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How to Calculate Shipping Charges?

Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 10:07 pm
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!

Re: How to Calculate Shipping Charges?

Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 10:19 pm
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.

Re: How to Calculate Shipping Charges?

Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2016 3:34 pm
by Sundance
Thanks, Marty!

Re: How to Calculate Shipping Charges?

Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2016 12:26 pm
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.

Re: How to Calculate Shipping Charges?

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 10:24 pm
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!