posted on August 24, 2002 04:55:02 AM new
I know this topic has probably been discussed numerous times since the postal rate increases took effect, but I missed the discussions (took the summer off from selling).
Question: have any of you noticed a difference in sales using fixed shipping costs instead of costs based on zip codes?
I hate to charge fixed prices, because it seems unfair to charge the max for someone who lives 2 counties away from me as someone who lives 1500 miles away from me.
On the other hand, do buyers take the time to email for a shipping quote (I would always encourage them to do this before placing a bid), or do they just complain after the auction is over if they feel shipping costs are too high?
I am getting ready to launch a lot of auctions and have already packed, weighed, and measured the packages so people can go to the different shipping sites to get an idea of shipping costs. I include the package weight and dimensions in the ads.
Do buyers now bother to read this info or am I wasting my time?
Help! I want to be fair to my buyers (and myself), but I also want to self my widgets!
Any input from you more experienced AW'ers will be greatly appreciated!
posted on August 24, 2002 08:19:20 AM new
I use a fixed rate because it is to time consuming to do it the other way. Also a lot of people will not bid if shipping price is not in the auction. I did have one person email me the other day and ask if shipping would be any lower because he lived near me. I did offer him a better shipping price but he got outbid anyway.
posted on August 24, 2002 08:25:18 AM new
I use fixed pricing on the items that I know the postage rate for. i.e. tie S/H $1.75. Then I tell them they can pay instantly with PayPal, but please remember to add the postage, in the check out area and that is how they pay. They pay at night and I mail in the morning. I try and add postage in my TOS and when I send my WBN I tell them if I have over charged for postage by more than a dollar I will refund it. I have tried to refund but they say they don't want it. Works for me.
posted on August 24, 2002 09:34:29 AM new
We've been using the new rates to caculate each package. We've had to wrap and weigh items ahead of time. Then people will buy several items and want them packed together, and expect us to unwrap and rewrap and refigure postage. Many are good long time customers so we try to comply with their requests. The other thing we've noticed is many of the packages go to zone 4. They are paying less than before the rates changed. We used to figure in a little extra for shipping supplies. We can't get by with that on the zone 4 rates. After figuring all angles this month, we're losing money on bubble wrap and packing supplies. Our long distance customers are unhappy with the shipping fees. So we're going back to set fees, which we feel will be more than fair for everyone.
posted on August 25, 2002 09:38:46 PM new
It depends upon the weight of the item. If it is under 2 lbs, then I use fixed price shipping. If over 2 lbs, then I write shipping will be based upon zip code. At the end of the auction, I get the bidders contact info from ebay and figure shipping then rounding it up to the next either .50 or .00 to cover extra expenses. So far this has worked well for me.
posted on August 25, 2002 11:37:09 PM new
I have decided that to be fair to all of my bidders I am shipping all items from today on by FedEx Ground. I put in my TOS that shipping will calculated by Zip Code & items will be shipped by FedEx Ground. I add $1.50 for supplies. (Boxes cost me $1.10) & then add foam Or bubble wrap & it gets up there. I don't eant to gouge anyone, but I don't expect to lose money on shipping. Most of my sales weigh 3 lbs or more.
[ edited by sanmar on Aug 25, 2002 11:39 PM ]
posted on August 26, 2002 06:37:34 AM new
I sell only plus size clothing and most single items weigh between 1 and 2 pounds. I live on the west coast and most bidders for my items are on the east coast. I use a fixed rate of $6.00 for all items between 1 and 2 pounds. I do 100 per week and more sometimes and have had no complaints. My TOS states for multiple items that the rate is actual cost plus $1.00 so on these I do package and weigh before sending an EOA notice. The change in rate by the USPS has not affected my sales one bit and items are selling at record highs these days.
posted on August 26, 2002 12:23:18 PM new
I list the fixed price by each seperate zone. I also inclue a link to the postal service so they can find out what link they are in...
I used to do each sale individually, but because our shopping cart on our sites has to have a fixed price, I started using it there, and after years of doing it the hard way, one shipment at a time on eBay, I changed and went to fixed prices, unless it is an exceptionally large item.
Items seem to sell alot fast or better with a fixed shipping price. It stops having to respond to a zillion e-mails about what it cost to ship to this zone and that.....
of course the ad could include all info for all zones, but that gets to be a lot of technical info in an ad, and I think I'd rather just used a fixed so there is no question, a buyer doesn't make a boo boo and decide they are in one zone when they are in another....to much seemingly could go wrong with that...
posted on August 26, 2002 08:51:31 PM new
I WEIGH IT AND MEASURE IT AND GIVE MY ZIP CODE. ALL THE INFO IS RIGHT THERE FOR THE LAZY BUM. WHAT DO I GET FOR MY TROUBLE? HOW MUCH IS SHIPPING? IT'S TRUE.
posted on August 26, 2002 11:18:15 PM new
sanmar: don't forget to add in the additional charge ($1.50) that FedEx charges to deliver a ground package to a residence if it's not send Home Delivery ground.
posted on August 27, 2002 05:53:44 AM new
My packages can weigh 7 oz. to 5 lbs.
I state a fixed rate cost on each item, and price it so the most I might lose is 50 cents or a dollar for Zone 8, but overall I come out ahead.
I agree with those who find the buyers would rather have a firm idea of shipping costs than to have to go through some sort of link or process to figure it out.
