shop4shoes
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posted on May 26, 2003 09:54:35 PM new
I have noticed a gangload of inflated insurance charges lately.
Sellers that ship USPS with insurance charges of $2.00 for a $30.00 item. $1.75 for a $9.00 item. $2.20 for a $43.00 item. I have seen over a 100 of these just this past day of searching for something to buy.
Same with UPS shippers.
I am looking in mainly the clothing and household categories.
Has anyone else noticed this?
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ahc3
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posted on May 26, 2003 10:00:09 PM new
I've seen it too, just one something from someone and they wanted $2.30 to insure an item that was worth under $10. I want to make up all the fees too, but you should be honest with the insurance charges.
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FETISH128
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posted on May 26, 2003 10:18:34 PM new
3 years ago,,I use to be right to the penny,,,,Now, I look at myself as a Business and I charge accordingly and you should too. You are and should be compensated for the materials, time , labor , gas, tape, paper, employees that it takes to send,,,,a product. shipping is an after the fact part of business. That's just the business. I lost hundreds! of dollars I am sure when I was young on this NEW business.....I got Smart,,,,,it took waaaaaaay to long, but I read these boards and woke up. We ARE in Business! I am anyway.
SSSSSSSnap! Crackle and Pop!
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ahc3
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posted on May 26, 2003 10:24:59 PM new
Oh, I have no problem with adding in handling charges to the shipping total. My point is that there should be a shipping and handling charge, and if you want insurance, then the insurance should be the exact amount. I don't believe that extra handling charges should be added on to the insurance fees charged by the post office.
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shop4shoes
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posted on May 26, 2003 10:44:47 PM new
Shipping & Handling don't bother me one bit as long as it is stated. If I don't like the amount, I won't bid.
Insurance charges that don't match with the cost bother me. Quite a few of the sellers that pad their insurance charges say "actual shipping costs to your zipcode", but they charge $2.00 for $40.00 of insurance.
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captian23
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posted on May 26, 2003 10:53:22 PM new
S&H and insurance are two different things. Cover all the fees in the handling. I would like to add a fee just for looking at my auctions, sorta like a pay per view!
___________________________________
If you build it they will come........
[ edited by captian23 on May 26, 2003 10:54 PM ]
[ edited by captian23 on May 26, 2003 10:55 PM ]
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auctionace
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posted on May 26, 2003 11:28:45 PM new
Now you're talking! How about a bidders fee? At many real live auctions the bidders pay an additional 10% of auction item price fee to the auction. The bidders have it made at ebay. 
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ahc3
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posted on May 26, 2003 11:32:17 PM new
some even are 15% - But this goes to the auction house, not the consignor. Bidder Fees would be very bad, because most likely that would be money for ebay, not the sellers. All it would do is lower the total bid of the items, just like it does in a real auction. I am ALWAYS aware of the final price of the item when I am bidding in an auction where I have to pay a bidder fee.
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neglus
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posted on May 27, 2003 04:19:37 AM new
I don't offer insurance but sometimes buyers insist upon it. The post office has informed me that the insured package must be 3/4" thick which means I can't use my customary postcard packing materials. I haven't yet charged more than the post office rate but I think I might start charging an extra $1 for the materials! Not only is it an inconvenience but it costs me cold hard cash to provide other shipping materials for a service I DON"T EVEN OFFER!
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tomwiii
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posted on May 27, 2003 04:31:45 AM new
Neglus: sounds like your PO is confusing the rule for FIRST CLASS MAIL + DC with rules for INSURED MAIL!
If one mails a FIRST CLASS MAIL item & wants to use DELIVERY CONFIRMATION, then the item has to be either:
1) BOXED.../OR/
2) In an envelope that is at least 3/4" CENTER THICKNESS!
As far as INSURANCE is concerned, no such THICKNESS rule applies, AFAIK!
Use PIC anyway & save yerself all the hassle!
http://tinyurl.com/6a4x
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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neglus
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posted on May 27, 2003 05:46:22 AM new
The clerk showed me the book (from a distance)with the regulation -they have been hasseling me about insurance from Day 1. No one has ever made a claim so I have no idea why they are so militant about it (one post office clerk let slip that they are on their guard because of abuse by eBay users).
Where might one go to look up the Postal regulations?
One clerk makes me hand-cancel my postcards (standing at his station) because they say "do not bend"..another won't LET ME! THe clerk who has come up with this 3/4" rule weighs each of my envelopes (often mail 100 at a time) in the hopes of finding one overweight (i think in all the time she has done this I have been over once!)- meanwhile a line goes out the door and people are staring daggers at me...what is PIC Tom? Is it worth it for me? I have my mailers down to exactly 1 oz so only pay 37 cents postage.
