Ebay & shipping prices...

[cra-z-4-dizney]

Why in the world do sellers inflate their shipping prices so much. I was looking at a pair of MUDD jeans for my DD the seller has them listed for .99 but then the shipping price is $8.95 They could be easily sent via priority mail for $5.50 or less. UGH if they want to make more off of their sale, then they should just start their bid at a little more. I remember on time I bought a something once and it cost .37 to ship and they charged me $4.00...that is ridiculous!!!

 

[HayGan]

Due to the ever increasing ebay/paypal fees, many sellers sell the item at a lower price and then inflate s&h charges (ebay doesn't charge a fee on those) to help recoup the costs. Also, there are additional costs involved in shipping (especially packaging materials) that aren't necessarily visible to the buyer.

As a buyer, I always take into account the total of the item (bid and s&h charges) and use that as the guideline for bidding. I look at the total price rather than the individual components.

 

[briannesmom]

You think $8.95 is bad? Check out this auctioncustom gift bag
Shipping for me came to $29.80!!!!! I make an item very similar to this and was hoping to sell some for Christmas. I was doing some research to try to decided what to charge for them. No wonder she didn't sell any with shipping like that. I plan on shipping mine in a Priority flat rate envelope (3.85) or First Class mail would probably be under $2.00.
Shipping is the first thing I check before bidding.

Amy

 

[va32h]

Handling fees cover the cost of packaging materials (tape, bubble wrap, envelopes, plastic bags, etc) and the seller's time and effort in taking the package to the post office or other delivery spot.

Catalogs and other online stores routinely charge far more for shipping than is the actual cost. Just because someone sells via ebay doesn't mean they are not an online business too.

When bidding, always factor in the total cost of the item bid + shipping. If the total price is acceptable to you, what difference does it make what portion is for the item and what portion is for shipping?

Example: a pair of jeans priced at $10 + $5 shipping vs the same jeans priced at $5 w/$10 shipping. Either way you are paying $15.

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

Handling fees cover the cost of packaging materials (tape, bubble wrap, envelopes, plastic bags, etc) and the seller's time and effort in taking the package to the post office or other delivery spot.

I totally understand about packing materials, but she could send them priority mail (package materials are free) and schedule a pick-up(not wasting any of your own gas) just a thought.

 

[MinnieM3]

I was surprised, too. I got ONE regular beanie baby and the shipping on one was $5.00 and on the other $8.00. That's pretty bad. The cost of the Beanie was $1.00. It's small, it's light, and they are not going to use $8.00 worth of tape or packing material. It could just go in a bubble envelope.

It was kinda aggrevating because it doesn't seem right. I'd rather the "appearance" to be a higher Beanie price and lower shipping. I see your point, though, that it's all the same in the end. It's just the latter way you don't *feel* like you're ripped off. Just a different perspective, I guess.

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

It's just the latter way you don't *feel* like you're ripped off. Just a different perspective, I guess.

I agree.

 

[HayGan]

I totally understand about packing materials, but she could send them priority mail (package materials are free) and schedule a pick-up(not wasting any of your own gas) just a thought.

Bubble wrap and tape are not free nor is the paper and ink used in printing out labels.

Not everyone can schedule a pickup either. You wouldn't want someone to leave your ebay package by their front door (because they are at work) until 4pm when the mailman comes would you? In order to schedule a specific pick uptime you have to pay $18.95 (that would also increase your shipping costs.)

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

If you start the bidding higher and lower shipping costs, it detracts bidders and makes your fees higher.

High shipping is here to stay, as long as eBay continutes to raise fees every year, then shipping will just get higher and higher. It will also get higher soon when the USPS raises prices.

A lot of people have to make a few dollars on shipping or else it just wouldn't be worth it.

 

[dcentity2000]

I hate shipping on eBay; I always see it as a cheat, artificially driving the initial prices down.



Rich::

 

[Disneyrsh]

I've been buying and selling on ebay for five years now, and I won't buy from someone who I know is inflating prices, and on my auctions I always put " I charge you what UPS or USPS charges me". I loathe inflated shipping charges.

In my opinion, the item sells for what it sells for, and you ship it for what it costs to ship.

USPS gives you free boxes, for crying out loud, and c'mon, how much does a foot of packing tape cost, 5c? Just like a lot of other things on ebay, you weed out the crappy sellers and stick with the good ones and you'll seldom go wrong.

 

[halestrm]

I agree, shipping is not just the cost of the postage. Think about the time you spend packing a box of presents to send to family. You have many supplies involved, and hopefully someone who is spending some time to pack it correctly so it isn't a mess when you get it.

 

[chrissyk]

I buy tons on Ebay. I just don't buy from people with inflated shipping charges. If the shipping charges are high but I am still interested in the item, I send a "question to seller" asking if they will offer a first-class mail option (if the item is under 13 oz), or if they'd be willing to ship the item in a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope for $3.85 if the item is over 13oz and would fit in this type of envelope (mostly clothing). Occasionally I get a rude answer back, but for the most part sellers respond favorably to this question. If they respond favorably, I bid. If not, I don't. There's plenty of other stuff out there to bid on!

