Shipping cost dinged...ugh

[deep-garnet-red]

What is wrong with people? Almost all my items go first class. I don't charge handling. If I make a mistake it is always in the buyer's favor. I've even upgraded a few from Parcel to Priority. All that and my shipping cost DSR is at 4.6. 

[gabbycockatiel]

That's a shame. 😞 All I can suggest is select the box to have the shipping cost printed on the label so buyers can see it actually cost what they paid (if they look), and maybe post that info about your shipping rates prominently in your listings. I think a lot of buyers don't realize how much postal rates have gone up recently. My sympathies!

[creoleorchid]

I think a lot of buyers are spoiled by what they see as "free shipping". Which we all know is not free, just added in to the item price.  Some feel that if they give 5 stars to a seller with "free shipping", they should not give the same to one that charges, even if it is actual cost.  Just the way it is. I'm just glad eBay doesn't grade us on that anymore.

[sam9876]

Ummmm...

Free shipping would solve your problem.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

@creoleorchid

Buyers cannot leave DSR's for "free shipping." I agree that including the First Class postage amount in the item price might solve the DSR issue, but it can cause other, worse problems. Like discouraging buyers from making multiple purchases . . . or from buying at all because the asking price is "too high" compared to comparable items. Then there are returns -- sellers cannot break out the mailing cost when making a refund unless the cost is itemized.

Still, 4.6 is an unusually low DSR rating so perhaps the OP's buyers are simply being nasty because they can. Or maybe the stars bar slipped to 4 stars, rather than 5 stars, and the buyer didn't notice. Believe me, it happens a lot! As a buyer, I've had all kinds of trouble selecting 5 stars and making it stick!

~~C~~

[creoleorchid]

You are right. I forgot they had disabled shipping DSR on  free shipping.

[missjen831]

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@sam9876 wrote:

Ummmm...

Free shipping would solve your problem.

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And the open the door to a slew of other problems that Dutchess already pointed out.

[plumbingspecials]

Actually, free shipping works great if you're shipping to continental US only....
One less thing a buyer can complain about, too
🙂

[rixstuff]

I blame all those post office commercials on TV that make it sound like you can ship a pony from NYC to Hawaii overnight for $3 by using priority flat rate.  Buyers are always certain there is a cheaper rate out there somewhere and we just arent letting them use it.  Sigh.

[orangehound]

I have a mix of free and charged shipping, and my shipping DSR waivers between 4.9 and 5.0 ... when charging for shipping:

1. I make sure the amount is shown on the shipping label ... so that the customer can see that it isn't free.   I've heard this can be risky if a delivery person doesn't know shipping rules, thinks I underpaid, and then charges the customer more (never happened to me).
2. If under a pound, the shipping price will be .99, 1.95, 2.95 ... always under the actual price ... I use 1.95 a lot.
3. Between 1 and 2 pounds, I usually charge 4.95 for shipping ... I have found that the average priority mail piece for 2 pounds is about 7.5 dollars, so I factor that difference in the price.
4. Over 2 pounds, I usually charge actual shipping costs, and give a variety of shipping options (FedEx, USPS, UPS).

[sam9876]

I have found that free shipping increases my profit.

And if you are having excessive returns, you are doing something wrong.

[sam9876]

"Actually, free shipping works great if you're shipping to continental US only"

What does the "continental US" have to do with free shipping?

[deep-garnet-red]

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@sam9876 wrote:

Ummmm...

Free shipping would solve your problem.

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Not at this point. Now I need some 5's to get it back up there. I do offer the occasional free shipping on higher dollar items. That probably hurt me as well, since I have less input on that DSR. 

[deep-garnet-red]

Yes, 4.6 is low, but I'm a low volume seller. I'm only doing this part time to get rid of stuff. One or two nasty buyers can do some damage if they give me a 1. I was also slightly dinged on my As Described. I think I ran into at least one buyer who does not believe in giving fives. 

[partial*eclipse]

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@deep-garnet-red wrote:

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@sam9876 wrote:

Ummmm...

Free shipping would solve your problem.

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Not at this point. Now I need some 5's to get it back up there..... 

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Free shipping would get you automatic 5's.