Beginner ebay shipping questions

[enmasse]

Hey,

so I just sold my first item on eBay (Canada shipping to US). Can I take the bare item into the post office and have them ship it for me? Or do I need to wrap it myself?

Thank you

[Coz4k]

Hey,

so I just sold my first item on eBay (Canada shipping to US). Can I take the bare item into the post office and have them ship it for me? Or do I need to wrap it myself?

Thank you

do it yourself............................. i dont see what the problem is. They sell overpriced boxes and tape.

[the stig]

i hope this is a joke...

why would you go to the post office with you item then hand it to the postal clerk and say ship this ? that's just asking for trouble both in the way of it getting damaged or stolen if there happens to be a shady employee there.

it's on you to make sure the item is well wrapped and shipped using tracking to cover your behind in case it actually does get lost or slow to arrive.

[woof]

The Post Office sells stamps. They do not wrap, package or address anything for you. They sell you the stamps to put on your package.

[kmarcie]

You COULD go to the post office with the item, you will have to buy the materials there (which are overpriced) and you would still have to wrap it yourself. Don't trust them with packing your item safely.

[RenegadeX]

i hope this is a joke...

why would you go to the post office with you item then hand it to the postal clerk and say ship this ?That's a bit harsh - everyone, even you, had a first time. It's good that the OP is asking in advance. And besides, taking your unwrapped item to the post office and letting them take care of the packaging is the way it works in some countries (but not here). Perhaps, for example, the OP is Korean? Korean Post offices are staffed by helpful magicians who will make a custom box for you on the spot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcBS823VTbU

Also, some items (ex: tires, buckets) CAN be shipped through Canada Post unwrapped. There is a $10 surcharge per item though. Larges items may be charged an 'oversized item' surcharge, but fortunately, you never have to pay both. [Source (http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGexpparus-e.asp#1378476)]


it's on you to make sure the item is well wrapped and shipped using tracking to cover your behind in case it actually does get lost or slow to arrive.Yes. For the OP:
- if shipping to a Canadian address you can pay extra for package tracking or use their XpressPost service, in which case it's included in the price. I always include tracking in my quoted shipping price and state in my auctions that for Canadian customers tracking is included. Customer pays for it, of course, but they pay what it costs me, rounded up to nearest dollar.
- if shipping to USA, 'Small Packet - USA (via 'Surface' or 'Air') is cheapest but tracking of parcels is not available. If you take the more expensive 'XpressPost' or 'Expedited Parcel' options, it is already included in the price. I give US customers the option to choose their method.


The Post Office sells stamps. They do not wrap, package or address anything for you. They sell you the stamps to put on your package.Canada Post post offices also sell packaging material - including various 'flat rate boxes' and padded shipping pouches of various sizes. So although it might be unusual to take your unwrapped items to the post office in Canada, it's certainly possible to package it at the post office. Of course, the clerk probably will be too busy/not interested in helping you and counter space, tape, scissors, marker pen, might not be available - so it's just a heck of a lot easier for everyone to take care of it at home.

[enmasse]

Thanks for the advice, I guess I'll do it from home.

In this particular situation, I don't have any polyester envelopes so what are my options?

[kmarcie]

Perhaps, for example, the OP is Korean? Korean Post offices are staffed by helpful magicians who will make a custom box for you on the spot

lol

[RenegadeX]

Thanks for the advice, I guess I'll do it from home.

In this particular situation, I don't have any polyester envelopes so what are my options?
1. Option 1: create your own package (cardboard box, bubble wrap+kraft paper, bubble-wrap in envelope).
2. Option 2: go to Post Office, get supplies
3. Option 3: go to Staples, get supplies
4. Option 4: go somewhere else (Shoppers Drug Mart, Dollar Store, Walmart, whatever.. look for their stationary section), get supplies
5. Option 5: wait for someone to send you something, keep & reuse packaging

You didn't say what the item was you were shipping, but keep in mind while it's generally true "the lighter the better", #1 in importance is that the item is protected from getting damaged in transit.

CanadaPost has a shipping calculator - you can plug different dimensions and see how it affects shipping cost across each shipping option:
http://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/personal/findARate?execution=e1s2

[the stig]

i apologize if my reply did sound rude.... but with some people on here you never know if they are just trying to see who's on the ball or not.

i personally wouldn't take my item and wrap it at the post office. like it was stated above, there's not much room or you will be SOL for the tools needed to prepare your package.

it's always better to do it at home and then just use the post office to apply the stamp and tracking.

[enmasse]

1. Option 1: create your own package (cardboard box, bubble wrap+kraft paper, bubble-wrap in envelope).
2. Option 2: go to Post Office, get supplies
3. Option 3: go to Staples, get supplies
4. Option 4: go somewhere else (Shoppers Drug Mart, Dollar Store, Walmart, whatever.. look for their stationary section), get supplies
5. Option 5: wait for someone to send you something, keep & reuse packaging

You didn't say what the item was you were shipping, but keep in mind while it's generally true "the lighter the better", #1 in importance is that the item is protected from getting damaged in transit.

CanadaPost has a shipping calculator - you can plug different dimensions and see how it affects shipping cost across each shipping option:
http://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/personal/findARate?execution=e1s2


I think I'll go with option 5, as I have a lot of boxes sitting around from my own purchases. $10 accross the border though. Now I understand why many sellers explicitly say they don't offer international.

My bad, I never specified that I was selling a video game.