Confused about shipping cost

[next_milenium]

I’m trying to sell a pair of bicycle wheels. They weigh 10lbs and the box I’m using is 27x27x7. 

When I look up similar items on eBay, I see the shipping cost varies depending on where the sellers are located (obviously). 

One seller selling basically the same bicycle wheels is located in Tampa Florida and the shipping cost to California shows up as $40 for UPS ground. 

 But using my item’s weight and box dimensions shows over $100 to ship to Tampa Florida from California. 

Other sellers with similar items are using USPS ground advantage or FedEx Home delivery and the shipping costs are $25-$35 to ship to California.

When I select USPS ground advantage for my item, it’s way over $35 to ship to Florida. 

Basically, I’m wondering why my shipping cost shows so much higher than what other sellers show⁉️

[bonjourami]

Why not use calculated shipping then?

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@next_milenium wrote: ... When I select USPS ground advantage for my item, it’s way over $35 to ship to Florida. 

Basically, I’m wondering why my shipping cost shows so much higher than what other sellers show⁉️

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Shipping bicycle wheels across the country via Ground Advantage for $35 is just not plausible.  I suspect that some of these sellers have either set up a flat shipping cost which is not based in reality, or they have set up calculated shipping but with inaccurate package dimensions.

Here's eBay's shipping calculator which might help. Packages over 1 cubic foot are charged by "dimensional weight" based on package volume, rather than on their actual scale weight, so even one inch can make a big difference in cost.

http://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator

For large items which are expensive to ship, it's best to try out "Local pickup only".

[ryry-jj]

Others may be using flat rate not calculated shipping and are off the mark.   I know that size box will be expensive, much more than most people realize.  Set your listing up as calculated shipping, as others have suggested.

One of the hardest things as sellers we must compete with is "ignorance".   I don't mean that negatively, but many sellers just give things away because they truly don't know the cost of selling.  I have said countless times, we are all in the shipping game...if you cant ship, if you cant afford the shipping, if you cant charge for shipping,  then you will be out of business soon.

[buyselljack2016]

As posted some sellers are confused.

As you noted shipping is more than they show.

Pirateship options.

 

[fm2000]

As said, some sellers don't understand what they are doing when it comes to shipping large packages, and they will end up losing a lot of money because of it. You don't want to be one of those sellers! Shipping packages over a cubic foot can be very risky, accurate measurements are crucial. Use calculated shipping, use the dimensions and weight of your bicycle wheels all packed up (don't guess, pack them in a well padded/protected box first and then measure and weigh the box). Even being a couple inches off can really hurt you on items that big.

Also bear in mind you will be paying FVF fees on whatever shipping fee the buyer pays (making the "real cost" to you 13-18% more than the actual cost to ship your item). The FVFs on shipping cost of a large item like yours can be significant and really eat away at your profit. You need to factor any FVFs on shipping you charge that into the price of the item, or increase the cost of shipping enough to cover them.