posted on July 13, 2005 07:36:31 PM new
While I am taking some time off to catch up on family matters, I have had a little bit of time to just scan some auctions just for the fun of it....
Recently have noticed many auctions that start $.10 or even just a penny...and have $10.00 shipping for flat rate postage, some times even $12.00 shipping. I have really noticed this in the case of Harley Davidson items (one of my sons has a Harley and like to watch for collectables for him)....Now I know a tiny pendent, or picture, or something like that does not cost THAT much to ship....Noticed this is getting to be more common in lots of other catagories too. I have read lots about shipping gouging...but this seems to be happening more often. Just wondering what you have noticed just more recently. Maybe not a bad thing to think about for some of my collectables that I want to list in fall and not sure of their real value. This is becoming a more popular way, or is it still gouging? I don't want to charge outrageously, but if item starts maybe at a penny of so, maybe it's fair. What do you think of the new trend that's been happening?
Pattie
posted on July 13, 2005 07:42:20 PM new
officially, it's called "fee avoidance." people don't have to pay a FVF on the s & h part of their auction. that said, it seems to be fairly widespread and the odds of getting caught by ebay are probably low.
personally, i don't like it, don't do it and won't buy from someone with inflated s & h charges. but it's up to you. maybe better to just figure out what you actually want for the item and start the bidding at or near that amount?
posted on July 13, 2005 07:47:44 PM new
It's not gouging on shipping, it's fee avoidance. They could list the item for $10.10 with free shipping, or $.10 with $10.00 shipping, and the net result will be the same, assuming only one bid. In the first scenario, they would pay listing and FVF on $10.10. In the second, they will only pay listing and FVF on a dime. For a volume seller, this could add up to a lot of extra $$$ in a years time.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on July 13, 2005 08:08:01 PM new
In this economy,,,,, do whatever works... as long as the self appointed "ebay Police" don't bother you, do it, to it.
and WHO is ANYONE to know HOW much something costs to ship.
Second thought,,,, those liquidators with .01 cents do it ALL DAY Long and ARE POWERSELLERS!!!!! a $30.00 drill .01 start $15.00 shipping.....sometime they get LUCKY,(bid war),,,sometimes they Don't but they got the Chinese drill for $5.00.......
posted on July 13, 2005 08:09:29 PM new
You'll find a lot of Powersellers do that to get their item listed below everyone else. I find many of them list the stuff at the price they payed for the item and make it up on shipping.
**********************************
Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
posted on July 13, 2005 09:34:59 PM new
I think it stopped becoming fee avoidance when it became the only way to compete. Once two or three sellers start playing that game, the others must follow or they sink.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on July 14, 2005 12:52:44 AM new
I don
t give a danan what you call it, it is not legal & eBay shoud should stop it. This is a disgrace to honest sellers. I will not gouge my buyers by making my shipping charges inflated
Life Is Too Short To Drink Bad Wine
as long as the self appointed "ebay Police" don't bother you, do it, to it.