Should a consignment fee apply to the total sale price even if the listing features "free shipping"?

[3853buckeye]

I have a question about what is fair in terms of the relationship between commission and shipping charges on consignment. I'm an independent Ebay seller with a store and I recently took on a consignment for the first time, for someone with a large inventory of valuable items. We agreed on basic terms and fees, with the client giving me a lot of latitude to make fair decisions on fees/commission/etc. (The client is a friend.) So I set a straight commission fee of 25% of each total sale, with all other fees and shipping paid by the client. From the total sale price, then, I deduct my fee, the Ebay and Paypal fees, and the shipping charges, then give the client what is left. So far his payout has been roughly 55% of total sales.

But now I am rethinking whether I have been fair about this arrangement because, like with all my personal listings, my listings for my client feature "free shipping." Of course I simply do research on pricing and factor shipping costs into the Buy It Now price for my listings. But because each total sale price includes shipping costs, taking a commission on the total sale means I am taking a commission on the shipping charges for which he is responsible. Is that right/fair? Or is it a better business practice in consignment arrangements to take a commission on price after shipping charges?

[18704d]

If you both agreed to it, Yes I say it's fair.

And dont' forget, You are going to repay those free shipping charges, and everything else.. for up to 180 days after the sale

if they buyer files a complaint with Paypal.

Lynn

[18704d]

I just saw your listings.

unopened baseball cards by the cases for 4 Thousand dollars

One Thousand .. many of such.

I hope you aren't paying  him, his share for a minimum of 6 months?

And I assume you're aware of how easy it is ...

actually, how impossible it is for you ..

to defend against any buyer who says the contents of those boxes.. are not as described.

Thanks

Llynn

[fossil_diver]

Baseball cards are a sketchy category to sell in. Way too many shenanigans going on. Good luck

[18704d]

Isn't there entire YouTube videos showing people how to open those old packs, pick out the great expensive cards...

..and then reseal them again?  To make them appear to remain unopened?

Thanks

Lynn

[divwido]

I know you think you are being helpful and smart, but fossil_diver is right.  Those unopened boxes could come back to bite you in the worst way.

You are selling a box of cards.  What if I buy it and claim it was empty?  Or filled with fabric or paper, not sports cards.  What proof do you have of the contents??

[alturi_64]

SEALED 1989 Fleer Baseball Wax Case

DESCRIPTION: Very early production code of 90091 on this 20-box wax case. That code corresponds to the date January 9, 1989. Fantastic chance at the many error cards in this set. This collectible has had one owner for nearly 30 years, stored in a climate-controlled, smoke-free home.

Aside from the errors, pull stacks of pack-fresh rookies cards Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Craig Biggio, John Smoltz, Gary Sheffield, and others.

Tremendous PSA/BGS grading opportunity
____


Oh boy, you're begging for this to bite you.