Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20 in Community Help Boards in Community

Last Post Sep 20, 2006 2:02 PM by: deirdre@ebay.com

Replies: 42

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Aug 31, 2006 2:25 PM

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Topic: Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs

Host: freightquoterates
Date: Wednesday 09/20
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm PT
Location: Workshop Board

Description: Are you missing big sales because shipping big items is a big hassle? Are you limiting your sales by only offering local pick ups? eBay has several tools to help make shipping freight-sized items easy. In this workshop, the Freightquote team will demonstrate how you can save time and facilitate sales by adding a Freight Calculator to your auction. We will also discuss how you can utilize the eBay Freight Resource Center to schedule pickups, create shipping documents, and track your shipments all in a few easy steps. Join us for a fun, informative session.

Cheers,

Deirdre
eBay Community Development

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Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:06 AM

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Welcome Message

Hello everyone and welcome to our workshop on “How to ship items over 150 lbs.” We are Pamela Mattes and David Barnes of Freightquote.com. We are excited to host today’s workshop.

eBay has several tools to help make shipping freight-sized items easy. In this workshop, we will demonstrate how you can save time and facilitate sales by adding a Freight Calculator to your auction for items weighing over 150 lbs.

We will also discuss how you can utilize the eBay Freight Resource Center to schedule pickups, create shipping documents, and track your shipments all in a few easy steps.

Adding a freight calculator and using the FRC can benefit you in several ways.
1. You gain access to cheaper rates than you would receive quoting directly with carriers
2. Save time on researching multiple rates with multiple carriers
3. Minimize questions from potential buyers on shipping costs
4. Saves time on shipping documentation and shipping processes

We’re going to post the workshop messages every couple of minutes. To help you keep track of the workshop, I’ll mark our workshop posts with the phrase “Workshop Message #” at the top. So feel free to jump into the discussion at any time.

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:08 AM

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Workshop Message #2

First we would like to address how as a seller, you can add a freight calculator to your item.

The steps to add a freight calculator are integrated within the “Sell Your Item” auction setup process. You will find this within the “Shipping” sub section. To sell an item on eBay select the “Sell” tab at the top of the page.

After entering your item categories, item description, picture(s), pricing and payment methods, you will enter your shipping details.

In the drop down box, you will want to select the “Freight large items over 150lbs” shipping option.

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:22 AM

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Workshop Message #3

Once the “Freight” option has been selected from the drop down list, you will next enter the following information:

· Commodity type - Select the option that best describes your item. This is important for insurance
· Pickup location - Choices are: Residence, Commercial location with or without a loading dock, or Construction Site
· Pickup details - (i.e. will inside pickup be required or will additional packaging options be necessary)

a. If the driver must use a pallet jack (aka: dolly) to bring the item to the truck, you’ll want to check “must go inside building”.

b. If you would like assistance packaging your item, you can check “need assistance to pack”. If this is selected, then you need to provide the dimensions of the item. (length, width and height in inches)
· Product weight - Enter the weight of the item. The weight impacts the shipping cost. If you are unsure about this, you need to estimate as closely as possible or you might want to check with the manufacturer by either going to their web site or contacting them directly.
· Product dimensions - Enter the dimensions of the item which reflect the length, width and height of your product in inches.
· Class (NMFC) – If you know the NMFC shipping class you may enter that instead of the dimensions
· Handling Fee - An additional handling fee to cover the cost of packaging materials can be included in the quoted price as a dollar amount that you determine. It will not be shown separately to the buyer
· Shipping Insurance Allows you to determine if additional insurance is required
· Shipping location Zip code where the item is being shipped from –This will default to your eBay user id address location.

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:33 AM

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Workshop Message #4

Once you’ve completed listing the item, the Freight Calculator will be displayed in the “Shipping, payment details and return policy” section of the auction.

Potential buyers can then enter their destination ZIP code and the destination location details (i.e. residence, commercial location with or without a loading dock) to calculate the shipping cost.

Here is an example of what a Buyer would see after using the freight calculator.

Important Note: Quotes given at this point do not include insurance. Insurance quotes can only be given once the auction is complete since insurance rates are determined by the product type and value. The final product value can only be determined after the auction has ended.

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:34 AM

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Workshop Message #5

If you want to update the shipping details on an item or would like to add a calculator to an existing auction, you can choose to revise your item by selecting the “Revise your item” link near the top of your auctions page.

Important Note: A freight calculator may only be added to an auction that has no bids and has more than 12 hours prior to ending.

Once the “Revise your item” link is selected, you may change the shipping options and details of the auction.

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:36 AM

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Workshop Message #6

To submit the revision, make sure you select the “Save and Continue” button at the bottom of the page and then choose the “Save Changes” button on the next page. The revision process requires a double save procedure.

The “Save Changes” button will send the updates through eBay and allow buyers to get a freight quote based on the revised details.

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:37 AM

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Workshop Message #7

Now let’s talk about after the item has been won. We’ll begin with the Checkout Process.

