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The Ultimate Guide to Shipping on Reselling Platforms: Your Shipping Options, Pros, and Cons



Introduction  

Shipping is an essential part of the reselling journey, but navigating the options across platforms can be confusing. In this guide, we’ll break down the shipping options on popular reselling platforms like Depop, Poshmark, eBay, and Retrofit’s unique approach. We’ll cover the pros and cons of each to help you choose the best fit for your reselling needs.


1. Depop: Shipping with Flexibility

Shipping Options📬:

  • Ship with Depop: Sellers print a Depop generated label.

  • Ship Independently: Sellers choose their own shipping method.

  • Global Shipping: International shipping must be independently 


Pros 👍:

  • Ship with Depop: Convenient and includes tracking.

  • Ship Independently: Flexibility with carriers and control over costs.


Cons 👎:

  • Ship with Depop: Fees can be high, especially for larger items.

  • Ship Independently: Depop does not offer you protection


2. Poshmark: Builtin Shipping Made Simple

Shipping Options 📬:  

On Poshmark, you're emailed a USPS Priority Mail Prepaid label once you make a sale. All sales under 5lbs ship for under $8 (or pay to upgrade up to 10lbs).


Pros 👍:

  • Simple pricing makes it easy for sellers and buyers alike.

  • Includes insurance and tracking.

Cons 👎:

  • Limited flexibility for lightweight items that might be cheaper to ship independently.

  • No options for heavier items without increased fees.


3. eBay: Customized Shipping

Shipping Options📬:

  • Ship with eBay: Use eBay shipping labels 

  • Ship independently: Sellers choose their own shipping method

  • Global shipping: eBay has the easiest international Shipping Program. You ship to their processing center in the US for a cheap rate, and then they take care of the rest!


Pros 👍:

  • Great flexibility, allowing sellers to create personalized shipping policies that suit them. 

  • Options to suit various item types and sizes.


Cons 👎:

  • More complex setup, requiring knowledge of shipping costs.


4. Mercari: Prepaid and DIY Shipping Options 

Shipping Options📬:

  • Mercari Prepaid: Print a label provided by Mercari.

  • Ship on Your Own: Choose your preferred shipping provider.


Pros 👍:

  • Prepaid: Easy, with tracking included.

  • Ship on Your Own: Full control over shipping provider and rates.


Cons 👎:

  • Prepaid: Limited flexibility for larger packages

  •  Ship on Your Own: More work for sellers to compare rates and print labels. Additionally, Mercari does not offer you protection


5. Shopify: Shipping with Customization and Control

Shipping Options📬:

  • Shopify Shipping: Access discounted rates with USPS, UPS, and DHL when shipping through Shopify.

  • Third Party Carriers: Sellers can connect their own carriers or fulfillment services.

  • Custom Shipping Rates: Shopify allows you to set flat rates, calculated rates, or offer free shipping based on conditions like order value or weight.

Pros 👍:

  • Access to discounted shipping rates with major carriers

  • Highly customizable shipping options, including flat, calculated, and free shipping.

  •  Allows sellers to create their own brand and shipping policies, making it ideal for those looking to build a more established online store.

Cons 👎:

  • Requires a Shopify plan, which includes monthly fees.

  • Setting up custom shipping rates can be complex for beginners, especially if multiple carriers are involved.


Conclusion  

Shipping is one of the trickiest parts of reselling, but with the right platform and approach, it doesn’t have to be! Whether you prefer the simplicity of Poshmark’s flat rate shipping or the flexibility of eBay, choosing the best shipping method can streamline your selling journey. 

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