posted on January 30, 2001 06:40:12 PM new
Saw an auction today. I hope that I have changed the actual wording enough that the auction can't be identified. It included a term similar to this:
"I add an amount to all S+H charges to cover my fees from eBay & 'online payment service'. It is not free to sell on eBay or to accept online payments."
The amount looked to be fairly small, maybe $1.00 to $1.50
Does anyone think that this sort of wording makes a handling fee any more palatable?
posted on January 30, 2001 07:00:24 PM new
Nope. It is the cost of doing business, and should be built into the starting bid. I would not bid on his auctions.
Besides, he adds and amount to s/h fees? So, he's really charging shipping/handling/handling fees. )
posted on January 30, 2001 07:03:31 PM new
Bill...I saw a similar auction last week, although I think the seller only mentioned charging a fee if the bidder used PayPal!
It was my understanding that it is against eBay TOS (not to mention possible RL legal ramifications) to charge any fee that is related to payment services, credit cards or eBay seller fees.
At any rate, I was "put off" by it. My feeling about including fees in S&H.."Don't Ask, Don't Tell"!!!!
-------------------------------------
edited to add: No...I wouldn't bid on that seller's auctions because I think trying to cover fees charged to me by adding a fee to the bidder's total cost, is WRONG!
[ edited by ladyjane on Jan 30, 2001 07:09 PM ]
posted on January 30, 2001 08:22:33 PM new
I don't mind that he/she is adding the cost of selling, don't most of the sellers recoup costs?
I think his blunder is spelling it out, instead of just saying s/h xx amount.
I don't agree with putting it all in the starting price. If you're not careful there you will be increasing your listing fees by increasing the starting price, and/or making the item too high to be competitive.
I am not one of those lucky sellers that can buy something for a small amount and it sells high enough to cover all costs. So I spread my costs in the starting fees, and a small handling charge.
posted on January 30, 2001 08:32:41 PM new
Wouldn't bother me...but then I have been under the impression for years now that everytime I buy goods or services I AM paying that business' overhead, fees to credit card companies, etc...so it just seems normal to me.
"Nope. It is the cost of doing business, and should be built into the starting bid."
What difference does it make if it is in the starting bid or a handling fee?...one way or another, the buyers pays
posted on January 30, 2001 09:06:55 PM new
Of course eBay isn't free! Does the electric company charge Walmart for keeping their lights on 24 hours a day --you bet! Selling on eBay is just like running a business (whether it's just a hobby or full-time), and you have to realize you'll have to pay something. Geez louise!
I do not bid on items that have that in the listing (and I hate it even more when I'm surprised with surcharges at the EOA). I don't mind paying a small handling fee (since packing materials and time spent packing should be worth something), but don't like paying sellers extra expenses. With the items I sell (small, low end things), I figure out the best starting price, then after the sale deduct all the expenses for my profit. I think that if you can't make any profit selling on eBay without passing those expenses onto your customers, then you probably should stop selling whatever it is your selling. Why bother if it doesn't pay?
posted on January 30, 2001 09:14:07 PM new
This is NOT allowed by eBay...called "fee avoidance"..AND, as I learned earlier this week, when you use that spiffy eBay "report this auction" feature, one of the options to pick is "charging extra for CC acceptance" (paraphrased)
A good seller will build the fees into the start price, just like a B@M seller builds rent, heat, elec, etc. into selling price.
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
posted on January 30, 2001 09:15:59 PM new
<i>and should be built into the starting bid</>
I realize I'm not real experienced at this, but could someone explain this to me? How does increasing the starting bid have any effect other than possibly raising your listing fee? Do people bid higher on auctions that start higher?
posted on January 30, 2001 09:16:51 PM newWhat difference does it make if it is in the starting bid or a handling fee?
Apparently, some bidders are willing to pay these fees, but they are happier if they don't have to actually see them.
edited to add...
I realize I'm not real experienced at this, but could someone explain this to me?
I don't know that I am an expert, but I'll try.
How does increasing the starting bid have any effect other than possibly raising your listing fee?
In addition to possibly raising your listing fee, it may also make your item less desirable to potential bidders, resulting in fewer bids.
Do people bid higher on auctions that start higher?
Well, they'd have to- if they want to bid, they have no choice. It is likely there will be fewer of them, however, and no guarantee that the ending price will be higher in any relation to the higher starting bid.
[ edited by mrpotatoheadd on Jan 30, 2001 09:26 PM ]
posted on January 31, 2001 05:54:56 AM new
The costs of doing business should never ever be put in front of a buyer. It's kind of like a doctor adding a malpractice insurance fee to his bill--unspeakably dumb and tacky.
posted on January 31, 2001 06:35:25 AM new
[i]Do people bid higher on auctions that start higher?[/]
Your first bid will be higher. But there's no guarantee your final bid will be any higher (unless you're running one-bid auctions, which is basically starting your item at retail with the expectation of selling it at retail.)
sanriogrrlI think that if you can't make any profit selling on eBay without passing those expenses onto your customers....
Who do you think pays that electric bill for Walmart? You do... Walmart passes those expenses on to each and every customer.
)