Shipping Tips Can Save You Chips

Everybody is looking for ways to save money!

The more efficiently and cost effectively you can ship your items, the bigger your bottom line gets. Many times it’s the small things that can help save your business some money. Once you recognize where you can save money by making small changes in how you ship, you can then institute those changes and start building up that pile of chips!

• Choose the right box!

If you’re not using a fulfillment solution like Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon program and need to ship your items yourself, make sure to package your items in strong, corrugated cardboard boxes. Check the bottom of the box for a weight limit. Don’t wrap the outer box in any kind of paper, as it could tear off and your shipment could be lost in transit or delayed. (U.S. Postal Service, UPS, DHL and some FedEx boxes are free!)

• Use the right packing materials!

Invest in some packing peanuts and bubble cushioning, especially if you’re sending anything fragile. Leave enough space between items in the box, and wrap individual items with double cushioning if necessary.

Here’s a great video that can help save you chips! Learn how to make a “B-Flute Envelope”, a “Book Burrito” (thank you Fiziwig!) and tips on shipping, addressing and packing your items!

Amazon Services “Pack & Ship” Video

• Use cost saving methods to increase your bottom line!

The use of “b-flute” (shown above), or a “carton-sizer” (shown below) can greatly reduce your material costs. Over time, lowering these costs can add up to big savings!

• Know how to send high-dollar items!

Make sure to ship expensive jewelry and other valuables via next-day delivery in a box no smaller than 7-by-4-by-2 inches. Make sure to use a signature confirmation to confirm receipt. No seller wants to hear that their high-dollar item “never arrived”. Also, don’t attach anything to the outside of the box that could reveal the item’s value.

• Shop Around!

To get a sense of how much it will cost to send a package somewhere, call these numbers and use the automated rate services: U.S. Postal Service, (800) ASK-USPS (275-8777); FedEx, (800) GO-FEDEX(463-3339); UPS, (800) PICK-UPS (742-5877); DHL, (800) CALL-DHL (225-5345). You’ll need ZIP codes, the weight of the package and its basic shape (so you can choose whether to ship it in a box, envelope or tube).

• In Summation

As Cliff Shaw said, “It's the little things that count, hundreds of 'em.” This can truly make a difference when it comes to your business’ bottom line. Taking into account some simple shipping tips can help you save that money and stack up that pile of chips!

Don’t forget, good packing methods lead to good feedback and good feedback leads to better sales!

Keep it real,

Jay

Comments

[Kevin C.]

Thanks for the article. It has been helpful.

[send packages to the Philippines]

You are definitely right!! "Everybody is looking for ways to save money!", Who would want to spend and spend money for nothing. I'll follow your tips. thanks!

-urieqo-

[jkarpe]

dream girls: I believe the 'standing date' for the gate to close on the Toy category is still November 17 2008 as announced in the original release back on July 15 2008.

[dream girls]

hey out there, anybody know when the "gating" of the toy sellers with less than great ratings starts? We got a couple of emails months ago that said sept. and then another that said nov 12, and yet i still see several sellers with feedback ratings in the 80% still selling. any info out there on this??

[dream girls]

also i contacted ups and fedex and told them an average of how many packages i shipped per day and what i was charging customers as an average on amazon and both of them gave me a quote good for one year and matched the pricing on up to 150 lbs. they also provided me with a thermal printer so i dont use my ink for labels..... and daily pick up at 50 to 100 boxes a day it really saves

[Kirk Holbert]

Just want to chime in and say Amazon Rocks ! My first month on Amazon I did more sales than I ever did on that other has been site. Keep it Amazon your on the proper track !!! - Kirk Cosmic-King Toys

[As Seen On TV]

I think that USPS is cheaper for anything 2 lbs and under and UPS(given that you have good discounts with them) is cheaper for over 2 lb packages.

[stephen]

None of the companies listed just gives away standard packaging. UPS, FedEx, USPS only give you priority/next day/air packaging, and it's ONLY for that use.
BTW, for ANY shipment under 1 pound, USPS is the cheapest; the other shippers only tend to win after the weight passes 2 pounds. Of course, then you could just use the USPS Flat-Rate box.
Anyway, good blog, and I hope to see more stuff that's useful in the future.

[Samer Bazzi]

Great work,

I love the idea of the blog, if you need help writing blog entries, please contact me, I am a full time seller and blogger :)

-Sam

[Eli51]

UPS only gives free envelopes or overnight boxes only. All other types of boxes must be purchased from a place that sells boxes.

[Consignment Pal Resale Directory]

From Internet Jeweler Mike: "[USPS is] cheaper) than either of the other two shipping options."

Just curious, is this because you sell mostly lightweight jewelry and not heavy items which might be cheaper with UPS?

Thanks.

[Internet Jeweler Mike]

WE send thousands of dollars of items each and every day and we trust the USPS for all of them. I have found over the past 12 years, they are far more reliable (oh, and cheaper) than either of the other two shipping options.

[jkg]

For those who hate using the phone, shipping rates and times are available at the shippers' websites - fedex.com and choose "Ship; United Parcel Service is ups.com and choose "Shipping"; United States Postal Service is usps.com and choose "Calculate postage.

[ShipRush]

Also make it easy to print the shipping labels...

FedEx offers a free system: ShipRush FedEx for Amazon that is Amazon-integrated (for merchants and seller central).

http://www.shiprush-fedex.com/amazon/

ShipRush Amazon is also out there for postal shipping.

[Ben Y.]

Nice to see you here, earthmom.

[Ben Y.]

Does UPS provide all sizes of boxes for free?

[earthmom]

Also, don’t attach anything to the outside of the box that could reveal the item’s value.
-----
How about a customs form if it's an international order?

[earthmom]

Nice credit to Fiziwig for coining the term "book burrito"! Glad to see it. :)

[c1ancer]

I too find myself quoting Cliff Shaw at the drop of a hat.