eBay - buyers wanting lower shipping rate

[frannn]

shipping after an auction has ended. I don't think it is a bad question. I usually only ask if I am combining auction items for shipping, if the seller has listed priority mail as the only option (and I know the cost of shipping the item would be much less a different way), or to be sure insurance is included. I would never bid if I wasn't willing to pay the shipping listed in the auction. Asking if a different shipping method is available is not an unreasonable question, IMHO. For example, I bought two PS2 games from two different auctions from the same seller. The seller listed 6.99 in each auction for shipping a single game. I bid and won both games. There was no mention in the listings of the buyer combining shipping, so I asked the seller after I won if this is his policy. He said yes, and took 2. off. So, I paid 12. to ship two PS2 games. I know that is pretty high shipping (I've purchased several PS2 games in the past from ebay) but I was willing to pay if the seller says no. I don't understand why any seller would take offense to a person asking if there was a different option for shipping. All the seller would have to say is no (politely). I have had sellers ask me to pay with different options than what is listed in their auctions, and I have never taken offense to that.

 

[cdrn1]

I will sometimes ask if the item can be shipped at a cheaper rate as I am in no hurry for it. I was not aware that a seller can get free shipping supplies if shipping priority mail. So I guess I will rethink that. I don't mind paying a fair shipping price, and I also don't mind paying a fair handling fee. The key word is fair. I once bought some wine goblets. Seller charged $10 shipping. I had no problem with that as I figured you have to bubblewrap, etc. Well, when I got them they were in the original Home Interior box and one was broken. She spent nada on handling/supplies and only 4.90 on shipping. Did I feel ripped off? You betcha, especially since her only offer to make it right was for me to send the unbroken ones back for a refund (which would have cost me five bucks!) Had they been properly wrapped for shipping I would have had no problem whatsoever.

 

[marcyinPA]

The only time I've asked for a change in shipping is when I purchased some books for my son, and the seller quoted shipping via priority mail. I emailed her before I bid and asked her if she'd be willing to ship them media mail instead, which she was fine with.

I don't have a problem quoting other shipping methods if the buyer asks prior to bidding. I use the calcuator and usually always quote priority. If they want something else, I'll research it for them. Usually priority is only a few cents more anyway.

 

[suzifli]

I can understand, charging the actual cost of shipping and packaging and a dollar or two for handling for larger items, but when I have bought, paid 5.95 for shipping and received and item in a .25 cent envelope wrapped in a magazine page and actual cost of shipping for .59 cents, I felt ripped off.
The auctions that have the estimate shipping link are my favorite.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

I would say that if you are selling things like your kids clothes or other lightweight items, DEFINITELY consider methods other than priority mail. You will see more bids if you are able to offer first class and parcel post rates as well. I know shipping supplies are free with priority mail but you can buy a big box of envelopes, even the tyvek ones, from LOTS of different web sites, or even on ebay it'self, for very reasonable prices. It boils down to less than 20 cents per envelope. If I am looking at a kids outfit that can be shipped for $2 max by first class mail, I'm not going to bid if my only shipping option is $3.85 for priority mail (unless of course I need it fast). I'll glady pay that 20 cent fee for the materials though. If you use ebay's shipping calculator you can enter the weight and let buyers chose between USPS options available for an item of that weight. What really burns me is to see people adding big fees to priority mail. I won't complain about a small handling fee but when I use a shipping calculator and see that a seller wants $8 to ship 2 pairs of kids PJs via priority mail, I'm not bidding no matter what. There are plenty of software options that would allow you to print postage at home and just drop stuff off at the post office avoiding the lines. You can select any shipping option available with them too, not just priority mail.

If you are selling heavier or bulkier items, consider shipping with FedEx Ground. Their rates are typically lower than UPS and the online software for preparing packages is quick and easy. You can drop those off at any Kinkos or most office supply places. If you ship enough with them you can even arrange for home pickup.

Another tip for buyers, don't assume that the auctions with shipping calculators are giving you actual shipping costs. Sellers do have the option to add a handling fee into those calculators so you may still be paying $5 more than actual rates. Usually you can tell that the shipping is unusually high.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Originally posted by
Here's an answer from an Ebay buyer. I just bough a Disney pin backpack for my son. The shipping seemed high at $ 10.00, with NO insurance. But I needed the item. I received it today, sent Priority, in a shoebox, wrapped in brown paper. Cost $ 4.90.
Did I get ripped off on shipping, or what?

That's why many of us do complain. Double cost is excessive, I didn't realize I had to pay for the shoes so she could have a box!


You'll get buyers complaining, just try to be fair.

j's m,

They really overcharged you. Some Sellers charge a lot to make more money and to pay less fees to EBay. You will see a lot of auctions for $.01 and than they charge $20-30 shipping. Check out glow sticks for examples. I won’t bid on those auctions.

I also just saw someone selling even tickets and she charges $15.00 shipping. She than mails them with a $.37 stamp. That would really piss me off. To see that one seach Nemo NJ

I don’t mind paying a little extra to offset your fees or packing material but hats a little ridiculous. It total eBay fee avoidance.

 

[DianeV]

WOW I just checked out that seller. Why anyone continues to bid is beyond me! That seller is taking a huge chance with expensive tickets by sending them with a $.37 stamp on them. I would not even take the chance of bidding on those tickets since if they dont arrive Im sure the seller would do nothing to help you either.

The fact that they advertise FedEx is another matter...very sad

 

[05ChristmasSurprise]

NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER ship without delivery confirmation!

I've been scammed a few times and know that people are QUICK to file a complaint of "non-receipt" if they receive an item without delivery confirmation.

I ship EVERYTHING priority with delivery confirmation (you can print it free on the USPS site)

 

[LisaNJ25]

Originally posted by 05ChristmasSurprise
NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER ship without delivery confirmation!

I've been scammed a few times and know that people are QUICK to file a complaint of "non-receipt" if they receive an item without delivery confirmation.

I ship EVERYTHING priority with delivery confirmation (you can print it free on the USPS site)

I agree and hold on to those confirmations. I had someone pay me with a stolen CC for some vouchers 2 years ago. 3 -4 months after he paid I get the paypal reversal for $100. After that many month I could not find the delivery confirmation. I had my cc statement from that day but no confirmation number.

 

[floridagirrl2]

I also ship EVERYTHING with Delivery Confirmation. I use USPS Shipping Assistant (free download from the USPS site). Since I sell mostly books, I mail almost everything via Media Mail, and Delivery Confirmation is only 13 cents if you print it out from Shipping Assistant (I think it's about 65 cents if you put it on Media Mail at the post office).

 

[Kristi1357]

I have been doing delivery confirmation with each package I ship to a buyer - so I guess I am doing something right!

Now, I just have to figure out how to print postage at home so I can save the $$ on the confirmation fee.

Kristi

P.S. I just shipped the original item in question and I only charged the buyer about 50 cents more than the actual shipping cost. Oy! If it was anything substantial, I was going to include a check to her since I felt so bad. Oh well!