Postage options

shomk

Hi, so after clearing out the loft I've decided to sell a number if items such aa glassware or china. Basically breakables, big, heavy.
I'll probably use Ebay and sold some stuff like this many years ago and posted over the counter with Royal Mail. Seems things have changed since.
So, for example, if I was sending a largish box of 6 glasses, would I be best to use RM? I dont have weighing scales enough for this so could go to the PO?
I'm worried about setting a price and it not covering postage at all. It used to be quite expensive.
Thanks.

soolin

You really do need to know weights before you decide on postage costs, there’s a lot of difference between under 2kg and over 2kg. Yes the PO will weigh it when you post an item but you would have needed to add a postage price before you even got that far.

Also be aware that buying postage at a PO is much dearer than buying online at RM so check out postage costs before deciding. 

Personally I always use RM for glass and china , I double box everything and wrap it assuming it will be dropped at some point from waist height onto a concrete floor. 

Incidentally, the glass and china market is quite dead now, so unless you have something really interesting it might not be worth the bother of listing, always check out completed/sold listings on eBay to see whether something is worth all the pack i Gand postage costs. 

soolin

If you scroll down this page the links to both online postage costs and over the counter costs are shown. 

https://www.royalmail.com/current-postage-prices

One final thing, signed for is now a very poor service, it has been partly replaced by a much better and considerably service of RM48. 

TimeLord1

Really depends on weight, size, and value but things have changed. You can use Royal Mail 48 or 24 now and drop them off at a post office or have them collected. I have mostly used them but have the option now of Inpost, Evri you can also drop Evri parcels in the Inpost lockers. Get a current size price guide for Royal Mail at your post office invest in some postal scales and tape measure or size guides. Remember most shops have excess boxes available so recycling is good and they don't mind as long as you ask.

shomk

Thanks everyone for the helpful info. I'll give it a go.

soolin

shomk said:

Thanks everyone for the helpful info. I'll give it a go.

A set of basic kitchen type scales can be bought for less than £10, and since the cost saving in printing labels online as opposed to going to the PO can be as much as £1, you would soon recoup your money. 

Brie

Don't forget to factor in the weight of the packaging!  No point in setting your price based on goods that are just under 2kg if the box etc is going to take it over.