Requests for Shipping Total prior to sale

Probably the easiest way for general items on a casual basis is get a few quotes via the Trademe system which can get quotes from NZ Post and Aramex by going in to Book a Courier, but your details in with a made up name, general address in the area eg look up an address on google maps if you don't know the area, and just don't press the final Book courier button. Write down the answers so you know. You could also try Pass the Parcel. Mention when you give someone an estimate that it is an estimate and final price will be determined when the provide full address after purchase.

Here's the book a courier link.

Book a courier | Trade Me

I get the same, for combined shipping, my usual response goes something like this,

Sorry, I cannot give an estimate/quote for combined shipping until you have finished buying & E-Mailed me to let me know you have finished buying,

so I can then pack your parcel & check shipping costs on your physical address you provide via Trade Me,

as some addresses, I may need to use an alternative courier to get best shipping cost,

David  As for a single item, I carry the difference as my rates are set between the 2 main couriers, if I need to use the other courier, I have covered that expense, so they only pay what is on auction they form a contract with,

This is why I do not state which Courier I use, so have flexibility with no issues, as we know some will not buy if you use A?,

but my feedback reflects I do not have issues with them at all,

But for combined parcels, they pay actual cost to courier needed, as bigger parcels/ Boxes can be cheaper with the other for urban in some areas, and my Main Courier does not deliver in all areas, so will come up as Rural, so no choice than to use the other Courier for urban.

But for you you can get the basic costs to different locations,

eg. Across town, within Island, and in my case South Island,

Parcels Boxes will vary, But is using the smaller courier Bags, the pricing is Nationwide, for urban and Rural, it is not hard to work out,

you are allowed to add a bit extra to cover packaging costs etc.

But you really need to have shipping on your Auctions,

Good advice, thank you so much. Thank you for telling me it is ok not to quote a price to a general location, which is full of risk for both buyer and seller to do so.

David it is far easier for both you and the buyer if you work out the shipping costs up front and add them to your listing. It saves people asking and you answering. There is not much more annoying for me than a seller without shipping costs stated. If you have stated shipping costs then there isn't a too and fro confirming the costs. Buyers can pay immediately. Very generally the biggest difference will be within island or between islands. You can get a quote for those via Book a courier on here or via NZPost and add them to your listing. Add a rural delivery option for both. Yes there can be regional differences. Especially for larger items. Like within the same town or regional area might be cheaper. So you can end up overcharging a bit on those. For my stuff it's usually only a few $. Honestly most buyers don't seem to care. If you find the quoted price works out significantly cheaper to send you can of course refund the buyer the difference if it makes you sleep better. 

If you really want to keep quoting every time someone asks and only gives a location like Whangarei, you can certainly do that. Just use a random actual central address from the town they give you to generate the quote.

For an even easier life, work out an average cost, increase your item price by that amount, then add free shipping to everything.