 

[Disneyrsh]

Here's how I schedule a pickup that's free:

I pay for the packing label online, print it out, stick in on the box, and walk out and meet Al the Postguy when he's dropping off my mail, and give him the box. Done!

Or, if I'm out doing errands, I just walk into the post office and leave the box on the counter by the post office worker. If it's prepaid, you don't have to wait in line. The post office workers specifically told me this. So, no matter what the line, I'm in, I"m out, and it's done.

The post office will also deliver free boxes/ envelopes to your home for shipping with them. So, so, easy.

 

[va32h]

I totally understand about packing materials, but she could send them priority mail (package materials are free) and schedule a pick-up(not wasting any of your own gas) just a thought.

You are correct - I ship primarily via Priority Mail, and all my packages are picked up. And for the record, I charge exact postage - no handling fees of any kind.

And yet, I still get emails from people asking why they must pay for Priority when they are just positive that the item could ship for First Class and save them a buck.

The point is though - I am running a business. Would you email target.com and inform them that you know perfectly well that they could ship your item for less? Or Nieman Marcus, Amazon, or any other online store?

The perception is that everyone on ebay is just selling junk out of their closets, and this is simply not true. Some people are doing that, but many are running a business - selling hundreds if not thousands of items a day. I don't do that volume, but PowerSellers do.

If the shipping charges are stated upfront, you have the choice of bidding or not.

Personally, I think it is silly to be overall satisfied with the total price of an item, and then feel cheated because the breakdown is $X for the item and $X for the shipping.

 

[grlpwrd]

I've been selling on ebay for 8 years now and I agree that it's fee avoidance and because ebay is nickle and diming us so much that the price gets passed to the buyer. If I find an item for sale at .01 and shipping at $19.95 then it's pretty obvious. lol On that note I have been known to report ebay sellers for fee avoidance issues.

I think a handling charge is normal, but it shouldn't be too much from the actual shipping cost. Then again some folks don't use USPS.

I would just buy from another seller.

 

[Keli]

You know, sometimes I think buyers want sellers to offer items at cost on ebay. If you list an item for .75 you will pay ebay .25 right off the top and a percent (2.6%?) of the actual selling price. If you accept paypal (almost have to in order to sell on ebay) then you will be giving them .30 plus a % of the actual selling price also. So say you sell an item for $1.00 it breaks down like this: 1.00-.25= .75; .75-.03= .72; .72-.30= .42; .42-.03= .39. For low cost items the only way to really make any money is to avoid the fees if possible. So you charge $4.00 on shipping when it's only going to cost you $2.25 then you have garnered another $1.75 without paying more money in fees. If you start your auction higher you won't get as many bids and ebay will charge you a higher listing fee + a higher % fee. Honestly, low cost items would not be worth the effort if not for making a dollar or two on the shipping.

 

[Keli]

**Double Post**

 

[HayGan]

USPS gives you free boxes, for crying out loud, and c'mon, how much does a foot of packing tape cost, 5c? Just like a lot of other things on ebay, you weed out the crappy sellers and stick with the good ones and you'll seldom go wrong.

USPS gives you free boxes for Priority or Express only. If you are shipping another method than you have to pay for the packaging. BTW, packaging tape is expensive (about $3 a roll) and I usually can at most get 25- 30 boxes/envelopes taped out of it. Bubble wrap is EXTREMELY expensive. Cheapest I have found is $4 for a small roll at Walmart. Last roll I got 6 itmes wrapped out of it. BTW, I only ship via priority now so that delivery confirm is a given. I charge $4.50 for priority shipping (obviously more for heavier items) and do provide a discount for multiple purchases.

Here's how I schedule a pickup that's free:

I pay for the packing label online, print it out, stick in on the box, and walk out and meet Al the Postguy when he's dropping off my mail, and give him the box. Done!

Or, if I'm out doing errands, I just walk into the post office and leave the box on the counter by the post office worker. If it's prepaid, you don't have to wait in line. The post office workers specifically told me this. So, no matter what the line, I'm in, I"m out, and it's done.

The post office will also deliver free boxes/ envelopes to your home for shipping with them. So, so, easy.

Many ebay sellers have full time out of the house jobs. There is no waiting for Al the Postguy. Many neighborhood post offices close at 4 or 5 so no afterwork stop. Many buyers don't want to hear only ship on Saturdays. So that means an extra lunchtime run to the PO for many people. I've been told by several post office workers not to just walk in and leave things on the counter as it could be seen as a security risk.

I see both the seller and buyers side. Buyers need to evaluate the whole cost of the item and decide whether it is worth it or not.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

I've been selling on ebay for 8 years now and I agree that it's fee avoidance and because ebay is nickle and diming us so much that the price gets passed to the buyer. If I find an item for sale at .01 and shipping at $19.95 then it's pretty obvious. lol On that note I have been known to report ebay sellers for fee avoidance issues.

I think a handling charge is normal, but it shouldn't be too much from the actual shipping cost. Then again some folks don't use USPS.

I would just buy from another seller.

What joy do you get out of reporting someone for fee avoidance?

I sell tickets and use FedEx, usually costs around $13. I had someone report me for this. They claimed it should only cost me $0.37.

I'm not gonna ship valuable tickets with USPS, I refuse to do so. I've had way too many bad experiences.

I had an idiot report me because they had nothing better to do.