Does ebay now require sellers to list postage amt?

[disneysteve]

I was starting to list something on ebay tonite after not selling for a while. The screen that includes postage details has changed and now seems to require me to enter the shipping amount. Before, I could just indicate that the postage charge would be given after the auction ended.

I don't know the postage amount beforehand. I don't pack the item until I know it has a buyer.

Am I correct that postage is now required or was I just misreading that screen?

 

[DianeV]

You are misreading as you do not have to list it...I just listed some items without any shipping amounts listed

 

[disneysteve]

You are misreading as you do not have to list it...I just listed some items without any shipping amounts listed

Thanks. I went back and realized there is a menu of options and I could just pick "other."

 

[DianeV]

There ya go!

 

[my3kids]

Just my opinion as a buyer.....I would not even bid on an auction where the postage was not given up front. I'd be leary of the seller being a nut that would require some outrageous amount that I would be obligated to pay after the auction was over.

 

[rapriebe]

Just my opinion as a buyer.....I would not even bid on an auction where the postage was not given up front. I'd be leary of the seller being a nut that would require some outrageous amount that I would be obligated to pay after the auction was over.

Totally agree. If there are no shipping charges stated, then I don't even bid. I just keep on browsin'.

 

[AMClvsMKY]

Just my opinion as a buyer.....I would not even bid on an auction where the postage was not given up front. I'd be leary of the seller being a nut that would require some outrageous amount that I would be obligated to pay after the auction was over.

ITA - I am also concerned about the fee the buyer will come up with so I never bid on auctions without a set shipping fee.

 

[spoon full of sugar]

I also try to avoid auctions without shipping charges stated. How hard is it to wrap something, put it in a box and wiegh it? You don't have to tape it up. Not trying to be snotty, just saying your probably losing money doing this. But hey, it's your item, and your money, but you won't be getting my money .

 

[ohiominnie]

I'm in agreement here too. I will not even bid on an auction without either a listed or a calculated postage fee. Just the other day I searched for something I'd been keeping my eye out for for quite some time (and it doesn't come up much) and it was THERE!! But, alas, no shippng fee! So I passed.

I don't even put my item in a box. I stick a box and the item on my scale. Then if it's close to the next pound level I round up to make up for the weight of the bubble wrap or whatever.

I find that when I do package up an item nicely that buyer always ends up buying TWO of my things and I have to repackage. Murphy's law, I guess.

 

[MickeyBabe]

I have to agree here. I don't bid on items with no Shipping fee listed or "Contact seller for Shipping fees". I have always read that as a way for the seller to recoup thier $$$ if the item goes for less than anticipated.

I would like to jump into the ebay selling world sometime and I have a question for all of you ebay sellers...

Do you take the item to the post office to pre-weigh it? Or do you have a scale of your own and if you do what did that run you?

 

[disneysteve]

For the record, I've been selling on ebay since May 1997. My auction description has always stated the following: "Buyer pays actual USPS Priority Mail postage/insurance. Never a fee for handling or packing materials." I've been quite successful and have never received a single complaint about my postage charges.

I think lots of buyers (myself included) would rather bid on an item knowing they are paying postage only than on an item with a vague "handling" fee. When people complain about shipping charges, it is generally because the amount charged far exceeded the actual postage. Nobody complains when they pay $5.15 and the box comes with $5.15 in postage. But they sure may complain when they pay $9 or $10 and the box comes with $5.15 postage. JMHO.

I learned long ago that it is a waste of my time, energy and supplies if I pack each item before listing it since if it doesn't sell, I've done all that work for nothing.

 

[disneysteve]

Do you take the item to the post office to pre-weigh it? Or do you have a scale of your own and if you do what did that run you?

I have a Pelouze postal scale. I think it was about $20. Sure beats running to the post office.

 

[my3kids]

I think lots of buyers (myself included) would rather bid on an item knowing they are paying postage only than on an item with a vague "handling" fee.

Perhaps......but clearly a lot of buyers here would rather it be spelled out so the price is concrete and can be figured into the decision of what to bid on an item. Yes, you have been successful....but would you garner even more bids with the shipping charge listed. Just something to think about.

 

[disneysteve]

Perhaps......but clearly a lot of buyers here would rather it be spelled out so the price is concrete and can be figured into the decision of what to bid on an item. Yes, you have been successful....but would you garner even more bids with the shipping charge listed. Just something to think about.

Point taken. I always felt I was being pretty clear without giving the actual number by stating how the item would be shipped and that there were no added or hidden fees. Periodically, someone contacts me and asks for the shipping amt. while the auction is running and I then pack the item and reply.

I agree with everyone about not bidding on an auction that gives no indication of the shipping charge at all.

I'm planning to start ebaying regularly again after the holidays. Perhaps its time to change the way I've done it the past 9 years.

 

[C.Ann]

For the record, I've been selling on ebay since May 1997. My auction description has always stated the following: "Buyer pays actual USPS Priority Mail postage/insurance. Never a fee for handling or packing materials." I've been quite successful and have never received a single complaint about my postage charges.

I think lots of buyers (myself included) would rather bid on an item knowing they are paying postage only than on an item with a vague "handling" fee. When people complain about shipping charges, it is generally because the amount charged far exceeded the actual postage. Nobody complains when they pay $5.15 and the box comes with $5.15 in postage. But they sure may complain when they pay $9 or $10 and the box comes with $5.15 postage. JMHO.

I learned long ago that it is a waste of my time, energy and supplies if I pack each item before listing it since if it doesn't sell, I've done all that work for nothing.

