Hey, if you got a package weighing over 13 oz, say 2lbs.  Is the best way to ship priority mail?  I was checking to see how much it would cost through paypal, and I think my item which is a game would have to fit in the medium box.  At 2lbs, I am looking at $11 to ship.  That is crazy.  Is it better just to take the package into the post office and get an estimate?

Don't use the priority flatrate for this, use standard priority (your own box). This will depend on location but is usually cheaper. Should be for 2lb.

I would buy a scale off amazon. Comes in handy! 

I would buy a scale off amazon. Comes in handy! 

Or you could use the one you have in your kitchen. Assuming you got one of those.

Don't use the priority flatrate for this, use standard priority (your own box). This will depend on location but is usually cheaper. Should be for 2lb.

Is that option available through paypal? 

 

I would buy a scale off amazon. Comes in handy! 

I have one.  Package is around 2 lbs.

Is that option available through paypal?

Yes. Used it this morning.

Yes. Used it this morning.

Would that be the "partial select" nonpresort option?

In paypal there is an option when you click buy shipping, choose usps, then select priority thick/small package from the drop down menu. After you select that there should be an option under the menu that says compare shipping or something. Click it and it will allow you to configure dimensions and weight. 

Hope that helps.

In paypal there is an option when you click buy shipping, choose usps, then select priority thick/small package from the drop down menu. After you select that there should be an option under the menu that says compare shipping or something. Click it and it will allow you to configure dimensions and weight. 

Hope that helps.

Ok, I select usps enter in a made up name and address, select service type -->priority mail, package size -->package/thick envelope, put box dimensions 6.5x8x5, and weight 2lbs.  I don't see any option to compare shipping.  I hit continue and it just brings up the price of $7.55 on the next page.  That seems like a lot.  What am I missing? 

 

thanks for the help

after you enter the dimensions and weight click compare in that box and it should give you the price options of standard and priority.

Usually 2-3 lbs. is cheapest with priority unless you are shipping across the country the UPS or FexEx might be cheaper. Agree that you should use your own box. The flat rate boxes are only good if you are shipping something more than 5-6 pounds. Even then, it could still be cheaper to use your own box if you are shipping to within your surrounding states. 

after you enter the dimensions and weight click compare in that box and it should give you the price options of standard and priority.

Might be a browser thing but I don't see any place that allows me to click compare. 

Watch your box dimensions with priority on those lightweight packages.  I was sending a package priority, but since it was longer than 12 inches, it automatically kicked into being shipped by dimension, instead of weight.  The weight that is automatically input is 15lbs.  So the <4lb box that I wanted to ship to Florida, came out to $30. 

did you sell through ebay? cheaper to print a label through ebay, if you sold it through ebay. i usually get a good discount, not sure if its for everybody though. like everyone said, 2 lbs and under use your own box ... above 2 pounds it might be cheaper to use the flat rates ... compare and save ....

did you sell through ebay? cheaper to print a label through ebay, if you sold it through ebay. i usually get a good discount, not sure if its for everybody though. like everyone said, 2 lbs and under use your own box ... above 2 pounds it might be cheaper to use the flat rates ... compare and save ....

I am going to put it on ebay just wanted to figure out how much I should factor into shipping before I do.

I am going to put it on ebay just wanted to figure out how much I should factor into shipping before I do.

get your shipping cost and factor it in to the minimum price youll accept if its auction and add on free shipping ... get more interested parties that way ....

Attached some screenshots for visual aid.

I don't know if you can see eBay's shipping calculations unless you have already sold an item on eBay and choose to "Print shipping label" again just for testing purposes (not actually print another).

In my test example, your weight/dimensions from CA to NJ is $8.99. The shipping costs are painful at any level, but that's a little easier to swallow than $11 or more.

 

My first pic had the wrong info from the original sale. If you see in the middle, there's a link "Change weight & dimensions" where you get to Pic #2. That lets you see all the options in one easy spot.

Yeah, I don't get the option to compare shipping rates since I was just calculating prices just through paypal without going through ebay.  The price I came up with the dimensions of 8x6.5x5 at 2lbs was $7.55.  That would be priority mail and my own packaging.  Still thought the package would be cheaper.  I really appreciate the help/info

Depending on what part of the country you're in, you may find USPS priority regional boxes useful.

 

Priority Mail Regional Box A1 10" x 7" x 4-3/4" Priority Mail Regional Box A2 10-15/16" x 2-3/8" x 12-13/16" Priority Mail Regional Box B1 12" x 10-1/4" x 5" Priority Mail Regional Box B2 14-3/8" x 2-7/8" x 15-7/8"

 

I don

I saw those too.  Just hard to calculate shipping before you know your buyer.  I actually ordered a couple boxes just in case.

Regional boxes are great. They work best for short hauls, but are often slightly less than medium flat rate across country as well. You are limited to 15 pounds I believe, but the boxes are thinner stock than the medium flat rate box so you will probably only want to stick with items under 10 pounds anyways.

Regional A is the one that is usually cheaper than medium flat rate boxes. Regional B is larger but much more expensive except for short hauls. I don't even bother with C since it is $$$.

Also, if you ship a lot of items locally that are under 3" thick and lightweight, get the 1095 boxes. You can often ship stuff for less than medium rate but the box is bigger than the "thinner" medium box.

I've found Padded Flat Rate and Legal Flat Rate to be some of the more versatile options in your shipping arsenal.  

Unfortunately, as you are discovering, there isn't a lot of flex between the first class prices and jumping to Priority. Instinct always makes me look for a $4-5 option when I am slightly over 13 oz, but it just doesn't really exist for most sales.

What I tend to do with fearing the unknown, is I do my test calculations with a few zip codes furthest away for a worst-case pricing. Price the set accordingly and anything cheaper (closer) is a bonus.

Watch your box dimensions with priority on those lightweight packages.  I was sending a package priority, but since it was longer than 12 inches, it automatically kicked into being shipped by dimension, instead of weight.  The weight that is automatically input is 15lbs.  So the <4lb box that I wanted to ship to Florida, came out to $30.

Hmm? That doesn't make sense. A lot of regular Priority Mail boxes have a side that is longer than 12". It should only go to dimensional if 84-108" in combined length + girth and less than 20 lbs. If your package wasn't that big, they screwed you.