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Post by else3573 on Dec 9, 2012 23:32:16 GMT -6
Has anyone else noticed people trying to make up the pct Ebay takes out of shipping charges by jacking the prices up even higher? I see some cool stuff on Ebay, but if the shipping is ludicrous, I will not buy it. I mean, I was just looking at a small, carded figure, basically the size of a Marvel Universe card, but a little smaller. The seller wanted $13.00 for STANDARD shipping. Something that small in a box is going to weigh less than 13 ounces, so you can ship it faster and cheaper by sending it first class (for like $3.00, then put a delivery confirmation on it for another 80 cents). There's no excuse for people charging 4+times the amount it costs to ship. Boxes are around $1.40 for a smaller box like that, the amount of packing material you need for something like that is tiny (I bought a huge roll of bubble rap for $20, it's lasted me a loooong time, plus I recycle boxes and bubble wrap from packages I buy, and I use newspaper which is free basically). Even if you take $3.00 for materials on a small package like that, that's still only around $7. I can't see how they can justify $13, in the US to another US buyer, and there's thousands and thousands of people doing this. Don't they know that the shipping cost is right on the box when we receive it? I have started offering free shipping on light items, it brings in more bids and quicker buy it nows, and Ebay can't take their cut. I add a couple bucks what I figure the buy it now should be, or if it's an really expensive item, I just eat the shipping and insurance,But I'm still making money, and everyone's happy. Also, no mater what the price is, I ALWAYS put delivery confirmation on any package, and I also always enter the tracking number. It's something I wish all sellers would do for me, so I make sure I do it myself. Anyway, sorry bout the tirade, I'll step off my milkcrate now...
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Post by 3 3/4"collector on Dec 10, 2012 9:13:24 GMT -6
ive seen that for a long time, but i always just include the shipping in the price i am willing to pay. but it does get annoying constantly thinking i am being charged like $5 or $7 for a single 3 3/4" figure that arrives in a bubble mailer and says a dollar fifty on the stamp.
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Post by proteus on Dec 10, 2012 13:50:31 GMT -6
i think part of it is that buyers can claim an item hasnt arrived and ebay will always refund them- in order to avoid fraud you have to use signed for postage which means like i saw the other day a loose twiki with 31 dollars postage.
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Post by else3573 on Dec 10, 2012 19:43:01 GMT -6
I have never had a problem using delivery confirmation for 80 cents. It tracks it right to their doorstep.
*and if it's something really expensive I just insure it for a couple bucks. There's no reason to charge $31 for a figure for domestic shipping.
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batmanscowl
Guest
Mar 28, 2024 14:36:10 GMT -6
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Post by batmanscowl on Dec 11, 2012 11:56:39 GMT -6
This stuff has been going on for years now. This isn't anything new. You either go with the flow or don't.
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Post by victoryleo19 on Dec 11, 2012 13:29:26 GMT -6
Yeah it is frustrating sometimes. From a seller perspective though, I realized that shipping an item also includes the cost of the actual package, plus the materials used to pack it, plus driving all the way to the post office. I know it sounds stupid, but that stuff adds up so fast. I used to track all my sales in an excel spreadsheet and I noticed how much the buble wrap and packaging materials cuts into everything. It gets crazy. Sometimes I also underprice shipping, which leaves me eating a few dollars once or twice a week when I go to the post office. I think anything over 20 is basically unrealistic, unless it's a massive lot of figures or something of that nature that can't fit into a flat rate box.
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Post by drekkus on Dec 11, 2012 23:51:09 GMT -6
Yeah it is frustrating sometimes. From a seller perspective though, I realized that shipping an item also includes the cost of the actual package, plus the materials used to pack it, plus driving all the way to the post office. Include those costs in the item price than nobody can complain about overcharged shipping
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Post by victoryleo19 on Dec 12, 2012 7:01:26 GMT -6
Yea I should consider that. I usually have bad luck with trying to "get" prices for stuff though. For the most part I start everything I sell at 9.99-25.00. A lot of ebay is buy it now prices, or starting bids that are higher than what the market would dictate, I guess that's life though.
