Whats with people refusing to ship first class?

[quadcitypickers]

I offered it on nearly every eligible listing since ever selling on eBay.

But, I also collect a bit as well.

First seller had an item roughly the size of a deck of cards. They wanted $16.50 priority which is highway robbery, the item weighed 5 ounces, tops, and could easily fit into a small flat rate box.

Tonight I saw an item the size of a baby spoon. $9 for shipping. Kindly asked if they could mail first class.

"We can, but the shipping price will be the same".

Bit of a sarcastic reply, no?

This seems to happen a lot of and honestly I think some people's sales are poor because of over priced or inflexible shipping options.

Some people will only use USPS and the shipping for say a VCR is $80. Well if people can get the same one for the same price but that seller and other sellers use FedEx for $22-$35, which one do you obviously think will sell first?

[stephenmorgan]

Depending on the item it may not make a difference.

If you sent a item First Class you may have to purchase packaging material instead of using the free Priority packaging materials and you may want to insure the package where as Priority comes with some insurance.

By the time you pay for a box and insurance it is near the same cost as a small priority shipment.

[postingid7659]

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@yuzuha wrote:

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There's really no reason to buy insurance unless what you're shipping is very valuable. It makes far more sense to simply use "cookie jar" insurance-- that is, put away a few pennies from each sale in case you ever have a package get lost or damaged. I've shipped and received thousands of packages over the years (from eBay, other sites, gifts to and from friends and family, etc.) and not once have I ever had anything get lost or damaged. Buying insurance would be a waste of money with those stats.

Of course, the vast majority of damage is also easily preventable simply by packing properly. I just received a box shipped from Japan via seamail today... one end was totally accordioned but the item inside was just fine because it had been packed well.

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Again, Priority Mail includes insurance - $50 if paid retail at the counter, $100 if purchased online.  It is not an extra fee unless you purchase additional coverage.  If you want to risk, in the current postal situation, your items and money, go right ahead.  

But I'm not going to risk mine because you want to save two bucks on the shipping, when I know dang well that if anything happens including just slow shipping you will blame me for it, go to eBay, and essentially steal the money back from me.  At least if the USPS loses or damages the item, with Priority Mail I am covered regardless what you do to me.   If my stuff doesn't sell because of it, oh well, better that than losing the item and the cost of shipping it because somebody  couldn't bother to follow the tracking and be patient rather than believe the eBay claims of shipping time. 

[divwido]

Stupidity?

[dryophelia]

@Anonymous 

What did you think shipping was going to cost? Did the seller ask for more shipping money when the listing was over?

[calgal19572014]

I always ship First Class if a parcel weighs under 16 oz. and the item is priced under $20.  I can always add insurance if necessary. Still cheaper than Priority unless it fits in a small flat rate box than I use that, especially on more expensive items like jewelry. I get annoyed with sellers that overcharge on shipping. I saw a ridiculous price recently for something that could have definitely shipped for way less money.