Advice on pricing to ship comics, getting frustrated
Hello folks, bit of a ramble but with a real question coming. I sell comics here and have for years-this is my second account, my original I had for ten years I shut down then decided to start a new one a few years back.
The thing I always said about comics is they're cheap and easy to ship.
Not anymore. Although many sellers use media mail, we're not supposed to but that doesn't stop many. The USPS has raised their rates by 8% multiple times within the last two years and I'm now at a point where at $5.50, I'm losing between .35-.76 cents a comic depending on where the buyer is located. Being in RI and all the way on the east coast I unfortunately get a lot of sales from the west coast meaning max price.
Which brings me to my other issue of many of the books I sell are inexpensive, 3.50-5.00 on average and losing .75 on postage after E-bays lovely fees is a lot. On more expensive books it's not that big of a deal but that's not my average sale
I'll say this to avoid any snark-because I have gotten it before-Comics at this point are a labor of love for me as a side hustle and I enjoy buying bulk collections and listing whatever is in it. It's actually relaxing and therapeutic because I just enjoy seeing and handling them regardless of title or value. This isn't my source of income, I work full time and am a self-published author getting royalties every month, this is income #3.
I say this to avoid the "why do you bother" comments. However, I'm not in it to lose money either, hence the dilemma.
Now, my issue is at this point I'd need to go from $5.50 to $7.00 to insure I don't lose anything and that's a lot for one comic. First class I think will work for a comic but only one because I believe it only goes to 11 ounces but it doesn't show up as an option when I purchase a label.
I see sellers selling books for 1.49 and under $4 for shipping, how are they shipping these things for that price? And at what point does raising shipping costs price me out for cheap comics? Of course the hope is people buy several and then shipping isn't as big a deal as I can add some and its a bigger sale, but when its one comic it seems-as I still collect myself-crazy to spend $10 to get a $3 comic.
I know there's the angle of keep shipping cheap but mark your comic up the extra dollar or two, but same issue just from the opposite side.
So I figure I'd come here and see what other people are doing or what their opinions are. Any tips would be appreciated
kennys-kollectibles
·4 months agoI wouldn't even mess with lot of 3, 4, 5, or even 10 if the comics are all worth under $10.
Not sure if you want to do auctions or buy it now, but I would bulk them up with
70-100 comics. Buy it now at $500+ shipping or start bidding at $300....
kibble-net
·4 months agoOP, if you are losing money on shipping, use CALCULATED RATES instead of flat. Problem solved.
sailinship
·4 months agoEbay for the win many years ago. Calculated shipping, a free service.
dhbookds
·4 months agoYou've gotten some good suggestions.........
But sounds like your underlying problem may be your goals..... Making $ is important to alot of people for obvious reasons....needs/wants. But everyone does things that they enjoy that don't make money...walking/sports, gaming, etc. You enjoy what you are doing.....and don't "need" the money......try giving yourself the permission to do it mostly for the joy of doing, rather than try to achieve monetary goals. Obviously, you don't want to lose money, but being satisfied with less than you "think" others are making since you are having fun is a more than acceptable goal to some of us......
just a thought........
shado-x
·4 months agoThe USPS are quasi-criminals when it comes to raising rates, they are the ones causing the real back-end inflation and keeping US Citizens down because 1) they are a mismanaged organization that everyone needs to use in one form or another, and 2) they have no alternatives to make money except for postage rates (if they became a bank, like J-Post, they could keep postage rates lower). Now at the counter they make us touch a screen for a green smiley face after a transaction----what a waste of money and time! Be lucky you can get a commercial rate, look at the people buying retail and not knowing what to do----they are getting fleeced. But you'll find a way, I have confidence in you.
kibble-net
·4 months agoAre you kidding? Do you really think UPS or Fedex is cheaper and better? USPS is a public service. They are literally not allowed to make a profit.
If you don't like USPS, don't use them. But I have not had a single lost package in 27 years. Maybe your local branch needs improvement. But don't throw out the baby with the bath water.
If you want to know the reason rates have gone up, google the phrase "Strait of Hormuz". (Why do I have a sinking feeling that you're one of the folks who voted for this mess?)
sailinship
·4 months agoAgreed, I almost said the same thing to them.
fm2000
·4 months agoThe only real way you can mail those out as single issues nowadays is by untracked first class large envelope. The brutal GA increases over the last 2 years have basically decimated the market for low value single issue comics and magazines. People won't buy trading cards that cost as much to ship as they are worth (which is why there is ESE), and people generally won't buy comics that cost as much to ship as they are worth either.
