Calculated shipping - need some pros' advice, please

[dcintennessee]

Many of you have said you use mostly or only calculated shipping. I agree with your reasoning, and began editing several listings. FYI, I have very few OOAK items. Calculated shipping especially seems the best option when other identical items are available, and the shipping/pricing balance is the best distinguishing factor. But - I encountered a few wrinkles.

The shipping rate displayed isn't the least expensive, and eBay seems unable/unwilling to make the lowest priced option be the default one. Somewhere here I finally found a thread explaining that the FIRST option on your listing form is the price that will display. Well, that's dandy. The most affordable shipping option varies by weight/distance...which is exactly why I wanted to make the change to calculated. At least now I know how to set up listings for fixed-pricing shipping, with carrier options.

Even worse: If the account setting is enabled to pass along Commercial rates for calculated shipping, in search, buyers see the full retail price. (For the first option on your listing form). So - shipping prices can appear ridiculously higher than the least expensive option offered. They'll see the correct rates if they click on the listing, but the way search results tanked for those items, buyers will never see/click on them.

Logically, offering calculated shipping with a couple of carrier options seems the best way to list when the item is heavy compared to box size  - like 4 dinner plates. A nearby buyer can get them in a couple of days via Priority Mail, while my Pacific Northwest buyers (Lawd, I have a lot of them!) will pay about the same for SmartPost & get them in about a week. Or - they can choose to pay more for quicker delivery. I understand the perils associated with SmartPost, and still consider it viable for very very-well packed items in sturdy boxes that should survive the pallet phase of shipping. HOWEVER,  the way listings with calculated shipping appear in search is anything but logical. How can/do you set up your listings to circumvent these issues?

Again - praises for those of you who take time to assist the community. Don't know how I'd make it without you!

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

The FIRST option you list on the SYI form is the one that shows up on the main listing screen.  So your best bet is to list the cheapest option first.  Keep in mind that adding a FRE/FRB to weight-based Priority Mail will give your buyers the most cost effective option.  For example, I always offer calculated Priority Mail but add a medium FRB as a second option.  That way, buyers in Zones 7 and 8 (and sometimes Zone 6 or closer) will see a better rate when they look at the Shipping screen and during Checkout.

Where possible, I also offer First Class Mail and/or Media Mail as the FIRST option -- then Priority Mail as additional choices, whether weight-based, FRE or FRB.  All choices are available via the calculated shipping section.

~~C~~

[dcintennessee]

Thank you, Duchess! Unfortunately, there's little I currently have available that works for FRE/FRB, but I will definitely see if I need to make that change for existing listings & be more mindful for future listings. Thanks for the reminder!

Here's my dilemma: I know to put the least expensive method first, but it varies according to location, box size & weight.  Example: Compare PM & FedEx Ground/Home Delivery for a 12x12x8 box weighing 5.5 pounds. PM is slightly less than FedEx for Atlanta, NYC & Denver.  But FedEx is significantly less for Los Angeles & Seattle. I've made rate comparisons for about 15 listings during this process, and it's rare that the least expensive method is the same for near & far zones. I suspect I've had so many West Coast/PNW buyers because most of my listings had Fixed Price or "free" shipping, meaning they appeared overpriced to nearby buyers. And, they weren't OOAK. So, even using calculated shipping, I have to choose whether to make my listings more appealing to nearby or far away buyers based upon search results.

If eBay would make it so listings would default to the least expensive option for each buyer - problem solved...but that isn't happening.   You've given me some useful ideas, and I appreciate it!