Handling cost questions.

[kamolde-26]

Hello I am about to post a very heavy object that is breakable and I am wondering if I should put a handling cost on it due to the mass of amounts of bubble wrap that it will need. I am just wondering is that something that I should do with putting the handling cost on there? I am kind of torn between putting it on there and not putting it on there. And I'm not sure of like how much I should put on there for the handling cost if any at all. Any constructive advice would be awesome thank you.

[mam98031]

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@caldreamer wrote:

Personally, I would not purchase item from anyone that puts "handling charge".    What you should do is just increase your asking price.

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If you buy on Ebay, you have likely paid handling fees before and just didn't know it.  Handling fees are legit.  It is to cover shipping supplies as most are not free.  If a seller uses Calculated shipping there is a place where the seller can put in a handling fee.

It makes no sense that if you were to know the seller was charging a handling fee that you wouldn't purchase from them.  But if they were to increase the price of the product and not charge a handling fee, you would buy it.  But a moot point as buyers can't see if a seller charges a handling fee inside the shipping cost they charge.

If a seller doesn't charge a modest handling fee, then they have to include it in the costs of the product to then develop the price they are going to put on the item.  One way or another a seller needs to get paid for their costs.

When I shop, I consider the seller's price for an item and how much they want for shipping.  If together the amount seems OK to me, I'll purchase.  If it is high to me, I'll move on.

[dbfolks166mt]

     It would help to know what the item is, the dim's and the weight. How are you planning on shipping this USPS, UPS, Freight? Generally I use mostly re-cycled material for packing and I never try to associate packing or other costs to a particular item as others have said if it's going to be a LOT add a few dollars to your asking price.

[ryry-jj]

Was the item hazmat?  If so, they/you needed to get a sticker on the inside box as well.  Without it, the insurance now will only cover if lost... if broken, USPS can claim not packaged correctly, that is part of what the sticker means, that item is packed correctly for its contents.    Im guessing the label was the black/white triangle for consumer commodity, no idea why USPS would place it on a non hazmat/consumer commodity box because it does put you at greater liability.  Most likely you will not have issues, but if you did, USPS sure complicated things.

Maybe it was just a "Fragile Liquid" label?

[ryry-jj]

Yes, add the packaging cost into handling.  Also, in the description mention it will be well package with properly used materials.  Provide that confidence to buyers that you go the extra steps to ensure that that heavy item will arrive safely.    The old saying, "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten"

Also, "Heavy" is a relative term, so make sure it is meets all shipping requirements for size and weight too

[stephenmorgan]

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@simba6 wrote:

Heavy, breakable and shipping go together like ice cream and onions.

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There is also recipe from the National Onion Association for Carmelized Onion Brandy Ice Cream.

https://www.onions-usa.org/foodservice-recipes/366-caramelized-onion-brandy-ice-cream/