ne problem with eBay is piece of equipment is a set of
that unless you are careful postal scales. Not only does this
you can end up spending far save you time by allowing you to
too much time on routine tasks pre stamp packages but it is also
such as packing and shipping. Not very useful when you are listing
only is there the time spent an item. You can quickly and
wrapping the items, but also when accurately calculate the exact
you take them to your local post cost of postage for each item.
office to have them weighed, This can save you making those
stamped and posted. As someone errors of under estimating the
who never seems to have enough true cost of posting an item or
time I have adopted some time having to make a special journey
saving measures which frees up my to the post office just to find
time to do other things. out what it will cost to post.
1.Buy Stamps in advance. 3. Buy packaging materials online
Many of the items that I sell are
similar, CDs , audio tapes and A thriving industry has grown on
books. Therefore I know exactly eBay offering packaging
what the postage is for these materials. It really is a case of
items and I buy in advance a selling spades to miners, but as
quantity of stamps for the a result the competition in this
various denominations that I use. field is very fierce. This means
I can then pack, stamp them and that you can make considerable
just drop them into the post box savings if you go to the
without the need to wait at the Business, Office and Industrial
post office counter. Category and look in Packing and
Postal supplies. Also many of the
2.Get a set of scales major stationers such as Staples
Of course one really helpful and Viking offer a good 24 hour
service and often have some your local post office will be
attractive special offers or happy to supply you with a stock
gifts to make an even better of the forms that you might need.
deal. Most offer free postage for The ones I keep handy are customs
orders over a certain quite low declarations, recorded
amount. International and national forms
and supplies of airmail and
4. Whenever possible use padded fragile stickers. Completing
bags. these and applying them to your
If it is suitable for your packages before you go up to the
products one of the great time post office can save considerable
savers is the use of padded time.
envelopes. They come in a big
range of sizes and thickness and 6. Use Rubber stamps
are suitable for a wide range of I also have a selection of rubber
products. It is much easier and stamps with First Class Mail, Do
quicker just to pop something Not Bend, Small Packet Rate, This
into an envelope and seal it than saves the time rather than
putting something in a box, put writing these phrases over and
in padding and using tape to seal over again.
it. Also these days padded
envelopes can work out cheaper 7. Pre print return labels
than other forms of packaging. I would never send out a packet
without a return address on it.
5. Hold a stock of Post Office Over the years that I have used
Forms eBay I have had about 5 parcels
These days forms control our come back to me because they were
lives and it is no different with undeliverable for one reason or
the postal authorities. Normally another. If I had not had a
if you are a regular postal user return address label on them they
and the contents would have been waiting in line at the post
gone forever. You can of course office.
order a pack of name and address
labels from the local printer but 9. Copy addresses from Paypal
I have found the most cost notification.
effective is to use the sheets of Whenever you get payment
plain labels such as Avery, the notification from Paypal it will
65 labels to a sheet are ideal contain the name and address of
and print them off as required a the buyer. I always highlight and
sheet at a time. I then just copy this and using my labelling
stick one of these on to every software I paste this into the
packet I send out. And of course label template this saves having
it also makes you look a little to write or type the information
more professional with your in. I always print my labels on
packaging. the AveryL7160, 21 labels to a
sheet paper.
8. Pick the time that you go to
the post office 10. Compare prices
There are always some times in There is plenty of competition to
the day or days in the week when ship larger items and it is worth
your local post office is liable comparing prices for the various
to be more busy than others. If shippers and couriers to get the
you ask the counter staff I am best deals. In my experience with
sure they would be happy to tell smaller items it is difficult to
you when these times are likely beat the Post Office but for
to be. Also they would also be items that need to be shipped
able to tell you the times they fast or weigh over 2 Kgs (4
would expect to be less busy. If 1/2lb) it is worth looking for
you use this information you can the best deal.
cut down the time you spend
About the Author:
Dave Bromley is a Internet marketer and writer runs an information site for users of eBay and publishes a monthly newsletter UK auctionline for users of online auctions. To vist the web site and register for the newsletter go to http://www.ukauctionline.co.uk
Read more articles by:
Dave Bromley
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
