Postage Costs

[TonyM]

Hi all,
Sorry if this has been discussed before. I bet it has.
But how do people get on with postage costs?
I have just sent a package from the midlands to Devon (Hardly air mail)?
It weighed 3kg, not a lot really and was say half a shoe box size at most.
I was charged nearly £8. That did not include anything like tracking insurance or recorded delivery.
It was for a couple of slates and plaques.
Not RMs fault but I scrapped a slate and so my profits dropped.
If I had scrapped a plaque too RM would have made more than me?

I keep chickens and have had several coops delivered . one just last week It came in 2 packages 8ft long and took 2 to carry it. The postage off e-bay was £9.99 How does it work? Check out chicken coops on e-bay they range from free to a tenner for postage.

I cant post 2 cups a t-shirt and a plaque for that?

How do you all manage with the postage, cos it is killing me and i have lost customers due to the postage?
Thanks

Tony

[COLOR="#FF0000]changed your title a little
PAul[/COLOR]

[Paul]

I think this is coz you used RM. if you use some kind of courier you can deliver about 15-20KG for about a tenner TNT is good with prices for heavy parcels.

[John G]

If using Royal Mail buy yourself a set of digital scales and weigh everything before you advertise/list them - you should know the cost to send before you sell it and your customer picks up the tab for the postage anyway.

As for larger things, hunt around for a decent parcel couriers - there's plenty available at cheap prices.

[smitch6]

there are a lot of couriers these days offering 2-3 day service for around the 5-6 bracket

and they are cheaper still if you register with them and create an account
thats how they get a good deal
plus couriers pick up from you
don't always use RM

[TonyM]

Thanks for the replies so far.

JohnG, I have bought myself a set of digital scales today from Argos. Dual use, for my postage needs and also weighing ingredients in the kitchen as they cost more than I expected £20. But i have cheapos before and they didnt last.
I had a play as you do.
First thing that suprised me was the variations in weight of the same type of mug I weighed 6, all were printed with different designs, but obviously the image doesnt weigh anything, and they ranged from 315g to 395g, much more than I would have imagined. (80g)
I have noticed when pressing I have to adjust my press sometimes between mugs as it can feel loose. I have even broken a couple of handles due to the press being to tight. I have learned now that each mug i press I feel the pressure and adjust accordingly. Therefore the thicknesses must vary quite alot also.
I think this is why in the early days (Old hand now, been doing this weeks. lol) Newbies get mixed results. I know i did, and still do sometimes.
There are many variances to consider, and it is a skill to spot what is required and adjust heat, time or pressures accordingly.
I take my hat off to those of you who can hit over an 80% perfect print rate, with zero differences.
I digress.
With a poly anti smash box they average around 370g.
RM Packet Over 353 x250x 25mm and weighing over 250g but under 500g costs £2.48 ist class or £2.16 2nd class, signed for is an extra 77p, special delivery or next day, insurance or whatever is all extra again.
Parcel start at 2kg and the cheapest is £4.42 or £ 6.49 with £100 compensation.
So to send a single Mug the cost is around £3 per item and that doesnt include time.
How do you all send single mugs?
Is my working out correct?
Looks to me RM is the only ones making any money? I certainaly dont make £3 a Mug after buying the blank, printing it. pressing it, buying the packaging and posting it.
I sell mugs at work for £4.50 for a white mug and £5.50 for black panel or wow mug. I am happy with that as i make about £3 a Mug and my workmates are happy.
To do the same posting I would have to charge £7.50 and £8.50 and I think that is too much.
Is RM the only way to send small one off parcels? Would couriers deliver a small box weighing less than 400g?
What courier companies do others use and what methods do you use to save the postage costs?

Regards
Tony

[Lee]

Hi Tony, I sent out European mugs in a poly and they weighed only 300 if I remember correctly.... I also reckoned the cost to produce a mug was £2.50-£3.00........ Alot of people do charge for the posting on top of the prices though....might be worth considering...

[smitch6]

i find as long as you don't make money on P+P ppl will pay it
it's when you know you can get a courier for £9 and ppl are charging £15 for example that you think hang on

[John G]

So to send a single Mug the cost is around £3 per item and that doesnt include time.

I don't understand where you get £3.00 from - its only £2.48. I wouldn't bother with signed for either as its pointless - your parcel is covered by insurance anyway aslong as you keep the reciept.

Looks to me RM is the only ones making any money? I certainaly dont make £3 a Mug after buying the blank,

Royal Mail have there off takes too and don't make anywhere near the cost you pay to post.

As smitch said above - cover your postage in your listing/advertising and nobody bats an eyelid - people expect to pay postage.

[mgibbs]

The £3 will be £2.48 + the cost of the box.

Mark

[John G]

Either pass this on as postage and packing or get cheaper boxes.