kraftdinner
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posted on March 4, 2002 10:54:03 PM new
I've bought about 13 items in the past month. I've received 9 so far, and have been overcharged for postage on every one. The smallest amount was a $3.00 overcharge. The largest was $10.55 today. This is nuts. Has anyone else been noticing this more and more lately?
It used to be about 50% were overcharging but it seems to be growing...or is it just me???
"Sometimes when we touch, the honesty's too much....."
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roadsmith
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posted on March 4, 2002 11:15:03 PM new
I agree! There have been numerous threads, some I've participated in, talking about the problem. I don't overcharge but sometimes I think I'm in the minority. All I know is that you get what you give, and I feel better about myself when I treat buyers the way I'd want to be treated. So I don't make quite as much on what I sell, so what?
Not trying to start an argument here, though. But I worry about the direction this will take ebay down the road--if buyers get turned off to the whole experience.
JMHO!
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masujoviga
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posted on March 4, 2002 11:26:01 PM new
Here's my take on shipping....
To start, let it be known that there is a huge difference between $2 and $10 markup. Here's is why. There is a cost involved in shipping that doesn't end at postage. If you print postage at home, there's toner, ink cartridge, etc. Paper is used. If you go to the post office, costs can include fuel or time. Packaging material at last look was not free. Unless you ship priority and package your items like poopoo, bubble wrap, bubbled envelope and all the extra things not easily thought of, must be considered. I see no problem in even PAYING and extra $2.00. As for $10, that demands an investigation  . Just my thoughts...
[ edited by masujoviga on Mar 4, 2002 11:27 PM ]
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kiara
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posted on March 4, 2002 11:47:25 PM new
I factor in the total charges before deciding what I will bid.
If the seller doesn't have the shipping charges in the auction I e-mail ahead and ask before bidding. I make sure to ask if it is for shipping and handling.
When I get the package I seldom even check the postage as I have already paid and it was my decision to accept it when I placed my bid.
I don't mind the extra charges except when a seller uses a beater box and dirty wrappings, etc. To me it doesn't justify the extra cost.
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sun818
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posted on March 5, 2002 01:17:08 AM new
I bought a leather wallet from handspring.com. S&H was $8.50 - I bet shipping was only $3.50 -- but I bought it anyway because the total price was acceptable to me. Have any of the buyers considered that some sellers use a fulfillment house to pack their stuff? When I am in the long post office lines, I sometimes talk with a woman who earns money packaging items for other businesses. She charges $6 to pack/ship a music CD.
It won't matter in a few months anyway. When the post office raises rates, I'm moving over to FedEx Ground. Unless you look up the rates -- you won't know how much "postage" is.
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rarriffle
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posted on March 5, 2002 02:54:30 AM new
Sellers need to list shipping $x.xx and HANDLING $xx.xx in the auctions. If a handling charge is stated and I agree to pay that, my problem. If it is stated as shipping then I expect shipping a certain way that at least comes close to what I was charged.
I do not charge a handling fee. I have a good source for free shipping supplies and packaging gives my hubby something to do with his time.
I do not mind a small handling charge if it is stated in the auction. If a seller chooses to pay a professional to package the item, that should be stated so that a lot more buyers can hit the back button. That is the only way these sellers are going to be stopped.
An excessive shipping charge should be stated in feedback left too, even if it is positive feedback. Let the next buyer know they are getting ripped off.
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mballai
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posted on March 5, 2002 04:00:10 AM new
Unfortunately even if an item's shipping is 10 times the actual postage, Safeharbor doesn't care. I inquired about one guy who was charging nearly $15 to ship a CD. That was ok with eBay.
I charge a bit extra to ship, mostly to offset my packaging costs. I'd never have the nerve to do the blatant fee avoidance of some sellers.
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Coonr
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posted on March 5, 2002 04:56:47 AM new
If the amount of S/H is stated, it cannot be "excessive". You know what is is when you bid. It may or may not be fee advoidance. That is for eBay to worry about and determine. If it's not stated, don't bid.
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masujoviga
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posted on March 5, 2002 05:36:53 AM new
I do not charge a handling fee. I have a good source for free shipping supplies and packaging gives my hubby something to do with his time.
KEY WORDS: Free shipping supplies. Hubby's time...now I know my wife isn't the only one who thinks husband's time is worth nothing!
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mrfoxy76
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posted on March 5, 2002 06:10:44 AM new
logic tells you to seek the shipping fee prior to purchasing an item, if its stated then you know how much is going to be charged, if not email and ask.
if you feel you being overcharged simply DO NOT BID.
