728_header.jpg (23748 bytes)
Google  Web AuctionBytes  
eBay Live 2008 Recap
News!
Pictures!
Podcasts!
Blog!

Sponsor

Home
Subscribe
Blog
Podcasts
Forums
AuctionBytes TV
ABU Back Issues

COOL TOOLS

Calendar
Collectors' Links
eBay Promo History
Bookshelf
Fraud Resources
Auction Site Fees
Auction Management
Payment Services
Storefronts Chart
Sniping Chart
Consignment Services
Drop-Off Store Laws
Ecommerce Resources
Photo Tips
Marketing Inserts
Bill the Postman
Yellow Pages
Classifieds

AUCTIONBYTES

Our Writers
Write For Us
Partners
Press
Advertising
About Us
Link To US

Go to Current Issue

Auctionbytes-Update, Number 2 - November 18, 1999 - ISSN 1528-6703     Previous Story | Contents | Next Story


iShip.com
By Ina Steiner
AuctionBytes.com

November 18, 1999
AddThis Social Bookmark Button

iShip.com offers a service for auctioners to let potential bidders know the shipping charge they can expect to pay on a given item. Here's how it works: go to http://www.iship.com and click on "Find out More" under "Online Auctions."

It will lead you through the steps of entering the item information: weight, dimensions, zip code, names of carriers you are willing to use, etc. Once you have entered all your information, iShip brings you to the form that potential buyers will see.

The html code is given to you so you can cut and paste it into your item description on the auction site.

The buyer clicks on the link from your description and is taken to iShip where they can enter their zip code and find out how much the shipping will cost them for your item!

ANALYSIS: If you need to determine the pricing anyway so that you can tell the buyer how much shipping will cost, then it might be worth it going through the process. But if you only offer one method of shipment, you probably know the rates, and doing the iShip process adds more time to the process of posting an auction item. None of us need that!

On the other hand, if you ship out identical items, you could use the same html code - just cut and paste into your descriptions.

If you use this service from iShip, remember to check the prices on your iShip chart before quoting shipping rates to buyers!

CAVEAT: We haven't used this service in any of our auctions yet. We'll be sure to try it and let you know if there are any problems! And note that Stamps.com is purchasing iShip.com. We don't know how that might affect the online auction service offered by iShip.com.

EXAMPLE: HTML CODE FOR SENDING 30 COPIES OF AUCTIONBYTES.COM NEWSLETTERS FROM OUR LOCAL POST OFFICE.

Click here to use iShip.com to view your shipping charges.

About the author:

Ina Steiner is Editor of AuctionBytes.com and author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). She has a background in marketing and research in the high-tech and publishing fields. If you have story ideas, comments or questions, send them to ina@auctionbytes.com.



Email this story to a friend.

Previous Story | Contents | Next Story

Related Stories
  • e-Postage - March 25, 2000, Issue #10
  • Pitney Bowes Allows Internet Downloading of Postage - April 10, 2000, Issue #11
  • Neopost Becomes eBay's Exclusive e-Postage Provider - April 18, 2001, Issue #65
  • Pitney Bowes Enhances Small-Business Web Site - May 16, 2001, Issue #83
  • UPS Acquires iShip Assets from Stamps.com - May 22, 2001, Issue #87
  • Stamps.com Doubles Fees - June 21, 2001, Issue #108
  • Endicia.com Can Save You Time and Money! - August 04, 2001, Issue #43
  • Safer Mail - October 24, 2001, Issue #189
  • Pitney Bowes: Small Businesses Can Manage eMail Marketing - December 05, 2001, Issue #216
  • E-Postage Stamps Move Ahead with USPS Approval - July 22, 2002, Issue #363
  • Internet Postage Providers Add 'Stealth' Feature for Online Sellers - May 18, 2003, Issue #95




  • Discuss this story in our forums.

    Ecommerce Podcasts

    Site Index
    Copyright 1999-2008. Steiner Associates LLC. All rights reserved