Watch List and Search results display MORE EXPENSIVE shipping price than actual listing!

[juicydrupes]

So - sellers are being really screwed. Take a look at this.

From my Watchlist, and from Search Results - I'm seeing SIGNIFCANTLY more expensive shipping rates displayed than what the actual item listing says.

EXAMPLE: From search and watch list



31.20 to ship??? - I wont even bother looking at this listing. I'm sure Im not alone. High shipping kills sales!

But look at the actual listing - and we see a more reasonable shipping price.


This seems like a MAJOR Problem - to the detriment of ALL SELLERS! Not sure how pervasive this problem is...but one example is too many!

[gator08041971]

There are a few possible reasons here:

For one thing.  The rates you pay, are usually discounted.  You can actually set the system to offer the buyer the retail rate, a discounted rate of your own %, or the same rate you would pay or free shipping entirely.

Now, when you are looking at the item, it shows a price relative to you.  Not to the buyer.  So naturally that also changes the price.  What you see is often not what its going to be on their end.

The other thing.

Make sure you get the packaged weight right or as close to right as you can when you list the item.  Also make sure you know what the package dimensions are going to be. This is very important.

And finally if you list more than one shipping option, it may be showing the higher one instead of the lowest one.  I normally only set one shipping option.  In some cases I might add a priority option for some items.

I have started to go with more and more items having free shipping, then including the approximate shipping cost into the price.  As far as ebay and their fees, nothing changes anyway.  But the listing looks more attractive that way.

[stainlessenginecovers]

@juicydrupes 

The seller is using 'calculated' shipping.

Seller is offering 2 types of Shipping- Fedex Ground (Standard Shipping) and USPS Priority (Expedited Shipping)

The Fedex is $18

The USPS is $31

Buyer can choose when 'checking out'

Overall, a VERY GOOD reason to NEVER show more than the 1 cheaper shipping when selling a frivolous item. 

[gator08041971]

My mistake, you are looking at items that are not yours??  I was under the impression you had this listed.

See what the shipping options are on that listing, see if one matches.  I'm betting its showing you a price for a more expensive option.

[dhbookds]

I'm seeing the same thing..

Search is choosing the 2nd (more expensive) shipping option to show......

devon@ebay 

elizabeth@ebay 

kyle@ebay 

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@dhbookds wrote:

I'm seeing the same thing..

Search is choosing the 2nd (more expensive) shipping option to show......

devon@ebay 

elizabeth@ebay 

kyle@ebay 

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@dhbookds

It showed the $18 one for me...until I 'changed' my zip code (just to check, changed to 10001). 

ps. Just changed zip code back to mine 89xxx and it went BACK to the $18 when I 'searched' again, putting the cheaper shipping on top of the more expensive. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

Ok, now I used Google Chrome, not signed in (never have) and used a Nevada Zip Code- was $18 and $38

Used a SoCal Zip Code (further from Michigan where it's being sold from) and cost went to $11 and $41- so 

Further away

Less using Fedex Ground

More using USPS Priority

Makes NO sense. 

Glad I don't use 'calculated'.

Just pick ONE carrier,

ONE type of Shipping, use Furthest Zip to find pricing on the carriers website (best to use USPS, less problems) 

pick a price and input a flat rate. (if it sells 'closer to home' either keep it or refund it (knowing that if refunding, seller should keep 25% of the shipping label cost to offset 'fees/materials etc.) 

[onefootflipper1]

While I don't think much anyone makes their decisions via watch lists this is another example of why you simply shouldn't offer shipping options to your customers.

Almost no one will knowingly choose the more expensive option. People who choose some sort of express service will always order late at night at start their mental shipping clock the minute they place the order, then when it shows up late for their event they will return the item. 

Offering shipping options can force you to go to UPS or Fedex on a day where you could have just spent an extra 50 cents and just sent that one UPS or Fedex item USPS.

And overall shipping options will simply reduce your profits. 

[dhbookds]

Certainly the amounts will change, based on the zip.......since it is calculated shipping.......

but the point, that search is choosing the 2nd shipping option to show in search, is the problem and is diametrically different from normal procedures on which sellers depend to form a listing.    It been long understood and practiced that the first shipping option will show in search.  IF that has been changed, we need to know about it. 

[juicydrupes]

Whatever the reason...this is a PROBLEM!

It should ALWAYS show the cheapest shipping...no matter what.

How would it benefit sellers to show potential buyers more expensive shipping options, by default?

Im all for letting the buyer pick their carrier (usually). But that doesn't mean eBay gets away with half-assed programming.

[lonebuck-books]

I'm seeing $11.73 Fedex and $31.15 USPS.  The shipping is most likely correct with the USPS because of the oversize length.  As for what is displayed, mine showed the Fedex option and I only saw the more expensive USPS option when I clicked the shipping options link.  Not sure why you are seeing the USPS one as the main listed shipping option.  I personally don't give multiple shipping options.  Partly because it confuses buyers but also because it messes with my work flow.  The most I will do is standard with a priority option USPS.  

[monica-sells]

I am in total agreement with you....showing the HIGHEST option in the search results is not the correct way it should be presented. The higher priced options I offer are for special circumstances and the convenience of the buyer. They are entirely optional and must be selected by the customer.  Lowest is the "default" method if the buyer chooses not to upgrade in my listings.

The lowest option should always be displayed in search and saved/watchlist items.

[juicydrupes]

WOW - I just checked with my brother. I had him look at one of my listings...it showed $23.68 Shipping - which is what I would expect to his location. But once he SEARCHED for the same title - or put it in his WATCH list...it showed $78.91 shipping!!! HOLY **bleep**!!!

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SCREW JOB BY EBAY!!!

Now I have to go through EVERY listing and make sure I only have one shipper selected...and that will probably be USPS. Sorry UPS!! Sorry FEDEX!!! Ebay is incompetent!!! If I were those carriers, I would cancel my relationship with this hack company.

[juicydrupes]

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@onefootflipper1 wrote:

While I don't think much anyone makes their decisions via watch lists this is another example of why you simply shouldn't offer shipping options to your customers.

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No - its another example of eBay' extremely poor, disjointed tech stack. The obviously have the correct function in place on the item listing page - and are using some other **bleep**ed up function for the search and watch pages.

[juicydrupes]

The only way around this mess is to list every item, multiple times, each with a different carrier. Then buyers will be able to make realistic buying decisions. 

EDIT - nope tried it...ebay wont be fair to sellers.

Now I have to resort to stupid, in-listing explanations - that nobody will read!