High Prices and shipping

Question

Why does eBay allow vendors to set prices that are more than double what can be purchased new from legitimate vendors new. Also why are vendors allowed to set very high shipping prices.

inceptions · Accepted Answer

@mixertrk

Whoa, that's quite a leap to say that in a country with a free market that is in practice wherever you buy, eBay "promotes" price scalping and profiting off of shipping. Especially as I didn't write that at all. Maybe reread what I did write.

Just a note of clarification... price scalping is charging exorbitant prices for items in short supply during an emergency (such as toilet paper during COVID or lumber and water to profit from a hurricane or tornado).

If you think a seller is charging too much for an item, just find another seller.

fashionsandbeauty4u · Answer

@mixertrk

Ebay Sellers can set the price they think the market will bear. They have resources to look up comp sales. They can also set their listings to accept reasonable offers.

As for shipping, in July, the shipping rates increased, especially for rural zipcodes. The rates are going up again Oct. 6.

inceptions · Answer

Hi @mixertrk

On eBay and everywhere else, sellers set their own prices. Buyers make decisions on whether to buy or not. If a seller can't sell at his listed price, he will likely eventually reduce it.

Shipping costs are set by the carriers. The cost is based on class of service, package size and weight, and distance between buyer an seller. Oversized packages incur additional costs. I recently sold an item that cost 2 1/2 times as much to send to the other side of the US vs. to a buyer in my ow state.

USPS has had four price increases already this year and another one is coming for the holidays in October. If a seller does inflate the shipping cost, again, buyers have a choice to buy from that seller or not.