--------------------------------

Ahhhh..but the difference is - you're an honest guy, steve - and sadly, you may be among the few who wouldn't try to take advantage of someone "after the fact".. Next time you're on eBay, go over to the Community and then to the shipping forum.. Always people screaming about how they bid on something without knowing the shipping and were totally blindsided when the auction ended..

If I knew your eBay ID and you had something I wanted, I would probably go ahead and buy from you - but anyone else? NEVER!!!! It either has to be stated or have the section where I can calculate it..

I just started selling a bit myself the past 2-3 weeks and I always include the calculator for my customers.. I do charge a small handling fee because now that I live at my DD's and there is NO room for anything here, I have to buy padded envelopes, bubble wrap, boxes, tissue paper, etc. "as needed" and I prefer to include that as a handling charge rather than building it into my opening bid.. So far I've had no complaints - knock on wood..

Hope your sales go well for you!!

 

[disneysteve]

Ahhhh..but the difference is - you're an honest guy, steve - and sadly, you may be among the few who wouldn't try to take advantage of someone "after the fact".

Thanks for the compliment C.Ann. I guess the bad eggs have ruined things for us honest folks and its time to start listing the postage amount upfront. Ebay used to be such a nice place to do business. Its a shame that its gotten to be like this.

 

[DMRick]

Thanks for the compliment C.Ann. I guess the bad eggs have ruined things for us honest folks and its time to start listing the postage amount upfront. Ebay used to be such a nice place to do business. Its a shame that its gotten to be like this.

Yes, I think since the last time eBay upped their fees, the shipping costs have become more the focus, since so many have padded their handling to not pay fees. I charge a handling, (usually .50 over the cost, which I am very comfortable with) , some charge a handling to cover their profit. Either way, I don't think people care that much, unless it comes after the fact, and they are blindsided. Using Paypal to do my labels, most people I send to still won't see a postage amount, since all I have is a UPC code where the postage goes. I agree with C.Ann, that the calculator is a good way to go..you don't need to actually package, just get your packing items together and weigh them all at once..no need to actually tape it all together (we never tape our stuff up in advance, too afraid I'll send the wrong box). Keep in mind too, that on the actual listing page of items for sale, there is now a column showing shipping costs, or calculated, so people check out the shipping/handling costs now, before even going to actually look at your items, so they may see that is blank, and not even bother to look at your items, to see you charge actual postage. And in any case, they may still wonder, if they do go, is actual postage $2.00, or $12.00, and they don't want to bother emailing you to see what it would cost for them. I think you will get more bids with a calculator, or when possible (flat rate) a stated shipping cost. I seldom see an item anymore that says actual postage costs, and I think more people are just deciding the total costs before bidding, which is what I do.

 

[disneysteve]

Yes, I think since the last time eBay upped their fees, the shipping costs have become more the focus, since so many have padded their handling to not pay fees.

Using Paypal to do my labels, most people I send to still won't see a postage amount, since all I have is a UPC code where the postage goes.

Keep in mind too, that on the actual listing page of items for sale, there is now a column showing shipping costs, or calculated, so people check out the shipping/handling costs now, before even going to actually look at your items, so they may see that is blank, and not even bother to look at your items, to see you charge actual postage. And in any case, they may still wonder, if they do go, is actual postage $2.00, or $12.00, and they don't want to bother emailing you to see what it would cost for them. I think you will get more bids with a calculator, or when possible (flat rate) a stated shipping cost. I seldom see an item anymore that says actual postage costs, and I think more people are just deciding the total costs before bidding, which is what I do.

There have been numerous changes to the system since I last sold regularly. I guess its time to change the way I've done things previously. The fact that actual postage paid is now hidden from the buyer with the Paypal labels helps a lot as the buyer can't complain that he paid more than it actually cost (not that that is necessarily a good thing when you really think about it, it just makes it easier for sellers to overcharge).

I used to feel I was taking the high road by not padding my shipping charges since packing materials truly added only pennies to my cost and I was making more than enough on the items themselves to cover those costs. Heck, I was routinely selling items for 10-20 times what I paid for them, sometimes even more. I didn't need to tack on a "handling" charge. But the nature of the business has changed. I have noticed how the postage charge is now listed with the item listings which also changes things a lot.

I'm hoping/planning to start selling regularly again after the holidays so I guess the days of the "actual postage" system I've always used are numbered.

 

[DMRick]

The fact that actual postage paid is now hidden from the buyer with the Paypal labels helps a lot as the buyer can't complain that he paid more than it actually cost (not that that is necessarily a good thing when you really think about it, it just makes it easier for sellers to overcharge)..

You don't have to hide it, but you know what? I do LOL. I don't even have a good reason why, since my s/h is right on what I say it is, and my handling is cheap. I just think of a buyer I had once that said, hey my husband thinks I got a great deal, hope he doesn't notice what I paid for this thing to ship, and I had charged just what the postage is (I usually do, if they buy more than one item..but this was something heavy).
Yes, there have been a lot of changes, fees are a lot higher from both eBay and PP, and bidding has changed..you may not often get the great prices we used to get, and a lot of people have decided it's no longer worth it. Most people left, are those running it as a business, and I'm afraid a lot of the garage salers are long gone. It takes longer to put an auction up, more hoops to jump through, more expenses to keep track of..and I still love it!

 

[disneysteve]

It takes longer to put an auction up

Actually, I didn't find that to be a problem. Back before ebay hosted the photos themselves, it was a lot more involved since I had to upload my photos to another site then link it to the auction. Same for counters. I find it to be much easier now than it used to be. And with virtually everyone paying by Paypal and especially being able to print the postage and shipping labels, I think the whole system is much more streamlined.