Why is eBay over charging my buyers for FedEx shipping?
I just had a buyer pay $59 for FedEx shipping and it only cost me $30 for the shipping label through eBay.
I have my shipping preferences set to give the buyer 20% off street rate and IMO the balance of the discount we get from eBay shipping prices helps offset the costs of my shipping materials.
The discount is working for USPS but not for FedEx ?
I feel this is for sure hurting my sales for larger items.
9 comments
inhawaii
·10 months agoEbay doesn't charge your buyers shipping ... you do when you set up your listing.
ryry-jj
·10 months agoWhat was the size and weight of the package you sent?
relicpeddler
OP10 months ago15.4 pounds 20x15x15 I'm Pennsylvania and it shipped to Florida
christworks
·10 months agoWe need the zip codes to be 100% accurate. For the example below, I used the zip code for Erie, PA to Miami, FL.
You didn't say what service you used (Home Delivery/Ground or Economy).
A 20% discount on the Ground/Home Delivery rate of $88.83 reduces the price to $71.06. A 20% discount on the Ground Economy rate of $74.41 reduces the price to $59.53.
I think you are underestimating how much it costs to ship large items. They get you with the dimensional weight.
knownobob
·10 months agoI had the same problem before. There is an option to charge buyers the discounted rate instead of the discounted rate you pay. You have to find that option and switch it.
relicpeddler
OP10 months agoThe $59.53 is what the buyer paid so why was I only charge $30 and change for the label?
stainlessenginecovers
·10 months agoUsing Fedex here is very scary. You can get charged $30 now and $150 4 weeks later (which this site will take from you). The price for shipping using Fedex (and UPS) is 2 problems
1.) they are accounts that belong to ebay so you have no say or way to contact if an issue
2.) the price given is just a 'guesstimate' and once delivered, if there is 'over size' or 'rural area' charges etc. you can get a surprise.
3.) Ebay charges you their Final Value Fee (call it 15%) on the Item + Shipping + Tax so I wouldn't be 'giving' buyers anything since, if you are given 20% off 'street prices' (as you call them; really it's "retail") then you eat that 'about' 15%...see where you are?
relicpeddler
OP10 months agoI understand what you're saying. I have seen the label price adjustments from FedEx and USPS. I get that message with details every month. Most of the hits from FedEx are $3 to $4 and the USPS hits normally balance out some charged some refunded so I don't let it upset me.
And yes I know it's costing me to kick the buyer the 20% shipping discount but it has boosted my sales IMO so it is worth it.
stainlessenginecovers
·10 months agoTrust me; I've done FREE shipping vs charging for Shipping. Selling about $150k a year since 2011. Tried many different ways.
The past 'experiment' when the 'economy' was tanking last year:
This was for 6 months at a time where I sell about 600 items for an average of $60,000 total sales.
The times I had FREE vs. CHARGED- no difference.
People will buy if that is what a person wants. You are only LOSING 20% and it had nothing to do with 'boosting' sales.