pinklady
Drama Llama
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Nov 14, 2016 23:47:03 GMT
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Post by pinklady on Jun 28, 2024 15:26:03 GMT
I have got to start destashing and as much as I don't want to get ship stuff I think I just need to bite the bullet and learn how to do it.
I see that Pirate Ship is what a lot of people use but I have so many questions. I really need someone to talk to me like I'm 10 and explain how it all works.
1) Are there any Pirate Ship YouTube tutorials that you've found helpful? 2) Do I need to invest in a scale to weigh packages? 3) What is the best way to get paid from buyers? PayPal, Zelle, Venmo? 4) If you sell, is it a problem if you don't have the original packaging? 5) Do I have to invest in a label printer or can I just print shipping labels on copy paper and tape them to a box/envelope?
Any and all advice is welcome.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
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Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jun 28, 2024 16:18:05 GMT
1) Pirate Ship is so easy. You won't need a tutorial. Set up an account, enter the ship to address and click. Ok, that was a bit too simple, but it's intuitive. Just like buying anything else. 2) You should get a digial scale. I use my digital kitchen scale from Amazon. 3) I've done Paypal through Ebay. But I highly recommend Mercari. It's easy to list items, you don't need to calculate postage and there are NO selling fees (this is relatively new). Although you will still need a scale to weigh itemns. 4) In the listing just note that there is no original packaging. 5) You can print labels on paper and attach or Mercari sends a QR Code and you take to USPS (or UPS) and they will print and attach. I priced my stuff to sell. I just wanted to get rid of it. I thought what would I pay if I was buying this used. One other thing...start saving bubble mailers, boxes, and packaging (even Amazon labeled mailers). I've yet to purchase packaging. When corresponding with the buyer "Hi, I dropped off your item at USPS today. It's coming in an Amazon bubble mailer." If you do use Mercari, make sure to click the box that seller pays shipping charges. I can PM you a refferal code, (or not). One more ETA, Mercari holds the money until you request a transfer. So you can use it as a savings account or transfer after each transaction.
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
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Location: Left Coast
May 31, 2021 3:14:17 GMT
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Post by Ryann on Jun 28, 2024 16:45:22 GMT
You don't say which method you are intending to sell online. A lot of what I say below pertains to the b/s/t craft groups on FB.
1. n/a - I've never used PS. I use PayPal as my payment method, and they are linked with ShipStation. I log into PP, then edit the URL to be PayPal.com/shipnow and it takes me over to ShipStation. I've used this method for years and years.
2. Yes - you need a scale. There are highly rated ones on Amazon for $10.
3. PayPal seems to still be the gold standard on the FB selling groups, if that's the route you will be taking to sell. Invoicing (selling via "Goods and Services") protects you and the buyer in case of fraud. There is a small percentage fee PP takes to use invoicing (per transaction) but I find it worth it, especially when I am the buyer. I just build it into the cost of whatever I'm selling. Selling via "Friends and Family" has no protections if the sale goes sideways. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think if you transfer money via Zelle/Venmo you might not have much/any recourse. Personally, I'd be less likely to buy from someone on FB if they only offered Zelle/Venmo. In person, no problem but not online.
4. Not a problem as long as you say as much. Your photo/comment should reflect what the buyer would receive - packaging (or not) included.
5. You do not need a label printer. Printing/taping on box works just fine.
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,545
Location: Left Coast
May 31, 2021 3:14:17 GMT
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Post by Ryann on Jun 28, 2024 16:49:26 GMT
AmazonPrime days are coming up soon. Mailing materials are usually on discount so a good time to stock up if you need shipping supplies (bubble mailers/tape).
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
I'm not inclined to resign to maturity....
Posts: 2,947
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Jun 28, 2024 16:57:14 GMT
I also highly recommend the FB B/S/T groups and Pirate Ship!!
You can price things to sell or be more conservative. Some groups have limits on how often you can "bump" your listings to the top by commenting on them, but I've never seen less than weekly (and I can't be bothered that often). Commenting with a price drop really works, too!
I use our kitchen scale.
I almost always print on plain paper and tape the label on.
If I ship USPS and it fits in my mailbox, I just leave it out with the flag up, and don't even go to the post office!
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Post by joblackford on Jun 30, 2024 1:16:04 GMT
I use our digital kitchen scale for all our shipping. Flat rate boxes make life easier, but flat rate or not you should check out USPS's free mailers and boxes to save some money. They will deliver them to you. The trade-off is that they are for Priority, not their Ground service. store.usps.com/store/shipping-supplies/free-shipping-supplies/_/N-alnx4jThese Avery shipping labels can be printed on a normal ink jet printer and will easily obscure any old labels if you're re-using old boxes or mailers. I love them. Yes, you can tape down paper, but these labels save time, plastic, and hassle. The post office hates trying to scan barcodes that have tape over them. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J9LNG7G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Zelle seems to be the most common place to get scammed. I avoid it. I haven't had any issues with PayPal or Venmo. Taking decent photos (bright and clear, in focus) is one of the most important parts and the most energy-sapping IMO. Answer the questions you expect people will have in the listing so they don't need to ask - size, condition, etc. I also save my common responses/phrases in my phone notes so I can cut and paste them into listings or to answer queries. I would have a good think about whether making back some money is more important or just getting stuff out the door. It can be easy to get caught up in wanting too much money or quibbling over a few bucks. Selling can be time consuming and draining. Maybe start with the thing you have the most confidence is worth decent dollars and see how that goes.
