounds or maybe 3. Also, would depend on the shape because for flatter things, USPS is the way to go usually.

But the post office stinks for bigger items and definitely anything even slightly delicate. For that stuff you have to use UPS Ground, for sure.

Another perk to that is UPS Ground is automatically insured up to $100. Also, I see that you posted this in May, and eBay just posted some special discount on UPS shipping. You could always check that out.

I cannot imagine how you found that old posting but I appreciate your reply.
So far I have been using USPS because I am shipping light things. I am signed up with UPS but I won't need them during this special offer from Ebay.
Thanks for your help.