By using the Checkout Process, this allows you to finalize the quote based on the buyer’s location and collect the freight charges within the invoicing process. Once an item is purchased, both the buyer and seller are able to retrieve a finalized freight shipping quote based on the product details entered during the setup process. The invoice can capture the freight charges, and the buyer has the ability to make a payment with viewing the quote for themselves.

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:38 AM

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Workshop Message #8

Checkout Process – As The Seller

As the seller, once you are ready to invoice the buyer, go to either My eBay or the auction item to send an invoice. Select “Send Invoice” This will take you to this screen.

You will want to click on the calculator symbol to retrieve the quote.

A freight shipping quote will be displayed with the option to purchase additional insurance, if available. Once the quote is returned, then click on the “Add to Total” button.

You will be returned to the Payment Details section to choose insurance options, sales tax percent and discounts. You will then need to click “recalculate” link to include shipping costs in the total purchase cost. You can then type a message to the buyer and send your invoice by clicking on the “Send Invoice” button.

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:41 AM

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Workshop Message #9

Checkout Process – As The Buyer

As a buyer, you can make a payment on the item once it is won by selecting the “Pay Now” option on the item. This can be done within “My eBay” or directly on the auction item. The buyer will be taken to the following screen.

Here the buyer can quote the freight shipping cost by clicking on the “calculate” link.

Once the quote is received, you will need to click on the “Add To Total” button.

Then click on the “recalculate” link to total your cost. Next, submit payment to complete the transaction.

Once the item status has been changed to “Mark As Payment Received”, you have the option within “My eBay to select “Arrange Freight Shipping” or scheduling the shipment by going directly to the Freight Resource Center at www.ebay.freightquote.com

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:44 AM

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Workshop Message #10

The eBay Freight Resource Center (FRC) can be located through the Shipping Center or by going to www.ebay.freightquote.com

The homepage of the FRC provides options for a user to quote, ship and track a heavy freight shipment.

There are also several helpful links located on each side of the page. If you would like to chat with someone to assist you in the process, the Chat Live with a Customer Service Representative link will connect you with the Freightquote Customer Service team.

The “Contact Us” link will generate an email to ebay@freightquote.com

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:45 AM

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Workshop Message #11

To begin shipping an item, you will want to click on the “Ship it” option on the or the “Rate & Schedule” link in the sidebar, and you will be directed to the “Ship Your Item” page to determine what type of item will be shipped.

You will then come to this screen:

If you click the “You are a seller who provided the freight calculator…” radio button, you will be asked to sign in with an eBay username.

o If this is the first time a user is signing into the Freight Resource Center, they will be prompted to sign in with your eBay user id.

After signing in, this page is displayed again with auction numbers in the drop-down menu. The auction numbers displayed will list all items being sold that contain a freight calculator.

Important Note: By entering your eBay id, it will save steps through the shipment setup process.

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:46 AM

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Workshop Message #12

Once you choose an item and click the “Continue” link, you’ll be asked how the shipment is packaged.

By going through the Checkout Process and having a freight calculator on the item, shipping details will be pre-populated through the following pages.

Next, you will be asked to indicate whether you are shipping a single item (one type of handling unit) or multiple items (more than one handling unit).

Next you will be asked to enter more specific details about the item. The system will need to know either the dimensions of the packages or the freight classification. If you do not know the freight classification, please enter in the dimensions. These are the dimensions of the item which reflect the length, width and height (L x W x H) of your product in inches.

The system will also need to know the product packaging type, the total number of packages being shipped, and the total weight of the shipment. These are very important details that will be used in determining your shipment cost. If these details are incorrect, additional fees may be incurred after the product has been shipped.

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:48 AM

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Workshop Message #13

A description of the product and an estimated value need to be entered on this page. Then the user must select a commodity type from the drop box that best describes the product being sold.

This information is required in order to give the user the option to purchase additional insurance later in the process.

Next, the user will enter the origin and destination ZIP codes as well as details about each location; i.e., will the shipment be picked up at a business or residence.

Don’t forget! This information will be pre-populated if you use the Checkout
Process!

If the shipment is being picked up at a business, the system needs to know whether the location has a loading dock or if whether the driver will be required to go inside the location. This same information must also be entered for the destination location.

Member Workshop: Shipping Solutions for Items Over 150lbs - Sept 20

Sep 20, 2006 10:49 AM

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Workshop Message #14

Results will now be displayed based upon the details you have provided: carrier, cost, etc. You must decide if you want to include the optional insurance and whether to do a terminal drop-off or terminal pickup.

Terminal drop offs or pickups allow either or both parties to go to the carrier’s closest terminal and drop off or pick up the item at a reduced price. The quote will allow you to choose either of these options so that you can recalculate the quote based on the selection.

Be sure to verify with the buyer that they can make the pickup from the terminal location presented in the quote.

If the buyer used the eBay checkout process or the seller used the eBay invoice process, Freightquote.com will honor the quote that was provided for up to fourteen days (unless the seller changed weight, class, etc.).