Advice on Posting Products in Letters

Magicmagic on 10/10/2023 - 19:13
Last edited 10/10/2023 - 19:13

Hi,

Looking for some tips. My niece is looking to sell some custom made and hand drawn fashion stickers that should easily fit into a letter.

The cost of posting it as a parcel usually high at around $10 although it comes with tracking and some protection if it is lost by Australia Post. Since the value of the stickers are not that high and would be under $10, I assume most people would not want to pay another $10 just for postage of a lower value item.

I've told her that she could send them as a letter which would keep costs to under a couple dollars for postage although I don't want to give bad advice. Would there be any risks that the customer falsely claims that they never received their letter and lodges a complaint to get their money back? Or would any other issues arise?

I assume places like Etsy, ebay or even selling on a new website (complaining to PayPal or their bank about the transaction) would take the side of the seller as there is no proof of postage when sending with a letter.

Would be great to get some thoughts of experienced ozbargainers on this approach and if it is safe to sell products and send them in a letter!

Thanks

Fashion & Apparel

Comments

  • jjjaar on 10/10/2023 - 19:20

    She can always offer both options and let the buyer decide.

    Her base price may include the letter postage cost, or that could also be an extra cost for the buyer.

    Then, they have the option to upgrade to tracked letter or tracked parcel.

    As long as she makes it clear in the terms and conditions of shipping that the cheapest (or free) base option DOES NOT include tracking and that the buyer accepts all risks associated with that, then that’s all she can do.

  • shmoney on 10/10/2023 - 19:21
    +2

    Use these if you want to send as a letter with tracking: https://auspost.com.au/shop/product/domestic-letter-with-tra…

    Just make sure it's not thicker than 5mm.

    Otherwise if you need something thicker then you use this for up to 20mm: https://auspost.com.au/shop/product/domestic-letter-with-tra…

  • altomic on 10/10/2023 - 19:22
    +3

    I used to sell crap on ebay that would fit in a standard $1.20 envelope.

    I'd use cardboard (e.g. old cereal box) stapled at the edges to create a sturdy sleeve (slightly smaller than the envelope) for the product. Then some glue (glue stick) to fasten the sleeve in the envelope.

    Worked very well.

  • xazark on 10/10/2023 - 19:30
    +1

    I have had the same issue in the past with selling trading cards. The lack of tracking in my "free" option meant that I had to deal with people too often that said they never got it, so I eventually just disabled it and only offered tracking via registered post, which if you buy a box of 50 labels used to work out to about $3.50 each, not sure how much they are now tho. I then had people complain that postage was too expensive, but ebay immediately sides with the buyer if you don't have tracking so it just wasn't worth it. Once you take ebay fees into account these days ~13-15% of your sale price, plus postage I honestly just stopped selling any low value items through there, just wasn't worth my time and effort to deal with the people trying to scam.

    I would suggest trying to sell via facebook marketplace or something with lower fees and offer them flat rate postage options, it might encourage customers to purchase more than 1 set at a time to offset the cost.

    • xazark on 10/10/2023 - 19:32

      Just want to add that its great to see younger people taking initiative to do this sort of thing, so I would certainly encourage it!

    • AustriaBargain on 10/10/2023 - 20:17

      Plus a paper envelope isn't waterproof, it'll soak up water in a wet mailbox. Zip lock bags would help.

      • Muzeeb on 10/10/2023 - 20:28

        The AP tracking envelopes are quite sturdy and should be fine with a light sprinkle but definitely not fully waterproof.

  • AustriaBargain on 10/10/2023 - 20:16

    I send clients stacks of labels in letters. I use cardboard from cereal boxes to help stop them being bent. As long as it's under the weight limit for a letter, and fits in an envelope, should be fine. But might consider getting some custom mailers made up anyway. People go crazy for branded shit.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/10/2023 - 22:03

    Suggest your niece offer value bundles of the stickers so that it works out to be cheaper per item than if purchased separately. This may encourage sales, especially in the lead up to Christmas & in the current economy, and assist to off-set some of the cost of tracked postage than if she were to post single stickers.

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