I don't know if this PO has singled me out or if they are such PITA's (pain in the a$$es) to everyone they suspect is an eBay seller. I have killed them with kindness but to no avail...also they seem to have never heard about electronic DC and insist I have to send my envelopes registered if I want delivery confirmation!
I would really like to get a hold of the postal regs!!!!
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maggielane
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posted on May 27, 2003 07:15:45 AM new
Insurance requires more handling than no insurance packages. So an additional handling charge is appropriate. If you use Endicia, or Stamps.com you do not have to go through the USPS line unless insurance is purchased. So if I charge $1.00 extra to go through a 15 minute line, I think you got a deal! That does not include the extra time to fill out the additional paper work. Also the tremendous amount of work if there is damage and a claim to be made. I started self insuring becuase of all of the hassel with the claims and stuff. The few claims I have had to pay I had very happy customers becuase it took days not months to clear it all up.
"For I know the plans I have for you." says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
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Libra63
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posted on May 27, 2003 07:27:06 AM new
neglus-Your PO is wrong. Tomwii is right or maybe it is Ralphie. Insurance can be put on a regular envelope as long as it contains merchandise. The 3/4 inch rule is for 1st class eDC. How I know this is I mailed a postcard in a small clasp envelope and my postal clerk asked if I wanted insurance. I said you can insure flat mail and she said yes. Many people mail cards, baseball, football, postcards and as long as it contains this they can be insured. Money can not be insured.
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Libra63
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posted on May 27, 2003 07:34:39 AM new
neglus - This is from the USPS website on First Class Mail insurance. Copy it and give it to your postal clerk. You need to talk to your postmaster and straighten things out.
http://www.usps.com/send/waystosendmail/senditwithintheus/firstclassmail.htm
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ahc3
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posted on May 27, 2003 08:06:43 AM new
maggielane, If I ask you a question about your auction and it takes you 5 minutes to answer, should I get charged an extra handling charge because I took some of your time? I don't think so (although some people here might think it is a good idea)
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maggielane
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posted on May 27, 2003 08:27:25 AM new
It would be more fair to do so, but the rules of the Ebay game are such that I have to charge all of my customers more to cover the cost of your question. It would be more fair to charge just the person asking the question. Since I can do that with Insurance why should I charge the person who does not choose insurance additional to make up for the person who does.
"For I know the plans I have for you." says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
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hdm228
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posted on May 27, 2003 08:42:24 AM new
Padding insurance charges? I purchase all my postage off the USPS website and I have not found a way through that site to get the insurance online.
Instead of handing the item to your postman, you now have to go to the PO and stand in line to get the insurance. Now how much should one charge for your time is up to the seller. When I did computer consulting I go paid my hourly rate weather I was there for an hour or 10 minuets. It takes time to get there.
Of course this is a mute point for me I charge what the PO does, the package may sit for an extra day unitl I go to the PO for some reason or other.
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shop4shoes
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posted on May 27, 2003 10:09:34 AM new
The arguments about extra time don't fly with me. That is where your handling charges come in.
Also insurance if shipping with UPS takes up no extra time in line.
There are a few sellers that sell the same and similar items of clothing. I took a look at the one that had almost no bids on her items. She is the one that charges $2.00 for up to $50.00 in insurance.
She has great photos and good descriptions. Her shipping charges are the same as the others. I looked at her auctions for the past 30 days and she does not do nearly as well as her competitors. I think the insurance charges are the deciding factor.
Yesterday, I spent $180 at one of her competitiors and $245 at another. I won't spend a dime at her auctions.
I emailed a few of my ebay shopping friends and everyone of them said that sellers that do not charge exact insurance, do not get their business.
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koto1
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posted on May 27, 2003 10:40:24 AM new
Let's all look at from the viewpoint of the buyer. If the insurance charge is not exactly the USPS amount, then it gives the impression that the seller is self-insuring...something a lot of bidders do not want any part of. I have to agree with most of the people here...if you want a little extra to cover miscellaneous expenses, then add it into your handling charge...that's what it is meant for!
Another pet peeve on my part...I don't like sellers forcing me to buy insurance. I want the choice. If I'm buying a $30-40 item, or higher, than most likely I will opt for the insurance. But forced insurance on a $10 item? Give me a break. I would never bid on that seller's auction.
"Who's tending the bar?  Sniping works up a thirst"
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tomwiii
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posted on May 27, 2003 11:15:48 AM new
Neglus: again, here is a link to PIC:
http://tinyurl.com/6a4x
Hassle-free shipping insurance! Covers the postage (unlike USPS)
NO STANDING IN LINE TO YACK WITH BRAIN-DEAD CIVIL SAVANTS!
