Shipping

[bhsurfrep_7]

Okay, I checked with usps and found that to get the next level lower shipping rate, I’d have to ship 300 packages at a time.  But collectively, since most of us eBay sellers ship on eBay labels, shouldn’t we all get the discount?  Surely many thousands of items per day are shipped.  Shouldn’t eBay sellers be seen as one customer, easily meeting the 300 requirement?  Your thoughts, please.  Thanks in advance, Brian

[r_lresale]

what is "next level lower shipping rate"? You do get a discount buying through ebay.

[stainlessenginecovers]

Sellers on ebay already get a HUGE discount. 

Whoever told you that was either bored or full of it....or bored while being full of it. 

[albertabrightalberta]

@bhsurfrep_7 

Purchase your shipping labels through ebay and you'll get the "next level lower shipping rate." (whatever that means.)

[kensgiftshop]

USPS isn't under Ebays account like UPS and FedEx are.

So no, shouldn't be seen as one customer.

[mr_lincoln · Accepted solution]

HI @bhsurfrep_7 

-First, Sellers do not need to ask USPS questions about volume shipping discounts because eBay has already negotiated lower rates for Sellers when they print their labels through eBay.  When you print your labels through eBay you get a discount on all services except Media Mail

-Next, eBay recently implemented a NEW Seller protection for Sellers who print their labels through eBay.   If a Buyer files a claim that they have not received their package and a Seller refunds through the claim AND later the package is delivered and delivery confirmation is detected eBay will reimburse the Seller for the transaction. 

[bhsurfrep_7]

Thanks Mr. Lincoln!   So my shipping for a 1 lb book at something like 4.67 is the discount rate? I’m wondering how my competitors sell a book at 5.00 and offer free shipping?  They must be getting some kind of bulk rate that I’m not getting.  Please help me understand.

[ebooksdiva]

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@bhsurfrep_7 wrote:

Thanks Mr. Lincoln!   So my shipping for a 1 lb book at something like 4.67 is the discount rate? I’m wondering how my competitors sell a book at 5.00 and offer free shipping?  They must be getting some kind of bulk rate that I’m not getting.  Please help me understand.

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There is no discount for media mail, if that is how you are shipping the book.

[1786davycrockett]

@bhsurfrep_7 

Many of the "big boys" in the book business are making "blind" purchases of previously-discounted books, which have run out their retail lives at the major bookstores.

These "blind" purchases involve skids of boxed up "remainder" books.  Each box may contain about 20 to 30 mixed titles of unsold books, which the original retailers have re-shipped back to the secondary distributor.

The secondary distributor creates skid-loads (about 5 feet X 4 feet X 4 feet) of unmarked cartons of miscellaneous books, which are then offered for auction.

The "blind" contents of each skid are often sold for less than 5 cents per book.

Additionally, since the "big boys" are shipping out hundreds of books each day, USPS permits them to use discounted bulk shipping rates.

Most of these "big boy" booksellers do not offer accurate photos or condition descriptions -- so their feedback scores may also reflect many negatives and neutrals.