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katmommy
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posted on March 5, 2002 06:20:59 AM new
"Sellers need to list shipping $x.xx and HANDLING $xx.xx in the auctions"
This is impossible in many instances. If I ship a 10 lb item to the same zone I am in..it will be significantly cheaper then shipping to the opposite coast. Many sellers need a zip code to calculate actual shipping due to weight of item. I have seen some auctions where the seller states weight of item and zip code where item is being shipped so the potential bidder can get an of shipping cost to his location.
MEOW
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slabholder
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posted on March 5, 2002 06:28:29 AM new
Comment from mrfoxy stated below :
logic tells you to seek the shipping fee prior to purchasing an item, if its stated then you know how much is going to be charged, if not email and ask.
If you feel you being overcharged
simply DO NOT BID.
==============
I agree with mrfoxy 100% regarding this subject. Use some common sense for Christ sake.
[ edited by slabholder on Mar 5, 2002 06:30 AM ]
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JACKSWEBB
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posted on March 5, 2002 06:35:53 AM new
Please tell me where I can find a crystal ball that will tell me the high bidders address in advance. I don't charge one dime more that what the post office extorts. While I am here, what the hey. I love the ones that ask how much to Dawson. I live in Vermont, We are just south of Chicago. Or plain, how much is shipping? hahahahah. To where? you moron.
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holdenrex
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posted on March 5, 2002 06:37:54 AM new
Yes, there does seem to be more sellers who are overcharging, not stating their shipping method (usually in order to hide the fact that they're overcharging), or simply not stating shipping costs at all in the auction (ditto).
I don't mind at all. This phenomenon is a handy decision-making tool. With more and more identical items getting listed on ebay, it helps me to quickly narrow down the field of which auctions will get my bid.
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JACKSWEBB
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posted on March 5, 2002 06:44:19 AM new
katmommy. I do that on some big or heavy items. However, They are lazy and still want the seller to get them the rates. And then,,,,,,,,,,,You never hear so much as a Thank you. hahahahha.
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trippys
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posted on March 5, 2002 07:29:56 AM new
I agree with Roadsmith and Katmommy. We try our best to give accurate shipping quotes, and if anything, many times we undercharge! It's difficult to wrap before the item is sold in case of multiple auction wins or if the item doesn't sell. Does anyone know of an inexpensive scale that would work in our endeavors? And to Kraftdinner, you may want to ask for the shipping charges before you bid so you have an idea if there are hidden handling fees which is what it sounds like! Have a great day, everyone!
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quickdraw29
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posted on March 5, 2002 08:53:51 AM new
"Overcharging." It's all in your head. I've bought over 100 items on ebay over the years and never was overcharged once.
You consider a seller charging for their shipping costs as overcharging. That's not a bright conclusion. Most ebay sellers lose money on shipping because they don't charge a fair rate to cover their costs plus labor. I could jack up my s/h several dollars and still lose money on shipping.
It's a real insult for a buyer to accuse a seller of overcharging when the seller is actually losing money on the shipping.
[ edited by quickdraw29 on Mar 5, 2002 08:55 AM ]
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quickdraw29
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posted on March 5, 2002 09:01:41 AM new
"Sellers need to list shipping $x.xx and HANDLING $xx.xx in the auctions."
If I put in my auction, " I will wrap mud around the item", do you think people will still bid? Sellers put words in their auctions that will help sell the item. Buyers normally avoid auctions that include the word "handling."
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ahc3
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posted on March 5, 2002 09:11:47 AM new
I agree quickdraw, I will NOT use the word handling in my auction. And there is a huge difference between $2 and $10. The way I figure it, why do buyers CARE how much it cost the seller to ship the item, as long as they are upfront with all the fees. I've never understood that. I have ordered from MANY companies who charge more than the "actual" charges. I don't think it is really the word handling that gets people, they just feel ripped off I guess. Again, I don't understand this because If I tell you it costs $2, and I send something in a bubble envelope with a 57 cent stamp, that is my prerogative as a seller. I don't usually insure items under $50, but I will replace the item or refund if it does not get there. That goes out of my pocket. I would rather not pay the $1.10 at the post office for insurance, but I still guarantee it. The envelope cost me money, so does the paper, the toner for the printer, not to mention the ebay listing and paypal if they use that.
I honestly can't see how someone can bid on something if the shipping terms are described, and then feel ripped off. You factor it into the bid price! Never bid without factoring in shipping first, and if they are not clear, ask or DO NOT BID!!!
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bidsbids
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posted on March 5, 2002 09:39:13 AM new
let me bring out this oldie but goodie...
http://www.geocities.com/vegetarian_father/reasonshippingfeesticker.html
Personally, I lose money much of the time on my auctions but think I make up for it by getting more bids. If an item will cost me $6 to ship I will often say $4. A competiting auction for the same exact item may quote an $8 or $10 shipping fee. They make me look like Santa Claus.
