While not a power seller or the sorts, I do tend to put quite a bit of stuff up on online auction sites like Ebay, Amazon Marketplace, and Half.com. For smaller items like DVDs, books, and collectables sometimes the money you spend on shipping will make the difference between a good sale and a bad sale. The key is being able to take advantage of all the USPS has to offer.

Shipping Classes

The key is knowing the USPS rates and services. There are 3 basic ways I send packages:

Media Mail – I use this mainly for books (contents are limited to books, manuscripts, sound recordings, recorded videotapes, and non blank computer-readable media). Rates are much better than First Class or Priority for heavy items… 1lb and under is $1.59, up to 2lb is $2.07, up to 3lb is 2.55… up to 10lbs is only $5.49. Delivery time is 2-9 days (not guaranteed). Delivery confirmation is 60 cents if you do it at the Post Office, but only 14 cents if you do it electronically which will be explained later.

First Class – If I’m selling something I can send Media Mail, I will send it First Class if its 6 ounces or under. Under 6 ounces it’s cheaper, at 6 ounces it’s the same price and gets there faster (1-3 days, not guaranteed), otherwise it’s more expensive. I see a lot of people sending DVDs Media Mail and can never understand why – typical DVD with a padded envelope is about 4 ounces which only costs $1.11 First Class instead of $1.59 Media Mail and gets there in half the time. If it’s not something I can send Media Mail I will usually send it First Class if its 13 ounces or under. Delivery confirmation is 60 cents if you do it at the Post Office, but only 14 cents if you do it electronically – beware though because they will only do it if the package is at least 3/4” at thickest point for First Class.

Priority Mail – Priority is basically First Class for anything over 13 ounces, but you get some extra perks. Where Media Mail and First Class you have to pay for your packaging, the Post Office offers free (as in beer) boxes, envelopes, and tape for Priority (just go in and take them). This sometimes makes me think about sending something that’s borderline First Class through Priority instead. Another advantage is the electronic delivery confirmation is free instead of 14 cents. Priority mail is a little more confusing than Media and First Class because there aren’t set rates for weight… there are shipping zones so depending on where you live and where you are sending the package the rates will vary for a package the same weight. You can also get flat rate envelopes for $4.05, and 2 size boxes for $8.10 so if you are shipping something really heavy that will fit in one you’re better off with those.

Shipping Tools

One great tool is the USPS Shipping Assistant. It’s a tool you download to your PC and can print shipping labels that can be attached to your packages and qualify you for the electronic delivery confirmation rate. The main advantage over their web app Click N Ship is that you can print labels for First Class and Media Mail too instead of just Priority. Main disadvantage is that you can’t print postage right on the label if you have a scale. I don’t condone misusing other companies property, but the free Fedex self-stick laser labels (part number 146525) work for the lables just as well as the $6.25 plus shipping for 25 ones the USPS recommends. Or you could just print it on a regular sheet of paper and use tape.

If you have a PayPal account you can also do this online. Simply go to this link, log in, and you should be able to follow the screens and print your own labels. The big advantage of this route is that if you have a scale you can print your postage on the package so you don’t have to wait in those terrible lines at the Post Office – you can just walk up and drop it off at the counter or even have your carrier pick it up.

Conclusion

So helpfully this short little guide helps you understand the difference between the shipping methods available at USPS. I think also one of the big misunderstanding with the Post Office is that no times are guaranteed except Express mail – a Priority mail package could take 2 weeks to deliver during peak holiday time with no refund. So, when do I not ship USPS? Well typically if its over 2lbs I will check the rates at FedEx and see which is cheaper. I generally find for anything heavier than 5lbs it’s almost always better to go FedEx ground (plus their tracking system doesn’t suck as bad as the Post Office’s does).

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