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Post by else3573 on Dec 13, 2012 1:13:04 GMT -6
I realize it's been going on for a long time, I've been buying and selling on Ebay since 2006, but they didn't always take a cut of the shipping. But even when I factor in time and materials, something under 13 ounces shipped domestically just should not be $13. I have over 500 feedback on Ebay, and a 100% seller rating, and 5 stars in everything but strangely Communication (4.9) which is bizarre since I write to every single customer to tell them their item has been shipped and I always leave a tracking number. People used to sell something cheap then put exhorbitant shipping on it to get around Ebay, they caught on, and rather than just putting the price higher and figuring the shipping into that, some sellers have made shipping just ridiculous. I mean sellers I've DEALT with in the past that had reasonable shipping rates.
@victoryleo, I just start my opening bid with the least I'll take. I've had maybe 3 items ever that didn't sell. People that start at a really low price (99 cents) are taking a big gamble IMO. it could work out and draw a ton of people in, but it could also work against them, especially if they don't make it a 7 day auction, list something in the wrong category, or make a major spelling mistake. I look up previous sales, and take the average their selling for as my opening bid, if I put a buy it now, it will be for the higher end of what they have sold for. And if it's something large and expensive, I'll put shipping, BUT, if I bought a figure pack for $9 in the store, and it's going for $50 now, and I get that, I don't feel I need to make an extra 10 bucks off them on shipping. I'd rather have good feedback. Also, for a really small item, I don't understand why someone would ship it parcel post? Like I said, under 13 ounces can be shipped CHEAP with first class, and it's super fast. One Marvel Universe figure in a small box weighs under 13 ounces, so even with the cost of bubble wrap, a box, etc., it's really not that much. I also save all my boxes, and I ask relatives to save theirs, and I've asked stores for their old boxes. I haven't had to buy a box in over a year, and like I said, those huge rolls of bubble wrap are the way to go. I buy clear packing tape and little labels that come 50 to a box for 99 cents. I also have a scale so I know exactly what it will cost. (got it as a present one year). That's been extremely handy.
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Post by BoogDoc7 on Dec 13, 2012 5:48:38 GMT -6
I quit worrying about what people are charging for shipping. I just shop total price. Not worth agonizing over.
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Post by else3573 on Dec 14, 2012 0:39:35 GMT -6
haha, nah, I aint agonizing over it, I do that too, just a topic I thought I'd post. The only thing I worry about is if my items will sell, and even then, it's not a major thing. If a hobby gave me stress, I'd quit it, I have enough stress in my life, toys is an escape from that. I don't it's hard to dictate tone over the net, but trust me, I'm not stressed over it one iota, just wanted others opinions on it. (really, everyone I've ever dealt with has pretty much been fair on shipping. the only one that was really bad was some guy who sent me a bunch of Starriors robots and the vulture, in a Coca Cola 12 pack, turned inside out, with the tail of the vulture literally sticking out of the side of the "box" when I got it. He used recycled bubble mailers and plastic grocery bags as his "packing material". it was basically split down one side. lol. I have no the figures remained undamaged )
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thorns02
Garage Sale Scavenger
Dec 27, 2012 22:04:54 GMT -6
Posts: 53
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Post by thorns02 on Dec 28, 2012 13:01:27 GMT -6
What gets me is that ebay is now taking final vlaue fees from the shipping costs as well. Where will it end?
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Post by else3573 on Jan 10, 2013 20:44:42 GMT -6
One good thing, I received a broken mini arcade cabinet, and another that was crooked, not built well, the seller said he would refund me, never did and stopped selling and all of the sudden got a ton of negative feedbacks (must've ripped others off as well, I can't tell since he made his feedback private, which should NOT be allowed) Anyway, I escalated the case against him, Ebay refunded me my purchase price and shipping costs from England.
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Post by BoogDoc7 on Jan 12, 2013 12:54:22 GMT -6
FWIW, if you have ever put something on consignment for a store or auction, I've seen prices as high as 50%. 10%-15% for fees and such I never find all that bad. I still just work them into my pricing.
Private fb still shows the %.
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Post by else3573 on Jan 12, 2013 17:42:07 GMT -6
Yeah, it shows the percentages, but it doesn't show the comments, when you got like 30 people he never even sent ANYTHING to, just skipped out with their money, I'm thinking people want to know that. It's kinda pointless writing something out just to have it marked private. Of course, it does say you can't SELL with your feedback on private, so I'm really not sure of the point of it? Like, you don't really need great feedback to be a buyer, so the only reason I could see someone doing that is if they plan on starting another account and don't want others to find their selling history..
