Not adding insurance to item being shipped

[theo2112]

I noticed some buyers are selling very small items like stickers and the like that fit into mail envelopes.

They charge a $1.00 for shipping and explain that you can’t track the item as it’s been mailed in a letter envelope.

But they also give them the option to pay $4.00 instead for ground shipping if the buyer wants to track the item.

How does Ebay view this type of transaction?

If the buyer never receives their product can’t they file a claim for their money back?

On a separate topic: Does ground shipping include $50 in insurance like priority shipping?

Thank you in advance for any help

[1786davycrockett · Accepted solution]

@theo2112 

Most sellers do not pay for additional insurance, especially on inexpensive items.

"I noticed some buyers are selling very small items like stickers and the like that fit into mail envelopes.

They charge a $1.00 for shipping and explain that you can’t track the item as it’s been mailed in a letter envelope."

Yes -- it's called the eBay Standard Envelope, and it is an inexpensive method for sellers to send particular low-value (under $20.00) items to their buyers, at a reduced postal rate.  And, while a form of "tracking" is included, it is not as dependable as regular USPS tracking.

"But they also give them the option to pay $4.00 instead for ground shipping if the buyer wants to track the item.

How does Ebay view this type of transaction?"

Some sellers offer their buyers either eBay Standard Envelope (ESE) shipping (with limited, metered mail tracking) at a reduced postal rate , or USPS Ground Advantage shipping (with USPS Tracking);  although $4.00 seems like a very low USPS GA shipping charge -- it depends upon the postal zone in which the buyer lives.  And eBay does not have a problem with sellers offering buyers a choice of shipping options.

"If the buyer never receives their product can’t they file a claim for their money back?"

If the buyer does not receive the item which they have purchased, the buyer can open up an "item not received" claim against the seller through eBay, and receive a refund.  However, if the seller can prove that the item was in fact delivered to the buyer's address, the "item not received" claim will be invalid.

"On a separate topic: Does ground shipping include $50 in insurance like priority shipping?"

USPS Ground Advantage shipping includes $100.00 insurance for the SELLER, not the BUYER.

[theo2112]

Thank you for all the information!

Greatly appreciated!

[theo2112]

Hello,

May I ask what type of scale you use to figure out shipping costs?

And with all the different zones how do you know what you should charge?

Do you find EBay shipping to be cheaper than the USPS?

I’ve sold on eBay years ago and so many things have changed.

No worries if you don’t have time to answer.

Thank you 

[1786davycrockett]

@theo2112 

First of all -- if you need to contact an individual eBay member (such as me), you will need to "tag" them -- such as I just did with you, in the line above -- with @theo2112 .

"May I ask what type of scale you use to figure out shipping costs?"

When I first started my store in 2011, I purchased a postal scale (up to 3 ounces) at an office supples firm.  It was not very costly, and is battery-operated (and it hasn't been necessary to change the battery yet!).

"And with all the different zones how do you know what you should charge?"

For myself, I just use a flat-fee for every zone -- but high enough postage so that I won't be caught short.  I'm in Minnesota; so the only zones that may negatively effect me would be in Hawaii, Alaska and the Pacific Ocean territories (such as Guam, Micronesia, Palau, etc).  But other eBay sellers choose to use calculated shipping -- so check into both options, and choose for yourself.

And, since I am signed up for eBay International Shipping (EIS), the only shipping fee which I encounter is the domestic shipping charge from me to the EIS shipping hub in Illinois (usually less than $5.00).

"Do you find EBay shipping to be cheaper than the USPS?"

Except for USPS Media rates (which are identical between USPS and eBay), the savings on eBay will put extra $$$ in your wallet -- although several eBay sellers prefer using Pirate Ship for their shipping labels -- so check that out, too.

And don't forget to stay tuned on a daily basis to the eBay Community Boards (like this) -- you'll probably hear about any significant eBay changes on these boards long before you receive an official notification from eBay, plus you'll be receiving some valuable tips and suggestions from other experienced eBay sellers and buyers -- so stay tuned, and good luck!

[theo2112]

Thank you for the great information!

I sold on EBay years ago and everything has changed since then.

It’s  so nice to have such knowledgeable people to answer my questions