posted on November 23, 2003 04:54:21 AM new
Is it what I am looking at because I am doing research on ebay, but seems sellers are really plugging the s/h higher than usual lately?
posted on November 23, 2003 05:52:57 AM new
depends on what kind of plate,if it is a large expensive plate,you want it well wrapped and send fast.double boxing can add weight.
posted on November 23, 2003 06:00:19 AM new
It is relative to what indivudual sellers believe they need to charge to make a profit. Basic parcel post or priority mail isn't cheap.
roughly 10-15 bucks to ship a 5lb package coast to coast. Some place in the deal the seller needs to buy packing material, get a few cents for the labor involved in boxing up stuff. Volume sellers hire full or part-time help. In my section of the country thats 8-12 bucks an hour if your lucky. Many sellers are up front about these costs and list a handling fee others add it into the opening bid price. Perhaps a small number over charge to avoid high FVF and others are of course gouging the buyers!
posted on November 23, 2003 09:12:31 AM new
I have noticed it more lately, in my competition. I always check before I list an item to see if others have it listed already (I sell books & movies) and have been astounded at some of the shipping charges. Yesterday I saw shipping quotes three times higher than what I charge. Whoa! Makes me happy, though--with roughly the same starting prices, which items do you think folks will bid on? Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
posted on November 23, 2003 09:35:07 AM new
Bunnicula; In your case, I'm wondering if it'd be worth your while to put a line at the very top of your description, something like "Exact shipping charges--no "handling" fee," or such.
Just to distinguish you from the gougers. . . .
___________________________________
Junk: Stuff we throw away.
Stuff: Junk we keep.
posted on November 23, 2003 09:43:41 AM new
Once they look at the auction, shipping costs are very obvious, and I offer a choice of media or priority rates (which several buyers have thanked me for).
But maybe the new subtitle option would be a good place for sellers to put a statement such as you suggest--it sure would give buyers an added incentive to look at one's auctions! Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
posted on November 23, 2003 11:06:54 AM new
Any time that I have a pkg of 4 lbs or more I ship by FedEx Grounnd. i.e. 5# Zone 8 by Priority Mail is $12.15 plus ins. FedEx is $7.39 & includes $100.00 insurance. If it is less than 2 lbs, I state that I will ship anywhere in USA for $7.00
posted on November 23, 2003 01:47:02 PM new
Gouge em in the pocket!!! lol. I don't consider my shipping rates high for the most part. I do charge considerably more for certain items though. I sell coats that weigh 5-6 pounds, and I definately charge well more than the listed International rates for two reasons: 1) I have to wait in line at the post office to ship anything over 4 pounds, and 2) I have to fill out a different form.
If I can drop a bunch of packages off at the back of the post office, as I normally do twice a week, and drive off with no hassles, then you'll be charged rates that are at the lower end of most sellers that sell the same item. If I have to stand in line at the post office for 30-45 minutes, then you are gonna get charged for my time. The same goes for shipping Express Mail. I charge a minimum of $5.00 over b/c I have to wait in line and generally make a special trip to the post office. I never understood why people didn't charge more to add insurance either. Now we don't have to wait in line if we use online shipping software (ie: USPS or Stamps.com, etc). I am not one to enjoy waiting in line. Pretty simple. I feel my time is more valuable than anything.
posted on November 23, 2003 03:22:19 PM new
The high shiping rates that sellers must pass on to the buyers for items like heavy plates greatly cuts into the price range that such items can be sold. Example, a nice theme plate that is listed at $6.95 is going to have about a $10 s/h for a total price of $16.95. The $16.95 total reduces the desirablity a lot. If it were a $79 plate the $10 s/h would not be such a daunting factor.
There may be be millions of ebay listed items now that have a greater s/h than a starting price. Those bargain $5 trinkets are not such a bargain when you add in a $4.30 shipping quote.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on November 23, 2003 04:41:25 PM new
Rusty, I can understand getting paid for your time -- Lord knows, we should get something alot more for our efforts, but I dont know that most buyers think of it along those terms.
I tend to agree with Ace, if its high end they dont mind the shipping much. (But there are the exceptions as we've all seen with some successful sellers. So who's to know..maybe its what you are selling in the first place?)
As a buyer I determine the total cost and I guess because I shop alot and can usually find what I want; I hate paying the shipping charges, especially a packed rate. So I am between a rock and hard place with my judgement on this issue. Which really sux lol!
