eBay

hardworkingshawn · ‎08-30-2018

Many sellers with "business accounts" are offering, for example, a 2 LBS item with free USPS Priority shipping with an asking price of $13.00 (not an auction). This particular seller is on the East coast. My information says that if a Californian bought this item it will cost the seller more than his asking price to ship it (note that the item does not fit in a small flat rate box or envelope). I mean, in this case no free shipping of any sort should make sense.

Am I missing any information about shipping discounts? If they were amateurs I'd think they're losing money but they are professionals and selling many of these items. Also, this particular one I have in mind has an item that no other seller on eBay is offering. You'd think that they can push the price up a little bit or a lot. What is the deal here? Any thoughts?

varebelrose · ‎08-31-2018

My guess is that this seller is using their Amazon Prime to order the items and have them sent to you. Theres your "supply chain" answer summed up.

ymmv.

Anonymous · ‎08-31-2018

@hardworkingshawn wrote:
I believe you went straight into the direction I had in mind, "deeper shipping discounts". Any headlines you can offer regarding this?
Also, I skimmed through USPS's page and it seems very useful, so thank you for that. I'm assuming there's a way to connect that account to eBay's account?
Flat rate options? could you explain more? cause it wouldn't fit into a priority small flat rate box

If you really want to know what method this seller is using then spend your money and see how the item arrives. Needless to say you should keep or re-sell the item and don't open a bogus SNAD.

I can't speak to specific flat or regional rate options when you didn't say what the item is or how large and heavy it is.

Each carrier has its own business discounts based on volume. If you sell a lot call your preferred carriers and ask them to evaluate options with you. The discounted rates you get - if any - will depend on your volume.

hardworkingshawn · ‎08-31-2018

The seller mentioned "Supply Chain" when I messaged them. Could you elaborate a little bit more on this? So, the seller would have an Amazon seller account and have their product in FBA..then what happens? how does the whole thing connect?