It all adds up but a loss is a loss
When I submitted the ad on eBay I entered in the weight as 3 pounds and the box size 8 x 8 x 5. The actual size of the box when the product was wrapped for shipping was 2.5 pounds and box 8 x 8 x 5. The customer paid $1.35 less than it cost me to ship. What DID I DO WRONG? I know it had to be me.. I'm just waiting for someone to inform me how I messed up once again. This is getting old.
10 comments
thriftysistersgoodfinds
·2 years agoI am experiencing this issue today too! I am not sure what is going on. I am having to pay more than the buyer. I am thinking about going in and changing all my priority packages back to Ground advantage, and see if that helps. Not happy !!
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoSome USPS rates have increased as of July 1, so your buyer would have paid at the old rates. Don't jump into anything.
dvgoldsales
OP2 years agoThank you for taking the time to respond and your answer was on target.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoDid you sell the item over the weekend then purchase the shipping label today?
If so, you did not mess up, but you did not take notice that some Priority and Ground Adv rates were increased today. There's always that awkward couple days when items are purchased the weekend before a shipping increase takes effect on a Monday. There are different ways to deal with it when you use calculated shipping, like adding a temporary handling fee, for example, but those options are generally not worth the effort unless you sell enough volume for the difference to have a big enough financial impact.
Edit to add: You are losing money on every single package you ship when you charge buyers the online discounted rate without adding any kind of handling fee. This is because you pay eBay fees on the total amount buyer pays (item+shipping+tax). You can counter this loss by adding a handling fee or by changing your shipping preferences and charging buyers the retail rate.
thriftysistersgoodfinds
·2 years agothank you for the information. the discounted shipping option was a huge hit on sellers, now they are upping the price of shipping. Many sellers will have to adjust that increase in price of item or handling fees. very discouraging for sellers and buyers alike..
could you please share where the handling fee option is? I know I have seen it in the past, but I am unable to locate it as of now. I hope they have not discontinued the option.
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoYou do realize that's optional, right? You can still charge buyers the retail rate. Go to your site preferences; it's under "Shipping discount settings":
https://www.ebay.com/ship/prf
The box for adding a handing fee shows up on the listing form after you check off calculated shipping. If it doesn't, click on the link for "See shipping options".
monroe67
·2 years ago". . . . You are losing money on every single package you ship when you charge buyers the online discounted rate without adding any kind of handling fee. This is because you pay eBay fees on the total amount buyer pays (item+shipping+tax). You can counter this loss by adding a handling fee or by changing your shipping preferences and charging buyers the retail rate."
I'm not sure I follow your logic.
Yes, the Final Value Fee (FVF) is charged on the total amount paid by the buyer.
Here in the Shipping and Selling forums, we often abbreviate the definition of that total amount into three parts, as you have: "item+shipping+tax."
However: the User Agreement defines that total amount as having five parts:
"The total amount of the sale includes the item price, any handling charges, any shipping costs collected from the buyer (some exceptions apply), sales tax, and any other applicable fees."
(An "other applicable fee" would be a charge that is imposed by the state to which the item will be delivered. As an example, California has an Electronics Waste Recycling Fee. This is another reason why the seller needs to be careful to list his/her items in the appropriate eBay category. That recycling fee can cost a buyer between $4 and $6 for applicable items.)
The shipping prices shown in the listings include the seller's handling charge. Therefore, when a buyer pays, the buyer's total payment includes the handling charge. Thus, we sellers do pay FVFs to eBay based on the handling cost, since that handling cost is included in the total amount paid by our buyers.
dvgoldsales
OP2 years agoHey thanks. I got a civil answer that explained the problem. All too often when I ask a question it turns into a finger pointing session that leaves me cold. I appreciate all the responses this time. I got my question answered and I'm thankful everyone had something to contribute without being negative. Was a great response.
Have a great week! TDE
dvgoldsales
OP2 years agoI sincerely appreciated your response for both it's information and the tone in which it was delivered. Thank you so much for taking the time.
TDE
dvgoldsales
OP2 years agoOH yes and I listed it as PRIORITY MAIL and I shipped it as PRIORITY MAIL.