eBay fees

[pafos-278]

Can eBay have an exception to the percentage fee for the total amount when the shipping selected is calculated through eBay. Using a percentage can lead to the seller having to pay eBay money. For example, if I sold a DVD for 50 cents, the percentage that includes the shipping cost for media mail (4.35) creates a fee over what I have sold the dvd for.  

[bonjourami]

Its hardly worth selling any lower priced items on Ebay anymore. Doesnt matter if the shipping selected is thru Ebay, percentage is the same, tho you get a small discount on your shipping labels.

[inhawaii]

For most items/categories ebay's fee is 13.25% of the total sale  (the item price, the shipping and the tax).

It's up to YOU, the seller to figure out what the fee will be, how much profit is left  and then decide if it's worth it or not to sell.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@pafos-278 wrote:

Can eBay have an exception to the percentage fee for the total amount when the shipping selected is calculated through eBay. ...

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No. So don't sell anything for 50 cents.

[hartungcards]

If you sold a DVD for 50 cents, you would have lost money on the deal if you sent it Pony Express.

[caldreamer]

You cannot make any money selling at those prices.   You should combine items and get sale about up to $25.00.

EBAY selling fees based on (purchase price + shipping + sales tax) plus 30 cent handling charge.   You need to raise your prices to cover your costs.

[kalyoth]

Depending on your costs, nearly anyone selling an item below 9.99 at this point is losing money. The race to the bottom is not worth the effort.

[toysaver]

Anyone complaining about eBay's fees needs to raise their prices so their buyer pays all said fees.   

[stainlessenginecovers]

Can ebay have an exception? No. Never. The 'fee' is what the 'fee' is. Do the math BEFORE selling and you can determine 

a.) selling price

b.) is it worth it?

[monster-deals]

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@pafos-278 wrote:

 I sold a DVD for 50 cents

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There's your problem right there.

[frankenhobbit]

Given time, materials, return risks and fees, I'd say that unless you can come away with at least a clear $10 after everything, you may as well just donate an item and deduct from your taxes next year . That's assuming the USPS picks it up from your mailbox or is just around the corner and you can drop it off without going too far out of your way. 

Just my opinion. Others may have a higher or lower threshold. 

[luckythewinner]

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@pafos-278 wrote:

Using a percentage can lead to the seller having to pay eBay money. For example, if I sold a DVD for 50 cents, the percentage that includes the shipping cost for media mail (4.35) creates a fee over what I have sold the dvd for.  

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Why in the world would eBay want to encourage sellers to use up eBay's resources selling items that barely make eBay any money? 

Some items are not a good fit for eBay. The solution to your example is simple - don't list it here. 

[adamcartwright]

@frankenhobbit 

People here are always talking about being better off donating goods to charity than selling them for a low price.

But most people cannot deduct donations of goods to charity.

90% of taxpayers take the standard deduction, which means they cannot then write off donations to Goodwill or Salvation Army, because those would be itemized deductions which are barred when the Standard Deduction is taken.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

Ebay permits you to lose as much as you are willing to when you sell items for too low a price.

Your listing and the order cost Ebay money and they will make a profit on your orders whether you do or not.

They are not going to make an exception for sellers who choose to make unprofitable sales.

Most Ebay sellers never lose money on a sale unless they have a problem with the buyer or the product.

Many DVDs are not worth 50 cents.

[mam98031]

@pafos-278 

Starting auctions for 99 cents hasn't been a viable option for years.  There was a time on Ebay, about a decade or more ago, that this was done often.  Back when there was more buyers visiting auctions so multiple buyers would be bidding and drive the price up.  Times have changed.

Your starting price should be an amount that allows to you at the very least cover costs.  But when you do charge a separate shipping charge you are doing it for the exact amount the shipping is going to cost  you with the carrier.  You are not adding anything for shipping supplies and Ebay fees.  Now that can work fine if you put those costs into your sell price, but you don't even charge enough to cover the FVFs on the product much less the shipping paid by the buyer.

Let's take your example.  

  .50 for the DVD

4.13 for shipping via Media Mail

  .37 estimated sales tax @ 8%

5.00  Total the buyer paid to you.

 .75  FVF on $5 @ 15%

4.13  Cost of shipping

.37   Ebay passes that along to the appropriate state.

5.25  Total Deductions

You are in the hole 25 cents on this transaction.  Plus you have the cost of your shipping supplies and the product you sold are all at your expense as you didn't make a penny off this transaction.