Hey Reseller Ninja,
Ready to save money on shipping? We know that shipping can be one of the trickiest parts of reselling. Learning a few advanced techniques, you can save money, speed up delivery times, and keep your customers happy. Let’s dive in!
Zone Skipping: Ship Smarter, Not Harder 📦
What’s Zone Skipping? Think of it as taking a shortcut in shipping. Instead of shipping each package individually across the country, you consolidate multiple packages. These combined packages going to the same region get sent together to a central hub. From there, they’re distributed locally, which can save you money and reduce transit times.
Regional Carriers: The Underdogs of Shipping 🐶
Why Use Regional Carriers? Big carriers like UPS and FedEx are great, but regional carriers (like OnTrac ) can offer faster and cheaper shipping for certain areas. They focus on specific regions, so they often provide more personalized service and lower rates.
Dimensional Weight: Optimize Your Packaging 📏
What’s Dimensional Weight? Shipping costs aren’t just about weight; they’re also about size. Carriers use dimensional weight pricing to account for large but lightweight packages. To save on costs, optimize your packaging by using the smallest box possible without compromising the safety of your items.
Flat Rate Shipping: One Size Fits All 📮
How Does Flat Rate Work? With flat rate shipping, you pay a fixed price regardless of the package’s weight or destination (as long as it fits in the box). USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are a reseller’s best friend when you’re shipping heavy items across long distances.
Multi-Carrier Software: Your Shipping Superpower 💪
What’s Multi-Carrier Software? Imagine having a tool that compares shipping rates and delivery times from multiple carriers in real-time. Software like ShipStation or Pirate Ship lets you choose the best option for each package, saving you both time and money.
By mastering these advanced shipping techniques, you’ll be able to streamline your shipping process, cut costs, and keep your customers delighted with speedy deliveries. It’s all about shipping smarter, not harder!
Happy shipping,
Advanced Shipping Techniques Checklist:
1. Zone Skipping: Ship Smarter, Not Harder 📦
✅ Identify packages going to the same region.
✅ Consolidate packages into one shipment.
✅ Send the consolidated shipment to a central hub in that region.
✅ Ensure local distribution from the hub.
2. Regional Carriers: The Underdogs of Shipping 🐶
✅ Research regional carriers (e.g., OnTrac) that serve your target areas.
✅ Compare rates and delivery times with major carriers.
✅ Test regional carriers with a few shipments to evaluate service quality.
✅ Incorporate regional carriers into your shipping options where cost-effective.
3. Dimensional Weight: Optimize Your Packaging 📏
✅ Measure the dimensions of your packages.
✅ Calculate the dimensional weight (length × width × height ÷ divisor, typically 139).
✅ Compare the dimensional weight to the actual weight.
✅ Use the smallest possible box that protects your items to reduce dimensional weight charges.
4. Flat Rate Shipping: One Size Fits All 📮
✅ Determine if your items fit into USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes.
✅ Compare flat rate costs with standard shipping rates for heavy or distant shipments.
✅ Use flat rate boxes for items that are heavy or traveling long distances to save money.
5. Multi-Carrier Software: Your Shipping Superpower 💪
✅ Choose a multi-carrier shipping software (e.g., ShipStation, Pirate Ship).
✅ Set up accounts with multiple carriers within the software.
✅ Compare rates and delivery times for each shipment.
✅ Select the best carrier option for each package to optimize cost and speed.