Couple of issues with shipping, % discounts eBay claims & service option 4 buyers but not seller
Hi, I see when buying shipping labels on eBay they tout a big discount if I buy the label through eBay, but I've noticed the shipping costs are still high so I've been going to usps dotcom to check and compare and the discounts are not as stated. Actually, once it was a 10 cent difference and once it was cheaper from usps directly!
The 2nd issue is when a buyer chooses a service that's cheaper than any I can choose. For example I've had buyers choose media mail and pay for that, but that option was not available to me, so I'm paying more for shipping than the buyer paid. It's not much but it adds up.
4 comments
fm2000
·6 months agoYou should have an account with another shipping provider like Pirate Ship. eBay gates Media Mail shipping based on category, regardless if an item actually qualifies. If you are sending an item that qualifies for Media Mail but you can't buy Media Mail on eBay, buy it on Pirate Ship instead; shipping a MM qualifying item by Ground Advantage when your buyer paid for MM is just lighting your money on fire, and the cost difference between GA and MM can be substantial. Use a third party when needed for MM, and save your money.
Some remote ZIP codes incur a "surcharge", technically it is a "reduced commercial rate" for those ZIP codes. They don't call it a "surcharge", but it basically is (seems like an end run around their universal service obligation, but I digress...)
I checked your items and what you are charging for shipping is a bit off on some of them. Some of your lower-value comics are set for less than 5.09, which is the 4oz in-your-zone-no-remote-ZIP-"surcharge". Some of them are well over $10. Some of your magazines may also fall short, some will push 1lb GA rate, if going cross country to a remote ZIP the cost could now be pushing $8 (the latest GA increase was absolutely awful!)
ryry-jj
·6 months agoThe discounts, as I understand, our against over the counter sales. USPS on-line also gives discounts for those who use the click and ship vs their over the counter in person retail sales
bdmh-enterprises
·6 months agoThe Turtles you sold ONLY have Media Mail as a shipping option, for which they don't qualify. You need to fix the listing.
Also, many rural zip codes don't receive the same discount as urban ones. So the price is often the same as USPS.com.
kensgiftshop
·6 months agoThe buyer can only select what you have in the listing.
If you add Media Mail and the item doesn't qualify for it, that's your mistake.