Integrated with ENDICIA!
Love it!
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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hdm228
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posted on May 27, 2003 11:52:11 AM new
Ok, So now I am into selling on Ebay not as a hobby but as a very nice supplement to my income.
The question is why should I opt for ENDICIA or stamps.com instead of USPS? Is it worth the extra $ every month?
I listen to the people who have been doing and walking the walk instead of sites that say they can save me my hard earned money and on Ebay it is money that we earn.
I must be a lunatic to work from home, holly cow I complained about working 10 hours a day in office and now I really live there. One difference my wife doesn't complain and I get to see the kids alot.
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logansdad
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posted on May 27, 2003 01:11:10 PM new
First it was handling charges in auction descriptions, then it was inflated shipping charges. Now it is inflated insurance. Quit your b****ing. If you dont like the price for getting the product from their place to yours, then don't bid. What is next - overinflated packaging charges?
Enter a bid price that you are comfortable with once you calculate the extra cost getting it from point A to point B (shipping/postage/insurance/handling/customs etc).
Run your business your way and let people run their business the way they want to. Everybody is on ebay to make a profit.
This is an issue that can not be resolved easily and has been recycled over and over again. GET OVER IT ALREADY !!!!!
"An Army of One"
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grumpyebayer
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posted on May 27, 2003 05:44:52 PM new
This is an issue that can not be resolved easily and has been recycled over and over again. GET OVER IT ALREADY !!!!!
Why don't you get over it as**hole!!!! Point out other threads on overcharging for insurance. If this is your idea of recycling the landfill will be overflowing.
Run your business your way and let people run their business the way they want to. Everybody is on ebay to make a profit
My neighbor is on ebay to unload the junk that she can't get rid of at yard sales for 10 cents.
Enter a bid price that you are comfortable with once you calculate the extra cost getting it from point A to point B(shipping/postage/insurance/handling/customs etc).
I don't think anyone here needs you to tell them how to bid, especially the women posters.
Quit your b****ing. If you dont like the price for getting the product from their place to yours, then don't bid.
Everyone else noticed her comment about not bidding if she didn't like the price. Did you miss that while you were looking for recyclables?
To answer your original question shop4shoes, Yes.
I don't bid either. I have had a few sellers that give the insurance costs AFTER the auction ends. Those are usually the ones that give the interesting insurance quotes.
The beginning of the month I got a box of tile from a guy. Tile was $25 shipping was $10 and he wanted $5 for insurance. He was shipping UPS. I know that UPS includes the first $100 in the price of shipping. I didn't pay for his inflated insurance. He lists the insurance charges in his auctions. I suspect that is what scares away bidders from his stuff. He wanted $15 to insure an A-coil for central air system. The coil itself was only $69.00. His prices are good, but he doesn't get many bidders.
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biskitsandgravie
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posted on May 27, 2003 06:04:04 PM new
I find this thread unique. I have seen many on shipping & handling charges...nothing on insurance charges.
Honestly, I just recently noticed the insurance charges not being exact. Everytime I have seen it, the seller charges "exact shipping". I think the sellers are inflating insurance to make up for the costs of doing business. Maybe they think no one will notice since they charge exact shipping. They would get my business if they had a handling charge and not jacked up insurance prices. I think bidders see right through them. They are free to run their auctions however they choose. I don't complain or email them about the insurance costs. I just don't bid.
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ahc3
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posted on May 27, 2003 06:23:33 PM new
I agree this thread is unique.
The problem with padding insurance is that when I see these auction and bid, it gives me the shipping charges (which are reasonable) but it just says insurance extra. I usually don't find out about the insurance charges until after I bid. I generally decline on insurance anyway, since most items I bid on are not that expensive. If I am only worried about it getting misdirected, paypal takes care of me as a buyer. If I wanted insurance, I sure would not want to find out that the seller is making a profit on insurance. I guess if something I want to bid on needs insurance, I better start asking...
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sapington
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posted on May 27, 2003 08:31:45 PM new
Ok, So now I am into selling on Ebay not as a hobby but as a very nice supplement to my income.
The question is why should I opt for ENDICIA or stamps.com instead of USPS? Is it worth the extra $ every month?
You can try Endicia for a month for free. If you decide that it is worth the time to just use the USPS website then you can cancel and it won't cost you anything (besides the postage you use)
How long does it take you to print a label on the USPS website? It takes me about 10 second from when I start to have the label on the box.
Besides, you can print any kind of postage with endicia, not just priority.
http://www.endicia.com/default.cfm?referredby=a178
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logansdad
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posted on May 28, 2003 01:31:27 PM new
Why don't you get over it as**hole!!!! Point out other threads on overcharging for insurance. If this is your idea of recycling the landfill will be overflowing.
