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?

[titipeo]

Hi, I see the same as well, and agree, when you add the shipping, and think of the transit time it takes, sometimes its better just to get it locally and have instant gratification. But yes, outrageous shipping is something. I guess some people take advantage of the free listing and put whatever in the hopes that someone bites. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

Back in the 'not too long ago' day; 1st class had no tracking, so many sellers still do not know that. Try educating them with info before 'just asking' .... with an exact amount the shipping could/would cost. 

Also know that 1st class means sellers have to 'find or pay for other packaging' and Priority is free, so you might be running into that as well....

[slippinjimmy]

Well there was a thread here earlier today urging all sellers to stop using First Class because it is ALWAYS late and half the time never arrives at all.

Maybe they have a local problem, I had some issues in December when several USPS Regional Facilities had Covid outbreaks but other than that just the odd time is delivery more than 3 business days.

Another possibility.....Priority includes insurance ($50 or $100), there seem to be plenty of sellers who think spending an extra $5 - $10 for the upgrade is worthwhile (after all the buyer pays and are always happy to pay extra for unnecessary shipping costs).

[luckythewinner]

I think there are a couple reasons why sellers do this. (Please be aware I am only explaining and not justfying). 

a) I think some sellers are so hung up on "free" shipping supplies from the USPS that they cannot be bothered to buy a few padded envelopes. 

b) I think some sellers are still lowering their price and shifting a chunk of their item cost into shipping, and they honestly think the lower price makes their item more attractive. 

c) I think some sellers believe that eBay only charges fees on the item price and not on the shipping. 

d) I think some sellers believe that priority gets delivered in two days and that first class is slow. 

e) I think some sellers are just not that bright. After all, there is no IQ test adminsitered before one becomes a seller 🙂

[magicjohnsonsvariety]

Not sure...only thing I can think is because insurance is included with Priority. I've shipped things out FC and even with the added insurance, it's still slightly less than Priority.

You 2nd question is pretty easy...a lot of us have to use the US postal system because we don't live anywhere near a Fed Ex place or dollar general.

Even if I did, from what I understand, the Fed Ex price is only an estimate by ebay, and that estimate can sometimes be way, way off. Says $35, then later it becomes $65...nobody wants that....

There's usually valid reasons why people do what they do, but assuming Fed ex is an option for everyone...well that's simply not true.

[quadcitypickers]

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@slippinjimmy wrote:

Well there was a thread here earlier today urging all sellers to stop using First Class because it is ALWAYS late and half the time never arrives at all.

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Strange, I'm in the Midwest and lately 1st class has been arriving before priority mail packages. Heck I think one thing I bought from CA came in like 3 days with first class.

[m_pthisandthat]

I sell mostly collectibles much of which is glass. I offer Free Local pick up, USPS Economy and USPS Priority Shipping.  All shipped by ebays caculated shipping program. Yes in some cases the shipping rate are high especially when the item is shipped cross country. At the sametime I do not feel I am taking advantage of anyone. The shipping costs are identified. The key issue may well be that in many cases you can not go to the corner and by the same item. One final thought the value of any item can only really be judged by what someone is willing to pay for the item. I do not think this is hoping that someone bites.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@quadcitypickers 

     To tell you the truth, I think a lot of people cannot figure out dimensions and weight for 1st class mail. It's called the dumbing down of America.

     It's only going to get worse.

[magicjohnsonsvariety]

Your "a)" makes sense, didn't think of that possibility. 

I have a lady neighbor friend who is an online shopaholic so I haven't had to pay for padded envelopes in over 10 years.  

[jayjaspersgarage]

I get free envelopes almost every quarter with the ebay voucher.  My half size recycled paper labels cover the word "epay" 100% of the time.   I also get hand me down used bubble envelopes from several people.  Almost anything can be used to mail smaller items.  Brown butcher paper is thick enough to make an envelope.  

[jayjaspersgarage]

I agree that it is ridiculous how some sellers want to gouge on shipping for items under 16oz.

[katzrul15]

See it a lot in collectibles, vintage listings - $3 for widgit, $29 shipping and it is under 16oz easy, including packing/mailer (i.e. we were looking for a tupperware replacement seal - seal was 2.99 and shipping 9.99;  3-4 oz tops in mailer.  

I thought it was more, if you had an issue, the seller thinking they would refund the "item price" but not the shipping?  (Yes, if you file the snad, e-bay will give you both) but not every buyer realizes that etc.

I like free shipping when buying - especially if buying multiples from the same seller.  Not so much as a seller!  🙄

[bigdeals.etc]

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@silverstatetreasureboxes wrote:

@quadcitypickers 

     To tell you the truth, I think a lot of people cannot figure out dimensions and weight for 1st class mail. It's called the dumbing down of America.

     It's only going to get worse.

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I believe if you go to the counter of my local PO, the clerks there will ALWAYS upsell Priority Mail. When they see a newbie walk in with a few sheets of paper or something tiny to ship... they will never even mention first class and already hand them the free Priority Mail envelope/box to package their item up and ring up.

But then again, it’s great if buyers never even know of a shipping price tier below Priority Mail. Maybe then, they’d stop complaining to me about my shipping prices that are mostly still lower than my cost.

[coolections]

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@quadcitypickers wrote:

First seller had an item roughly the size of a deck of cards. They wanted $16.50 priority which is highway robbery.

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There are so many crazy sellers on Ebay. Nothing you can do but hit the back button when you see stuff like that. No need to message them at all as it won't go well. If they are crazy enough to gouge on the shipping they are certainly crazy enough to give you a battle if you send them a message.