BTW, can anybody tell me (I looked but couldnt determine @ USPS.com) - are greeting cards considered media mail or printed matter or neither? tnx.
posted on November 23, 2003 06:19:41 PM new
I WONDER WHAT IS THE AUDIENCE'S OPINION OF THEM[s/h fees] BEING A "NECESSARY EVIL." a highly successful auction house has the following: "12% buyers premium." "2% discount for cash or good check. i have charge $1.75 on certain smalls that i have to b/wrap + s'foam pellets...on large items as furniture, i charge $5.75 for the wardrobe carton/bubble wrap i have to buy...AND I STATE THIS IN EACH EVERY AUCTION...i have been questioned one time on the fee; and when i explained, bidder accepted...when one couples that paypal is a larger and larger part of our business life with the fact that their 3% fee is calculated on the auction amount including
shipping cost, then it seems to me, hard to argue against the "fee." after all, "fees" are why ebay is very profitable, why B/america and wachovia made over a billion dollars in profit in their fiscal quarter just ending...i find more and more auctions with with really low prices also...which means that our mdse. will not bring what it once would-and this is okay - it is a sign of a supply and demand economy...but it makes it difficult, even impossible to "add" ll the costs into your auction price. thanks, and would really like to hear some other thoughts on this predicament...we all facing it....
posted on November 23, 2003 06:46:43 PM new
I went back to the swap meet again,,,as a SELLER,,,,,,,$1000.00 today.!!!!! yeah! better than e bay,,,,,,one days, 6 hours,, sales,,,,,,No e mails to answer,,,No shipping,,E bay is/was ONE way to make it BUT NOT the ONLY way anymore,use to start EVERYTHING, $9.99,,,,,Not anymore!,,$19.99....and HOPE it goes higher! Not happening anymore. Hay days have come and gone.....3 years,,,,,,it was GOOD!!!! now......like on T.V. $1.00 c.d. shipping and handling,,Only,,,,,$14.99.........the money is made in shipping and handling,,,,,NOT the product. Just this posters point of view....
posted on November 23, 2003 06:58:46 PM new
Neroter: About shipping greeting cards: I have recently sold two batches of very old Christmas cards and sent one small batch via 1st class mail and the larger one via media mail. It seemed to me logical to use media mail, and I haven't been arrested yet. . . .
___________________________________
Junk: Stuff we throw away.
Stuff: Junk we keep.
posted on November 23, 2003 09:15:45 PM new
It's always a problem. Most of the items I sell are consignment items. My fees are reasonable but the only way I can recoup various fees such as PayPal is to add them to the shipping. If I sell a "high dollar" item, the PayPal fee can take up to 1/3 of my profit margin. It's hard to explain this to buyers...especially the newbies.
posted on November 23, 2003 09:55:56 PM new
As a buyer, I agree with you sellers that shipping costs have gone sky-high! It definitely makes me a more careful shopper these days.
However, I've spent a good share of this day unpacking several shipments that arrived yesterday, and was surprised to find about half of the sellers UNDER charged on their shipping fees. Yes, most were higher-ticket items, but the seller still paid out of their pocket to ship my item. (Obviously, there were no "handling" fees included.)
If I reimburse these sellers through PayPal, there will be additional fees charged the seller. How would you suggest I send them the balance I owe for shipping?
posted on November 23, 2003 10:16:18 PM newHow would you suggest I send them the balance I owe for shipping?
You do not owe them anything since they set the s/h and they have not said anything. On high priced items I gladly pay half of the shipping costs if I'm the seller. Those buyers of high priced goods are golden buyers and make great repeat buyers if treated properly.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on November 23, 2003 10:32:09 PM new
Thanks, Ace. I'll consider your suggestion.
I come here several days a week and quietly read the topics you sellers post. I know there are extra expenses involved, over-and-above the dollars I see from my end. Yet, almost everything I get through eBay costs me a lot less, including the high shipping fees, than when I buy similar treasures at my favorite antique shop -- and she gives me good discounts!
Hence, my feeling that I should reimburse the seller for the shipping fees, at least.
posted on November 23, 2003 10:44:24 PM new
I have to agree.
I am looking a jodhpurs/breeches on ebay.
Waaaaay cheaper than I can buy them locally! Even with some of the arbitrary s/h fees.
Also, when I sell, I just list a flat s/h. So far, no one has uttered a peep about shipping!
I have knocked down my cost, and that includes delivery confirmation.
posted on November 24, 2003 05:37:58 AM new
I sold a vase for $288.00 and I gave the buyer free shipping and insurance and in return I received a wonderful feedback.And I still had a huge profit. Sometimes it's better to help people along the way.
posted on November 24, 2003 06:44:58 AM new
Vickierose: I think many of the sellers here do that as well when they dont have to worry about their profit margins.
Pat: The best thing you can do for that seller is probably be a returning customer. I've underestimaed some shipping after putting more packing, etc than I thought I would need; but usually make up for it on other things. Count your blessings and dont fret yourself about it. I bet the seller has long forgotten it. :-0
Now, I gotta get to work. Glad I can come here for a breather! (I love you guys!)
posted on November 24, 2003 07:16:37 AM new
Vickrose & Neroter12:
Once again I've found a different perspective here, and appreciate your taking the time to share with me.
Being a repeat customer is no problem here! When one finds a seller who takes the time to give detailed information (flaws as well as qualities) and then receives an item that is carefully packed and even better than described, it is a thrill that cries out to be repeated.
posted on November 24, 2003 07:01:13 PM new
I have post some items where I charge a flat fee for shipping and it cost more than that when I shipped it. When its an item I know I making great profit off of, I am happy to get part of the shipping and pay the balance myself as it seems to bring me alot more bids. The bottom line is if you can get the amount you need with the total price you sell your stuff for. Nobody cares about your time only how much the item is.
