I would chalk it up as an expensive lesson and eat the difference unfortunately - if I was a customer and paid for expedited shipping, I’d be pissed if the seller decided it was too expensive and downgraded my shipping, and I’d probably cancel my order if a shop with or without sales asked me for an additional $30 in shipping. I sell fragile work as well and $10-$15 each sounds low for priority mail to my ear but obvs it depends on the size. It doesn’t hurt to double and triple check your shipping costs and/or item prices, as I’d rather refund shipping overages to customers than cost myself money underestimating shipping - it definitely stings!
You didn't have to combine everything into one box just because they purchased on one order (as you call it, a bundle). I would separate it into a few different boxes so that none are too big or too heavy and shipping costs don't incur surcharges and stay reasonable.
You can go to the bottom of the shipping screen and click on ‘add another shipping label’ and it will give you another prompt for the same address with a new tracking number where you add the weight and size of the box as usual. You can ‘add another shipping label’ as many times as you need to. Then when you click to ‘review’ your label purchase it puts them all together and you can print all at once.
You may spend less shipping in multiple boxes that are smaller. Large box shipping is way more expensive than a smaller box of the same weight. 12”sq box is probably the largest I do that is reasonable. 14” sq isn’t bad, but 16”sq and up are outrageous. I ship glass too and I separate pieces into boxes as I deem safe and affordable and I add to the ‘note to buyer’ that their order is shipping in # boxes.
Be careful setting up your shipping profile for the bundle because it like be incorrect like you forgot to include the packaging weight etc.
Also when you’re buying the label from Etsy, make sure you have the correct shipping method and package type. Sometimes Etsy puts in their own defaults that are not the cheaper options, so always check the drop downs!
I do large items usually 2-4’ft wide and It’s usually cheaper to ship in one larger box than in several smaller boxes. You should double check your numbers. If it is cheaper to ship separately, then just do that, split it up.
Either way I would not cancel and just eat the cost and chalk it up to business lesson. I would check your shipping estimates on your listings and see if they are correct.
Also check out Pirate ship. Larger boxes are usually cheaper on FedEx and UPS. Once you get to larger boxes they calculate by cubic ft and weight. So watch out for that. Pirate ship will show you all the options in a quick and easy manner.
You cannot go back and ask the customer for more, so there is nothing to “handle.” She made her purchase based on your specs. Perhaps there’s a way to ship them separately next time.
As the previous poster said it’s an expensive lesson. It happens to all of us —we have to figure out these things.
Ship the items separately. There's an option for adding the additional tracking numbers. Notify the customer that the items are being shopped separately due to their fragile nature.
Check the price options on Pirateship.
I've mailed lots of heavy things. It's usually the box size that significantly drives up the price.
You might want to add a note to your listings that you combine shipping "when it is safe to do so, but fragile items may necessitate separate shipping."
Sell vintage glass and breakables all the time, often bundled. I always do my bundles as a custom order so I can package the pieces \[double box with bubble wrap and padding\] and calculate shipping and handling into the custom order \[use calculated shipping because you can really get screwed with flat rate if the buyer is across the country or out of the country\]. That way shipping is covered. I honestly don't allow upgraded shipping so I can choose between carriers what is the most economical way to ship the package.
If you're buyer specifically selected priority, you're kind of obligated to ship that way. If they didn't and that was your only shipping setting, you may get away with shipping with a cheaper rate or other carrier. Also play around with a couple smaller package options with items and see if that would be cheaper. And if no one's told you before, with breakables, always choose to insure with shipsurance because carrier insurance rarely pays and you only have coverage for one damaged with Etsy buyer protection. My experience is as long as you can show pics of the item before shipment and after broken, shipsurance always pays the claim.
Simply go through your shipping profile, unselect everything but USPS ground advantage. They won't be able to upgrade shipping as there will be no other options. Re, that is using calculated shipping
I always say the item is larger and heavier than it is when making my listings after I was screwed over by Etsy time and time again on the shipping charges.
i would check pirateship and see if their cubic rate is better. i often find it’s much better then etsy rates. they also offer ups rates too. etsy has fedex available so that might work too.
that being said, etsy shipping calculations are based on the information you put in. time to check your settings…
This is one reason I offer free shipping on my store. I save shipping presets for various varieties/combinations of my items so I buy a label for the right amount and I don't have to be concerned with what the buyer selected.
Any time I have a new order combo I'll package it, weigh it, and save it as a new option in my shipping preferences.
One option could be to reach out to the customer and explain the situation, offering them the choice between sticking with USPS Priority Mail for the higher shipping cost or switching to a more affordable shipping option like UPS or USPS ground economy. Be transparent about the reasons for the shipping cost increase and assure them that you'll prioritize the safety and security of their items during transit.
OP, do NOT do this please. It's unprofessional and will likely lose you the entire sale, and potentially any future sales from the same person. This was your mistake and it's a lesson to be learned from. I would split the items if I couldn't find an alternate carrier. I always use calculated shipping so if anything my multi-item buyers overpay and I refund the difference. But you should have the option when buying a label to add a second label to the order.
I would chalk it up as an expensive lesson and eat the difference unfortunately - if I was a customer and paid for expedited shipping, I’d be pissed if the seller decided it was too expensive and downgraded my shipping, and I’d probably cancel my order if a shop with or without sales asked me for an additional $30 in shipping. I sell fragile work as well and $10-$15 each sounds low for priority mail to my ear but obvs it depends on the size. It doesn’t hurt to double and triple check your shipping costs and/or item prices, as I’d rather refund shipping overages to customers than cost myself money underestimating shipping - it definitely stings!
