Doing the Math - Week Two

Today's lesson: Do your homework!

Part A - Read the directions carefully. For example, comprehend that "starting at" means something different than "costs." Thus, noting that USPS Global Priority mail "starts at" $4.25 will tell you that $4.25 is the MINIMUM you will pay, but not the maximum. Very important.

Part B - Do not skip any steps. For example, when your brain actually processes that "starting at" means "it could cost more," take the time to actually weigh and measure your item to be mailed. Visit a website that can give you a closer estimate of the true cost. Use that information wisely. Very, very important.

Part C - Learn from past mistakes. For example, charging $12 for shipping and paying $14 for shipping results in losing a bit of income (see Week One). Recognizing this and recalling it when determining shipping costs helps to avoid future blunders of a similar nature. Very, very, very important.

Doing your homework therefore keeps the following from happening -

Item sale price: 0.99
Shipping charged: 7.00
Total payment: 7.99

Listing fee: 0.40
Final value fee: 0.05
PayPal fee: 0.61
USPS Global Priority to Japan: 9.50
Total costs: 10.56

Something about that looks wrong. Wonder if I will figure it out in time?