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billy8156
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posted on March 5, 2002 10:44:27 AM new
Its very simple. You read the eBay listing, you look for the shipping charge. If the seller doesn't tell you what s/h will be then you either move on or ask the seller.
It is very rare that you sell an item listed and the shipping isn't listed in the ad. If you think the person is charging too much for shipping then you simply do not bid. Don't place a bid then complain after the fact.
Bill
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quickdraw29
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posted on March 5, 2002 11:06:52 AM new
"I lose money much of the time on my auctions but think I make up for it by getting more bids. If an item will cost me $6 to ship I will often say $4."
I doubt it. I do ample research and see auctions with higher ship fees getting more bids quite often than auctions with low ship fees. I have seen auctions that have very low shipping get no bids and auctions with very high shipping the bidding go through the roof. The only difference between the two are timing.
If your statement was true why would a buyer get in a bid war to win an item for $15 when I see several more identical items get no bids at $4.00? Even if shipping was low, the buyer could save more by bidding on the $4 auction!
Your theory just does not fly!
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tristy419
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posted on March 5, 2002 07:26:16 PM new
I know when I make purchases I find the shipping can be an ouch!So, when I sell my merchandise my shipping charge is to be "actual". I sometimes overcharge, but always refund the difference. I even supply shipping confirmation as a courtesy to my customers at no charge. It's a very handy feature! 
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tapirback
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posted on March 5, 2002 09:24:25 PM new
bunch of whiners, if you dont like the shipping dont bid.
a bunch of stuff could not be sold if it wasnt for shipping overchargers.
but once again, you dumbos believe that those items should not be sold if they cannot be sold at a profit, so where are we gonna get them from them?
and also high bids always adjust in relation to how high or high low the shipping is.
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lovepotions
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posted on March 5, 2002 10:08:59 PM new
mballai
[quote]Unfortunately even if an item's shipping is 10 times the actual postage, Safeharbor doesn't care. I inquired about one guy who was charging nearly $15 to ship a CD. That was ok with eBay. [/quote]
Ebay NEVER cares if you email them and say they are charging excessive shipping.
They very damn well do care if you were to have reported it in as FEE AVOIDANCE instead.
I saw a CD of logo graphics for an organization I belonged to. He clearly was taking the free graphics and burning them onto a CD and are free to use by any member. As a collected gallery of pics to use it was a great concept. I realy wanted to bid until I noticed the guy had it as a dutch auction (large quantity) for $.99 BUT he charged $12 for shipping and DID NOT combine shipping.
Outrageous shipping even to those sellers with their handling fees.
Dutch listing fees for items under $5 is $2.20 starting prices higher than that and the listing fee goes to $3.30 PLUS FVF of course. You can do the math on how much Ebay didn't get their greedy little hands on if the guy got 10 or 50 bids if it were properly priced with normal shipping fees.
FVF on 50 $.99 items is a lot less than FVF on 50 items at $9.99.
Ebay would have cared if I reported it in.
But I didn't cuz I'm lazy like that. I probably should have though.
http://www.lovepotions.com
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bidsbids
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posted on March 5, 2002 10:23:32 PM new
There are more and more auctions that do not mention any shipping costs. I saw a nice wristwatch auction for $5 each for a 75 count Dutch Auction. No mention of a shipping fee so I wrote the seller. I got back a $9 UPS charge response. You have to write the sellers before you bid or get stuck with an unrealistic fee.
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quickdraw29
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posted on March 6, 2002 08:33:56 AM new
A while back I did auctions with free shipping, and bidding ended up as average. Bidders did not up their bid to compensate me for free shipping. That proves buyers stumble across the first auction they see and bid the same amount as they would on any auction. Anyone who thinks their low shipping stated in auction increases bidding is on a cloud.
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quickdraw29
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posted on March 6, 2002 08:38:55 AM new
A nice wristwatch for $5.00? Yea, I would think shipping might be a little higher! But $9 is realistic, I'd be willing to pay that, but I would have emailed first to know the costs.
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tomwiii
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posted on March 6, 2002 09:49:31 AM new
One of the online inkjet cartridge companies charges $10.00 to ship ONE i-j cartridge -- 3oz at most! Wish I could get away with that
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kraftdinner
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posted on March 6, 2002 04:20:38 PM new
Sorry! I forgot to mention that I'm in Canada and all these items are coming from the U.S.
I always ask first if p/h aren't mentioned, but have noticed the quoted price isn't even close to the actual shipping cost. Whether you're in Canada or not, I wondered if it was a growing trend because overall prices are a bit deflated.
Some of you are right....if Sellers could state what they charge for Handling, it would make it alot easier to figure out the total you'll be paying.
"a bunch of stuff could not be sold if it wasnt for shipping overchargers....."
Are you just being sarcastic tapirback??
"Sometimes when we touch, the honesty's too much....."
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