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Post by funkyterrance on Jan 23, 2013 2:12:00 GMT -6
Here's the way I look at it:
I think a lot of the people who charge "outrageous" shipping are those who are basically selling on ebay for extra income that they count on. If you're running your ebay store like it was a business you pay yourself for your time as well as driving, materials, etc.. Someone like me doesn't bother to tack on these extra costs because I'm more or less in it for fun but I think that if I were doing it for profit I might figure ways to cover my biggest expense: time. Not saying all the people who charge a lot for shipping are doing it for this reason but it probably at least explains a portion of them.
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Post by BoogDoc7 on Jan 23, 2013 21:25:02 GMT -6
Here's the way I look at it: I think a lot of the people who charge "outrageous" shipping are those who are basically selling on ebay for extra income that they count on. If you're running your ebay store like it was a business you pay yourself for your time as well as driving, materials, etc.. Someone like me doesn't bother to tack on these extra costs because I'm more or less in it for fun but I think that if I were doing it for profit I might figure ways to cover my biggest expense: time. Not saying all the people who charge a lot for shipping are doing it for this reason but it probably at least explains a portion of them. Originally, it was to bump up on "lowest price" listings; then, it morphed into fee avoidance. Now, it doesn't make a huge difference. I tended to, at most, do $2-$3 over to cover fees (still do, sometimes).
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Post by brcthrift on Jan 23, 2013 23:35:11 GMT -6
I track everything and packing materials is my biggest cost other than items to sell. I even cost out the tape I use on each package. I walk the halls of my office building every night and pick up discarded boxes and bubble wrap, but I only get enough to cover half my needs.
eBay needs to reevaluate their fee schedule because they are really sticking it to sellers who try hard to not over barge on shipping.
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Post by BoogDoc7 on Jan 29, 2013 5:30:55 GMT -6
You pay for packing materials? I guess I get plenty of free newspapers and others might not. I haven't paid for packing in YEARS (if ever) - I think I have only really ever paid for padded envelopes.
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Post by else3573 on Jan 29, 2013 16:41:58 GMT -6
Yeah, same here. Well, I paid for a huge roll of bubble rap a year ago, it was well worth it, they had it on sale and it's lasted well over a year, but I get so many packing peanuts from stuff I buy, plus I got newspapers, air pillows and tons of free boxes.
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Post by else3573 on Jan 29, 2013 16:47:33 GMT -6
But again, @brc Thrift and Funky Terrence, charging $15 for an action figure in a small box send first class, which I've done at least 200 times, (which is less than $3 shipping usually, plus another 80 cents for tracking, even if you factor in packing material and gas and tape and marker, that's like at the MOST another $4-5, not TEN+ more dollars) is ludicrous. I'm not talking about factoring in costs, I'm talking about making a profit off shipping. People originally charged high shipping to avoid ebay fees, like Boog Doc said, now they do it cause Ebay takes their cut from shipping. People need to also realize that first class is rocket fast, there's no reason to ship something in the US that's under 13 ounces "priority" when you can ship it much, much cheaper and just as quick, with tracking.
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Post by funkyterrance on Jan 30, 2013 2:36:31 GMT -6
But again, @brc Thrift and Funky Terrence, charging $15 for an action figure in a small box send first class, which I've done at least 200 times, (which is less than $3 shipping usually, plus another 80 cents for tracking, even if you factor in packing material and gas and tape and marker, that's like at the MOST another $4-5, not TEN+ more dollars) is ludicrous. I'm not talking about factoring in costs, I'm talking about making a profit off shipping. People originally charged high shipping to avoid ebay fees, like Boog Doc said, now they do it cause Ebay takes their cut from shipping. People need to also realize that first class is rocket fast, there's no reason to ship something in the US that's under 13 ounces "priority" when you can ship it much, much cheaper and just as quick, with tracking. Yeah, I guess it boils down to what your time is worth as a seller and how honest you are about your efforts. I don't ever keep track of how long it takes me to pack something/drive to post office but depending on how long this may take and how much you think your time is worth, it could drive up the handling cost. I'm not denying that some are out there just ripping people off though, I'm sure there are plenty of dishonest people who are raising the price just because they can. This I disagree with.
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Post by brcthrift on Jan 30, 2013 11:16:44 GMT -6
You pay for packing materials? I guess I get plenty of free newspapers and others might not. I haven't paid for packing in YEARS (if ever) - I think I have only really ever paid for padded envelopes. Newspaper is heavy as hell, especially when compared to bubble rap. I have costed it out. Bubblewrap from Sams club at 10 cents a square foot is cheaper than the incremental price increase from the excess weight of newspaper.
