I definitely think a shipping calculator would be a HUGE improvement. Just enter the weight of the item and have customer choose shipping method, price adjusts, everyone happy.
Right now I have to change everyone of my shipping prices to accommodate for USPS increases.

Shipping supplies should be integrated into the item's price and then deducted as a business expense when taxes come, not charged to each customer. Just sayin'...

Posted at 10:41 pm Feb 23, 2012 EST

there is no "should" as to where shipping supplies get figured in. people who sell in person wouldnt figure that into item prices, as in person customers dont need them, shipping supplies are part of the service of shipping, not the product itself. just sayin

Posted at 7:33 am Feb 24, 2012 EST

you know, I dont see how a USPS integrated calculator can even work. the customer cannot know all the parameters needed for a calculator like that to properly charge. if they are ordering multiple items, how would they know if you will fit them all in a flat rate box, or ship it weight based priority? and how will they know when they hit the size for dimensional weight pricing? all that thing can do is add up weight and price it, and there are several other factors that determine pricing other than just weight. at elast when the seller sets the parameters, they can make sure those factors are covered in the way they set it up

Posted at 7:41 am Feb 24, 2012 EST

If so make it an option, I don't need it.

Posted at 8:01 am Feb 24, 2012 EST

Janine from JanineBasil says

As an seasoned Ebay seller, I would highly recommend that Etsy create the same checkout experience as Ebay. It would help both the Etsy sellers and buyers know that they are getting accurate shipping costs charged.
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Have you read the thread? It is far from that simple.


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I agree it wouldnt be accurate anyway because packaging costs are often added on. Some things can cost a few dollars to pack

Posted at 8:26 am Feb 24, 2012 EST

YES! This would be so helpful! I'm completely clueless when it comes to shipping. You might want to put this question in the ideas section too, 'cos is a really good idea. ^_^

Posted at 8:29 am Feb 24, 2012 EST

Janine,
When I buy on Ebay, I just pay with paypal and I'm done. It's the same as here on etsy. So I'm not sure what the invoicing thing is.
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This one, that you talked about.

"Ebay also handles the invoicing process very well. If a buyer purchases multiple items from a seller, the seller has access to the invoice, and can then modify the shipping cost to an actual, combined shipping cost based upon the physical items (size and weight once packaged) the buyer has purchased. The seller can then re-send the modified invoice to the buyer for payment. This system works very well. "

Sometimes the shipping is wildly off (this is UK and EU sellers). I have to request an invoice for a combined amount. I don't know if this is different to the US system. But it ain't always easy here.

Posted at 9:17 am Feb 24, 2012 EST

Shipping supplies should be integrated into the item's price and then deducted as a business expense when taxes come, not charged to each customer. Just sayin'...
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If you're including it in the item price then you're still charging customers. As artisan says, why should the people buying from me in person at a show pay for the box and tissue paper that I'd be using if I were sending it?

Posted at 9:29 am Feb 24, 2012 EST

I think she was trying to say that when you sell online, you need to take into account the shipping supply costs associated with selling on line, just as you would take into account packaging costs/ display costs etc when you sell at a craftshow.

Posted at 1:53 pm Feb 24, 2012 EST