How do you charge shipping costs over a forum like this??

[Rocky998]

So hopefully soon I will be shipping fish out but over a forum how do I have people pay? Should I just make an eBay listing or something like that??
All this is kinda confusing the first time around...

 

[FishandBirdLover]

I use Paypal

 

[Rocky998]

I use Paypal

Thank you! I'll look into it!!

 

[Aqua67]

You could open an account with UPS or FedEx and you could get a quote for your overnight or 2-day priority shipping. You should have boxes on hand for shipping, lined with styrofoam and perhaps some packing material. Figure in the weight of your heat pack. You should have the bags you plan to use to ship your fish. Fill a bag with water and determine how much weight the average shipment will be. Enter those details (box dimensions and total packaged weight) into your account for a quote and then you will know how much to charge for shipping.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Both UPS and FedEx require that you pass a test to be allowed to ship live fish. The FedEx one is more work.
https://aquabid.com/

 

[Rocky998]

Im using USPS, not UPS or FedEx...

But thank you both!

And yes im going to be trying to "dummy pack" these boxes to see if it works

 

[GaryE]

You will have to watch the weather and stay south with your targets.

One of the new shipper disasters I have seen many times is the frozen box. Don't forget aircraft cargo temperatures will also drop with the season. I'm in Canada, so the situation is different, but I don't ship from October til May, unless it's for pickup at an airport.

 

[Rocky998]

You will have to watch the weather and stay south with your targets.

Yes, definitely. If I ship north I can attempt to use heat packs... Or shipping anywhere that may get really cold.

 

[GaryE]

I was editing as you wrote. Calculate the cost of longterm heat packs. If I sound like I'm discouraging you, there's a reason.

 

[Rocky998]

I was editing as you wrote. Calculate the cost of longterm heat packs.

Ah ok!
Thanks!

Yah last thing I want is for people to get frozen fish lol...
So I will calculate the cost of the heat packs and do the math for adding it to the cost of shipping

 

[GaryE]

I used to sell wild type livebearers, usually about 30 boxes per shipping season. After a couple of years, I sat down and calculated shipping supplies and mailing costs versus profits. The post office made a lot more money from my 'business' than I did. When you are small volume, advertising and selling may not be a good idea. You need a thick skin.
Shipping to friends always is a good plan, but on the open market, you know that if the post office messes up, you'll be treated as if you own the system, and it'll be your fault.

If you have extras on the Tateurndina you breed, a local store is a way better option.

 

[Back in the fold]

In addition to what @GaryE said about winter shipping. Winter slows the cargo jets down. Runways have to be plowed , aircraft have to be de-iced and this time of year , November 1st through January 31st , volume is very high and very often a ULD will miss it's connection and sit out on the ramp waiting for the next jet which may be several hours out. Those heat packs that "should" save your bacon are worthless. All USPS goes through FedEx with a small amount going UPS. The cargo decks are heated to 50 degrees but that heat is lost when they land , load and unload. Most flights are only about two hours so take your chances if you feel lucky but don't come crying to me when it goes bad.

 

[Rocky998]

I used to sell wild type livebearers, usually about 30 boxes per shipping season. After a couple of years, I sat down and calculated shipping supplies and mailing costs versus profits. The post office made a lot more money from my 'business' than I did. When you are small volume, advertising and selling may not be a good idea. You need a thick skin.
Shipping to friends always is a good plan, but on the open market, you know that if the post office messes up, you'll be treated as if you own the system, and it'll be your fault.

If you have extras on the Tateurndina you breed, a local store is a way better option.

Again... I'd murder my fish by sending them to the
lfs...
It's HORRIBLE there.

But I have 2 members on here that want some so I hope to ship out to them soon...
If I can also sell some that would be great...

 

[Rocky998]

In addition to what @GaryE said about winter shipping. Winter slows the cargo jets down. Runways have to be plowed , aircraft have to be de-iced and this time of year , November 1st through January 31st , volume is very high and very often a ULD will miss it's connection and sit out on the ramp waiting for the next jet which may be several hours out. Those heat packs that "should" save your bacon are worthless. All USPS goes through FedEx with a small amount going UPS. The cargo decks are heated to 50 degrees but that heat is lost when they land , load and unload. Most flights are only about two hours so take your chances if you feel lucky but don't come crying to me when it goes bad.

That's fair yah... But I can also have listed that shipping costs can't be refunded and only the price of the fish can be...
I HOPE not to have any issues with fish dying in transit... Just wait for warmer weather in some areas I suppose

 

[Back in the fold]

That's fair yah... But I can also have listed that shipping costs can't be refunded and only the price of the fish can be...
I HOPE not to have any issues with fish dying in transit... Just wait for warmer weather in some areas I suppose

No ! You have to be a hard nosed Mr. Scrooge here. Right up front let them know that all orders are at the buyers risk. There is absolutely nothing that you can guarantee and if you even so much as hint of a possible or maybe guarantee most people will whine and cry you to death until you give in just to shut them up. Serious buyers know the risks and will take those risks or they won't. Deal only with those people.