Hey Grumpy(hole), why don’t you get your head out of the sand. This topic has been covered in the numerous threads about the cost of getting the product from the seller to the buyer. People have complained over and over about the extra handling charges, being charged for paypal fees or being charged extra for using a credit card, excessive postage charges and now excessive insurance charges.
Run your business your way and let people run their business the way they want to. Everybody is on ebay to make a profit
My neighbor is on ebay to unload the junk that she can't get rid of at yard sales for 10 cents.
Is she not making a profit when she sells the item on ebay? Item sold at the garage sales for nothing but sold on ebay for $1.00 (assuming the item sells). Besides it seems like you are such the expert at pricing perhaps you should help your neighbor price her garage sale items.
Enter a bid price that you are comfortable with once you calculate the extra cost getting it from point A to point B(shipping/postage/insurance/handling/customs etc).
I don't think anyone here needs you to tell them how to bid, especially the women posters.
Especially the women posters----Why are the women posters helpless? It appears as if the women posters are the ones that are always up in arms about paying too much for an item.
Quit your b****ing. If you dont like the price for getting the product from their place to yours, then don't bid.
Everyone else noticed her comment about not bidding if she didn't like the price. Did you miss that while you were looking for recyclables?
My answer was not directly answering the original poster’s comments, but was rather a general statement.
To answer your original question shop4shoes, Yes.
I don't bid either. I have had a few sellers that give the insurance costs AFTER the auction ends. Those are usually the ones that give the interesting insurance quotes.
The beginning of the month I got a box of tile from a guy. Tile was $25 shipping was $10 and he wanted $5 for insurance. He was shipping UPS. I know that UPS includes the first $100 in the price of shipping. I didn't pay for his inflated insurance. He lists the insurance charges in his auctions.
What a liar. You first say you dont bid, then you say you bid and dont pay for the inflated insurance charges that were listed in the auction. I am glad you don't bid on my auctions, I wouldnt send you the item until you paid the quoted price. You would be in violation of my TOS. Sounds like you are another bidder that likes to make up their own rules after winning the auction.
"An Army of One"
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kiara
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posted on May 28, 2003 02:34:53 PM new
logansdad, use some quotation marks or italics otherwise it's too hard to figure out all the he said, she said, you said stuff so whatever you said just got lost in all that rambling. 
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shop4shoes
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posted on May 28, 2003 07:23:26 PM new
Hey Grumpy(hole), why don’t you get your head out of the sand. This topic has been covered in the numerous threads about the cost of getting the product from the seller to the buyer. People have complained over and over about the extra handling charges, being charged for paypal fees or being charged extra for using a credit card, excessive postage charges and now excessive insurance charges.
Like grumpy said: Point out a thread about excessive insurance charges.
What a liar. You first say you dont bid, then you say you bid and dont pay for the inflated insurance charges that were listed in the auction. I am glad you don't bid on my auctions, I wouldnt send you the item until you paid the quoted price. You would be in violation of my TOS. Sounds like you are another bidder that likes to make up their own rules after winning the auction
How did grumpy violate the seller's terms of sales? Since you seem to be an expert on selling, I am shocked that you have never heard of optional insurance. Let me explain...It means the BUYER CHOOSES if they pay...Not the seller. Perhaps you would like to explain to that seller how to run their auctions. I am sure he will find you advice just as helpful as your advice on how to bid.
You are the type of seller I and most of the posters on this board stay clear of.
Especially the women posters----Why are the women posters helpless? It appears as if the women posters are the ones that are always up in arms about paying too much for an item.
You are the only one that thinks women posters are helpless. Grumpy said we didn't need your help. Of course if we were "always up in arms" as you claim we wouldn't have time to bid.
Is she not making a profit when she sells the item on ebay? Item sold at the garage sales for nothing but sold on ebay for $1.00 (assuming the item sells). Besides it seems like you are such the expert at pricing perhaps you should help your neighbor price her garage sale items.
If his neighbor makes a profit it is moot. You claimed that everyone was on ebay to make a profit. Grumpy's neighbor isn't.
"An Army of One"
...That lost the battle...
If this is your idea of recycling the landfill will be overflowing.
MUHAHHHHAHAHHHHHAAAAAHAHAH!
Listen kiara, not only are you an expert on sassy talk, you know something about rambling...I think I will invite you over to my house one day so you can admire my shoes. 
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biskitsandgravie
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posted on May 28, 2003 10:07:32 PM new
logansdad: Why don't you quit your bitching. If you didn't like this thread you were quite free to ignore it and not post. Just like buying and selling on ebay if you don't like something stay clear.
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