refund shipping overage?

[estatesalequeen]

At what point or dollar amount do you refund over shipping charges to your buyers, or do you?

I am seeing shipping fees that are not even close to the actual. This mostly happens when a buyer buys more than one item and ebay miscalculates the shipping.

When do you refund for the big difference? 

I have noticed that only 1 out of 5 or 6 even take the time to say thank you for the refund.

[moo*cow*corner]

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@scga912 wrote:

Getting combined shipping right on plates is a challenge.  I don't list in full pound increments when I think they'll buy multiples.  I try to list with actual weight so when it adds up it'll be closer. 

The Wedgwood?  It looks like you were charging 3 lbs per each purchase so 6 was 18 lbs, but the actual weight was about 11? 

Had you listed as 2 lbs 2 oz and they purchased 6, they would've been charged for 11 lbs, but a single purchase could still weigh up to 3 lbs and the rate would've been accurate. 

I'm with nobodys_perfect.  My refund would've been in the $15-18 range

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This post is probably pretty accurate. I'm not totally averse to a shipping overage refund, if it happens to be that high. I also agree with the ~$15-18 refund.

I had one this year where the shipping charged was $32.50, but actual cost was $40 to Zone 8. So, those still occasionally happen too.

I know I'd be quite pleased if I could end up with an 11# box for 6 Wedgwood plates. The way I pack, I'd think it'd be somewhat heavier. It's really difficult to keep a dinner plate under 3# if it's properly packed.

Doing combined shipping by actual weight for P&G is a royal pain, so I took a completely different approach. I worked out a flat rate shipping scheme and use the shipping tables. Zones 1-5 is a flat rate, with a surcharge added for zones 6 and up. My standard combined discount is 50% off shipping for additional purchases.

I can't sell singles to save my life, so I sell lots. I have a table for small items like salad plates and smaller. I have a table just for dinner plates. I have yet another table for large items like platters, serving pieces, large lots, etc. It works well for me.

I absorbed last years rate increases, but I'm sure that I'm not going to be able to do that this year. Reworking my shipping tables is on my to-do list very soon.

[this*old*attic]

@moo*cow*corner 

Beautiful listings, btw!

[this*old*attic]

@moo*cow*corner 

The clothing equivalent of that is underestimating a coat/jacket.

[moo*cow*corner]

Thanks!

[moo*cow*corner]

Yup. I get it. I have a huge stash of vintage clothing. If I ever get around to listing it, I'll have to learn all of the ins and outs of that category too. In the meantime, I have plenty of P&G (and other finds) to keep me occupied for quite some time yet! LOL!

[fuzzface50]

I prepack and use calculated and cannot remember when the numbers were off.

But my buddy , he  charges $1.50 per pound for the item.  He is usually pretty close. sometimes he is little over, sometimes under.  We live close to the middle of the country so it works out a set fee like that.  Now when he sells something close and makes a big profit on shipping, he keeps it.  They know what is being charged before they buy it.  Now he does take offers on some items  and will make adjustments to price and/or shipping if they make a deal ahead of time but if you just hit buy it now or win his auction with no communication then no you pay what the shipping charge come up at. 

So basicly stuff on the ocean sides he is real close on shipping charges, win some lose some but they average out after a years worth. then anything close to him he just makes that much more on the item with the extra being wrapped in shipping which by right you can call  it a handling charge.

I am thinking about changing one of my id's to this and see how it plays out. I might even bring this id back to selling status and try it on that one for a short time.   Seems to work well for him and don't have to figure out boxing until it is actually sold.  But I like having my stuff handy and ready to ship when it sells so I am not sure yet.  some days he has to stay behind and get his boxing done. 

[rpalma]

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@estatesalequeen wrote:

An example of my definition of overage is like today.  A buyer purchased 6 plates that I have listed by the each. The buyer paid $58 in shipping. When all was said and done, I packed the plates in one box and actual shipping was $34. I refunded $26.

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You are treating this as a hobby while other people are treating it as a business.

There's nothing wrong with that as long as you understand your own goals.

You might want to consider your profit and costs as an hourly wage and decide if it makes sense to do things like call ebay to have them partially refund fees.

[pink.fish.rule]

Sometimes I do sometimes I don't.