Why are shipping costs subject to EBay Fees?

[ptrain1149]

Am I the only one who thinks that shipping costs should not be included in the Ebay Fee schedule? Why should Ebay get a 10% fee on what it costs to ship something? Sellers don't actually get to keep the money that buyers pay for shipping costs and the 10% fee comes directly off of what you REALLY sell the item for. With the shipping costs going up substantially since COVID19 this has become more than just a slight hit.  Large or heavy items have been significantly penalized by the increased shipping costs and eBay should consider giving us poor sellers a break on these unjust fees.

[chriskre]

I agree they should for those of us who print our postage on ebay.

Ebay knows exactly what the postage is costing us but they started

charging FVF's on postage because too many sellers were gaming

the system by charging 99 cents and $19.99 for shipping to get 

around the fees.  It must be easier and more convenient to just

tack on the fee to everyone than to try to fix the code to just 

charge fairly.  They really don't have an incentive to fix this issue

so don't hold your breath.  

[highgroveart]

I totally agree with the previous reply and would also add that I think ebay is trying to encourage sellers to offer free shipping.... I know that nothing is really free and we will still pay the final value fee but if you offer free shipping and try to use ebay shipping labels... you can save some money, particularly if you can ship something first class (which buyers like vs. media mail) and you will get a 33% discount on the shipping....  And when you ship something first class, it costs you only about 40 cents more than media mail (which of course, takes about 10 days vs. the 3 day turnaround of first class.... hope I am making sense... I have been out of the game for a few years and stumbling around a bit (but hopeful).....

[mtgraves7984]

When they started charging the fee, it is for the very reason @chriskre mentioned.

I am one who appreciates why they do it and am not bothered by it. I charge for shipping and don't lose money on it.

[orangehound]

---

@ptrain1149 wrote:

Am I the only one who thinks that shipping costs should not be included in the Ebay Fee schedule? Why should Ebay get a 10% fee on what it costs to ship something?

---

If you want to get even more riled up ... PayPal also charges 2.9% for shipping fees collected ... and they charge 2.9% for sales taxes that are collected on the sale and then relayed to the taxing state.

You aren't going to change these practices.  So, if these fees bother you, then increase the prices of your shipping or of the item in order to cover them (tack on handling fees).

[1tuna]

...............general reply..............

yeah, I want to get all worked up,how about those fees on taxes we will be paying in MP.The taxes are casing a shift in the reshipping busness I sell to Asia frequently and was shipping to many Cali reshippers,it has all dried up and moved over to Oregon.  I ship directly international and people are surprised to hear they will be charged state taxes when using a reshipper,every one is getting squeezed. Fees on top of taxes,can it get any better

[7606dennis]

Actually, because eBay deemed them to be so and by continuing to use the site you have agreed to it. 

At one time eBay didn't include S&H in the calculation of FVF.  However, quite a few sellers got in the habit of setting their item price unreasonably low and adding profit into the S&H which amounted to an attempt to avoid paying eBay FVF.  Thus eBay decided to include the S&H in the calculations and charge the FVF on the total amount.  It is one of the things that you agree to when you accept the UA.  Frankly, it appears to be a case of some sellers getting over on eBay and eBay turning around with a got ya last scheme. 

Of course, sellers do not have to accept that from eBay, just don't let the door hit you on your way out.

[corvettestainless]

You simply build that amount of $ into your profit/selling price to cover that amount (if you use exact shipping costs to the customer). 

It started as others have stated, but think about it- it's the 'total price' it costs to get you the item you want. I want a percentage of that total cost. 

For those that still think this is wrong, they could just raise the fee percentage, to say- 20% like someone else does... and then not charge for shipping.

[7606dennis]

Oh!  By the way, some states deem S&H to be a taxable service.  That is not eBay but rather the state legislature.  If your state is one that does, you will need to convince your state legislature to change their mind.  Good luck with that.

[johnrj1226]

The FVF on shipping charges has been going on since 2011 and prior to that on items shipped with "free shipping" where the shipping charges  embedded in the sell price.

PayPal has been collected their charges on the entire amount the buyer paid for a long time too.

Not aware of any shipping cost increases since  mid Jan. 2020 (USPS) and Dec. 2019 for UPS, FedEx. 

[atikovi]

Smart sellers profit on the item AND it's shipping.