eBay

devomp · ‎08-20-2023

I want to offer free shipping on a large item I have to sell. To get an idea of how much it will cost me to ship it, I used eBay's shipping calculator.

The package is 77 pounds, 47x37x9 inches. I'm mailing it from 62704, and I put 90001 (Los Angeles) in as the destination to get an idea of how much it would cost to one of the farthest cities from my location.

The shipping calculator says UPS Ground will cost $161 with eBay rates. When I went to put the package's dimensions in my listings, however, before I clicked "free shipping", the listing said UPS Ground would cost a minimum of $262, a difference of $101.

I know eBay's shipping calculator is just an estimate, but the fact there's a difference of over $100 on the two does not fill me with confidence.

I cannot afford to sell an item offering free shipping, and then have the actual shipping cost be so much more than what was estimated. Does anyone have any advice here? Am I doing something wrong?

monica-sells · ‎08-20-2023

Is it possibly showing the retail price and not the ebay price?

I definitely see the ebay price in the calculator (161)...but the retail rate is 322, so I am not sure where 262 is coming from...

sorry

wastingtime101 · ‎08-20-2023

Hey @devomp

Look closely and you'll see $261.52 is the in store (retail) rate shipping close to you while $131.54 is the eBay discounted online rate.

Then look at shipping to the opposite side of the country and you'll see a UPS Ground retail rate of $330.20 and an eBay rate of $168.50.

Keep in mind these are estimates. UPS can tack on any number of surcharges based on irregular packages, type of packaging, delivery area surcharges, etc.

I suggest reviewing the UPS site for any surcharges that might apply and factoring that in to your expenses. Don't forget you'll be paying eBay fees on total amount buyer pays.

Hope that helps point you in the right direction.

GLORIOUS!

dryophelia · ‎08-20-2023

@devomp

Keep in mind, any quote you see from UPS on the ebay site will be an estimate only. You will be billed after the item is delivered for the actual cost. There could be fuel surcharges, residential delivery fees, and always, there is dimensional weight to consider. (According to that link, it may be closer to 95 lbs)

Take the item to UPS retail counter and see what the cost is. Buy your label at the retail counter or PirateShip. Do not use the eBay label.

There have been instances where sellers have come here after UPS delivered and the cost is hundreds of dollars more than that eBay estimate.

wastingtime101 · ‎08-20-2023

@dryophelia wrote:
there is dimensional weight to consider.

eBay shipping calculator factors in dimensional weight.

GLORIOUS!

devomp · ‎08-21-2023

Not sure, but I was hoping it was showing the retail price for some reason instead of the actual eBay-rate price. I got the $262 from the lowest price it showed while making my listing. After I put in the weight and dimensions, the lowest price for UPS Ground was $262.