Exact weight of product or weight of product + packaging weight???

[STFlats]

I need some clarification please.

So far, I have read some postings as far back as a year on this topic. I have read posts and replies that suggest entering ones products' weight as an exact amount and then adjust the ratio settings in the admin>shipping/packing area to account for the weight of your shipping materials. I have also read that you should input your products weight as a number that is equal to the the exact weight plus the weight of the packaging used to ship that particular item. I don't know which is the best choice.

As I have mentioned before I sell t-shirts, hoodies and accessories like necklaces. My necklaces weigh as little as 0.9 ounces, my t-shirts weigh roughly 10.2 ounces and my hoodies weigh roughly 2 pounds. Which would be the best way to list the weight of these items for shipping purposes? If I were to ship a necklace, weighing 0.9 ounces, I would send it in a padded 6x9 envelope which weighs round 3 ounces. So the whole weight (packing and exact) would be 3.9 ounces. If I sold a hoodie at 2 pounds, the priority mail flat rate box that I use weighs 9.5 ounces bringing its combined weight to 2 pounds 10 ounces (basically). If I combine the two weights my guess is I would set the shipping/packing ratio to 0:0, right? This way seems fine if I was only mailing them as individuals but what if someone buys two t-shirts and two necklaces? I can fit all four of these in a padded 10x13 envelope which weighs just a few ounces or so.

So again, in your opinion, which is the best option for the types of products that I have. I hope this all made sense.

Thank you

[kobra]

One normally sets these items to something that semi-insures that your costs are covered in 99.????% of your orders. You might come out a bit fat on some a ltiilt less on most and very rarely at a slight loss.

As long as you customers can see the costs there are no surprises

[STFlats]

Thanks for the that...

I appreciate it.