eBay Shipping supplies - no longer a reasonable option

[theshoppetrishgree]

I used to purchase my shipping supplies through eBay Shipping Supplies using my quarterly coupon but it seems the prices have gotten worse and worse to the point that I cannot imagine paying full price for any of these items. They are obviously only marketing to store sellers because the $25 coupon for basic store owners barely makes a dent in the cost of most items  

I just noticed they have a listing for shipping stickers and charging over $40. A total of 144 stickers of varying sizes for $40.  These are 2.5-4” stickers.  Who would pay $40 for mostly useless stickers except the This End Up (which the shipping companies really don’t care about). Most shipping companies prefer no added stickers to packaging and most of these are decorations. 
Aside from the stickers, $32 for a pack or eBay branded tissue paper, some of the boxes are nearly $2, some are more.  
If this coupon was a benefit, we would be getting our moneys worth but it’s a money maker instead. It gets sellers to buy from the ebay store rather than looking elsewhere. eBay already charges exorbitant fees! I just noticed the final value fee for books the other day! It used to be one of the lower percentages back when I sold more books. Now it iw 14.95% of the total, including tax and shipping. Plus the flat feet. 

I started  contemplating leaving eBay 2 years ago, but since I didn’t have time to list all of my inventory anyway, there was no point looking elsewhere to sell.  I am rethinking things as I am sure many are. eBay is more for big sellers, international sellers and the like. It is not so much for the little guy like it used to be many moons ago. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

---

@gloryglorygifts wrote:

I get my tissue paper from Papermart. Great size  and color options and discounts with the more that you purchase. The quality is so good, I actually had a customer contact me and ask me where I got it from so he could make kites. 

---

Thank you!  I'll look into it.  For clothing I like to ONLY use white, so I actually don't love eBay's paper for this purpose.  Costco was super cheap & convenient, so that's why we all loved it. 

[ekmadonna]

You will never ever get her to realize that unfortunately.

[mam98031]

---

@simply-the-best-for-you wrote:

---

@mam98031 wrote:

---

@reallynicestamps wrote:

Boxes are more reasonable at Walmart.

But I'd have to leave my house and get to WalMart which is on an erratic busline, and carry them home on the bus.

Even if DH drove me, I'd have to go into WalMart. I was horrified when my doctor moved her clinic there and opt for telephone consultations as much as possible instead.

---

Another thing to consider, many states allow sellers to buy shipping supplies tax free.  Unlikely you can get Ebay to do that.  But I really don't know as I've never tried.

On Ebay I just had to file my Resale Certificate the exempts me from sales tax and I can buy all my shipping supplies on Ebay easily and no sales tax is applied.

I know some states likely have different rules.  It may pay sellers to check their state requirements.

---

Interesting.  In my state, it ONLY applies to inventory, not any other business expenses.  I didn't even realize you could file it with eBay.  Do you remember where you do that? 

---

@simply-the-best-for-you 

https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/paying-items/paying-tax-ebay-purchases?id=4771#section2

[bhaines94]

I ordered through them and never received the package. They refused to do anything about it and then deleted my negative feedback. Never again. Boxes are so poorly made anyway. Not worth it, even with a coupon.

[kh-belma]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.