I Have an Ebay ?

[maciec]

I have just started listing on Ebay and I have taken on the position of charging a flat fee shipping and handling price. I have read all of the posts for and against and I have been swayed to the for side.

Well, the problem is, is that I keep getting e-mails asking for me to lower the shipping costs. I think that I am being very reasonable when I set the price for shipping. When the package is going to cost me $3.95 to send I charge $5 for shipping and handling. That $1.05 covers my ebay and paypal fees.

What I need to know is am I right. Does the handling part of the shipping go for ebay and paypal fees or should I include those fees in the auction price itself and charge the "actual shipping"?

Is it against ebay regulations to

Also, what should I say in my response e-mail to the prospective buyers? How do I say it and not turn them off from buying? Do I break down how I got the s&h price and be totally honest with them or am I shooting myself in the foot?

Thanks for the help

Melissa

 

[DianeV]

Melissa

Alot depends on what you are selling. Buyers of clothing for instance do not tolerate handling fees very well and often want regular first class shipping instead of Priority when possible. Some items that are hard to find items the buyers are more tolerant of paying handling fees especially if it needs extra care.

I sell alot of clothing and I try to offer first class shipping and parcel post when possible. I charge $.75 handling fee onto the postage and never have any complaints. I also base my shipping when its over 1# on the zip code as if I charged someone the next state over the same as someone across the country I wouldnt feel I was being fair and it could turn into complaints.

Ebay says that you cannot charge for paypal fees..you also are not supposed to put ebay fees in handling either as it is supposed to relate to the actual handling of that item

HOwever there are many on ebay who say you can include whatever you want in a handling fee as long as you dont say it. Its a matter of how much you can get away with before buyers complain

 

[julia & nicks mom]

I had the same debate with myself and finally went with a $4.50 flat fee -

I haven't had anyone question it - make sure you let them know that you ship priority and sometimes it isn't just 3.95.

If you want tell them if they want to pay the actual shipping you can ship it regualr post but that they will have to add $1 onto the shipping cost to pay for your shipping materials.

I don't think people think about the boxes, envelopes whatever if you don't ship priority.

.

 

[floridagirrl2]

I also charge a flat fee for postage. People occasionally ask me to reduce the shipping charge--I do not do a breakdown of fees/prices (because if you do that, they will find a way to argue with you--e.g., "You should include that in the Ebay price."). Instead I email back something like, "Thank you for your interest in this auction. My small shipping/handling fee is not negotiable. Please be assured that all my auction items are carefully packed and shipped to arrive safely."

I would make sure you are mailing the item as inexpensively as possible (e.g., many clothing items can be tucked into a ziplock bag to keep them dry, then placed in an inexpensive envelope and mailed 1st Classinstead of Priority) so that your flat fee can be as inexpensive as possible.

 

[ceecee]

I charge a flat rate as well, I am usually right on the $, unless I get a buyer who is closer and then it's less. It usually equals out, I've never had anyone ask to lower shipping. One person did ask me to overnight a package for a birthday present she bought ....I said I would but it would cost more than the $4.00 that I charged. I quoted her the rate from USPS website and she said to forget it that was unreasonable!

 

[DMRick]

I also charge a flat fee on most items (others I put the ebay calculator in). However, my handling fee (it usually runs about .50, but I get my peanuts for free. It works out that there is no handling fee when I ship from NY to CA..since my flat fee is their actual cost) charges cover my shipping handling charges, not my eBay fees. I figure my ebay fees should come out of what I sell the item for, the price of doing business. I don't really care what others do, and I just base my bidding on what I want to pay in total for an item I'm bidding on.

 

[maciec]

The way that I figured out the shipping and handling is by going to the USPS web site and putting in my zip and to 90210. It always equals about $5. I am charging $5 for pants and $3 for tops. Oh, and I will combine shipping so that the buyer saves.

I am just having a hard time being fair to my customers without going in the whole on shipping.

How do you balance it out? GGGRRRRR!

Am I doing this wrong?

Also, how do you figure out first class shipping rates if the item is packaged in a box? The lowest rates that I seem to be able to get are Parcel Post.

Melissa

 

[floridagirrl2]

Originally posted by maciec


Also, how do you figure out first class shipping rates if the item is packaged in a box? The lowest rates that I seem to be able to get are Parcel Post.

Melissa [/B]

First class is only cheaper than Priority for very light things, so probably anything going in a box should be sent Parcel Post or Priority.

 

[swilshire]

I buy much more than I sell on eBay, so maybe I can offer a different perspective. I will NEVER bid on an item that has a fixed shipping fee that seems much higher than the postage. I don't even bother asking about the shipping, I just don't bid. If the seller states that they add a nominal fee (such as 50 cents) or that the postage is approximately a reasonable amount, I will bid.

If the seller states a high shipping fee for priority mail and I know it could go cheaper some other way, such as media mail, first class or in the flat rate priority envelope, I will inquire. If they won't budge, again, I usually don't bid.

When I sell, I try to approximate the shipping costs as closely as I can and put that in the listing. I don't charge any extra for my time or materials. You can usually get most shipping materials free or cheap. Priority mail boxes are free. I get padded mailers on sale at Walgreens for a nominal price. I collect sturdy boxes and other packaging material whenever I run across them.

Unless you're selling something valuable, shipping costs are pretty prohibitive under the best scenarios. Anything extra may make the item no bargain and cut down on bidders unless it is something very unique.

JMHO.

Sheila

 

[marcyinPA]

I broke down and bought a scale after losing money on S&H. I weigh my item, use the shipping calculator, always quote on Priority Mail, and charge a .50 handling fee on everything I sell. I have never had a problem with complaints on my shipping. On larger items, I state in my auction that I can ship Parcel if prefered. If asked, I would ship any way someone would want, quote them accordingly, but I would still tag on my .50 handling fee.

Like someone else said on this thread, when I bid on an eBay item, I only bid what I would pay TOTAL for an item (S&H included.)