Selling them as lots is hit or miss. Having a small complete or near complete run of a given title makes sense to sell as a lot. Having a few different issues of different titles, or the same title with wildly different ages/numbers is much harder to sell as a lot. Some people want single issues to fill their collections and not buy a bunch of comics they don't want. Single issues are technically more work but sell faster than lots of lots of different content. The risk involved sending low value comics untracked large envelope is really minimal, I do it all of the time and never had a problem; vintage low value comics are low fraud and low drama items, unlike say Pokemon cards.
I feel like I have been alone screaming into the void for years for an eBay Standard Large Envelope. Flat sorters can scan IMD barcodes like regular letter sorters can, and are already trackable via a third party. eBay went out of their way to made ESE happen for trading card sellers. I wish they would show some love for us comic/magazine/paper ephemera sellers and make a ESLE happen for us.
sailinship
·4 months agoFirst, regarding the advertisements in comic books. If you just read the USPS statement, which is decades old, it seems clear. However, the meaning of it was to prevent companies from mailing out catalogues and such, using media mail. It was written for a by gone age, when dinosau... Those ads are no longer valid, they are almost all defunct. I know, I mailed in for the 8ft submarine AND the X-Ray specs last month.
Any day now...
As far as selling comics singularly. Never, ever, ever use anything but calculated shipping, it's not worth your time to have to change pricing and figure all that out every time USPS rates change. They pay the shipping that USPS charges, keep it simple, KISS. Keep the price as low as you can. Don't add any handling charges, and don't add anything more than a quarter per added book until the price actually goes up, and if you add a quarter per additional book, you'll be prepared for any increases. Just get use to the idea that you neither lose, nor make money on shipping. Recycle packaging and cut your own cardboard backers whenever possible. Pay for a premium store on ebay, and you'll get some free stuff. Am I allowed to tell people that? shhhhhh
For a single, or several comics, I use poly mailers, with three pieces of carboard BUT, one of them MUST have grain that is counter to the other two. I use both 2" tape and a certain Scotch tape. I always make courtesy tabs on the tape when I can. If I am shipping a lot of somewhat expensive books, I will use a Gemini when I have them, I don't right now, or a box. I never use USPS priority for low dollar books anymore, because nobody picks it.
If you lot, try to lot no more, or less, than 4 books, because the photos look nice and are easier to take. I realize that's not always possible, but it is convenient. Four books is also under a pound, and it's three plus one. Which means nothing, but I thought I'd throw my math skills at you.
Don't sell books that are lower than $5, unless you just really want someone to have that book. Which is totally cool by me. I'm a collector, I know what it's like to just want to buy that one book I need. Sometimes I do sell books under $5, but they never get offered out, or put on sale at more than %5 discount. Anything under $5 + S/H and you really are just partaking in a hobby, and/or, possibly losing money.
If your books don't sell, then you put them on auction, create a sale, or pull them and put into an alphabetically arranged long box with the title, "lot". When you sell anything from now on, check that box accordingly.
Some books just wont sell, that's how it is. Some kids need comics for free, and destruction creates scarcity. Also just how it is.
One last thing. If you do what some have suggested, considering shipping, you will not be able to sell books under a certain value. The shipping cost alone will prevent it. The USPS is going to keep raising rates. they have to, fuel prices go up, salaries go up, prices go up, pensions gotta be paid, trucks bought etc. Comics don't always keep up with inflation, which is why they aren't a commodity, but rather, a collectible. If shipping prices the books out of reach of being sold singularly, well, then you must lot them.
For me, it comes down to this question, am I hurting anyone by trying to get people some fun comic stories in their life? I was a kid once, I bought comics on ebay mad crazy back in the day, I know what it feals like to have to eat a large shipping fee. I mean, isn't life tough enough without sweating the small stuff?
