posted on September 5, 2008 06:08:45 AM new
Well, it's official. Ebay is becoming more like Amazon with the new shipping price for book sellers. I listed a book this morning where a little message popped up after the listing was completed. Apparently in October in some categories such books, DVDs, videos games, there will be a set price for shipping. For the book, it showed that the set price for shipping will be $4.00. I don't like this at all. what happens when the damn book weighs 5 pounds or more(I have at least 3 right now), the sellers are going to have to eat the cost. Once again, Ebay is not thinking of the sellers but the buyers. And of course, they would rather that you have free shipping in some categories so that you will be more noticeable in searches.
What is next Ebay? You are taking away our other payment options, now this!! you are truly becoming Amazon!!
posted on September 5, 2008 08:32:40 AM new
on AMZN,it asks us to price our books so it will cover part of shipping cost if the shipping cost dictated by AMZN is not enough.
Many sellers were caught off guard when they find out 15% AMZN cut and extra shipping eat into their profit or rather turn a meager profit into a LOSS!
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on September 5, 2008 08:36:30 AM new
They don't stand a chance - they had a good thing going and it needed some tweaking - but they have yet to realize that their hook was the fun of buying, winning, searching for treasures - new or used.
Their stock continues to drop and the experts continue to downgrade their stock to SELL!
posted on September 5, 2008 10:03:17 AM new
Amazon's standard shipping price for a book is $3.99. I have to say that "seems" like a cheaper charge than eBay's $4.00, and I think it will to buyers, also, unless the book is rare.
When I first started selling on Amazon along with eBay, the $3.99 bothered me, but I was told by other sellers (and it's true) that most of the time I'd make a bit of money on the $3.99 charge for most books; occasionally I eat the charge on a fat one.
Instead of listing in the "books" category, try listing in another category that seems also appropriate for the book--if a crafts book, list in the Crafts category instead of books; if a book on a US war, list in Collectibles/Militaria. That might work.
However, I never charge $3.99 or $4.00 on eBay to send a book! Usually under $3.00.
Hwahwa; in all the time I've been on Amazon, I've never seen an option to add to the shipping charge if it's a large book. Are you sure about that? If so, can you point me to that option, please? Thanks. ~Adele
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posted on September 5, 2008 10:09:40 AM new
There is no option to add to amzn shipping of 3.99 for domestic shipping.
What I mean is that AMZN often tells its sellers that we should price our book in such way to absorb that extra shipping cost if 3.99 or whatever AMZN gives us is not enough.
I have a book called The Art of Cigar labels and it is a big thick book,no way can I ship it for whatever AMZN gives me for overseas shipping.
Since I have many copies of that book,I will list it for domestic shipping only and then list it again to offer overseas shipping,but the listing price would be higher as I know there is no way I can ship this book overseas for whatever AMZN gives us.
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on September 5, 2008 11:05:18 AM new
"what happens when the damn book weighs 5 pounds or more(I have at least 3 right now), the sellers are going to have to eat the cost."
You can use the shipping calculator.
Q: I often ship books that are heavy and I always charge for Delivery Confirmation (I've had many occasions where buyers have claimed they haven't received an item but they did). A $4.00 maximum shipping charge will not cover the actual shipping. Reading through the info on "Maximum Shipping and Handling Costs", it sounds like I have to offer the $4 shipping even if it won't cover the costs. Is this correct or can I offer shipping costs only through the shipping calculator and will this calculator offer media rate shipping rates?
A: If you have an unusual media item that is too heavy/valuable etc. (i.e. it is an unusual item for that category) you can use the Shipping Calculator instead of the shipping max limit. Just make sure to clearly describe why your item is non-standard, so you don't get your listing removed for excessive shipping.
posted on September 5, 2008 11:27:27 AM new
OR jack up your starting bid!
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on September 5, 2008 02:37:24 PM new
Thank you Zippy,I'll look into this ASAP. I don't want it to eat what little profit that I am making these days.
[ edited by mamachia on Sep 5, 2008 05:23 PM ]
posted on September 7, 2008 09:11:44 AM new
There is one more major bombshell that will shake the very core of the eBay seller community this year - a pilot program in which the catalogs of some major manufacturers and retailers will be launched onto the site as early as October with the help of third-part vendors. eBay will reportedly grant these Diamond level PowerSellers special privileges, including zero listing fees and a period in which they will not be subjected to DSR seller standards. The pilot, which I'm dubbing Operation Catalog, is fluid, with one-on-one negotiations taking place with each company.
Operation Catalog won't necessarily affect antiques and collectibles sellers, and sellers of unique items and end-of-life inventory, at least for some time. I'd expect it to affect certain sellers of new product in categories like clothing and electronics, depending on what brands are brought onto the site. Imagine, for example, that you are a shoe seller on eBay, and suddenly Nike's entire catalog of SKUs is competing with your listings. Not only are you competing with the manufacturer of the product you sell, but that competitor is getting free listings and better exposure. It may also leave third-party vendors in the awkward position of explaining to existing customers why some new clients are getting special consideration.
Having watched eBay's platform over the past decade, and having an inkling of what an enormous undertaking this is, I expect to see some glitches ahead. I also expect the move will further incent smaller sellers to diversify. Post a comment on the AuctionBytes Blog.
posted on September 7, 2008 09:19:53 AM new
This will rid Ebay of those sellers who use stock photo and rely on dropshippers.
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on September 7, 2008 09:21:19 AM new
question-these big sellers if they already have their own website and/or sell on AMZN,then what is the difference of buying from their own site or AMZN or Ebay?
AMZN will offer free shipping on certain items but will Ebay do the same?
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
Caroline