Fabulous For Le$$... Fabulous Doesn't Have to Be Expensive!

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 49 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #14,252 in Shopping, #175,814 overall | Donates to ASPCA

Thanks for stopping by!!

I run a little shop called Fabulous For Less, a variety shop that offers a fun inventory of housewares, womens name brand clothing both new and previously worn, vintage items and more.

I belong to several forums and have lots of knowledge to share in the world of online selling.  This lens will have lots of information and links for online sellers. 

Visit my eBay store at http://stores.ebay.com/fabulous-for-less

Please remember to rate my lens!!  Just click your rating on the stars at the top of this screen!  Thanks!!

Fabulous For Less on eBay 

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eBay

You Tube Video - eBay by Weird Al 

If you haven't seen this video... you're in for a treat! If you have seen it... isn't it about time you watched it again?

"Ebay" by Weird Al Yankovic

powered by YouTube

USPS Shipping Rates Skyrocket!! 

What's a Seller to do?

USPS just made online selling even more challenging!! The postage rates are at a new all time high as of May 2007.

This increase is making me feel like I have to jump through hoops just to ship my sales. Just recently, a customer made a purchase of a rather heavy item (5#) and with their payment, they included $16.00 for shipping charges. According to the old USPS rates, this would have covered the shipping.

Well, when I went to process and ship the order, USPS wanted $27.50 for this package!! Are they insane?? It shouldn't cost $27.50 to ship a 5# package from PA to CA!! I was floored... now what? Paying $27.50 to ship this item would net me exactly $4.00 on the sale. After researching the USPS website, it turns out, they not only upped the rates, they changed some rules regarding packaging. They just so happened to change the rule on what constitutes a "large" package. It used to be any package that exceeded 84" in girth. Now, if the package is more than one cubic foot, it charges the "large package" rate. This box was definitely more than one cubic foot but didn't exceed the 84" minimum girth rule. When the item was originally listed on eBay, this rule didn't exist so I only charged for the regular size package hence, that's what the buyer paid.

I stared at my screen in amazement. $27.50... $27.50... $27.50!! It blared at me on the screen!!Never before had I been so fit to be tied. I tried in vain to recalculate. Maybe I did something wrong. I measured and remeasured the box and entered the dimensions over and over again. But to no avail, it was definiitely $27.50.

So I went on a mission. There was no way I was paying $27.50. The item in the box didn't even cost $27.50!!

UPS had always been a no-no for me because most of my items are 3 pounds or less and USPS has just always been a cheaper mode of delivery. I don't want to gouge my customers for shipping!! I just want them to get their packages safe and sound in the least expensive way.

I went to ups.com and calculated time and shipping on their site for UPS Ground. For that same 5# package, the cost from PA to CA was... are you ready? $12.62!!! I immediately signed up for an account with UPS, set up the shipment and printed my label.

I even refunded some money to the buyer since he then had overpaid me!! I just might have to use UPS more often.

If this story helps even one online seller, it's done it's job.

Sign my Guestbook!! 

I'd love to hear from you!!!

Lensmaster

RebeccaJF wrote...

Nice lens, great information!

ReplyPosted June 18, 2008

Lensmaster

johnsresale wrote...

Thanks for the tips on shipping-This is so True! I know, now too, that shipping prices are effecting my sales. I just had to raise shipping costs on most of my items and I know it is going to hurt sales. Gas prices seem to be effecting everything. Very nice lens. 5 Stars.

ReplyPosted May 21, 2008

Lensmaster

LeslieBrenner wrote...

5 stars! Thank you for the selling advice and links.

ReplyPosted March 12, 2008

Lensmaster

Nickis_Trends wrote...

Greaat lens! 5 stars.

ReplyPosted March 01, 2008

Lensmaster

Alanas_Vintage_Collectibles wrote...

Love your lens and gave you a vote!

ReplyPosted January 11, 2008

Lensmaster

chisumtrailmercantile wrote...

A nice selection - well done - Chisum Trail Mercantile

ReplyPosted December 03, 2007

Lensmaster

tdove wrote...

5 Stars! Well put together lense with lots of good stuff here.

ReplyPosted October 28, 2007

Lensmaster

Pierce_This_2 wrote...

I feel your pain about the new post office rates. We have found that using fed ex is even cheaper than ups, if shipped in the usa. How to measure a belly button ring size

ReplyPosted October 14, 2007

Lensmaster

awesomesteals2002 wrote...

Nice lens, gave you 5 stars!

ReplyPosted September 20, 2007

Lensmaster

KimGiancaterino wrote...

Good info. And you're right... the USPS is getting greedy. It's nice that we have alternatives.

ReplyPosted July 28, 2007

 
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My Store on Amazon 

Visit Book Grabber on Amazon

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