I'm planning on starting my own small business, selling beauty products online from home. Does anyone have any tips or advise on how to mail the products safely? What things do I need to consider when it comes to shipping charges? I don't want to over-charge my customers w/ shipping fees. Which one is more effective, charging S&H fee base on weight or subtotal amount?
This is not for selling on EBAY, I'll have my own website that sell cosmetics and skin care.
2007-01-11 14:30:17 · 4 answers · asked by Angelina 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
I have found the best way to charge for shipping is actual weight. However, if people are ordering multiple items they will want to know how much shipping is upfront prior to completing their order. In this case, you may want to charge a sliding scale fee for shipping, for example, subtotal is from 0.01 - 9.99 has a shipping charge of $6.00. You can also just say shipping is x% of the subtotal. You don't want to over charge for shipping, but you don't want to incur a loss as a result of shipping either. You can always refund excess shipping charges to the customer in the former of cash or merchandise credit.
As for shipping the actual items....I personally prefer to wrap the item in newsprint and pack the box full of peanuts. For individual items that do not require as much care, the bubble wrapped brown mailers are good too.
2007-01-11 14:39:01 · answer #1 · answered by bundysmom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fees based on weights will be the only secure way.
Also, talk to your local postal employees - many cosmetics cannot be sent on airplanes (used by carriers to transport long distances) due to safety concerns. An example - nail polish cannot be sent anyway other than surface transportation because the bottle breaks under pressure changes in flight.
Postal employees have a chart that can help you with these issues and how best to ship the item.
Good Luck on your venture!
2007-01-11 14:46:51 · answer #2 · answered by QueenBee 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Check with the different companies that ship and see what it is going to cost you. FedEx , Ups , USPS the more the weight the more it cost put a few products in a box and take to see that the shipping would be. You don't want to over charge but you also don't want to lose money. You also need to consider your cost for the supplies you use in Shipping.
Good Luck
2007-01-11 14:41:15 · answer #3 · answered by Diane 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
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2007-01-11 16:43:38 · answer #4 · answered by If Sky has a Limit 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