Thursday, January 17, 2013

Damn You, USPS!

I have known about the coming rate increase for months (Happening January 27th if you didn't already know).  Back in November, I started increasing my shipping costs in my Etsy listings not really knowing the real increase numbers.  I thought I could get it pretty close and then if I was off by a little bit I could slowly adjust my numbers as I relisted items like I did after the last increase.

This past week I finally downloaded the new shipping tables.  (You can find them here.) I was right on as far as domestic shipping up to 3#, but was NOT. EVEN. CLOSE. for the international numbers.  The average increase will be 58% with some locations seeing increases over 100% for First Class International.  This could mean a $3-$10 LOSS in shipping per sold item if I don't get my shipping adjusted.

Here is another problem.

Etsy doesn't have a shipping calculator.

I have 650+ listings.

I have many items that ship at different rates and with different services which means that a bulk editing service isn't going to help me.

I started adjusting my numbers yesterday.  It takes me about an hour to do 50 listings.  11 extra hours of work. (13 total, but I already completed 2 hours!)

*Sigh*

Tick-tock.  Gotta get it done before the 27th. 

Thank the Lord I use calculated shipping on eBay!!!!!

With such a massive increase in international shipping, I foresee my international sales dropping.  Not that I blame anyone.......except USPS. 

I also signed up for a Fedex account through Etsy.  It will now be cheaper to ship anything weighing 4 pounds and up by Fedex Ground instead of the new Standard Post (Parcel Post).  AND, not to mention, loads faster!  I'm very glad that the majority of my items will ship domestically for $12 and under with only a handful of items being more than $12 to ship.

How are you dealing with the shipping increase?  Do you use calculated shipping on eBay or flat shipping costs?

Here is another handy tool you can use to figure the increase in cost.  I have looked at it and it is based on the commercial tables and not on the retail tables, but still a great resource to use.  (I use retail pricing in my listings to make sure I have enough to cover shipping and a reasonable handling charge.)

2013 Shipping Calculator

I'm off to adjust some more listings.........
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4 comments:

  1. Oh man, I was just complaining about the 70 or so items I have to manually change on Etsy. In deference to your plight, I will no longer complain and just do it!

    Thanks for all the helpful tips and tools.

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    1. I'll trade you!! JK! Sort of......

      A pain in the butt, but one I hope (fingers crossed) will be the kick in the pants for Etsy to finally get a calculator!!!

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  2. Gotta share this post, comes in handy with all the shipping craziness I'm still trying to wrap my head around. I feel your pain with listing, it takes HOURS and I'm rushing mine and not even listing proper dimensions and information on each item- just trying to get them up where eyes can see them first, then I'll go back and spend more hours adjusting. :P

    My shipping costs are really just educated guesses I've gotten lucky on so far unless I get a zip code from the person to calculate the real price, so I appreciate the info in this post.

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    1. Since you are in Florida and I am in Washington, and I figure everything to ship to Florida, our shipping costs will be the same. Then I just refund the overage minus a dollar for handling for anyone who lives in a closer/less expensive zone. I'm happy to share my numbers in my shipping profiles with you if you want. Let me know! :)

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