Listings with multiple shipping options not showing the cheapest shipping rate?

[juicydrupes]

If I set up a listing with USPS Priority for a certain item, I'll get around $11 for shipping.

But if I add another shipping service, the listing will display the more expensive option on the listing? In this case adding FedEx and UPS makes the listing display $17 shipping. Thats a big difference to potential buyers.

It feels like - in an effort to offer more affordable shipping to more distant locations, I am hurting myself on more proximate sales with these higher displayed rates?

Am I doing it wrong?

[nobody*s_perfect]

eBay's official policy is that the listing will by default show whichever shipping option you set up first in the listing.  Can you share a link or the listing number so we can look at the specific listing that has this problem? 

[juicydrupes]

Well - look at the two model trains I listed last night.

I just edited the MTH Northern Pacific Wood Chip Hopper listing to offer USPS, FedEx and UPS - it shows 17 shipping. 

The other Big Mac Flatcar has USPS only, and shows 7 shipping.

It seems I'm mistaken in my assumption listings would always display the cheapest of the services included in any shipping policy? And you are suggesting that I can create an order in the shipping policy itself?

[nobody*s_perfect]

Here's what I see in the Hopper listing.   eBay does NOT automatically show the buyer the cheapest shipping option. The first option shown to the buyer will be whichever you entered first on the listing form, even if it's the most expensive option.

[coolections]

If you feel the shipping is too high on the other options just do not offer those options. Either way the buyer chooses and pays for the shipping, so it really does not matter. If you offer "free" shipping, you should have added the cost into the item price anyway.

[juicydrupes]

Ok - to be clear - that view is not really what Im concerned about. At least they can compare the options there.

But - I think precious few people ever use the shipping calculator that is built into the listing.

Im more concerned about what is shown by default on the listing. This is the thing buyers see when making first consideration. 

[juicydrupes]

Can we agree that it would be best for sellers if the shipping shown by default is the LOWEST of the services offered? Buyers want to do that fast addition when buying...and not spend too much time hemming and hawing over shipping. There's a reason we call it "Buy It Now!" Part of that is the ability to make that instant decision. 

Now - if you are in the "final value" business - you want every item to ship at the highest cost, right?

So - I can see who benefits from the current arrangement.

[the_fancy_fox]

It’s been going on for a long time. I always thought it was because if a buyer got stuck with  higher shipping costs then ebay made more money.  Kinda like why a high percentage of my items ship to the east coast instead of the states adjacent to me.  (I’m in California). 

Been watching this issue for years. 

Now? I use the cheapest shipping I can in a listing, no options . If a buyer wants something quicker they can ask me to add it to the listing.  And that’s never happened to date.

As for the free shipping, it’s not free. Nor is it a reasonable thing to do when you live on one coast. It makes the price reasonable to those on the opposite coast yet horribly expensive to those in your state.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@juicydrupes wrote: ... Im more concerned about what is shown by default on the listing. This is the thing buyers see when making first consideration. 

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The top of the listing will show the service that is the first one on the list, which will always be the first one that the seller entered on the listing setup form. The top of the listing will not automatically show the cheapest shipping option.