Shipping items with regular letter mail?

[Killed by Ebay]

I have some items i can ship in letter envelopes and save a ton on shipping.

Right now I am at 99% in shipping items with a tracking number within the stated handling time. Is it possible to be able to ship items as letters and not effect those numbers?

[Dmshark25]

The only thing I could see being affected would be tracking numbers

If your not concerned with getting a TRS account or delivery confirmation than, nothing would be affected, it would be shipped as first class mail with no tracking/delivery confirmation

[Youngb]

Remember 1 thing, if you ship regular mail, you do not get a tracking number. If you do not have a tracking number you void your seller protection. Without a tracking number you open up the door for scammers to do an item not received case against you. You will surely lose the case and have to refund the full amount for the item to the buyer. Just my warning!!

[Killed by Ebay]

I am not worried about scammers....the items are so cheap it will be worth the trade off in cheap shipping.

I do want the TRS tho.

[SaiJin]

You need the tracking.

Try puffing it up to 3/4 of an inch in thickness so it qualifies for the tracking.

The cheapest so far with postage would be about $1.90

[Youngb]

Originally Posted by Killed by Ebay

I am not worried about scammers....the items are so cheap it will be worth the trade off in cheap shipping.

I do want the TRS tho.

These are a few things to take into consideration:
1) How much is the item you're selling?
If it is not worth tracking than it may not be worth selling. Minimum $5.00 is the limit for me.

2) Are you shipping a piece of paper?
If it is more than 1/2 in thick you will HAVE to ship via First Class.
If it weighs more than 1oz you will HAVE to ship via First Class.
If it is a FLAT hard item I would also suggest first class because those regular mailing envelopes go through machines and may damage your item.

3) If you want TRS than I highly suggest tracking because you will always be at the mercy of your buyers. If you get hit with multiple 'Item Not Received' cases than how you going to prove to PP and Bay that you mailed it out? Also, how can you prove to yourself that the buyer received it? Too many holes in that plan and this may be one of the quickest ways to get your account suspended in my opinion. On the Bay buyers expect tracking so its best to just give it to them.

4) Alot of things are tied to tracking that will effect your performance.
Item Received date should be in compliance with your shipping policy
Item Sent date should also be in compliance with your shipping policy

5) If you do not leave tracking, PP and the Bay can look at it as if you are not shipping. Remember when you first started your account, PP wanted you to leave a tracking to make sure the buyer received and was satisfied before your funds were released. If the buyer never leaves feedback you will have to wait longer for your funds to be released if you do not leave tracking.

I do not mean to be technical but if I was buying from you I would hound you for that tracking number if its been 4 days after I purchased and did not receive my item.

[MM78]

Originally Posted by Killed by Ebay

I have some items i can ship in letter envelopes and save a ton on shipping.

Right now I am at 99% in shipping items with a tracking number within the stated handling time. Is it possible to be able to ship items as letters and not effect those numbers?

Are you doing this primarily for Feedback?

[rsot]

Originally Posted by Killed by Ebay

I have some items i can ship in letter envelopes and save a ton on shipping.

Right now I am at 99% in shipping items with a tracking number within the stated handling time. Is it possible to be able to ship items as letters and not effect those numbers?

Really depends on the value of the item, your niche, and if you figure you will have claims made against you

[Killed by Ebay]

Originally Posted by MM78

Are you doing this primarily for Feedback?

Yes and No, I can purchase these items for .04-.05 a piece and flip them for about $3 for 2...4.50 for 5 etc...

they weigh basically nothing..I would make much more with standard letter shipping because I can probably send 50 of these things in a letter envelope but I do want the TRS.. Im not worried about cases being opened, my niche is a laid back honest community for the most part...its the "tracking upload time" I was worried about.

I did seek these items to help boost me toward TRS

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by Killed by Ebay

Yes and No, I can purchase these items for .04-.05 a piece and flip them for about $3 for 2...4.50 for 5 etc...

they weigh basically nothing..I would make much more with standard letter shipping because I can probably send 50 of these things in a letter envelope but I do want the TRS.. Im not worried about cases being opened, my niche is a laid back honest community for the most part...its the "tracking upload time" I was worried about.

I did seek these items to help boost me toward TRS

Anyone should worry about cases being opened .

As for thinking your niche is 'good', that can change in 3 buyers' comments.

Be circumspect with your choices if you are going for TRS.

Be circmspect with doing any damage to a flourishing account with the holidays coming AND new sellers' requirements.

Good Luck

[Youngb]

Originally Posted by Killed by Ebay

Yes and No, I can purchase these items for .04-.05 a piece and flip them for about $3 for 2...4.50 for 5 etc...

they weigh basically nothing..I would make much more with standard letter shipping because I can probably send 50 of these things in a letter envelope but I do want the TRS.. Im not worried about cases being opened, my niche is a laid back honest community for the most part...its the "tracking upload time" I was worried about.

I did seek these items to help boost me toward TRS

What is the size of the item? If the item makes the envelope over a 1/2 inch thick it is required you mail first class which is appx. $1.96 incl tracking under 3 oz. If they are thinner than 1/2 in and you do not mind the risk, than send them postage.
Just be aware of the scammer that realizes you send regular mail, makes a large order and hits you with an 'item not received' case.

[SaiJin]

THe thing is you'll need the tracking so that eBay can see you are shipping within your 1 day handling time to get the TRS status.

Btw, USPS now has an "internal" tracking. It can't be tracked through the .com but the staff themselves can track them. Have you tried shipping it like this and see if the uploaded tracking can count towards the eBay status?