A way to offer optional handling charge (for better packaging)?

[htwingnut]

I am going to be selling a bunch of old PC Games on CD/DVD in jewel cases. Margins are already thin for these things, especially with shipping charges. If I put it in a CD cardboard box, the cost of the box, plus additional cost of shipping (because of added weight) is an extra $0.75. I save that $0.75 if I just put the jewel case in a bubble mailer. I wanted to give buyers the option to pay the $0.75 for the added protection if they want it, otherwise it's free shipping in bubble mailer.

With the CD/DVD in the jewel case in the bubble mailer, chances are that the CD/DVD will be intact when it reaches the customer, just that the case might get cracked along the way, but won't affect the contents.

Thanks.

[htwingnut]

Wups, nevermind, I'm dumb.

I'll just create two shipping options, one for free, one for $0.75.

[tdumonde2014]

Proper packaging is for the seller's protection, buyers have ebay's MBG. Doubt that many will sign up for your plan. Good luck.

[pburn]

Hey, well, before you go! If you show photos of a jewel case that is not cracked, and you mail it in a bubble mailer, and it arrives cracked, you'll be setting yourself up for a SNAD or neutral/negative feedback--or both.

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@htwingnut wrote:

Wups, nevermind, I'm dumb.

I'll just create two shipping options, one for free, one for $0.75.

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@htwingnut 

How's this for an idea?

Add $0.75 to your price and ship ALL orders properly.

"Arrived Damaged" is SNAD.

[dhbookds]

would adding 2 pieces of cardboard to the case and putting that in the mailer be that much more?

[rockusone]

Wrap the Cd in bubble wrap before putting in a bubble mailer. What I do is wrap the CD in lightweight corrugated cardboard as I don't like to use any more plastic than I have to. Total weight is always under 8 oz.

[htwingnut]

Adding any additional supporting cardboard increases weight from under 4 oz to 5 or 6 oz which increases shipping cost about $0.52 plus cost of the additional cardboard or wrap.

Normally I more then securely ship items, but when items will sell for only $5-7 tops, after shipping (~ $3.50) and ebay and paypay fees (~$1.50), there's not much left.

[htwingnut]

Because people are cheap, and will buy from the other guy selling for $0.01 cheaper despite having poor packaging. People want packaging for free. I've sold bigger expensive items and spent $30-40 on packaging so it will arrive safely. Nobody cares to see or hear that part of the pricing. They'll buy it $20 cheaper elsewhere shipped in poor packaging.

I'm selling this stuff because I don't need/want it any more, but when margins are only making $1-$2 each adding an extra $0.75 will eat significantly into that.

People are paying for the content on the CD/DVD not the jewel case.

[buyselljack2016]

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@htwingnut wrote:

Because people are cheap, and will buy from the other guy selling for $0.01 cheaper despite having poor packaging. People want packaging for free. I've sold bigger expensive items and spent $30-40 on packaging so it will arrive safely. Nobody cares to see or hear that part of the pricing. They'll buy it $20 cheaper elsewhere shipped in poor packaging.

I'm selling this stuff because I don't need/want it any more, but when margins are only making $1-$2 each adding an extra $0.75 will eat significantly into that.

People are paying for the content on the CD/DVD not the jewel case.

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Then just ship in a paper envelope without tracking. Don't know how they do it, but my wife has had some arrive like that. It is like they are shipping as a large envelope. Not sure how it does not get flagged as a package, as they don't bend.

[htwingnut]

I won't ship it in an envelope, lol. Our post office will kick back anything that doesn't meet criteria, even something that was 0.1oz over, they sent back to me, only because it kicked up to the next pricing.

I'll just bump the prices up a bit and suck some of it up myself and sell them with good packaging as a selling point.

I don't know how particular people are about these things. If I order a $5 game, and the jewel case is cracked, as long as the CD/DVD still works fine, do I really care? Me, personally? No. If I order a rare item, then yes, but it will likely cost a lot more and justify the extra cost of solid packaging.

[mr_lincoln]

@htwingnut..... Wow, I read your original post and some comments by others ... why not attract other successful game sellers by putting the entire collection up on an Auction listing with the starting price at like 1/2 their normal or average SOLD price and use Calculated shipping (letting Buyer see what it will cost THEM to ship the entire lot)?

Example 20 games average SOLD price $ 4.80 = $ 96.00 .... run the Auction with the starting price at $ 48.00.

[htwingnut]

Thanks for the suggestion mr_lincoln. But I've already done that. Listed them as a bulk buy for a month and not even any offers. I've started selling other games one at a time and they eventually sell fairly quickly.

[mam98031]

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@htwingnut wrote:

Because people are cheap, and will buy from the other guy selling for $0.01 cheaper despite having poor packaging. People want packaging for free. I've sold bigger expensive items and spent $30-40 on packaging so it will arrive safely. Nobody cares to see or hear that part of the pricing. They'll buy it $20 cheaper elsewhere shipped in poor packaging.

I'm selling this stuff because I don't need/want it any more, but when margins are only making $1-$2 each adding an extra $0.75 will eat significantly into that.

People are paying for the content on the CD/DVD not the jewel case.

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This isn't a subject that is just about how much buyers want to pay.  As a seller YOU have responsibilities.  YOU are responsible for the item arriving undamaged.  YOU are responsible for packaging whatever you sell in a way to allow it to arrive safely at the buyer's location.  

If you are NOT including a Jewel Case with a CD, then you need to make sure one does NOT appear in your pics, that your title reflects this as well as your description.  Or this will cause you problems eventually with your feedback and with INADs.

Free Shipping doesn't mean that a seller doesn't include shipping and handling in their price.  

I sell stuff in a competitive market too.  While I'm quite familiar with people wanting to get the best value for their $$s.  I find it is because they worked hard for their money and just want to make sure they get the best value they can find.  Unless they are a repeat customer of someones, they don't know how that seller packages things.  So your statement about the lousy packaging may not be a known thing for most buyers.

In looking at sold listings for one of your listings: Sins of a Solar Empire, it show that it has sold recently for $10 w/ 6.95 shipping, 7.95 w/ free shipping, 7.00 w/ free shipping, 5.00 w/ 5.53 shipping, etc.

So the sell prices seem to have a good amount of variance.  I'm not sure if it is you that is too sensitive about raising your pricing by a buck or its buyers.  I tend to think you would be fine.  I would not recommend adding a separate charge if a buyer wants more packaging.  You should just add the amount you need to the price of the item and move forward.

[7606dennis]

It is your duty as the seller to safely get the item to the buyer.  I suggest packaging the item for shipment in a manner that insures that and charging the S&H that reflects that.  To offer better packaging for a higher price is probably not a good idea.  The buyer is protected by the MBG so there is no need for them to pay extra.