Please don't come after me USPS Swat teams.
fern*wood
·4 months agoYou offer some good tips, but are wrong about ads being old means media mail can be used. With the costs going up so much, I see no reason to give books a pass with media mail. Since so many abuse the rules of using it, I wish they would discontinue it altogether. Maybe that would take some of the stress off other shipping costs to level the playing field.
sailinship
·4 months agoWell, that's the opinion of UPS for sure. I don't think what you said makes any sense, but ok, you want to pay more in shipping, good for you.
sailinship
·4 months agoBTW, if you are going to call someone wrong, you are usually expected to prove it. What I said is not wrong, not one bit of it. What I said is all fact, and what you said would cost all normal Americans trying to make a buck on Ebay selling their previously owned items, a ton more in shipping. Thank you for the input though.
ethylsgarage
·4 months agoWhy do you think you can't use USPS Media Mail? Media Mail is for all bound, printed matter. Comics are saddle- staple bound and qualify. I sell bound automotive books with several types of bindings, including saddle-stapled. I've never had an issue in over a decade of shipping books, including heavy packages of multiple books that have been opened and examined by the USPS. The only disadvantage I see for using it for comics is that single issues would likely be cheaper to send in a flat mailer as First Class Mail since you have to pay for a full pound minimum charge with Media Mail, which would be more than the four ounces a single comic in a flat mailer would cost as First Class.
jonathanbrightlight
·4 months agoComics contain advertising. You don’t have to take anyone here’s word for it, though, just read it straight from the USPS:
”Media Mail packages may not contain advertising. Comic books do not meet this standard.”
https://about.usps.com/notices/not121/not121_tech.htm
soh.maryl
·4 months agoPerhaps that poster was referring to the fact that there are comics which contain advertising and media mail cannot be material that contains any kind of advertising, as I understand it.
radioindy
·4 months agoI sell primarily comics, and mostly weird indie stuff or the more obscure Marvel/DC stuff so it behooves me to list everything individually since I tend to get people looking to fill collection holes. I've found that doing shipping at $6.99 USPS ground advantage for a single comic in a Gemini mailer with extra cardboard does fine for me (about 12oz); I can fit up to 7 in a Gemini mailer with extra cardboard and no issues, I just add $1 for each additional comic for that and it has always covered the shipping fees just fine. (Invested in a postal scale years ago and it's paid for itself in spades.) I *do* have to manually send the invoice with the adjusted shipping for people, but I regularly get people who get excited and pay for everything before I can do that. I just refund them the difference once I buy the postage and they are very appreciative. For 8-25 comics, I use Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate boxes (with bubble wrap), and those apparently went up this week by a dollar- so my current price for that is $19.99 per box. Again, I have to manually generate the invoice and calculate the shipping myself since the eBay system absolutely cannot get it right. And yes, I still have folks who pay before I can invoice (they get excited!) and then I have to refund a big chunk of shipping overage. So far, no complaints! I have done lots in the past when I was clearing out stuff that just never moved, but they never did that well for me; others have had much better luck!
My only issue is that having signed up for the eBay International Shipping service means I am completely unable to invoice people to combine shipping if they buy multiple items and live outside the US. Most are very understanding, but the higher international shipping charges and customs fees (which I can't even see) usually keeps their ordering to a minimum.
luckythewinner
·4 months agoOr simply raise your prices.
That's what the sellers who offer "free" shipping do.
meme6253
·4 months agoMost everyone is telling you to sell them in lots, & I would agree that is the only way to go for inexpensive comics & cards, No need frustrating yourself anymore, Just put them in lots of 3 or more, Good Luck hope that works for you!
grann-4629
·4 months agoI was very surprised at the typical shipping cost when I looked at some graphic novels on eBay the other day. It's hard to believe what it costs now to even mail a single comic book 'illegally', let alone the way the post office wants you to.
This is a pity especially for those who are just starting to explore this world of colour, art and story telling that comics provide at still a reasonable price from the publishers. The number of B&M comic books stores seem to be decreasing in my area and I don't know if this is similar everywhere.
I wish you every success in this market.
ETA: I have a huge collection of graphic novels and my local comic store shut down a couple of years ago 😕
ETA the 2nd: I see lots of stuff on your site that I would like to add to my collection but I am in Canada ...
funfactorychannel
·4 months agoGraphic Novels can be shipped media mail though. They are considered books as long as there is no advertisements.
