Calculated shipping for 1st class and priority bulk- 1st class is all wrong

[thecoolstuffstore1980]

Hi, thank you for checking out this post and maybe you can help me.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/100g-Assorted-Glass-Jade-VTG-BEADS-Brass-Charms-Bulk-Mixed-LOT-Craft-Jewelr...

I’m selling these lots of assorted beads. I’d really like to have multiple bulk sales in this listing and was wondering why they are not selling like this and then notice the shipping is all wrong on more than 2 and is showing 1st class prices incorrectly.

I have it set to do first class or priority. I thought because first class doesn’t ship over 16 ounces when people would choose more than two bundles at 8 ounces each it would automatically show them priority. Instead it is showing them some crazy bloated rate which doesn’t even make sense since first class doesn’t even ship such heavy items. If you go to the listing and choose three or four or five or etc. in the bulk,  it’ll say the shipping is like $28? How can I fix this what am I doing wrong?

Thank you all so much for any ideas

[no_zero369]

General Comments:  I want the lot that has the diamond cross in it!  Will I get it or will you be facing a SNAD case when something else arrives?   Same goes for the picture with the elephant charms.   Maybe those items are the "extras?"  Or perhaps individual pictures of individual lots?  If I were buying these at Michaels I could see what I am getting, with you I am rolling the dice and "hoping."

I put 4 in my cart and it shows a shipping cost of $15.49 with a discount of $8.  So some discount over 4.80 x 4.

[thecoolstuffstore1980]

Hi!!

haha yes I can accommodate those wishes if you’d like, I might only have 2 elephants through. Remember it is random but I do my best!! You can also reach out to me for special requests, I put that in the listing. I have plenty of crosses though. 

Thank you for checking I really appreciate that. It seems like the priority option is totally correct but it’s defaulting to the first class even when the items would weigh more than 16 ounces, each unit is about 8 ounces with packing so anything over two will show crazy prices that don’t even exist for first class

[thecoolstuffstore1980]

Gah I just checked, $15.40 is way too high, it should be defaulting to priority for anything over 1lb. Idk why it’s so stupid...1st doesn’t even ship anything over 1lb, I set secondary shipping as priority thinking it would be smart enough to automatically default. 

once my offers expire and I can edit shipping I will try again to fix this. Thank you for your help and please reach out if you’d like any. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

Does that category offer the Variations format? If so, you can set up a variation based on weight, include the shipping cost in the asking price, and offer free shipping.  Such as 100 gm for $15, 200 gm for $25 etc.

The random nature of the assortments you send is bound to cause confusion and disappointment. It might even be a violation of eBay's policies on chance listings and mystery boxes.  

[redmodelt]

Small priority flat rate box maybe?

[thecoolstuffstore1980]

Thank you I will look into the variations. 
it’s not a mystery box, the listing makes it clear you can reach out and make requests. What you receive is in the pics, you can request certain colors, styles etc. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

Then it's a violation because it's a choice listing.

[thecoolstuffstore1980]

It’s assorted beads...I took pictures of all of them. There are 1000s of listings for assorted beads you don’t get exactly what is pictured, they tell you what you will get and that’s it. When you see a listing for household goods and the description says “you may not receive color pictured” etc would you accuse them of a violation?

I reached out for help with the shipping. There’s always one at every party. Please take heed of your own username. 

[thecoolstuffstore1980 · Accepted solution]

Random is a color choice in the item specifics. “Mystery or chance auction” is a real stretch. I have found the solution, I needed to be on a desktop and have the choice of calculated or flat. I chose flat and add cost for each additional. 
I have removed any terminology encouraging special requests in case someone else chooses to misinterpret the language in the listing.

[no_zero369]

@thecoolstuffstore1980 

I think what perfect and I are trying to say is that you may run into buyers who expect what they see in the pictures (many don't READ the listing) and be disappointed and then file a SNAD case.  Our "warning" is from a perspective of seeing many "situations" where buyers 'assume' and then the seller gets hurt. So we are trying to help out.  Perhaps it doesn't come off that way and that is regretful.

You are free to operate how you wish, just trying to help you do that with your eyes open.   The fact that others do certain things and possibly include policy violations doesn't make it right.   They may well have SNAD cases worked into their business plan with financial backing too.   eBay requires sellers to clearly identify what they are selling and picture that too, or they are liable for SNAD cases.

Why do you have to do just "average" what everyone else does?  Couldn't you do a better job and exceed "average?"  just askin

So just a suggestion - Would it be difficult to segregate out a half dozen lots of beads in sandwich baggies and then photo each lot separately?  That way your buyers know EXACTLY what they are getting.   Perhaps you'll attract buyers that are fed up with typical - you get random, what you get, pot luck style of others?  Of course you could also toss in the crosses or elephants as extras as you ship, if you think that extra will create good will with buyers?  Point is showing exactly what a buyer will receive means no one "assumes" they are getting a cross and didn't because of the random nature.

When I see a listing that says “you may not receive color pictured” I click back or next and avoid that lazy seller.  Color is always important and not knowing what I am getting is a HUGE problem.  Would you be happy buying a little black dress only to discover that a green dress was delivered and the fine print said “you may not receive color pictured”.  So why should it be any different for beads?

Look, this is all just advice from this chair, based on experience, etc.  You are free to ignore it and do something different.  No one here is trying to "be THAT guy" we just saw something that in our experience is a red flag and wanted to share that with you in the spirit of helping.  So if that bothers you then we have failed in our efforts to educate and help.  My bad!

Good luck with your selling, may you have many successes.

[thecoolstuffstore1980]

Thank you for your help, and replies. eBays item specifics drop downs include “various” for shape and “random” for color. Assorted lots are commonplace and certainly not a violation. Everyone selling on eBay could potentially disappoint a fussy buyer, but whether they are doing something that violates a policy is the real question. We are all taking chances with hypothetical disappointment on eBay.