Yesterday the USPS announced a rate increase on postage. Stamps aren't going up much, just 46 cents. But boy are packages getting hit hard. And international packages seem to be getting hit the hardest! While most domestic packages are just increasing by a dime or a dollar, international packages are practically doubling. And this includes Canada as well.
Etsy has put together a nice post on their blog covering several commonly used services with the old and new rates so you can see for comparison.
Here is an Excel file of all the shipping services and new rates at the USPS site as well.
I went over my shipping prices on Thursday and started changing the rates. With custom orders I need to be ahead of the game since I won't be shipping until after the rate increase has taken effect. I was afraid international customers would stop buying all together after seeing the rate increase, but I have good news. I've already sold two items to international locations since raising my rates. While some customers may be deterred, customers who want your product are still going to buy regardless of the shipping.
Take a moment today to look over your shipping rates and make the necessary changes so you don't take a big loss on those large rate increases. The good news is, it didn't take me long to update my prices using the bulk edit tool on Etsy. Click on "Your Shop" at the top of the page. Then click "Shipping & Payment" on the left hand side of the page. There is a link that says "Apply Shipping Profiles to multiple listings". From there you can use the drop down menus to change all of your listings at once. Once I got my new profiles set, it was a piece of cake :)
Thanks for posting this! :)
ReplyDeleteI was shocked that the international rates were going to be so high. It's definitely not fun raising prices, and I wasn't at all happy changing the shipping rates in our shop. But I did it just like you did with the profiles, so it wasn't so bad to do (I just didn't like having to do it). =0)
ReplyDelete~Kim
Bummer. I buy lots from USA. I like that Etsy has the bulk edit tool though!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this Edi, it's such a bummer that the rates are going up so high.
ReplyDeleteYikes! That snuck up on me during tax season. I will need to change my shipping rates. I've sold a surprising number of items to Canada and Australia.
ReplyDeleteThanks! for the timely tip and clear instructions.
ReplyDeleteThe bulk tool was extremely useful for updating shipping costs for me, too. I'm disappointed that international rates are so high now, but I'm glad that it hasn't slowed down your sales so far. Thanks for putting together this great resource on such an important topic!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I am worried about too! It's good to know you've still had international orders. Most of the items in my shop don't cost enough to justify those kinds of shipping prices, so I'm still nervous!
ReplyDeleteI heard about the price increase but I honestly have no idea how this affects my shipping! I looked on their list and I can't seem to find the one that I use...I guess it's just a wait and see kind of thing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this very informative information :)
I just increased my prices and postage costs more than double on some things. It's awful! Hope the sales continue though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up! I have to review my shipping rates too. I haven't decided to ship internationally yet so I have to review everything first.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. Just after Christmas, my wholesaler increased their prices, too.
ReplyDeleteThat shipping tool made it much easier to change the prices. I wondered about the international buyers, too - but many people realize that we don't have control over what the postage rates cost. Sad to see it take such a giant leap, though.
ReplyDeleteI used that bulk edit tool, too, so it did not take long to update the shipping prices. But I am concerned about how international sales will be affected. Good to know you got some overseas sales with the new rates, though!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Edi. I can't believe how expensive it is going to be to ship international:/
ReplyDeleteValerie
Everyday Inspired
I appreciate this information!
ReplyDeleteThe international shipping you listed has jumped considerably. Right now I have requests for shipping costs to the UK, to Canada, and to Indonesia.
almost $7 to ship a $7.65 scrunchie to Canada! ouch!