I am in same situation as you, but i do sell some books who are 7 to 10 dollars as single comics without issues. I think cheaper maybe just bundle 2 to 3 together, I have to scale down the sturdy box to save cost because the shipping cost. Wish they allow magazines and comics as media mail. 😞
soh.maryl
·4 months agoCouldn't figure out how to ask, but just wondering how you can send a comic book "illegally".
Are you referring to calling it some other class of mail (won't mention the word)?
grann-4629
·4 months ago@soh.maryl
From OP:
Although many sellers use media mail, we're not supposed to but that doesn't stop many.
I don't much about how the American postal system works, except about the mailbox ownership thing ... just assuming @lovecraft68 is an expert.
lovecraft68
OP4 months agoThey contain advertising:
can comic books be shipped media mail - Google Searchs.
grann-4629
·4 months agoThanks ... interesting info from Google's AI that sounds similar to what others are saying.
shire123
·4 months ago@lovecraft68
I am just finishing up clearing out my 40 plus year collection of comic books. Many of mine are/were golden superhero books so fairly valuable but there were definitely some with little value. My rule of thumb was that if the book had a single value under $10 I would alway sell it along with some other books to try and make the total package have value of at least $20.
I shipped all my books in boxes as I didn't want any damage along the way with those envelopes. I found I could shipn 4-5 books USPS GA for around $8. I charged appropriately to cover my costs.
I have found that if the book has a small value there is little chance of it selling.
lovecraft68
OP4 months agoThank you for the reply. Your point about selling multiple books for $8 factors in because I've noticed whereas the price has gone up for the first few ounces, after that its not that high. My hope was getting a lot of stuff for sale and people buying multiple books to combine shipping.
That's how the huge sellers do it, they have so many items multiple books is common.
But your idea is something I might try with a few listings to see how it does.
Thanks again
shire123
·4 months ago@lovecraft68
When I group my low value books the group almost always contains related books or even the same title books. Honestly by grouping low value books you might be able to get rid of some real "dogs" that won't sell anytime.
There are some people who don't realize you combine for shipping or even know how to do a combined sale. I have had several people just buy several books separately . Those people who buy separate books will see an inflated shipping cost and possible buy fewer books??? I end up combining the orders myself and refund excess shipping.
lovecraft68
OP4 months agoThat's another issue. I have in my description to add items to the cart and request a combined invoice and I get a lot of buyers saying it doesn't work.
And yes, weird as it is I've had people buy a dozen books and pay the $60 shipping. I'm assuming they know I'll refund them, but its still kind of strange
soh.maryl
·4 months agoAre you not allowed to mention in your comic book listings that you will gladly combine orders of multiples if asked? And you can explain how to do it.
tarotfindsandmore
·4 months agoLots are the way to go. Many buyers are perfectly happy to pay for Ground Advantage on 3-5 floppies as it usually comes out to about 1.50 per comic for shipping when sold that way.
lovecraft68
OP4 months agoShipping costs, you're correct but often the lots sell so cheap per comic its a wash.
onefootflipper
·4 months agoNo it isn't, it is less labor on your part.
Also, outside of lots it is nearly impossible to get ebay buyers to purchase more than 1 item at a time. Three separate times I put my entire 10,000+ item card store buy 1 get 1 free and 90 percent of my orders were still for one item. The people were not even taking the free item.
lovecraft68
OP4 months agoWow, that's crazy, but I shouldn't be surprised. And cards are probably still inexpensive to ship, right?
In the past I did all live auctions and lots of ten and they didn't sell all that well either, in fact with an auction I'd sometimes see 10 comics go for $5 so this time around I tried everything as an individual. I get all my supplies for free so that was a plus for awhile.
But USPS is in a rock and a hard place, losing money because no one sends letters or checks etc through the mail anymore but steadily pricing themselves out at the same time with constant increases.
onefootflipper
·4 months agoThey are shipping them untracked first class large envelope.
I suggest instead lotting comics up, instead of wasting your time on individual listings of near worthless ones.
Those $3 comics are barely clearing you $1 after fees and expenses. Lots are the way to go.
lovecraft68
OP4 months agoI figured that's how they were shipping that cheap, but shipping untracked has its own problems.
Lots are something I've tried and often times they sell for less than what the five comics would be if I sold individually, they're bought by either flippers or people just starting collecting but often someone already has some of the books in the lot and don't want duplicates