posted on December 5, 2002 10:22:42 AM new
As a buyer, I am so sick of sellers overcharging for shipping.
Example:
Won auction for very a light item, was charged $5.99 for shipping, packaging, and handling costs.
Received item 12 days after I paid for it and it had $1.29 postage on a manila envelope, no padding necessary. The item was shipped from a location, which is in the same state and about a 2 hour drive from my location.
Nothing I received warranted $4.70 in addition to the actual postage.
I am really just venting, but if anyone has some strategies to prevent being overcharged for shipping costs, please add your suggestions.
posted on December 5, 2002 10:27:24 AM new
Very simple. The shipping cost was listed, not the method of shipping. Next time, ask about how the item will be shipped. Once you bid, you've essentially agreed to ALL the listed terms of the sale.
Just wondering, even if the handling charge was excessive, was the bottom line (shipping + cost for item) a good deal?
"Who's tending the bar? Sniping works up a thirst"
posted on December 5, 2002 10:29:23 AM new
[em]I am really just venting, but if anyone has some strategies to prevent being overcharged for shipping costs, please add your suggestions. [/em]
Sure! Just buy from amzn.com; they like to offer free shipping.
Of course, you'll pay full boat on the item itself, but TANSTAAFL, doncha know.
Happy to help!
[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Dec 5, 2002 10:29 AM ]
posted on December 5, 2002 10:32:42 AM new
Oh, before I forget.
I did (can't remember why) a search last night on "free ship" and came up with about 27,000 items. The first auction was for 18 cans of Fancy Feast cat food. The seller promised to ship the case free of charge. The high bid was $5.50.
By the time all is said and done (parcel post shipping, eBay fees, etc.) how much do you think this seller had to pay for the privilege of selling 18 cans of cat food? Yikes!
posted on December 5, 2002 11:00:27 AM new
It happened to me today, too. The auction stated $3.65 shipping (it said nothing about handling) The item was very small and about 4 ounces. Silly me. I figured it would be shipped priority. When I got the non-priority package the label said the shipping was $1.29. I guess I find it frustrating as a seller because if I miscalculate I'll eat the overage or refund any over charge more than $1.
I forgot the cardinal rule of ebay...NEVER, but never assume anything. You'll always be wrong.
posted on December 5, 2002 11:00:47 AM new
Another shipping thread, yeah. The question is, you saw they charged $5.99, and you bid on the item. What is the complaint? Chances are you should have known than an item shipped that was under 5 ounces could have never cost $5.99. Even priority mail that is $3.85 - And priority mail is NOT any faster than first class mail.
So the question really is, why don't you bid on items based on what the shipping total is, and not worry about how the seller shipped, or how much profit they are making. It is not unreasonable to get some fees back in the handling charge, such as accepting paypal and listing fees on ebay. I bet you could have found someone selling the item and charging $2 for shipping.
posted on December 5, 2002 11:05:08 AM new
Yeah, well. I was just commiserating. I know any shipping stated on ebay is a crapshoot as to whether there is profit or cost defrayment built in. Sometimes it's easier to spot. We all have different philosopies on how to make a profit. So I can't fault another seller for how they do it.
posted on December 5, 2002 11:15:31 AM new
It never ceases to amaze me how many people would prefer to see USPS get the extra $$$ and have no problem with it....but let a seller make an extra few dollars and you throw a fit and call them names and just ruin your day and then hate your purchase!
Why??? It cost you the same, you didn't think it was toooooo much when you bid, so who cares who makes the $$$$'s from it? I would prefer to see it go to the seller myself!
I look at the cost, look at the item and if it is a bargain, I bid.
Are you aware it costs $.80 just to sell one $9.95 item, and that is if they don't pay by credit card. If they use cc you can almost double that. That doesn't include the price of the box, tape, envelope or whatever! And, that doesn't count the three other listing fees you have to pay to sell one item if you have a 25% sell through rate. All that is part of the cost of doing business and I see no problem with recouping all, part or more.
If shipping is too high, don't bid. If you don't feel it is too high, then bid and be happy!
posted on December 5, 2002 12:33:29 PM new
I buy a lot on ebay and the s/h averages out to about 2 to 3 times the actual cost. I factor that in with my final bid as one price. If a seller has a low s/h then I can bid higher and if the s/h is too high then I will bid less. If no s/h is listed I usually assume it will be high and figure a high s/h amount in my head and combine that with my final bid amount before I bid. Also if there is no s/h stated then I will take a close look at the seller's feedback to look for negs or neutrals about high s/h.
I try to factor in my listing fee and FVF fees in my s/h amount when I sell an item.
posted on December 5, 2002 01:08:40 PM new
If the shipping cost was listed in the auction then you DIDN'T get over charged. If it said actual shipping that is different. I recently bought some computer memory on ebay with $10 shipping, it came in an envelope with a $.60 stamp on it. $10 was listed in the auction so I wasn't overcharged.
How do you know they didn't have to drive 30 or 40 miles to mail it?
"The item was shipped from a location, which is in the same state and about a 2 hour drive from my location."
