how do you calculate shipping

[nastynate6695]

Hey im going to be parting out my gs.  I have it broken down already but i was wondering how to calculate shipping.  I stopped by a packing store and they told me that i had to bring everything in and they would weigh it and measure it than let me know what each item would cost.  i was just wondering if there was an easier way?

[jp]

I use Priority Mail with the Post Office for anything that fits in their flat-rate rate boxes. They'll ship a pack of boxes to your house for free, and are usually the cheapest way to ship if you can use the flat-rate boxes. If I need larger boxes, I scrounge them from work, along with packing material. Plastic grocery bags work well for packing material too. UPS and Fedex will give you a shipping cost online if you have the dimensions of the box and the weight. If you have a bathroom scale, you can get a fairly accurate weight by weighing yourself, then weighing yourself again while holding the box. Most bathroom scales won't be accurate with too light of a weight.

[adidasguy]

I agree that post office flat rate boxes are a great way to go.
For other items, you'll never know until someone makes a purchase as you can combine things into one box. Estimate shipping and get payment then refund any difference if it is significant.
Shipping charges can be estimated on either the post office or UPS sites.
Be sure you clearly state shipping conditions: i.e. ESTIMATED or BILLED AT HIGHER RATE with excess refunded AFTER shipped.
Another w3ay is to price with continental US shipping included. Elsewhere, shipping is extra.
You can look at ebay auctions of the same item and get ideas for shipping there.
Above all, try to make it easy for you and the buyer.
Never hurts to call it "packing and shipping" then it gives you a margin where maybe you eat a dollar, maybe the buyer eats a dollar or so but it makes things easier.
NOTE: Require payment within XX days or item will be put back up for sale. Too many people say they will pay then vanish.

[nastynate6695]

ok so online calculation sounds like it would be easier for me.  i have some bigger items...forks..wheel. and such so ill be making a list and and some pics for here soon. thanks