Posting your Madeit Sales

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about using Madeit.com.au to sell your handmade items. I got a question from a reader about postage so I thought I’d do a little research and tell you what I found out.

I have always just mailed my items using normal Australia Post. With Madeit being Australian, most of the buyers are also Australian so I am yet to have any overseas sales. Keep in mind, too, that most of my items are fairly small so usually postage is only $1.20 or $5 for them in standard size envelopes. You can print out a handy two page guide for parcels from this page on the Australia Post website – look for your postcode to print the version for your area. It includes parcel sizes and rates as well as normal envelope sizes and rates.

If you are selling bigger or bulkier items then you might look into Flat Rate Satchels. There are two sizes, 500g and 3kg, and you can buy the satchels online then pay the postage online before you drop them into a red post box. These are cheaper if you buy more satchels at once, and the postage is always the same so it is easy to quote postage on your Madeit listings.

My Tips for Posting:

• Watch the thickness of your envelope once packaged up. You will be charged more if it is thicker, even if it is in a small envelope.
• Watch the size of your envelope or package. There are size limits for the price brackets even if the package is thin.
• Always put a return address on your items. If the postage is wrong, they will send the bill to the return address. If there is no return address, they will charge your customer – which may not be good for customer relations or future sales!
• If in doubt, pop into the Post Office and check. It will worth the few minutes it takes to avoid a bill for incorrect postage.
• Make sure the names and addresses are large and clear.
• Use packing tape to make sure its all secure. Remember your parcel will be handled by a number of people and possibly machines during postage so make sure it will not pop open and damage the items.