eBay

ra64t · ‎09-27-2018

I am selling some brochures/magazines, shipping in a large padded envelope with cardboard protecting the item. I believe I have to do this to ensure the item is shipped with no damage.

I think I could save a decent amount of money and charge less for shipping if i simply ship in an unpadded envelope with no additional packing. The item could get "damaged" somewhat, but maybe not to the extent that some buyers would care. Since most items don't sell for much money i think this could make a difference in sales.

I do not mean offer an different shipping options like overnight vs. 2 day, usps vs ups.

Can I offer this on my listings (or is this against the user agreement in some way) and if so how? I couldn't find any information on this.

beardedbovine · ‎09-27-2018

There is much greater risk that the mail carrier will fold the envelope in half to fit it in a mailbox. Your Not As Described rate can go through the roof which can impact your eBay seller status and your bank account.

Weigh the package with and without cardboard inserts. I don't think it will make that big of a difference in postage to be worth the other risks.

reallynicestamps · ‎09-27-2018

In my experience, the best stiffener is not cardboard but corplast.

This is the corrugated plastic used for lawn signs and other signage.

Used with the corrugations going side to side , rather than the length of the package, makes it difficult for a carrier to fold.

Here's an example https://www.vistaprint.ca/signs-posters/yard-signs?mk=%2bcorrugated+%2bsigns&ad=b&crtv=197355955863&...

Corplast is lighter and stronger than cardboard, but it is also more expensive.

You would probably find corplast cheaper near home. (It is not nice to steal election signs off lawns-- at least not before the election.)

I would also suggest that you use poly envelopes which are waterproof and almost impossible to tear.

https://www.uline.ca/Grp_191/Poly-Mailers?pricode=DB845&AdKeyword=poly%20envelope&AdMatchtype=e&gcli...

Because they are thin they don't add extra weight or thickness to the shipment, which can mean a higher rate for the bulkier package.

These are also available on eBay.

BTW-- you as seller choose the shipping service that is secure and prompt to protect yourself.

If a buyer is asking for a cheaper service, it can be a sign that he will have other complaints.

This is particularly true if an overseas buyer wants cheap, untracked, slow service.

Either he can afford it, or his eyes are bigger than his wallet.

bigdeals.etc · ‎09-27-2018

From what I can think of, other than package weight, the other change that you are making that will increase your profit is the cost difference between a padded vs and unpadded envelope.

My my suggestion is to work out all your numbers first and find out exactly how much more money will you be making in your scenario. If the extra profit seems worth it to you, give it a trial run. Record how many complaints you end up getting. And if that number is significantly low (it sometimes doesn't have to be zero) enough that it will not really affect your standing or your profits, then you have your answer.

That's what I do when I try to implement something new, or change shipping method. I find that guessing doesn't always yield the correct answer. If the trial test ends up bad, at least you know you tried... no one ever said acquiring sales information was free.

ra64t · ‎09-28-2018

Thanks for the info everyone, it's all helpful.

I guess my main question is, can i put in the listing, save x on shipping, with the understanding that it will be shipped less securly. The buyer could pay the normal shipping price or contact me for the reduced shipping option. Is this against the user agreement?

Being folded is the main issue with the less secure shipping, but many brochures were shipped from the company this way (and often damaged), not sure if everyone cares.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎09-28-2018

@ra64t wrote:
... can i put in the listing, save x on shipping, with the understanding that it will be shipped less securly. The buyer could pay the normal shipping price or contact me for the reduced shipping option.....

No, you have to offer both shipping methods formally in the shipping section of your listing, so the buyer can choose one when they pay for the item. Then in the Description section, describe the different packaging. For instance, "If you choose First Class package shipping, your item will be packed in a padded envelope with stiffener to ensure that it is not folded. If you choose Standard shipping, it will be mailed as a letter and could get bent."

luckythewinner · ‎09-28-2018

@nobody*s_perfect wrote:
Then in the Description section, describe the different packaging. For instance, "If you choose First Class package shipping, your item will be packed in a padded envelope with stiffener to ensure that it is not folded. If you choose Standard shipping, it will be mailed as a letter and could get bent."

If you do this, please understand that buyers will see the cheaper shipping and choose it without reading your listing and you will not get any sympathy from eBay when they file disputes.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎09-28-2018

That's especially likely if he lists the cheaper option first. If he lists the nicer option first, then the buyers who are too lazy to read the full description also will probably be too lazy to check through and see all of the shipping choices.

18704d · ‎09-28-2018

"If you do this, please understand that buyers will see the cheaper shipping and choose it without reading your listing and you will not get any sympathy from eBay when they file disputes."

--------

Exactly.

And either way, the buyer has the right to receive the items in As Described condition.

Even if they choose the cheaper option.

With the cheaper option, the sellers Still has the obligation to ensure the buyer receives everything in As Described condition.

