Help listing lot of laserdisc movies
Summary: doctorgrizzle experienced difficulties listing a large lot of laserdisc movies due to shipping cost restrictions on eBay. stainlessenginecovers suggested changing the category to bypass the issue, which resolved the problem initially. However, 1786davycrockett and others debated the effectiveness of this strategy, emphasizing the importance of correct categorization for visibility, while kensgiftshop and lady_madonna suggested creating smaller lots. Some participants recommended adding the shipping fee to the item price and offering free shipping as a workaround. Discussions also touched on the limitations of USPS Media Mail and eBay policies concerning shipping fees and categories.
I've spent 30 minutes trying to list a large lot of laserdisc movies with a flat shipping fee. No matter what shipping service I choose, it will not list it. The warning says "Shipping service cost exceeds $25.00 maximum allowed for selected category." Because of the weight I need to send two shipments, each costing $38. I want to list it with a flat shipping cost of $75. Help please!
uswapl
·2 weeks agoIt is interesting that you attempted to avoid one eBay policy by inadvertently breaking another policy.
eBay has limits in certain categories limiting how much a seller can charge for shipping, they suggest using calculated shipping if the box is too heavy. eBay also has fee avoidance policies that state that you cannot change categories to avoid higher final value fees. I don't think ebay really follows up on these small issues anymore so I don't think you will have any problems. It just might be something you think about if you plan to keep selling on ebay.
I don't think the other sellers suggesting changing categories realized that by doing that you are technically avoiding higher fees.
funfactorychannel
·2 weeks agoThe maximum weight limit for a USPS Media Mail package is 70 pounds.
Package Requirements
Max Weight: 70 lbs
Max Size: 108 inches in combined length and distance around the thickest part (girth)
Allowed Items: Educational materials, books (at least 8 pages), CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, manuscripts, and sound/video recordings.
Prohibited Items: Video games, computer drives, digital drives, and any items containing advertising
krazzykats
·2 weeks ago · EditedSummary
Generated with eBay.ai
You can create a flat rate shipping rule to charge all buyers the same amount and set specific rules for additional items.
Go to Shipping Preferences and select Edit beside Combined shipping rule.
Choose from the dropdown whether to add or subtract a fixed amount for each additional item purchased.
Enter the amount to add or subtract.
Provide a descriptive name for your shipping policy.
Select Save to apply your flat shipping rule.
If you are an eBay Live seller, the process differs slightly:
In Shipping Preferences, select Edit next to Combined shipping.
Go to the 'Create shipping rule' page and enter a name for your rule.
Select Flat cost under 'Choose rule type'.
Set the shipping cost for additional items or choose free shipping.
You can also add a maximum shipping cost under 'Optional rule settings'.
You'll find more information in our Help pages at the link below:
Shipping discounts
luckythewinner
·2 weeks agoIf you want a flat shipping fee, add the shipping cost to the listing, and then list it as "free shipping".
lady_madonna
·2 weeks agoI agree with @kensgiftshop with the suggestion to make smaller lots.
inhawaii
·2 weeks agoThat's a nice way of saying...
"Why are you charging $75 to ship a laserdisc? That's ridiculous! We wont let you do it. Lower your shipping price below $25."
doctorgrizzle
OP2 weeks agoI challenge you to ship 100 pounds of laserdiscs cheaper.
inhawaii
·2 weeks agoA hundred?
My apologies.
ten_o_nine
·2 weeks agoAdd the shipping to the price of the item and offer free shipping.
1786davycrockett
·2 weeks ago@doctorgrizzle So the category which you chose is "Vintage Stereo Receivers."
Really?!?
Nobody looking for laserdisc movies will ever find them under that category.
Why not Media?
doctorgrizzle
OP2 weeks agoI was told "nobody searches by category". So it DOES matter??
1786davycrockett
·2 weeks ago@doctorgrizzle
That individual was wrong, particularly for lots.
If there is a weight restriction for USPS Media, divide into multiple lots.
stainlessenginecovers
·2 weeks ago · Edited@doctorgrizzle 4400+ returns inputting 'Laserdisk Lots' says that you are 100% wrong.
and neither was that "individual".
Search the info.
Almost NOBODY searches 'by category'.
Pay per Click or 'pay to be viewed' are both PROVEN systems used on Google/Bing etc. and are NOW on ebay (see 'new' advertising abilities)...
EVERYTHING is per
KEYWORD.
Want a lot?
Search using 'Search Terms' like 90% of the world does.
'DVD Lots' or 'Shoe Lots' or 'Coin Lots'
1786davycrockett
·2 weeks ago@doctorgrizzle Speaking as an eBay seller since 2011, I strongly disagree with your assertion that "Almost NOBODY searches by 'category'" -- although this was something that was told to you by someone else, it is wrong -- if buyers fail to find an individual item by a specific title, the natural fallback is by category.
By listing your videodiscs under an unrelated category, you are basically concealing your listing to buyers, unless buyers specifically search under the keyword "videodiscs" -- and most buyers will not be interested in purchasing quite so large a lot.
And the shipping charges for "Vintage Stereo Receivers" will be much higher than had you listed under USPS Media.
If the weight of your videodisc lot exceeds 70 pounds, the simplest solution is to divide the current lot into 2 or 3 lesser lots, each weighing less than 70 pounds, and list under the proper category of "Movies & TV" so that you can ship at the least expensive rate of USPS Media.
deltilogical
·2 weeks agoWho told you that? I search inside categories exclusively. Someone looking for laserdiscs isn't going to be in the coin category.
shire123
·2 weeks ago@doctorgrizzle Several points. I do search within categories but also just do generic searches using key words. So to get the most possible exposure it is best to get your items into the correct category.
As to shipping cost limits, media mail for books has a limit of $25 per listing.
kensgiftshop
·2 weeks agoMake smaller lots.
stainlessenginecovers
·2 weeks agoSimple.
Change the category.
NOBODY searches by category.
Find one that will work.
doctorgrizzle
OP2 weeks agoThat did it. Thanks.