"I just sold an item for $74.99 with $14.99 ship...total including tax for buyer was $96.43. My gross profit from sale is $60.68,,,That means ebay took $35.75...The tax was $6 and change,,,"
If by "gross profit from [that] sale is $60.68", you mean that eBay transferred $60.68 into your checking account, that sounds about right. I'd be very happy to net $60 on a $74 sale.
"ebay charges supposedly between 12.9% to 14.6%"
Where did you get those numbers? I just took a look at the date of your post and, sure enough, it is today and not two or more years ago which is about when the previous standard of 12.9% was raised to 13.25%.
You didn't mention what kind of an item you sold. eBay's Final Value Fee percentage vary among categories.
The current FVF percentages run from 6.35% (guitars and basses) to 15% (jewelry, even costume jewelry, and watches), with most categories carrying a 13.25% FVF.
"how does that calculate?,,,the percentage charged on this sale from eBay was 37.07%...How do they get away with this?,,"
eBay calculates the FVF by applying the appropriate percentage (remember that range from 6.35% to 15%?) to the total amount paid by your buyer.
Read that again: Total Amount Paid By Your Buyer.
That means that the FVF percentage is applied to the price of the item; in your case, the item sold for $74.99.
ALSO, the FVF percentage is applied to any sales tax that your buyer pays and to the postage/shipping cost that your buyer pays and even to any handling charge you may add in to your listings.
"Disgusting"
Well, that's, like your opinion.
I am always amazed, although I shouldn't be, at the number of sellers that cannot differentiate their selling costs. I cannot wait for some of the postings that will hit this board next year when sellers that have never claimed their revenue on their taxes start getting 1099's, do their taxes and see the percentages of income taxes they pay at the Federal and State level on their NET income.
I have always reported by income and over the years have found that the eBay FVF's are one of my cheaper selling costs but of course I have that factored into my selling price along with the COGS, Federal and State taxes and other operating expenses. On average my TOTAL selling costs are about 70-80% of my gross revenue. My ROI will vary slightly but I attempt to keep it at around 40%.
