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ChicagoPlunger
(stranger )
05/15/09 09:35 PM
Listing shipping cost new  

How do I list the shipping as freight with no price listed, the shipping price will be determined after the auction when I know the shipping company and the destination



bluepennylady
(Carpal Tunnel)
05/16/09 08:25 AM
Re: Listing shipping cost new [re: ChicagoPlunger]  

Hi,

Thanks for posting. I apologize for not responding last night. These storms through the Midwest just won't stop. Internet was out again last night.. And so was the power--- again.

The "Freight quote" is not an option in Aw2000.

You can list the Auction lot and go into eBay and edit it there.

I honestly do not recall if you can still use "Flat rate > Other (see description) I will have to double check on it. If that is still available you can use that Shipping option in AW2000 and specify in the description field shipping is Freight. ANd the buyer should contact you.

Using Freight quote, as I am sure you are aware, you need the palletized weight and product class.

Does that help at all?



Judy/blue

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tictictic_OnEbay
(addict)
05/16/09 11:02 AM
Re: Listing shipping cost new [re: ChicagoPlunger]  

Hi ChicagoPlunger (using my imagination on the origin of that user name - !!)

I've never actually used freight shipping -- I checked into it recently, and it seemed more trouble than it was worth (had to learn the freight categories and be ready to fill out forms; plus it was outrageously expensive), so I have always just used Fedex Ground (I have an account, although that gets you discounts only if you use Express). I find they are a little cheaper than UPS, and if I print the shipping label at home, I can drop things off at a nearby mail boxes-type store (I don't pay any surcharge).

Here's what I do for large/heavy items:

I created a Profile that defaults to a series of listing templates which have a disclaimer at the top, offer the option of free Local Pickup, and have built into them various handling fees from $3 to $20, depending on how difficult the packaging will be. When I create the Lot in AW, I select Calculated Shipping, choose UPS shipping, and type in an estimate for the weight and box size (sometimes I don't even have the box yet, so it's just a best guess).

Here's what the disclaimer says for a $10 fee:

==========
Please ignore the eBay UPS shipping calculator; will ship Fedex for best price (actual cost plus $10.00 packing fee); email for estimate. Will not ship outside the continental United States. Also available for free local pick-up (see details below).
==========

Usually, when people check the shipping with the eBay calculator, the UPS cost will be a few dollars more than what I'll end up charging them, so they generally aren't disappointed.

If you are actually using a freight service, maybe you could use a similar disclaimer and figure a way to make the UPS calculator come out to approximately what the freight charges will be. At least this would allow bidders to get a ballpark idea for the cost to their zip code.

Sue

P.S. I'd be very interested to know which freight shipper you use and how it works out for you (details please). I looked into Greyhound Freight, for example, but the only depot that accepted packages would have been a 50-mile round trip for me.



ChicagoPlunger
(stranger )
05/16/09 12:08 PM
Re: Listing shipping cost new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Hi,
Actually the way I do my shipping as it is usually furniture, large odd shaped items, or fragile pieces is to make a custom crate and take it to FedEx for an actual shipping quote. I live close to a FedEx ground terminal so it's not that far. If the buyer wants I do use Greyhound but they only insure for $300 max. I send the invoice and after payment drop the crate off at FedEx or whomever the buyer wants to use. If the piece can be blanket wraped I use PlyCon Van Lines, Plyconvanlines.com, They give an online quote and are very good with furniture. Hope this helps. The name, two USN submarines SSN Chicago and SSN Plunger.



bluepennylady
(Carpal Tunnel)
05/16/09 05:48 PM
Re: Listing shipping cost new [re: ChicagoPlunger]  

Hi,

Is FedEx more competive for Freight than UPS freight?? As far as the LTL ..

We have both here but sometimes Old Dominion or Yellow is less.



Judy/blue

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http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store
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tictictic_OnEbay
(addict)
05/17/09 01:52 PM
Re: Listing shipping cost new [re: ChicagoPlunger]  

I have the ability and tools to make crates, but yikes!, I've never actually attempted it. How much handling do you add for your crate-building service? Do you leave the sides open (just framing; 1x4s?), or do you cover everything with plywood? And do you just use something like door skin material or do you go with thicker plywood? I just bought a pneumatic stapler, so making crates would go easier now.

I've got some large pieces of furniture listed right now and would love to give people freight quotes, but the crates would be about 65" x 40" x 30", and I wouldn't even be able to lift them by myself.

Do you mean you cart the crates with the furniture packed inside to the Fedex station, or just the empty crates? One of the pieces I have would weigh at least 150 pounds crated up. I do have a pick-up truck, but still....... How would I even get the thing up to the Fedex counter (and then back to the truck again!)? Or will they bring a scale out to your vehicle?

I'm going to call plyconvanlines.com tomorrow. They have an office in the Los Angeles area (I'm in San Diego County).

Sue



bluepennylady
(Carpal Tunnel)
05/18/09 04:54 AM
Re: Listing shipping cost new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

We charge a $25.00 palletizing charge (which is normal for our area) Where you live it might be considerably higher.

If we have to crate something, we charge the cost of the crate plus the pallet charge. So if the crate costs $15.00, it costs the customer $40.00.



Judy/blue

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tictictic_OnEbay
(addict)
05/19/09 11:08 AM
Re: Listing shipping cost [re: bluepennylady]  

Hi Judy,

I can't answer this question, as I've only made a few phone calls and never actually used any of these freight services. I hope someone else here will chime in.

I remember being stopped in my tracks when I was informed I would have to study up on the numerous product categories -- you have to select a very specific category code before you can get a quote.

I have 3 or 4 pieces of antique furniture that are around four or five feet long, and no one has taken me up on the free Local Pickup. I've listed and relisted over several months. I get loads of hits and Watchers on the listings but no takers. I think it's always better to offer shipping, no matter what it has to cost, than to rely on buyers to figure out how to get the thing picked up, crated, and transported to them.

Sue



bluepennylady
(Carpal Tunnel)
05/19/09 10:40 PM
Re: Listing shipping cost new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

sue

I have a Freight Quote account. You can get a shipping quote relatively easy from them because they have a product "guesser" for a lack of a better term.

The shipping companies can also tell you what the freight classifications are. It isn't top secret they just dont' want to look it up unless you press them.

And once you get a carrier you can work with, try to get 'published" rates. A published rate will remain on your account and is less than just a quote. We have published rates with the carriers we use. Now fuel surcharges really keep things in the air and I have to check every week what the charges are..



Judy/blue

Visit my eBay store!
http://stores.ebay.com/bluepennylady?refid=store
Visit our website too!
http://www.pennyworthsales.com

Visit me at Bonanzle!
http://www.bonanzle.com/bluepennylady


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