Does that mean they should have driven over and delivered it for free?
[ edited by sapington on Dec 5, 2002 01:57 PM ]
posted on December 5, 2002 02:36:17 PM new
When you shop from any mail order company or any of the .coms, you can bet your bottom dollar that the shipping charges IS over the actual amount. I haven't heard any complaints about that. It's not only the cost of the materials, but how about the trip to the post office to mail the item? Or, the trips to the store to buy the materials? I don't know about gas prices in anyone else's neck of the woods, but here it's $1.49 a gallon. I live in the city, but the post office is not around the corner. I have to travel to downtown Cleveland. What a nightmare! I might add that the cost of gasoline is also included in many company's shipping prices. I agree, if you knew what the shipping charges were and chose to bid anyway, you really have no complaint. If you don't like the price, don't bid.
posted on December 5, 2002 03:58:08 PM new
CBlev65252: Absolutely, agreed.
The Wall Street Journal ran an article a week or so ago about Amazon's free shipping practices and how Amazon has worked with the Postal Service to do more of the grunt work and thus *get an extremely low shipping rate for all classes of mail it uses*. Neither Amazon or USPS is telling what that rate is, but knowledgeable sources think (if I remember correctly) that it is about 25% of retail, or even less.
Thus, your $3.85 Priority Mail package may cost Amazon as little as 96 cents to ship (in postage).
If you order something from LL Bean, you pay anywhere from $4.50 (minimum) to $11.95 (maximum) for FedEx shipping. I am positive this is not the price Bean pays to FedEx.
Fulfillment (pick and pack) can easily be 20% or more of a mail-order house's expenses. Unbelievably, much of it is still done by hand. I believe that the margin on shipping helps defray the costs of fulfillment.
posted on December 5, 2002 04:17:38 PM new
Haven't seen OP since first post but in case they're still around, here's a wonderful and ever-so-simple strategy to "prevent being overcharged for shipping costs."
Don't bid on anything that's gonna be sent by the USPS. (Shipping cost doesn't show on UPS and FedEx packages.)
posted on December 5, 2002 04:31:41 PM new
If you listen to what you're saying, you'll realize how ridiculous you sound. If you went into a store and paid $27.99 for a Cross pen, then the next day found the same Cross pen for $24.99, do you go back to the first store and complain they overcharged you? Yea you thought you were paying for postage and supplies. Go ahead play ignorant if it works in your favor, "ohh these other sellers must be really nice to offer their labor for nothing, but why don't all sellers be that nice?" Because it's a business for profit, get it? Profit! Auto repair places charge for the part plus labor. Get it? Pay for the service you use?
I just wonder if people just don't like to use their brain for useful purposes. You got the "mouth" working alright I see.
posted on December 5, 2002 04:38:32 PM new
Read the TOS, if you don't like it don't bid.
I you mail order a item from Sears, Penny's, LL Bean, Cabellas or Bass Pro Shop, do you expect to pay EXACT shipping. No they expect to make a profit for packaging supplies & the time it take for a employee to pack the item.
Several suppliers (not on Ebay) I know of charge on a total purchase cost basis. To $100.00 in murchandice it costs a flat $12.50, even if the weight is only 2#s
Again, if you have a question on shipping cost ask before you bid. Once you bid you agree to ALL the terms.
I sold 39#'s of cast bullets, stated in the TOS what the actual shipping weight was & that a handling fee of $1.25 was to be added.
Auction ended, I used their zip to figure actual ground shipping charges via UPS & sent them a total.
He emailed me back that the charge was excessive & if I couldn't find a less expensive shipping method, to cancel the sale.
I replied that when he bid on the items, He agreed to the TOS. If payment was not received, I would file the NPBA & FVFCR.
This guy wasn't a new bidder and had a pos feedback of 98.
I told him if he could find a less expensive method to ship the product to let me know.
He replied to use USPS. In the end it cost him $5.00 less to ship, but caused me a major pain in the posterior.
I will not go through all that hassle again. You bid on my sales, you have agreed to MY terms.
posted on December 5, 2002 04:53:42 PM new
jensmomme: There is no priority shipping for $3.65 so right there a bell should have rung.
I will change shipping if the buyer can find a lower shipping charge. I sold an item for $34.00 and I would like to ship it Priority Mail. Well the buyer wanted it by Parcel Post. PP would have been $5.10 and Priority was $5.20. He paid for PP but I added the dime so I could use the USPS Priority Box and know it would be in the buyers hands within 2-3 days, heaven knows when PP would have gotten there.
posted on December 5, 2002 05:04:52 PM new
Libra you are absolutely right. Where's Fetish when I need a good crack upside the head? So few of my items ship for $3.85 I guess I had an almost-senior moment.
