eBay

quadcitypickers · ‎03-29-2021

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?

Anonymous · ‎03-30-2021

I agree with you and I have completely stopped buying from sellers that are over charging on shipping. I had one woman charge me $9 to ship a 3 ounce paper doll and she won't see anymore of my $$$$ again. As a seller, I'm finding that USPS First Class is now back on track and reaching it's destinations in about 3 days or even less in some cases. Thanks for bringing this up. It's been a peeve of mine for quite awhile.

magicjohnsonsvariety · ‎03-30-2021

@katzrul15 wrote:
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! 🙄

I agree if it's clearly obvious, but the problem is a lot of buyers are just simply out of touch with how high shipping has become lately...thus they just assume sellers are high when a many of them are not. A lot buyers think their item should be first class, they don't realize with a box and padding it becomes priority above 1 pound.

I once got a neutral because the buyer thought the shipping cost for her 17-Piece Cookware set was too high, when in fact, it was exact to the penny...some people can't be satisfied no matter what.

simba6 · ‎03-30-2021

One must consider the total item plus shipping when buying or bidding. If it's too high, keep shopping. There is no shortage of items to purchase here.

bargainnation · ‎03-30-2021

I hadn't noticed that but maybe I should pay closer attention. I prefer to pay USPS first class package rate versus Priority rates unless the difference is so small that it might make sense to add a few cents or a dollar to get faster service.

Since I am cost conscious I don't offer the more expensive Priority unless an item weighs over 15.99 ounces or I offer it along with First Class so the buyer can decide if they want to spend the extra money.

It irks me when any seller (companies or individuals) send something that weighs a few ounces by UPS, Fedex or USPS Priority Mail. Maybe some companies have a contract with a particular carrier or with a particular carrier for a particular service but I know in the end the higher cost is coming out of my pocket.

michaelcollectible · ‎04-13-2021

I’ve been shipping collectibles and depending on what it is, sometimes I send it out first class but other things that are more delicate I will ship in a small flat rate box for more protection.

postingid7659 · ‎04-13-2021

Because eBay holds the seller responsible for getting the item to the buyer as though the seller personally owned and ran the shipping company, many sellers will not ship via uninsured methods. Priority includes $50 of insurance, so should a buyer claim damage or the item not arrive, they can file a claim and potentially be made whole again. First Class, by the time one adds insurance, often costs the same, or close to the same as Priority - except the seller must source his own packaging, rather than use the free Priority boxes and envelopes.

If items don't sell, they don't sell, better to throw it in the garbage than throw your money out the window.

funkyfreshmike.2013 · ‎04-13-2021

Not sure if this has been covered by other commenters but some sellers use shipping costs paid by the buyer to cover their fees.

stacy_pme · ‎04-13-2021

For me, I select priority shipping as the only option when it is an item that is of substantial enough value, that I want insurance for in case it is damaged during shipping, or lost. Priority shipping is a protection for sellers in case of damage during shipping. A buyer can get a full refund if an item arrives broken, but without insurance, a seller is not only out of the value of the item, but shipping fees as well. You get up to $100.00 shipping insurance on eBay with USPS for free. So sometimes selecting Priority is much easier than putting on additional insurance onto items being shipped Ground. Many times I find Ground is more expensive than Priority (and even more so once you add the cost of insurance), so I often just upgrade for free. I'm a small seller and probably the minority, but I want to do what's best for everybody. The nice thing about eBay is you can shop and only buy from sellers that offer you the price and shipping you desire.

yuzuha · ‎04-13-2021

@postingid7659 wrote:
Because eBay holds the seller responsible for getting the item to the buyer as though the seller personally owned and ran the shipping company, many sellers will not ship via uninsured methods. Priority includes $50 of insurance, so should a buyer claim damage or the item not arrive, they can file a claim and potentially be made whole again. First Class, by the time one adds insurance, often costs the same, or close to the same as Priority - except the seller must source his own packaging, rather than use the free Priority boxes and envelopes.

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.

stacy_pme · ‎04-13-2021

I apparently need your luck. My own is horrible. In the few years I have been selling, I have had 2 damaged items, and one item just disappeared. All 3 of these items were in the $50 - $60 range, not including shipping. I'm a different sort of seller though I suppose, I sell vintage & antique items. I don't sell 0.99 widgets or cheap Chinese junk. I do pack properly and am regularly thanked for my superior packing. I tend to over-protect.

maddocks · ‎04-13-2021

I have similar problems with sellers that want to send a 3 pound book via Priority Mail only too ($10), and not Media Mail ($4 at most). Usually if I insist loud enough they'll comply

gamersbaystore · ‎04-13-2021

The problem isnt just with sellers, but also the way ebay presents shipping options to buyers. In many cases, you actually have to add the item to cart and go to the checkout page to access all the shipping options available. Its likely some of those listings you mentioned actually do offer cheaper shipping methods, but the listings itself doesnt tell you this.

Just the other day I bought a lot of DVD's, the only option given on the listing itself was priority for $20. On the checkout page, it showed free shipping with media mail, which I chose.

This is why its a good idea to present buyers with the cheapest shipping options first. What many sellers dont realize is that the first option selected in their shipping policies is the one buyers will see first.

Its also not a good idea to have exorbitant shipping costs in ones listings. The higher your shipping costs, the lower you will rank. Just shaving 50 cents off the shipping costs I charged for DVD's gave me a huge boost. Factor the costs into the price, and not so much not the shipping.

calntom · ‎04-13-2021

I don't believe 1st Class Package is entirely back on track with 3 day delivery as I have seen recent shipments take 7 working days or longer.

Black hole states still only get UPS Ground shipments by me if the item has much value at all.

Could be some sellers are tired of INR's and have moved on from 1st Class.

I dont send anything USPS if it is over ~$100 unless I have confidence in that state's USPS.

It does not take a genius to know which are the problem states.

I have 14 states on 5-8 day delivery on another venue. The rest are on 2-4 day delivery.

magic*moonbeams · ‎04-13-2021

Sellers can charge what they want for shipping here... that is a fact, but I am NOT saying that is OK.

A deck of cards is less than a pound and can go first class.

If I asked someone the question you asked your seller and got the answer you got.... I wouldn't do the deal (IF I asked BEFORE buying...) let's state that. I would only ever agree to a b to the s rip off shipping deal if I was buying something as a gift for someone that I knew they would really want.. I'm always of the mind set that I will pay more for a gift for someone than I will pay for something I want for myself.

Other than that.. HECK NO.