3 Solid eBay Shipping Tips for Online Sellers

It's clear that, with more than 171 million active buyers, eBay remains a popular destination for online shoppers. However, with this popularity comes a very high demand for faster and cheaper shipping options -- especially considering the same-day delivery services offered by Amazon, arguably eBay's biggest competitor.

While eBay sellers should focus on upping their shipping game, it entails more than just getting from A to B quickly. It’s worth remembering that two of the four suggested ways to get buyers to leave detailed ratings on eBay involve shipping, fulfillment, and packaging, and that successful ratings work for successful sellers.

In this blog, we’ll look at three unbreakable takeaways no matter what size seller you are:

1 Choose a delivery method that's right for your store

eBay stores come in all shapes and sizes, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all framework for the best shipping options for buyers. That said, eBay offers sellers a “Ship for Me” resource where you can get shipping guidance based on experience with similar items that have previously sold in the same category.

If you're new to eBay, this is valuable information for starting your own store.

There are a variety of options available to eBay sellers. The key is to put yourself in the shoes of the buyer to fully understand what the best options are for your store:

Flat-rate shipping: Sellers decide on a fee to charge buyers. This shipping method requires researching the shipping costs of similar items.

Calculated Shipping Rates: Requires sellers to use eBay's shipping calculator to determine shipping costs based on the size and weight of the package, while also taking into account the customer's location. This way, sellers can look at each item on a case-by-case basis.

Local Pickup: Ideal for eBay buyers and sellers who live near each other, and especially useful for online stores that sell large or fragile items, such as furniture or machinery.

2. Do not overcharge

Every marketplace has different regulations and restrictions regarding shipping and delivery, including eBay. Online sellers will find that the extra fees hurt the sales they get. This is due to the psychology behind free shipping and the expectations of online shoppers. Here are a few things to keep in mind about shipping costs:

No matter the age of your online store or who your target audience is, everyone loves cheap shipping. Free? Even better. Try to keep it as transparent as possible and don’t surprise your customers with hidden costs.

E-commerce expert Marsha Collier discusses the simplest way to calculate eBay shipping fees in order to be fair. It’s important to consider that buyers on eBay are generally categorized as bargain hunters. This is something we talked about when we compared selling on Amazon vs. eBay, and Marsha reiterates this in her article. However, if the customer wants it faster, higher shipping fees are in order.

The best way to avoid being overcharged on eBay shipping is to determine the costs for each product. Although it can be a tedious process, packaging costs and customer locations will vary depending on the current situation.

3. Consider packaging, personalization and tracking

Online buyers will analyze every part of the transaction, right down to the packaging. So don't stop your efforts once you receive payment.

Whether you are a large or small online seller, you must ensure that each individual purchase is treated as an individual case. You never know when a particular buyer will be the one to give you negative feedback for something as small as packaging. Here are a few ways to package your products thoroughly:

Don't overfill a small package: Take plain letterheads, for example. They're made to fit a certain number of clothes or small items, but beyond that, they'll seem to the buyer like you're trying to cut costs by squeezing the item.

If possible, use eBay branding: If a customer receives a package with a brand on it, it will look more professional than just a plain carton.

Include a packing slip with the package: If you want to personalize the packaging for your own buyers, go the extra mile to include a packing slip to guarantee a replacement or refund. Making the process as easy as possible for your customers will influence their perception of your service.

The main point to remember when shipping on eBay is to understand who your target audience is. Once you have this information, you will proceed with each step of the process until the package is delivered and you will have a satisfied customer guarantee.

To keep up with the likes of Amazon, eBay sellers must be clear, thorough, and personal to ensure every customer has an excellent shipping experience.