KEVIN: On occasion. I add $1 for packing and add whatever the shipping costs are through the Post Office (most of my stuff fits in their boxes). Stop there, they can give you a price list.
(2) I ship about once or twice a month in response to things I put on Facebook. Since I need their address anyway to ship, I actually pack it, calculate by USPS and round up $1. I then email an invoice through Paypal. Most of my items are only slightly bigger than the USPS small box, so it keeps the shipping costs down a little by packing in my box versus the next size up in USPS.
KEVIN: I highly recommend offering shipping to your customers, especially if you live in a touristy area (put signage up in your shop and at POS). Having shipping available will often make/break a sale if someone is on the move and does not want to carry stuff on a plane or the rest of their trip. We used a tiered structure based on our shipping estimates and experience with UPS (see attached photo). Sometimes we lost money and sometimes we made money- at the end of the year we usually broke even or made a little bit on our shipping and handling. We created a non-inventory “item” called shipping and handling that was on the customers receipt.
(4) I also offer shipping, it is about customer service and getting a sale. Agree with everyone else, pretty much break even.
(5) Thanks everyone. I have been shipping for folks but haven’t had the courage to post it yet. Need to get my ducks in a row and this is very helpful. Thanks for the guidelines, Kevin. And can you tell me where you get your paper mache animal heads and how they did for you? BTW – I visited your store several times in my travels and I must say, it is so beautiful! I was always inspired.