MommaGem
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 312
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Post by MommaGem on Sept 26, 2021 15:42:42 GMT -5
Just wanted to give the group a heads up that I am moving soon and I have to part with most of my tumbling rough. I just cannot bring it all with me. Luckily I am heading somewhere I can rock hunt so I hope to replenish my stash again after I get there.
I'm hoping my precious rough can find good homes 💖
I will be posting more but I got tired, so I'll post more this week.
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Post by knave on Sept 26, 2021 17:57:58 GMT -5
 Is this next day air shipping?  |
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MommaGem
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 312
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Post by MommaGem on Sept 26, 2021 18:59:35 GMT -5
It's not next day air - it's simply the Priority Mail calculated by weight and destination. Unfortunately the small flat rate boxes are too small for what I have and the medium boxes are way too big. I will double-check on a few to see if I can shift them.
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Post by knave on Sept 26, 2021 19:35:09 GMT -5
It's not next day air - it's simply the Priority Mail calculated by weight and destination. Unfortunately the small flat rate boxes are too small for what I have and the medium boxes are way too big. I will double-check on a few to see if I can shift them. Even if a medium flat rate box is too big, you will get more bids using MFRB pricing…. And if so inclined you could offer to combine shipping on multiple items. Not really an eBay seller but $15 should be enough. |
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MommaGem
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 312
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Post by MommaGem on Sept 26, 2021 20:42:33 GMT -5
That's true, but it would also cost a fair amount in packing materials if someone buys only 6 pounds of rock that takes up less than half of the box. This chrysocolla fits in an 8x6x4 and MFRB is 11x8.5.5 - so it requires alot of extra padding to make sure the rough doesn't get jostled about. I don't have a ton of old newspapers to use. That would be nice.
That's also why the starting price for the rough is really low. I paid nearly $40 for this Chrysocolla.
I get it, shipping prices are high, but these aren't "my" prices - it's USPS. It's really expensive to ship heavy items these days. What I might do if these listings don't sell is to stuff MRFB boxes full of an assortment and try to offer them that way.
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Post by knave on Sept 26, 2021 21:07:22 GMT -5
I’m not trying to be a jerk. Just from the buyers view that’s insane shipping for 6 lbs of rough.
2 sfrb is cheaper than $27.
USPS has expensive options, that is true. I was recommending the less expensive ones.
Anyway good luck with your sales!!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Sept 27, 2021 9:34:07 GMT -5
That's true, but it would also cost a fair amount in packing materials if someone buys only 6 pounds of rock that takes up less than half of the box. This chrysocolla fits in an 8x6x4 and MFRB is 11x8.5.5 - so it requires alot of extra padding to make sure the rough doesn't get jostled about. I don't have a ton of old newspapers to use. That would be nice. That's also why the starting price for the rough is really low. I paid nearly $40 for this Chrysocolla. I get it, shipping prices are high, but these aren't "my" prices - it's USPS. It's really expensive to ship heavy items these days. What I might do if these listings don't sell is to stuff MRFB boxes full of an assortment and try to offer them that way. I can't tell you how many boxes of rocks I have bought over the years that were stuffed with wadded up newspaper to fill in empty space. It works well and is inexpensive. |
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MommaGem
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 312
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Post by MommaGem on Sept 27, 2021 10:09:24 GMT -5
That is true - absolutely, but I don't have a whole bunch of newspapers available. I get one 4-page newspaper delivered per week 😆
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Post by greig on Sept 27, 2021 10:58:13 GMT -5
I was looking this morning as some of my rocks and realize if I move that it will be a task and a half just to deal with them. Too bad shipping is so expensive. The only way to save that I have discovered is to slice hard rocks and ship in a small padded envelope, which goes out as mail rather than package. Good luck with your sale.
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Post by MsAli on Sept 27, 2021 18:16:38 GMT -5
I’m not trying to be a jerk. Just from the buyers view that’s insane shipping for 6 lbs of rough. 2 sfrb is cheaper than $27. USPS has expensive options, that is true. I was recommending the less expensive ones. Anyway good luck with your sales!! Agree |
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LazerFlash
Cave Dweller 
The more they over-think the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the toilet.
Member since September 2021
Posts: 550
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Post by LazerFlash on Oct 1, 2021 19:23:46 GMT -5
Having bought and sold on eBay pretty much since there has been an eBay, my observation is that Buyers consider shipping costs a necessary evil, but don't like to see large numbers even if they're realistic. My suggestion might mean a bit more work for you, but might just result in better sales results... Break your large poundage down into lots that will easily fit into USPS SFRBs or USPS FRPEs, and only use the MFRBs for the rough that is physically too large to fit in the smaller box. Also, it appears that you're providing a flat rate that you've pre-calculated. Consider switching to using calculated shipping on your listings to which you can add a small "handling fee" to cover the cost of materials.
One other thing... Consider using UPS or FedEx. (I know, I know.) I've found that over the years, these two provide a less expensive shipping option as the weight goes up and the item cannot fit in a flat rate package. For instance, you can ship this listing (234205417899) for less than the $20 you're charging using either shipper.
Regarding packing materials, perhaps you have a neighbor, relative, co-worker, etc who has excess newspaper...? If your neighborhood has curbside recycling, this should be pretty easy to determine. Or, if your county has a recycle or transfer station, a quick trip there might yield more packing materials than you can possibly use. (Side note: The local recycling center is were I get a lot of my boxes and newspapers for packing/shipping.)
However you resolve this conundrum, good luck liquidating your horde.
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MommaGem
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 312
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Post by MommaGem on Oct 4, 2021 17:47:23 GMT -5
Thanks LazerFlash! I did indeed sell it all, so they are off to good homes. Luckily, enough people bought in bulk that I could stuff as much as I could into Medium and Flat Rate boxes. I did state that I would combine shipping the best that I could, but unfortunately, until I packed it all, I couldn't promise any certain price.
But it did all work out in the end 👍👍
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krissykitty
starting to shine!
Member since May 2021
Posts: 25
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Post by krissykitty on Oct 6, 2021 20:49:31 GMT -5
mommagem Hey, I was able to grab some things you had listed! I picked up the blue chalcedony, obsidian, and honey calcite I'm super excited to receive all of it, and you shipped it out super fast! And I was perfectly fine with what the shipping price ended up as. By the way, I didn't even realize that you're Crystal Wisdom/Shannon on Youtube until after I purchased lol! I'm happy to have been able to buy some things off of ya, your videos are very helpful and well done  This way I was able to help support a great creator and get some cool rocks! Two birds with one stone  ! Thanks so much again.
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This way I was able to help support a great creator and get some cool rocks! Two birds with one stone 
! Thanks so much again.
