In the best of years, holiday shipping is best done early. This is not the best of years. Shipping costs are up and delays are expected. As online sellers with decades of experience between us, we have some holiday shipping tips to help you get your gifts where you want them to be on time and at reasonable expense.
The USPS and other carriers handle a massive volume of packages in November and December. COVID has made that harder. Plus, the USPS announced cuts and price hikes that sent all of us online sellers running for the antacids. We rely on the USPS, UPS and FedEx to fulfill our end of the bargain. Buyers order from us operating under the assumption that we small independent businesses will deliver what they ordered in the condition described, in a reasonable time frame. Last year, no matter how promptly we shipped, we had no ability to guarantee that would happen. Everyone who shipped anything crossed their fingers, followed the tracking and hoped for the best. In fairness, most everything we shipped arrived, but sometimes it took three weeks instead of three days.
This year should be better than last year, but the USPS cuts are already taking a toll. For those who ship internationally, the USPS is limiting delivery options for shipping to Australia to only the most expensive rate. Domestically, first class mail has been slowed from 3 days to 5 and prices for all mail classes have been increased. So how can you save on holiday shipping? And how can you offset shipping delays? We’ve got some holiday shipping tips we use ourselves.
Ship Early
This is probably the most important of all the holiday shipping tips. Save yourself from the crush of the crowds or the even worse sold-out-everywhere online drama. Shop early, wrap and ship early. Don’t worry, you can still wait until the last minute to buy and wrap local gifts, if you really need that adrenaline thrill.
Have the Online Seller Ship
Most online vintage sellers will ship gifts for you. This avoids the double shipping time and double expense of having something shipped to you, and then you shipping it again. The wrapping may not be as fancy as yours, but it will still be a nice surprise on the other end. Ask the seller to include a gift message for you. Online sites like Etsy have the option of adding a gift message, but contact the seller directly. You may be able to email them a personalized greeting you that they will download, print and include.
Buy Local Online
Even if you are buying a gift for your BFF way across the country, there are local sellers in their part of the world who would be happy to make a sale. That will make the shipping cycle described in the suggestion above an even shorter one. The big online sites like Etsy, Chairish and eBay allow you to search for a seller close to your friends and family. Peruse their inventory to find that perfect gift while you save on shipping costs and time as a bonus.
Think Small
Unlike big box stores, small sellers can’t always afford to offer free shipping. High-volume shippers get big discounts from USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Small independent sellers do not. Therefore, we aren’t able to pass those big discounts on or make up for free shipping with volume. Buying smaller-sized items from independent sellers will help to keep your shipping costs lower. Remember, shipping is billed by weight and size.
Know Your Shipping Options
All shipping services have fast delivery services, regular services and ground services. Of course you pay more to get things places faster. The USPS also has flat rate shipping box options and media mail for books. Knowing your USPS shipping options can help you find your best choice.
Print Your Postage at Home
USPS shipping labels are less expensive when purchased online. If you have a reliable kitchen scale, you can use the Click-N-Ship option. You don’t need a label printer; print on plain paper and cover the label with clear packing tape to make sure the ink doesn’t run if it gets wet. Not only will you save a bit of money, you’ll also save time by not waiting in line.
We hope these holiday shipping tips help. It’s supposed to be a season of joy, not the season of shipping drama and stress. As sellers, we do our best to get all our orders off promptly and ship them the most economical and efficient way. Hopefully now, you can do the same.
Looking for gift ideas? We have a few for last minute Christmas gifts that don’t look last minute.
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