Shipping Prices to Increase in January 2010
Written by Kelley Hopper on November 29th, 2009Here is comes again, another price increase from shipping companies UPS, Federal Express and the United States Postal Service. On January 4, 2010 these three companies will be increasing the cost for you to ship a package. Are you ready?
Sellers have to be aware that they have no control over what the shipping companies charge to get their merchandise to their customers. Unassuming sellers may find that they are losing money on shipping if they aren’t ready for the increase. This is especially true of anyone who offers flat rate shipping fees.
I have found over the past three or four years the best way to be prepared for increased prices is to list my inventory with weight based shipping rather than fixed prices. This way, especially on eBay, eliminates the need to go in and change 1,500 + store listings to increase the shipping rate.
You may be selling items that include free shipping but are you prepared for the additional 3.3% – 6.9% increase (not including fuel surcharges)? If not you better get busy adjusting your listings to account for the higher charges.
And don’t forget, if you are replenishing your inventory after the first of the year, the shipping increase will affect your landed cost if your suppliers use these shipping companies.
Don’t wait until after the first to start making changes to your listings. Change a few listings a day, every day, that way the task won’t seem so overwhelming come January. I know the holidays are busy but can you really afford to lose your hard earned money due to a price increase? I can’t.
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Tags: federal express price increase, flat rate shipping, free shipping, Planning, postage increase, ups price increase
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