How to choose shipping options that make sense
Jan 3, 2025
Shipping decisions can make or break your resale business. Let’s break down how to select the right shipping options, keep everything in sync, and keep things simple—no matter how many marketplaces you use.
Step 1: Understand Your Shipping Needs
What are you selling? Bulky items, fragile goods, or lightweight collectibles all require different shipping strategies.
Where are your buyers? Local pickup, domestic shipping, or international? Start with where your sales are most likely to happen.
How fast do you need to deliver? Offering expedited shipping can boost sales, but it’s not always worth the extra cost for every item.
Step 2: Compare Shipping Methods
Most resellers choose from three basic options:
Carrier-Calculated Shipping: Let the marketplace or your store calculate shipping based on item size, weight, and destination. This is best for accuracy but can be harder to estimate in advance.
Flat-Rate Shipping: Charge a fixed amount per order or item. Easy for buyers to understand, but you’ll need to average out costs so you don’t lose money on heavier orders.
Free Shipping: Roll the expected shipping cost into your item price. This can increase conversion rates, but be sure your margins cover it.
For beginners, flat-rate shipping is often the easiest to manage. Start with it, then adjust as you learn your typical shipping costs.
Step 3: Sync Inventory and Listings Across Channels
If you’re selling on multiple platforms (like eBay, Poshmark, and your own website), it’s crucial to keep inventory and shipping policies consistent. A central inventory management system prevents overselling and keeps your shipping options up to date everywhere.
Platforms like Gavelbase offer synchronization features for inventory, listings, team roles, and shipping rules.
Alternatives include Linnworks, Sellar, or spreadsheets for very small inventories.
Tip: Set your shipping preferences once in your central system, so updates automatically push to all platforms.
Step 4: Assign Team Roles for Shipping
If you have a small team, define who does what early:
Listing Manager: Sets shipping policies per item.
Inventory Manager: Ensures items are ready to ship.
Shipping Handler: Packs and ships sold items or arranges pickups.
Even if you’re solo, writing down your process helps avoid mistakes and makes it easier to delegate as you grow.
Step 5: Track Sales, Fees, and Shipping Costs
Shipping can eat into your profits if you don’t track it. Use your management system to:
Record what you paid for shipping on each order.
Track platform fees related to shipping (e.g., eBay’s final value fee on shipping).
Compare what you charged buyers versus your actual costs.
This helps you spot undercharging or overcharging trends. Adjust your pricing or shipping options accordingly every few months.
Step 6: Offer Clean Shipping or Pickup Options
Shipping: Clearly state which carriers you use, any restrictions, and how soon you ship after payment.
Pickup: Offer local pickup as an option for large or fragile items. Set safe, convenient pickup locations and clear communication with buyers.
On your listings, be clear and consistent about what buyers should expect. Communicate quickly if there are delays.
Step 7: Keep It Simple, Then Optimize
Pick one or two shipping options to start (like flat-rate and local pickup).
Set them up in your central management system and sync to all channels.
As you grow, review your shipping costs and feedback. Tweak options based on real data.
Additional Tips and Resources
Use free tools like Pirate Ship or Shippo to compare shipping rates and print labels.
Read marketplace shipping guides: eBay shipping basics, Etsy shipping tips.
Update your shipping and return policies as your business grows.
Conclusion
Choosing smart shipping options doesn’t have to be complicated. Start simple: pick one or two methods, set up a central system to keep everything in sync, assign clear team roles, and track your costs. As you get more orders, you’ll have the data to fine-tune your approach. The easier you make shipping for yourself and your buyers, the faster your business will grow.