Instruction on how to use Stamps.com for Ebay sellers

Seller Tip #12

I blogged in one of my previous posts about Stamps.com introducing a free Shipping Program for eBay Sellers.  Stamps.com normally charges $19.99 monthly subscription fee, but Ebay sellers now can use Stamps.com without paying any monthly fee.

I began using Stamps.com a few weeks ago, and found that their documentation for Ebay sellers is, lets put it politely,  insufficient.  Ebay sellers are not charged a monthly fee ONLY for items that were sold on Ebay.  If item information is entered manually, Stamps.com begins charging a monthly fee.  So it is very important to know how to get your Ebay items into Stamps.com.  I could not find documentation on how to do it and e-mail support could not help me because the feature was so new.

I figured out how to do this by poking around for a long time. This post contains detailed instructions to save you time.              

1. After stamps.com software is installed locally on your computer, you will be prompted to create an Ebay profile.

2. Once you created the profile you need to import Ebay items into Stamps.com. This process is hidden under the option called "batch", which I circled on red in image on the left. 

3. Once you hit "batch", you see the screen on the right. You need to select "Manage" (I circled in in red on the image on the right) and then select "Ebay profile".

4. After than you need to select "Refresh" (I circled in in red on the image on the right) and then select the span of days for the sold items you wan to import into Stamps.com software.

5. Once you imported the items, you will see something like the image you see on the left. You need to edit each item to add the weight. For international items you also need to fill out the customs form.  The mailing address is obtained from Ebay and does not need to entered manually.  When the information is correctly filled out you will see a green check next to the item and then item is ready to ship.

6.  In order to ship the item, you need to add money to your account balance.  The minimum amount is $10.  If you decide to cancel your account while you have a balance, your money will be refunded to you via a check in the mail.  There is one gotcha.  If the balance is below $1, it is not refunded.  To get all your money out, you can add another $10 and then cancel the account.  Then they will send you a check for $10 plus change.

Like PayPal shipping Stamps.com provides hidden postage and free (on Priority Mail) or discounted (19 cents vs 80 cents retail) electronic delivery confirmation for First Class Parcel and Media Mail.

Stamps.com offers some services that PayPal Shipping does not.  For example, they have an option to use First Class Mail International mail which is significantly cheaper than International Priority and Internaltion Express, which are the only two option available for international shipments from PayPal.  They also provide an option for Priority Mail Flat Rate which is not an option in PayPal shipping.  Another small perk is that Stamps.com offers 10% off package insurance.  For international shipping Stamps.com also displays items prohibited to be shipped to that specific country as part of the customs form, which can be a nice reminder.   

Sing up and a receive a promotional package when you start from this link and  use promo code C-8SC4-3KY.     

 This is a weekly feature called "Seller Tips". I have been selling my artwork on line since 1999. I have learned a lot about successful selling and like sharing my knowledge. I even won Ebay's Community Hall of Fame Award in 2004 for my efforts. I decided to bring that knowledge and experience to my blog.

To see all Seller Tips click here