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Post by brcthrift on Jan 30, 2013 11:18:28 GMT -6
But again, @brc Thrift and Funky Terrence, charging $15 for an action figure in a small box send first class, which I've done at least 200 times, (which is less than $3 shipping usually, plus another 80 cents for tracking, even if you factor in packing material and gas and tape and marker, that's like at the MOST another $4-5, not TEN+ more dollars) is ludicrous. I'm not talking about factoring in costs, I'm talking about making a profit off shipping. People originally charged high shipping to avoid ebay fees, like Boog Doc said, now they do it cause Ebay takes their cut from shipping. People need to also realize that first class is rocket fast, there's no reason to ship something in the US that's under 13 ounces "priority" when you can ship it much, much cheaper and just as quick, with tracking. You would be surprised how many people request I send single loose figures in flat rate mailers. I don't get it. I can get this figure to you in 3-5 days for 2 bucks, but you would rather pay 5.15 and have it in 2 or 3 days???
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Post by bowheadwhale on Jan 31, 2013 14:23:44 GMT -6
But again, @brc Thrift and Funky Terrence, charging $15 for an action figure in a small box send first class, which I've done at least 200 times, (which is less than $3 shipping usually, plus another 80 cents for tracking, even if you factor in packing material and gas and tape and marker, that's like at the MOST another $4-5, not TEN+ more dollars) is ludicrous. I'm not talking about factoring in costs, I'm talking about making a profit off shipping. People originally charged high shipping to avoid ebay fees, like Boog Doc said, now they do it cause Ebay takes their cut from shipping. People need to also realize that first class is rocket fast, there's no reason to ship something in the US that's under 13 ounces "priority" when you can ship it much, much cheaper and just as quick, with tracking. You would be surprised how many people request I send single loose figures in flat rate mailers. I don't get it. I can get this figure to you in 3-5 days for 2 bucks, but you would rather pay 5.15 and have it in 2 or 3 days??? That is part of the "fast food" generation. In the 19th century, people would wait one week for the diligence. Today, people yell when they miss the elevator...
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freddytheflute
Guest
Mar 28, 2024 14:36:10 GMT -6
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Post by freddytheflute on Feb 3, 2013 9:24:36 GMT -6
eBay is # 1 for a reason.
Great customer service and great product.
And the biggest seclection.
There is not another auction website that even comes close in my opinion.
I've tried others...UBID, etc and not even close.
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Post by else3573 on Feb 7, 2013 20:05:05 GMT -6
brcthrift, yeah, that's bizarre, I NEVER use flat rate boxes, just too small and too much money. And I agree, Newspaper weighs more, but I get so many packing peanuts and extra bubble wrap from purchases, I use that to supplement the bubble wrap I buy. But yeah, I ship something first class and it's ALWAYS there in 2-3 days. And it's got tracking, and it's much cheaper. Even if you have to buy the box, which I never do, they're like $1.25...
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Post by else3573 on Feb 7, 2013 20:07:57 GMT -6
@freddy the Flute, yeah, I've never even bothered to use another site. I have a question though, this one guy selling mini arcade cabinets had over 1500 feedback, he was selling a LOT, then in one month he must've decided he owed too much money over them becoming too sloppy, got 64 negative feedbacks in a month, and stopped selling and turned his feedback to private. Ebay paid me back every cent, and I imagine they paid all those people back, so what do they do in that case? Just eat the couple thousand dollars or so he screwed them out of? Or do they seek damages against him?
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Post by 10incher on Apr 9, 2013 4:22:11 GMT -6
The thing that annoys me the most with shipping on Ebay was the fallout from a few years back when Ebay flipped everything around on INR cases where sellers automatically loose the case if they don't have delivery confirmation. Since then, shipping costs have jumped through the roof because no-one wants to ship first class anymore (or any service without DC). Even worse were the hordes of US sellers that decided to just stop shipping outside the USA to avoid the hassle all together. That's when everything really started to go downhill on Ebay for me.
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Post by victoryleo19 on Apr 9, 2013 19:38:56 GMT -6
I generally only ship to Canada or the UK. It just gets so risky with items over 20 bucks to other countries. I just got into a situation where I guy wants to charge me extra on shipping because he feels his lot didn't go for as much as it should have. I don't even bother anymore, I just cancel the bad ones, and wait for the good sellers/dealers.
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