I hate it too when buyers want parcel post and there's only a $.10 difference. I do what you do, pay it myself. It saves me the hassle of finding a plain box. That right there is worth it for me.
posted on December 5, 2002 05:19:11 PM new
WWWWWhhhhhhhhaaaaaarrrrrrpppppp!!!!! SSSSSSSsnnnnnaaaaaaaaaPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!! I, I, I, Just gotta jump in on this one. Says right in my auction,shipping $6.99,,,A SELLER! with 900 Feeds, Asks me, how much is shipping? $6.99 Thank you, as I did not want to get pizzy,thinking, DUH??, Her reply, no way!!! Others only charge $2.00! You asked I told you, You need to read the information supplied.Her return, You Screw,then the fireworks started. She,,,,said,,,,she filed a harrasment charge against me? so I said i have done the same,B.s. I know e bays response, We don't blah,blah,blah.
Where are these compliants? I asked e bay. what a line of crapolla. there are none. It's all smoke.
Oh, by the way, the thing costs $1.39. 1st. class to send. I learned right here from you all about postage rates. yup,SSSSSSSSnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaapppppppp!!! I ain't doin' all the labor fer nuthin' no more. Other companies make their money on postage! and I finally woke up to that. Me too.
posted on December 5, 2002 06:10:35 PM new
I have asked vendors if they would ship using my fedex number or ups number and all have been very accomodating. That way I'm only paying actual charges. That being said, I also make sure I ask them, if you need to throw in $'s for boxing and handling, I understand. Just let me know. Most don't but being on both ends, it costs money to get the stuff out the door and out to you. If the TOS say the exact amount, factor it into your price and forget it. Who cares how they make their profit?
posted on December 5, 2002 07:08:07 PM new
eagleinc
I believe you will find most ebay sellers will shy away from shipping UPS or FedEx using the buyers account number. Several sellers have had to fight charge backs on shipping when the buyer contested the shipping charges.
[ edited by bear1949 on Dec 5, 2002 07:18 PM ]
posted on December 5, 2002 07:18:22 PM new
I agree there have been troubles with shipping chargebacks. It helps that I have a decent rating and I understand if they say they'd rather not. Really, I can't believe how many people will sweat the small stuff e.g. "he charged $3.85 for shipping and only paid $2.15...". Look at the overall deal, did it make sense? if not, don't do it again. If so move on. I've seen computers that I know will only cost $20 to ship and the TOS says $80. So it gets factored in, and if too expensive I don't buy it
posted on December 5, 2002 07:38:43 PM new
"Nothing I received warranted $4.70 in addition to the actual postage." Do the math: $1.29 for postage + $2.70 for a six pack + $2.00 to place a bet with his bookie = $5.99. His figures are right on. You were NOT overcharged.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on December 5, 2002 08:41:26 PM new
I had a terrible one, I bought a set of music CD's, good deal, 60's music, shipping was 9.95, presumed it would be priority, after waiting a month, a manilla envelope, no padding arrived, via media mail, with 1.65 postage affixed. I emailed them (they have since been suspended from ebay YEAH!!) and was infommed that it costs so much for the envelope, and the time to take it to the post office, and yadda, yadda, total flake, I also paid for insurance, was not insured, asked why, and was told they "self insure"??
posted on December 5, 2002 10:20:22 PM new
cjcoins-I understand the "I self Insure". If the item gets there without insurance that is another $1.30 in his pocket. I am sure he very seldom loses a CD. In the long run he makes out really good.
If you come into this board often you will know to ask about shipping when you see that high amount. You never assume anything. Anything goes on eBay. Remember you are paying for someones retirement
posted on December 5, 2002 11:25:08 PM new
I have an account with FedEx & get billed every 2 weeks. I never know exactly what the charges are to end pt being, with home delivery, rural, etc. I asked one of the gals at the drop off station what to do about it. Her answer, " Tack on about $4.00 more & be safe" I figure that this also pays for the boxes that I use. I don't scrounge boxes from dumpsters, I buy them from ULine. I use the FedEx chart they gave me, look up the Zip & get the Zone, weigh the pakg. get the $$ & add $4.00. his is what I charge the buyer. They don't know what my actual costs are because all they see is a bar code.
posted on December 6, 2002 01:52:17 AM new
when I first started to sell on ebay, I put down a rough estimate, because silly me can never estimate the weight of the packages correctly. There were a few occasions shipping prices were overcharged (like $3-5 bucks overcharged) and I simply refunded the amount to the buyers.
these days, I weight my packages, get the shipping rates via Shipping Assistant... and basically add a dollar to it to handle the ebay fees and etc. Sometimes I still get the wrong amount (ie: shipping cost more than they pay) but thats my fault...
anyhow, if its specifically stated in the auction, then thats what the TOS is...
although, its probably best not to assume the price is for priority mail or anything, you should contact the seller to check.
I always state the method of shipping in my auctions, and I also have 2 shipping prices, to let the buyer choose parcel post or priority mail, or first class, etc.
on another note, I wonder were the lines are drawn between overcharging (or, combating fees) to fee avoidance.
posted on December 6, 2002 07:03:19 AM new
I am more than happy to see sellers listing high shipping charges like this. It makes those sellers look like they are gouging and deceptive, which in turn makes my auctions look better by comparison.
Sniping works up a thirst"