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Post by scrappinheather on Jun 30, 2024 13:08:54 GMT
I personally use PayPal goods and services to ship. You have to pay the small PayPal fee but here is why I like it:
1. The buyers address is already linked with PayPal’s ship station site so I don’t have to type the address in. Saves a lot of time and headache when selling multiple items. I also just use my phone so it protects from typos. I can use PayPal’s invoicing system to sell so I can easily double check all of the items when I go to package them up to make sure I have everything. 2. I use Facebook buy sell trade groups. I find what works best is to sell sets individually, meaning not a huge lot of stuff. Try to sell many items at once so people can save on combined shipping. Have some newer or popular products in your listing. That way if you have other things you are trying to destash and they are priced reasonably people are more likely to buy those and throw it on the card if they can combine shipping. 3. I buy my bubble mailers off Amazon. I use the scale I bought off Amazon. I usually start my shipping at $4.50. That way I can just shipping is $4.50. When I combine I usually add about $1.00 more per set. I just make sure all the things they are buying don’t weigh more than a lb. When they buy over a lb shipping starts to get more expensive. This pricing usually works out for me.
4. I do try to sell things like Altenew or taylored expressions etc in the specific buy sell trade groups as I find people are often willing to pay more $$ on those groups.
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Post by melanell on Jul 6, 2024 1:38:16 GMT
1) Are there any Pirate Ship YouTube tutorials that you've found helpful?: I sell primarily on Ebay and they offer a discounted rate, so I have never tried P.S. 2) Do I need to invest in a scale to weigh packages? I think they are very worth it---even just a small, simple one. Or, if you have a kitchen scale, use that. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/MNrJDkDuSwqIMVw33MdD.jpg) 3) What is the best way to get paid from buyers? Again, I use Ebay, so I also use Paypal. 4) If you sell, is it a problem if you don't have the original packaging? I don't have any issue selling or buying craft supplies our of their original packaging. Just show that in any photos and mention in in the description. 5) Do I have to invest in a label printer or can I just print shipping labels on copy paper and tape them to a box/envelope? You can definitely just use printer paper, cut it out, and tape it on.
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
I'm not inclined to resign to maturity....
Posts: 2,947
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Jul 16, 2024 23:13:10 GMT
Don't know if this sort of anecdote will be appreciated...hope so. The first Club Scrap add-on stamp set I bought a little over two years ago was great when I didn't have much stash, but I haven't used it in a while. I threw it into the purgatory box. Every once in a while I would cruise FB's CS Exchange group to see if I could get a handle on how well and for how much stamp sets were selling, but never really saw much.
Today they put out a remix version of that kit as a special release (stamp set not re-released). Posted it and it sold within hours. I think sometimes watching the brand and the brand's group to get the timing right can also help sales!
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Post by MichyM on Aug 15, 2024 21:53:46 GMT
I have got to start destashing and as much as I don't want to get ship stuff I think I just need to bite the bullet and learn how to do it. I see that Pirate Ship is what a lot of people use but I have so many questions. I really need someone to talk to me like I'm 10 and explain how it all works. 1) Are there any Pirate Ship YouTube tutorials that you've found helpful? 2) Do I need to invest in a scale to weigh packages? 3) What is the best way to get paid from buyers? PayPal, Zelle, Venmo? 4) If you sell, is it a problem if you don't have the original packaging? 5) Do I have to invest in a label printer or can I just print shipping labels on copy paper and tape them to a box/envelope? Any and all advice is welcome. I am currently de-stashing for the first time. Since I'm a newer card maker, most of the things I'm selling are current, or close to it. I bet older stuff will do better! BTW if you're selling any of the C9 Holiday event stuff, please give me a holler ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/Q_m8lDOvc_3Le3r1GKdf.jpg) Anyhow, I posted a dozen or more items on Tuesday in a couple of BST groups, and another dozen or so yesterday. I'm finding it to be much less daunting than I thought it would be. That said, I am going slow and steady, not trying to put everything up at once. That would be too overwhelming for me to keep up with. I'll probably list a few more things tomorrow, then wait till next week to add more. First off, Pirate ship is the best. I started using it several months ago and it is TRULY fool-proof. If I can do it, anyone can. Makes it so easy to calculate shipping, make labels, and if you add the recipient's email address to pirate ship, they'll send the buyer a copy of the label with tracking info. I just print them out on printer paper and tape them to the package. For packaging, I'd been saving bubble mailers for a month or two to reuse, but am already almost out. I'm going to put something on our local Buy Nothing group to see if I can pick up more from my neighbors. I hate the idea of paying for packaging! I prefer Zelle or Venmo, but will take PP if necessary. So far all my buyers have been fine using the first two methods. I've sold a bit less than half of what I've put up so far, and have pocketed just under $300. So, for me, it is worth the while. It paid for the Empress (and then some) that I wasn't going to buy until the end of the year, so that makes me happy! *** as an aside, I've already seen a number of for sale items that are from this upcoming PinkFresh event. ![:o](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/shocked.png) I hope all goes well for you! Let us know if you have questions as you plug away at it.
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Post by karinec on Aug 16, 2024 15:37:36 GMT
I've had much better luck selling in FB buy/sell groups than I ever did on eBay. Older Papertrey Ink and Pinkfresh have been the most successful. It's important to really consider what you want to net because of Paypal fees and the like. A lot of buyers want the assurance of buying with insurance. I love Pirate Ship! It's awesome and I use it now exclusively. MichyM I listed items a few at a time too, it would have been too much for me to list everything at once.
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