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Posted by delicategypsy on 12-Nov-2011 16:29 Report
Postage for jewellery
Is anyone else having trouble finding the right price for postage for jewellery? I always send mine out in bubble protective packages to avoid damage in the post, and ive heard alot about postage prices going up lately. I'm trying to make my postage costs as accurate as possible for the buyer but each time i go to post something it ends up being different every time!
There's been times where the cost to post was alot more than i specified, taking a big chunk of the profit to make the iyem, and other times it was $1.5 cheaper than i specified for a parcel that was around the same weight and size! I dont want my customers to think i'm ripping them off with postage fees, is anyone else having trouble determining accurate postage fees?
 
Replied by issabella10 on 12-Nov-2011 16:42 (Ref 2319779) Report
There's been no postage increase for a while now , it may be that either your PO is like many PO's and inconsistant with the way they classify letter rates and parcels. Best if you look it up on the AP website so you know before you post items what they should go for.

My PO is good but one staff members till tries my patience  by making everything go as a parcel .

If your posting your Jewellery in padded bags and they are under 20mm thick they can go as letter rates and you'll find the prices on AP website.

If they go over the 20mm thickness they then become a parcel . Some people send jewellery in envelopes and the items wrapped in bubble wrap as well and the costs should be the same but most Jewellery that isn't in boxes etc is easily sent in the padded bags.
 
Have a look at what other sellers are charging on their listings for similar items and you'll see if yours is compeditive etc.

Edit , you have a few items that have a postage cost on them that are not really correct . The bracelet for $4 cannot be send for $4 as there is no such postage charge anyway but it's too thick and becomes a parcel rate at $5 for up to 250 grams.

Those at $3.50 postage would be the same if they are over 20mm thick etc so that's where you might be finding the higher postage charges when you get to the PO etc.
Replied by limegreen on 12-Nov-2011 16:45 (Ref 2319780) Report
I've been selling jewellery since I started here.    I've put my prices up gradually as Australia Post has.

At the moment I charge $1.60 in a padded bag, and I usually fit about 4/5 items for that price.    I only ever sell jewellery that will go through the 2cm slot, as after that, it's classed as a parcel and much more.   Sometimes it's a little bit more, so I wear it and other times if I re-use a padded bag - it evens itself out!

I've also just found out about tracking which is only $1.50 - not bad as I live in WA and I sell mostly to the Eastern States.

regards
Ann
Replied by delicategypsy on 12-Nov-2011 16:58 (Ref 2319783) Report
Thanks for the replies! Looks like i have some more aus post research costs to do, lol. If you have any more advice based on your experiance with it, definatly let me know please!
Cheers!
Replied by cricketmushroom on 12-Nov-2011 17:14 (Ref 2319784) Report
 Hi, I like the pink postage rates sheet you used to be able to get from the PO. Really easy to use and has both letter and parcel rates. Much better than the books. My local PO hasn't had any for a couple of price rises, but if you go to  the link below you can download the latest one to suit your sending location.

Cheers,
Rob

http://auspost.com.au/products-and-services/easy-guides.html
Replied by delicategypsy on 12-Nov-2011 17:26 (Ref 2319785) Report
Thanks everyone, just adjusted the post costs, probably best to keep it low and simple. Lol!
Replied by issabella10 on 12-Nov-2011 18:27 (Ref 2319787) Report

"I've also just found out about tracking which is only $1.50"

Ann , the Click and Send tracking is not for letter rate items though , most PO's will stock the prepaid C & S boxes but some of the smaller branches won't.
Replied by limegreen on 12-Nov-2011 18:33 (Ref 2319788) Report
Hi issabella10

You're right!  
I remember now, it was a red satchel and the buyer wanted to track it.   It's still pretty good though, isn't it.
Thanks for reminding me.

Ann
Replied by hobals on 12-Nov-2011 18:49 (Ref 2319789) Report
Hi delicate Gypsy :-)

I think you maybe going wrong with the width of the items
If 20mm thick - or thicker- they MUST be sent as a parcel
If thinner - they can go as a large letter

If you ask at the local P.O. for a carboard Letter Gauge

it will show you sizes of the envelopes- widths etc - which are letters- which are large letters
It also has slots to fit these letters through
if the letter gets stuck & you have to push it- it's a parcel !
It must DROP  through -

I have found that parcels over 500 grams- that temando is best - as it's got 1.1% ( I think that's the rate ) insurance ( when aust Post is over $3 ) and it's door to soor- where you sign when it's collected and buyer gets delievered to their door :-)

so- IMO- that's the best for parcels over 500 grams :-)
under 500 grams - parcels or letters ( small or large) Aust Post seems to be the cheapest

Get a letter gauge and remember when you are listing to have the item in the bubble wrap or padded envelope and try & drop through the ge - then check the letter sizing
this allows you to price the postage accordingly

Hope this helps
cheers :-)
Replied by beallieblue on 12-Nov-2011 18:50 (Ref 2319790) Report
have you got the PO gauge for trying your items through before they go to the PO, and a set of scales.
As letter rate doesn't have the postcode on anymore,
I have all my parcels stamped and ready to go. All the PO has to do is stamp the stamps, except for parcels rate.
Saves me time and them time. I sell elsewhere as well, so sometime there are a few. (hopefully)
My items are mainly buttons, so simaliar to jewellery in hight.
I have 2 PO's and 1 country store, and they trust me now.
One PO give me a photo copy of all the new prices, as i don't like the books either.
And they know I like pretty stamps not plain ones.
If you think it's not a parcel rate, get them to put it through the gauge in front of you.
cheers Pam.

bit slow on the gauge, but a must to have. Hobals
Replied by delicategypsy on 12-Nov-2011 18:52 (Ref 2319791) Report
That's a really good idea! I'll do that, thankyou!
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