Lynn

Lynn

You love me for everything you hate me for

.

softersilk · ‎09-28-2018

@ra64t wrote:
Thanks for the info everyone, it's all helpful.

I guess my main question is, can i put in the listing, save x on shipping, with the understanding that it will be shipped less securly. The buyer could pay the normal shipping price or contact me for the reduced shipping option. Is this against the user agreement?

Being folded is the main issue with the less secure shipping, but many brochures were shipped from the company this way (and often damaged), not sure if everyone cares.

No, and let me suggest something else...

You mentioned that they're cheap, slow-selling magazines that are not really worth the cost of secure shipping.

Think about that.

Think more.

1) Super-cheap stuff? Where is your profit? You pay 2.9% plus 30 cents plus about 10% fvf on these things. Even if you get them free, are you making more than a couple of pennies?

2) If the buyer searched eBay and found your stuff, he wants it. He searched for a reason, right? Accordingly, he wants to receive it in usable condition. So yes, ship securely.

3) To get a sale of a buck or two and ship in a way that the item can be damaged? Do you understand that you have to give back 100% of that money, plus the postage you spent, if it DOES get damaged?

4) When you enter a postage amount and then write some stuff about "hey I can save you money if you want to make a risk, hey wait and let me go change the listing for you ok?" you are putting a roadblock between the buyer and his wallet.

If you are happy spending a lot of time trying to sell something that only makes you a couple of pennies profit, then put in the right shipping and wait til it sells. Don't make the mistake of trying to write a novel in a listing and hope that you can get a sale that way.

softersilk · ‎09-28-2018

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Volkswagen-Tiguan-Brochure/253841404592

You'll have better luck if you take the time to align your photos accurately and to use more keywords to describe what is in the book.

Can you really ship this for $3.50 with tracking? A 24-page glossy brochure is probably pretty weighty. Remember that eBay and Paypal take fees out of that $3.50. Don't skip tracking. It's important.

itsjustasprain · ‎09-28-2018

@softersilk wrote:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Volkswagen-Tiguan-Brochure/253841404592

You'll have better luck if you take the time to align your photos accurately

As in - 'not sideways'. There must be some way you can at least get them right side up?

Can you really ship this for $3.50 with tracking? A 24-page glossy brochure is probably pretty weighty.

And does a 2014 car brochure actually qualify for Media Mail?

Im having a hard time with the whole idea here that you think you can skimp on packaging to the extent that you think it possible for it to get damaged and then bet your whole seller reputation on finding a buyer who wont care about it if that happens. I would put money on finding that the buyer WILL care and that you wont like it.

When you are selling stuff that is really not all that rare then your buyers will choose your listing becuase they think its the BEST choice of the crowd. If they then get it and its bent because you stuck it in a thin envelope and it got folded then they will NOT be happy.

You want to be talking about ways to ship as cheaply as possible that will NOT increase the chances of damage. Otherwise there is really no point to even trying. Im sorry but I really think you need to change your entire approach about what it is you want to do here.

marjen7102 · ‎09-28-2018

@ra64t wrote:
Thanks for the info everyone, it's all helpful.

I guess my main question is, can i put in the listing, save x on shipping, with the understanding that it will be shipped less securly. The buyer could pay the normal shipping price or contact me for the reduced shipping option. Is this against the user agreement?

Being folded is the main issue with the less secure shipping, but many brochures were shipped from the company this way (and often damaged), not sure if everyone cares.

Onay so basically what you're wanting to do is, inform the buyer that it will be shipped in a less secure manner, and have them check off and say that they'll be okay if it gets damaged?

Unfortunately the money back guarantee will override any agreement you try.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎09-28-2018

@itsjustasprain wrote:

Can you really ship this for $3.50 with tracking? A 24-page glossy brochure is probably pretty weighty.
And does a 2014 car brochure actually qualify for Media Mail? ....

Nope. It's 100% advertising.

reallynicestamps · ‎09-28-2018

@ra64t

The buyer could pay the normal shipping price or contact me for the reduced shipping option. Is this against the user agreement?

The point is that the seller chooses the shipping service for his own benefit.

Not the buyer's.

The seller is obligated to get the item to the buyer in the condition it was described and within the eBay deadline.

Not to save the buyer money.

The purpose of selling here is to make money.

If that isn't your purpose, donate the zines to a charity that will use their earnings to further their mission.

If you offer a cheaper shipping service, your buyer will take it, and expect the perks of the more expensive service.

The postal system is very good at what they do. They will almost always get your shipment to your customer fast and in good condition.

Your job is packing.

A good stiffener, a waterproof envelope, protected edges.

Use weight and dimensions to keep your shipments in the lower parts of the rate card.

Then offer only one service-- the one that gives you, the seller, protection against complaints of damage or slow delivery.

BTW- tracking from USPS is dead cheap and American customers have come to expect it. But because tracking is very expensive here in Canada (and most of the world) I almost never use it. I have had few, almost no, problems with Not Received Claims in several years.