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Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

So I sell a lot of stuff on Etsy that can be shipped via a regular envelope. I have a bunch of German buyers but on Etsy have to pay $14.30 to ship. I could send regular mail for $1.15 but without tracking. Etsy doesn't offer regular mail tracking (documents) like paypal does. So I found a way to buy postage on Paypal and send with tracking for $1.15 as a document. That makes me $13 more profit.

Cool!!

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

pay attention to that tracking ,it will not show it has been delivered.

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

Are you talking about flat envelopes? Because I don’t even think there is tracking associated with that? It ships but there is no tracking. At least last time I used that, that’s what it was. Which is why I stopped using it

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

I think bubble wrap envelopes can get tracking ,not normal envelopes

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

if you go to Paypal shipnow,it will give you an option of using USPS first class envelope but USPS rule is that it cant be more than 1/4 inch thick as it is meant for letters and documents,the rate as OP said is much cheaper,there is tracking starting with UA.
But I have found out its tracking will shows it leaves the country but not all the way to destination(residential address),you can try and track one and see for yourself.
If it is low price item,you can just replace or refund when buyer files INAD,if it is expensive,then take out insurance with third party insurer.
Sometimes the buyer notices how much he paid you for shipping and how much you spent on actual shipping,he could ask for a partial refund.or give you low rating on shipping

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

LOL when I first started if a customer paid for 2 day express shipping but they were nearby (they didn’t know that) I would just buy regular shipping and pocket the difference......never got caught but that’s shady and I don’t do that anymore. Someone did it to me once and I immediately knew....karma lol

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

That's a nice little tale - funny but what goes around, comes around hah

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

USPS domestic priority shipping and first class ,not much difference ,depends on distance and how many stations they have to go thru.
But during holiday seasons and weather problem,priority/express mail have priority over other classes and will get on the plane first,USPS does not own any plane,it has to rely on commercial planes and there is limit .

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

some sellers will issue a partial refund,some will put some cash in the package!
some do nothing.

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

he is not ,he is using Paypal shipnow,it will calculate the postage according to buyer address.
I just did one for Germany,cost is $3.23 for 2 ounces.
there is a UA tracking but in the past I have found out it does track,but not all the way

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

Flat envelopes ship to Europe (documents) for $1.15 with tracking. My items are about 1/32 inch thick, I fold blank sheet of paper over them and ship as documents. Beats $14.30 everytime. Also my items sell for $10 plus shipping and cost me $.80. So 24.30 minuts 1.95 minus fees is pretty sweet.

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

My items weigh .7 of an ounce packed in a regular envelope, sent with tracking to Germany as document for $1.15

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

Yeah, I found it. You're using the "letters" class instead of "flats".

I stand corrected. Kudos to you.

I will say it's hard to believe that your letters have tracking since I send dozens of flats weekly, paying 5x more in postage, and they never have any tracking once they leave USA.

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

3.23 FOR 2 OUNCES, 1.15 for 1 ounce

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

but it should be no more than 1/4 inch thick,
we run the risk of them putting these shipments thru some slots 1/4-1/2 inch tall

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

Mine are 1/16 max, but closer to 1/32 inch thick.

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

Unscrupulous business practices, indeed. But I can shamefully one-up you with a similar shipping "hack" that I used to employ (and maybe still do). So I carry some time-sensitive items that are in pretty high demand a few times per year, and many customers pay an extra $40 to upgrade their shipping service to One-day Express. I do offer same-day shipping if the purchase is made by noon, but any purchases made after that aren't required to be shipped until tomorrow, making the expected delivery date the day-after-tomorrow. Instead of waiting until tomorrow to ship it out with Express, I'll just buy a 2-day Priority label for $8 and make sure it gets shipped out today. Customer receives item on the expected delivery date and I pocket an extra $30. Everybody wins. Right?

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

Hahahaha I love it! We could be twins! 🤣

Re: Cool Shipping Hack for Etsy
 

some buyers do look at postage and complain Or ASK for a refund.
But back to shipping overseas as letter ,there is tracking starting with UA,but I have found that tracking ceased once it leaves US,so far no one files INR,but just beware.