Question: 8/20/08
I have one more question about shipping. :) You said that you figure the
shipping before you bill for the order. Do you pack the order, go to the
post office, get the shipping costs, take the package back home, bill the
client, wait on the money, then go back to the post office and acctually
mail the package. I may have this confused because I was wondering, what if
it takes a while to get payment and the plants are already packaged. Tell me
where I may have this wrong. Again, I appreciate so much all your help. You
have turned in to quite the expert. Believe it or not, I am going to
eventually sell something on the internet!! :) Take care. SG
Answer:
We pack the plants first. (only those plants that have already been paid
for)
We have a nice electric scale I got at Office Depot that weighs up to 50# or
something like that.
We weigh each package.
I have online accounts (no charge to set up) with both the Post Office and
FedEx. I could also have one with UPS if I shipped with them but they are
way higher than FedEx.
My accounts are linked to my credit card.
I enter the address of the person I'm shipping to.
I enter the weight and the size of the package (inches long, high, wide)
It calculates the postage for me.
I then print out a bar-coded address label and put it on the package.
I take the package to PO or FX and that is all there is to it.
They scan it in and email me the tracking numbers. (Usually before I even
get home)
I then go into PayPal and invoice for the sh/h.
Payments come in over the next few days and all is well.