It also makes sense to have all shipping costs known from the outset, since the buyer can immediately pay via one of the online services. Keeps the email inquiries to a minimum. All this leaves more time to acknowledge payment receipt and shipping details which customers love.
posted on August 27, 2002 06:45:55 AM new
i use fixed price shipping in my auctions. ive noticed i get more bids when the shipping is in the auction. i do ship internationally and those rates must be quoted individually when the bidder requests it.
i myself will not bid on an auction when there is no shipping included in the listing. i dont even bother emailing to ask either since 99 % of the time i never get a reply.
posted on August 27, 2002 08:22:35 AM new
SNOBBISH, DO THIS TEST. I NOW DELETE THE ONES THAT SAY, how much is shipping, THIS SO EASY FOR THEM TO DO. WE KNOW WHAT "WE" HAVE TO DO TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. THEY MAY AS WELL BE THE WINNING BIDDER. SAME STEPS.
THE ONES THAT SAY, how much is shipping 56789. I DO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY, ACUTUALLY "REPEAT" WHAT IS RIGHT IN MY AUCTION, PLEASE SEND A COMPLETE ADDRESS. SOME DO, SOME DON'T. THE WHIMSICALS DON'T.
ASK THEM FOR SHIPPING WITH A COMPLETE ADDRESS. I BET YER NUMBER OF RESPONSE JUMP UP ALOT. WHEN I SEE THAT, I SEE SINCERE INTEREST IN WHAT I AM PEDDLING. I DO THE STEPS AND SEND IT. AMAZING MANY END UP BEING THE BUYER.
EDITED TO SAY,,,,HECK WITH YOU DOING IT SNOBBISH,,,,I AM GONNA DO IT TODAY JUST FOR THE HECK OF IT.
how much is shipping??????
how much is shipping 78543
SHIPPING PLEASE.
JIM JONES
123 N. MAIN.
ORANGE, CAL. 98456
THANKS.
I AM GONNA DO IT 10 TIMES EACH OF THE 3 WAYS. LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
I WRITE WHIF A KRAYON, I AM ALMOST 5.
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on Aug 27, 2002 08:28 AM ]
posted on August 27, 2002 08:34:18 AM new
Intercraft:
I'm really interested in providing a link to the USPS site in my auction, but I don't know how to do that. If it's not too much trouble, could you tell me how to do it, spelling out each bit because I'm technically challenged? Thanks so much. ~Adele
posted on August 27, 2002 11:49:38 AM new
jacks.... i thought it was because maybe i typed to much in my question. my email is usual stated as such. "i am interested in know thing the shipping for this item. address for shipping is:
jenni jones
123 any street
anywhere, anystate 12345"
ive never thought to ask "shipping 12345". maybe i will do what you suggested only do it in reverse of how i normally do it.
just seems to me that people dont follow there auctions they just list them and then when the auction is over they come back to the living.
posted on August 27, 2002 12:52:59 PM new
roadsmith,
This is actual text from one of my auctions.
USPS Priority Shipping is currently:
Zone 1, 2 & 3 - $6.30
Zone 4 - $8.05
Zone 5 - $9.05
Zone 6 - $9.50
Zone 7 - $10.45
Zone 8 - $11.35
(to find out what zone you are in from me Click <a href="http://postcalc.usps.gov/Zonecharts/default.asp" target="_new">Here</a> and use '911' as the originating postal code.). Insurance is always suggested and currently is only $1.30/xtra
If you cut and paste this, it should work fine.
In the link i use the target new command to have their browser open a new browser window. This way they never have to leave my auction in order to find the info that they want.
posted on August 27, 2002 09:50:32 PM new
I just verified the web addy and it is correct. Please verify that your link goes to http://postcalc.usps.gov/Zonecharts/default.asp
As far as copy and pasting the target part, I would go ahead and do so. If when you test it, you don't like the way a new browser opens up, then remove just the target="_new" part of the line.
posted on August 27, 2002 09:58:56 PM new
IT WORKED THIS TIME. BUT, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT CAME UP. I JUST GO TO THE POST OFFICE ON THE INTERNET AND FILL IN THE FIVE PAGES OF CRAP THAT USE TO BE ONLY I THINK,2. SOME GENIUS MADE IT HARDER. IT DOES WORK NOW THOUGH I HOPE IT IS IF SOME USE TO SOME. THANKS.
posted on August 28, 2002 06:34:36 PM new
Well, JacksWebb,
I do post in the original text that they should enter '911' as the originating zip code. I would figure it is enough. I am thinking about copying that entire page and making a permanent webpage for people to refer to, but I think that is copyright infringement. I have see some spiffy javascript functions, but I would rather write my own.
posted on August 28, 2002 09:43:15 PM new
I guess I go the extra mile for I encourage potential customers to send me their zip code for a shipping quote. All of my auctions have the following in them: Email me your zip code for a shipping quote. Below is the type reply the customer gets.
This is a quote on 45 pounds given today
$29.21 to a business address by UPS which includes free insurance and package tracking.
$30.31 to a residential address by UPS which includes free insurance and package
tracking.
Business Address: I will need the business name, business address, phone number and zip
code.
Residential Address: I will need your full name, physical address and zip code.
* $79.35 by Priority mail without insurance or package tracking. (For comparison to UPS
only)
* $38.89 by Parcel post without insurance or package tracking. (For comparison to UPS
only)
* Because of the heavy items I sell and due to the recent postage rate increase
it is no longer feasible for me to use the US Post Office to ship my merchandise.
All shipments are by UPS!!