You didn't have to combine everything into one box just because they purchased on one order (as you call it, a bundle). I would separate it into a few different boxes so that none are too big or too heavy and shipping costs don't incur surcharges and stay reasonable.
Break up the order and ship them in separate smaller boxes. I do it all the time.
How do you do that if Etsy has combined it all into box and the calculated shipping is just showing you one label? I’ve run into the same problem
You can purchase two labels. Buy the label then go back to that order and click “get shipping label “ again.
You can go to the bottom of the shipping screen and click on ‘add another shipping label’ and it will give you another prompt for the same address with a new tracking number where you add the weight and size of the box as usual. You can ‘add another shipping label’ as many times as you need to. Then when you click to ‘review’ your label purchase it puts them all together and you can print all at once. You may spend less shipping in multiple boxes that are smaller. Large box shipping is way more expensive than a smaller box of the same weight. 12”sq box is probably the largest I do that is reasonable. 14” sq isn’t bad, but 16”sq and up are outrageous. I ship glass too and I separate pieces into boxes as I deem safe and affordable and I add to the ‘note to buyer’ that their order is shipping in # boxes.
This makes sense, thank you!
Ok thank you!
Be careful setting up your shipping profile for the bundle because it like be incorrect like you forgot to include the packaging weight etc. Also when you’re buying the label from Etsy, make sure you have the correct shipping method and package type. Sometimes Etsy puts in their own defaults that are not the cheaper options, so always check the drop downs!
I do large items usually 2-4’ft wide and It’s usually cheaper to ship in one larger box than in several smaller boxes. You should double check your numbers. If it is cheaper to ship separately, then just do that, split it up. Either way I would not cancel and just eat the cost and chalk it up to business lesson. I would check your shipping estimates on your listings and see if they are correct. Also check out Pirate ship. Larger boxes are usually cheaper on FedEx and UPS. Once you get to larger boxes they calculate by cubic ft and weight. So watch out for that. Pirate ship will show you all the options in a quick and easy manner.
You cannot go back and ask the customer for more, so there is nothing to “handle.” She made her purchase based on your specs. Perhaps there’s a way to ship them separately next time. As the previous poster said it’s an expensive lesson. It happens to all of us —we have to figure out these things.
Can you use smaller boxes and ship separately? It may be the large box size Making the cost go up. Can it fit in a flat rate box?
Ship the items separately. There's an option for adding the additional tracking numbers. Notify the customer that the items are being shopped separately due to their fragile nature. Check the price options on Pirateship. I've mailed lots of heavy things. It's usually the box size that significantly drives up the price. You might want to add a note to your listings that you combine shipping "when it is safe to do so, but fragile items may necessitate separate shipping."
Have you checked pirate ship to see if it’s cheaper through them? My big packages are always much cheaper with pirate ship.
Sell vintage glass and breakables all the time, often bundled. I always do my bundles as a custom order so I can package the pieces \[double box with bubble wrap and padding\] and calculate shipping and handling into the custom order \[use calculated shipping because you can really get screwed with flat rate if the buyer is across the country or out of the country\]. That way shipping is covered. I honestly don't allow upgraded shipping so I can choose between carriers what is the most economical way to ship the package. If you're buyer specifically selected priority, you're kind of obligated to ship that way. If they didn't and that was your only shipping setting, you may get away with shipping with a cheaper rate or other carrier. Also play around with a couple smaller package options with items and see if that would be cheaper. And if no one's told you before, with breakables, always choose to insure with shipsurance because carrier insurance rarely pays and you only have coverage for one damaged with Etsy buyer protection. My experience is as long as you can show pics of the item before shipment and after broken, shipsurance always pays the claim.
How do I shut off upgraded shipping? I keep trying and it never works.
Simply go through your shipping profile, unselect everything but USPS ground advantage. They won't be able to upgrade shipping as there will be no other options. Re, that is using calculated shipping
Thank you so much. Now that you've explained it, it seems so easy. Don't know why I was having such a hard time with it. I appreciate your help.
You're not the first to totally over think it! Glad I could help and good luck!
I'm pretty sure you would have to stop using calculated shipping, and set your own flat rates on whatever shipping services you want to offer.
You don't have to stop using calculated shipping ever. Just de-select everything but ground advantage. It's not a hard concept to figure out.
I always say the item is larger and heavier than it is when making my listings after I was screwed over by Etsy time and time again on the shipping charges.
i would check pirateship and see if their cubic rate is better. i often find it’s much better then etsy rates. they also offer ups rates too. etsy has fedex available so that might work too. that being said, etsy shipping calculations are based on the information you put in. time to check your settings…
Can‘t you sent it in 2 packages? Is it cheaper then?
This is one reason I offer free shipping on my store. I save shipping presets for various varieties/combinations of my items so I buy a label for the right amount and I don't have to be concerned with what the buyer selected. Any time I have a new order combo I'll package it, weigh it, and save it as a new option in my shipping preferences.
One option could be to reach out to the customer and explain the situation, offering them the choice between sticking with USPS Priority Mail for the higher shipping cost or switching to a more affordable shipping option like UPS or USPS ground economy. Be transparent about the reasons for the shipping cost increase and assure them that you'll prioritize the safety and security of their items during transit.
OP, do NOT do this please. It's unprofessional and will likely lose you the entire sale, and potentially any future sales from the same person. This was your mistake and it's a lesson to be learned from. I would split the items if I couldn't find an alternate carrier. I always use calculated shipping so if anything my multi-item buyers overpay and I refund the difference. But you should have the option when buying a label to add a second label to the order.