Shipping scale

I got mine off of eBay for $25...it's a 55lb scale. Don't pay more than $30. Also, make sure that you check to see what the margin of error for the scale is. I.E., how accurate it is. Mine is accurate to .01, you'll see a lot that are less accurate, and are typically cheaper.

I bought mine at Staples. You are going to pay more than what you would get for on eBay though.

Thank you for the responses, I have noticed that shipping costs for scales on ebay generally run over $15. Is it still more cost effective to get off ebay? Also, I am selling a slew of odds and ends, all different weights. I have not yet shipped anything over 10 lbs. but would it be worthwhile to get a much larger scale ie. 75 lb. or do most get by on a smaller (35 or 55lb)?

I bought a 50 lb scale from Staples for $50. Maybe that will help with your decision. Also, the size depends on what you sell. I buy tractor trailer loads of computer equipment so I never know what I am getting. The 35lb scale really wouldn't work for me. But, if I were selling books, I don't think buying a 75lb scale would be worthwhile.

I bought a 30 pound scale and it is enough for me. It really depends on what you sell... how often are you going to need something more than 30 pounds, and is it worth the extra money?

As far as the accuracy, don't go overboard with that, either. All the shipping services I have found will round to the ounce, so paying extra to be able to measure to 0.01 ounces is kind of a waste, in my opinion. My scale measures to 0.1 ounces, and that is fine.

A great feature is a "hold" button - if you put a big box on the scale and it covers up the readout, you can reach under the box, hit the hold button, remove the box, and the weight will still be displayed. I have used that millions of times - don't get one without it!

I bought my scale on eBay from a seller called sivart, I think. It was $30 including the shipping for a digiweigh scale with 30 pound capacity. I'm pleased with it.

Yeah, mine has the hold feature and is 55lbs which is great for everything I sell, including computers. I couldn't see getting a scale bigger than this.

Cost, I think my total with shipping was $30.00. You've got to sift through all the scales on eBay and find the right one at the right price, they are there, I know, Mom recently decided to start selling hand-made curtains on ebay, and the bought a scale last week off of ebay for about that price (55lb)

Good luck!

I use a 5 pound scale. It's nice and small and weighs in small increments, which is nice if i want to estimate the amount of grams in a piece of jewelry. (I don't think I could use it as a definitive weight on jewelry without checking it regularly, etc.) On the rare occassions I have something bigger, there is a scale at the post office, or there is always my digital bathroom scale (half-pound increments) for a rough idea of weight.

If you do sell small things, having a tare setting is nice. Then you can put a container on the scale, tare it, and drop beads and other little things in.

I bought my wonderful little scale used from another ebay seller who mentioned she was selling one on another board, when we were talking scales. A lot of people get smaller scales then realize they need/want bigger ones. This includes the free ones from stamps.com. But I was pretty sure I just wanted a smaller one, and it's been great for a couple of years!

Ol' Will Knott has always been highly recommended for scales over on the ebay stores board. He has(had?) an ebay store, but here is his website: http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/

I got mine at www.oldwillknot.com He also sells on ebay. All sizes, all kinds, all prices. Good service. I highly recommend.

Sounds good, I will look into this seller!

Staples for $12 back in 97.

Still works. But I don't sell hardly anything over 10 lbs...so I've never worried about it much.

Wait..I sold a few cars..that doesn't count though does it? <smile>

Good luck,
Donna

My local post office sells them as well. I don't remember how much weight they can handle but they cost around 30 bucks.

I bought mine (a 5 lb. model by Pelouze) at one of the big office supply chains for around 30 bucks or so. It's been great having it too.