How to Calculate Shipping Charges?

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Sundance
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Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania

How to Calculate Shipping Charges?

Post by Sundance »

For those of you selling fused glass on your own website, how do you handle shipping charges? My pieces (vases, plates, platters & bowls) are not production pieces, and they vary in size, weight & shape. So there’s no way to know in advance how much to charge for shipping. Do you price the item as you normally would, & then say “plus actual shipping charges”? Or do you base shipping on a percentage of the sales price (which may or may not cover actual shipping costs)? Or do you charge a flat rate based on an estimated average cost to ship? (In which case, how do you estimate that?) I would only be shipping in the continental US, via USPS Priority Mail or UPS. Thanks!
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Marty
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Re: How to Calculate Shipping Charges?

Post by Marty »

Actual shipping charges.
Don't forget the ancillary stuff like the cost of a trip to the PO or UPS and the cost of packing materials and time to pack. If you're scrounging materials then account for the cost of the time involved. I include that stuff in the (wholesale) price and add shipping after.
Sundance
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Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: How to Calculate Shipping Charges?

Post by Sundance »

Thanks, Marty!
Attitude is everything. Pick a good one.
Bert Weiss
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Re: How to Calculate Shipping Charges?

Post by Bert Weiss »

The best deal out there for shipping heavy stuff that manages to fit in the box is USPS flat rate boxes.

On the other side, I know people who will only ship USPS overnight, for a minimum of handling.
Bert

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Sundance
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:06 am
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: How to Calculate Shipping Charges?

Post by Sundance »

Thanks, Bert. The flat rate boxes are definitely worth it if I can find one the right size ~ that would probably vary depending on the piece. I hadn't thought about going with USPS overnight, altho I'm guessing that's pretty pricey. Good suggestion tho ~ I'll look into it. Thanks!
Attitude is everything. Pick a good one.
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