USPS Price Increase January 18th

Shipping Services January 18 Pricing Change

On January 18 prices for Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International, and M-Bags change. As always, we do not impose fuel surcharges, hidden surcharges, or surcharges for residential or Saturday delivery.

The move to January price changes for shipping services is consistent with industry standards and provides a clear picture of the affordable services we offer. Highlights for domestic shipping services include new Commercial Plus pricing, with up-front discounts for high-volume Express Mail and Priority Mail users. On average, Commercial Plus prices for Express Mail are 14.5 percent less than retail prices; Priority Mail Commercial Plus prices average 7 percent less. We are also introducing a new, smaller Priority Mail flat-rate box. The new box is priced the same as the flat-rate envelope and provides a great option for customers sending smaller items that require sturdy packaging and the convenience of flat rate pricing.

Prices for Express Mail and Priority Mail are designed to maintain the Postal Service’s competitive position as the best shipping value in the market, especially for packages weighing less than 5 pounds. The new prices also make Parcel Select, our “last mile” ground product, an even better value for high-volume shippers. For international mailers, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International and Priority Mail International are the best value in global shipping.

View this information and the price chart at:

http://www.usps.com/prices/pricechanges.htm?from=home_ftpromo&page=newshippingprices

Beautiful ODD Day ~

Today we had to run to town and our weather was a bit odd to say the least. It was in the 50s today with drizzle. As we passed over the Shenandoah River, there was a fog so thick over it, that you could not see the river. It followed the river as far as you could see and was above the bridge. If I had a camera and could multi task, I would have taken a picture. It was beautiful. So, our weather station is telling us now that towards the end of the week, our warmer weather is going to turn our rain to icy conditions. Of course, this will happen when we are snoozing and will have to wait up and watch our local channel for school delays and closings. We love the snow when we are all home. We have round plastic saucers that we slide down our front yard on. It has a slight slope and is fun to slide down. I hope you had a blessed day :)

Quilted Tree Skirts

This is such a pretty quilted tree skirt. It's not too late to purchase a tree skirt to put under your pretty Christmas tree this year! Be sure to check out all of the tree skirts I have to offer by clicking on my eBay store link to the right. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for checking out all of my items. My eBay store is filled with primitives, handmade primitives, wholesale primitives that are priced to move, eBay auction templates, quilts, bedding, and much, much more!

Steelers Beat The Cowboys!

Oh we were so relieved to see Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys! Now the Redskins still have a chance... Hubby LOVES the Steelers and I am a Redskin fan, but will cheer for Pittsburgh when they are not playing the Steelers :)

Vintage Quilt Christmas Tree

... My newest Vintage Quilt Christmas tree on an eBay auction now. This tree is made from vintage tumbling block design quilt. It has mica flakes on it which are more visible in person. Thank you for stopping by :)

Tennessee Ridge Primitives

A great blog to check out that offers free primitive patterns is Tennessee Ridge Primitives' blog. The addy is http://extremeprimitives.blogspot.com/ Her patterns are very easy and they do not require alot of different craft items to complete, which equals more profit for you. She also has an eBay store and has been an established, popular seller of patterns on eBay for years.

Check out this eBay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/50-Primitive-Christmas-PATTERNS-Snowman-Santas-ON-CD_W0QQitemZ110322821503QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFolk_Art?hash=item110322821503&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A3%7C294%3A50

eBay Shipping Tips

I sold a flag bunting and was quickly reminded of my carelessness in weighing my items and had to revise my listing. Many times, you can weigh an item and it may be right under the weight of 13 oz. or 1 lb., however, when you consider the weight of a priority mail box, it will easily put your item over a lb., which means you must charge for 2 lbs. The same goes for an envelope. You must remember to consider the weight of your tissue paper, thank you notes and the envelope itself when weighing your items.

EBay has currently made the rule that you must list your shipping information in your auction listing. I have always done this because I want my buyer to know exactly what their shipping will be for the product in which they are purchasing. Because of eBay's new search engine, we are easily found by the buyer if our combined shipping weight and item price is one of the lowest listed. Having the lowest shipping and item price searched will place your listing at the top, if it is auction listing format.

If you offer free shipping to your buyers, your items will get more exposure and if you are a power seller, your final value fees are reduced during a limited time. Many buyers forego this option because what happens is the item price is raised, which will increase your listing fee. For example, if your item is 14.99 and your shipping is 5.05, you will be charged a listing fee for 14.99. If you offer free shipping and must raise your price to include shipping, you will have to pay the higher listing fee to eBay. Is it a good trade off? It may be if you use lower priced items to offer free shipping for.

Don't forget to make your items presentable when your buyer opens up their box or envelope from you. I purchase inexpensive tissue paper to line the box with and wrap my items in tissue paper and sometimes put raffia around them and I always include a handwritten personal thank you. Everyone enjoys a warm fuzzy and your buyers will appreciate opening up their items as if they were gifts. If you can afford to purchase items to drop in their box as a token of appreciation, be careful to choose lightweight freebies, or you will find yourself paying higher shipping if it tips the scale over what you are charging the buyer.

I hope my tips have helped you and I'll try to post more tips in the future. I enjoy sharing what I have learned to sell successfully on eBay over the last four years with anyone that would love to learn.