eBay fees

[jblack36-2013]

Hey guys!  I am sure this has already been discussed, but I have not been able to find a thread on it).  I am so upset with eBay and their continued plight to relieve sellers of their hard earned money.  Every time I turn around, they have increased their fees and discover new ways to deduct money from our profits.  It wasn't until recently I noticed they charge the sellers a percentage on the sales tax (which we never collect) and now are collecting 10% on our shipping fees.  This significantly reduces the amount we profit.  I wish there was some other platform we could use, but I have not found one.  This leads me to my question.  I hate advertising Free Shipping because I am located in the Midwest and shipping to California is absolutely ridiculous.  By the time I calculate shipping to California, it will blow the price of my item out of the water.  Does anyone have any sources they use besides the normal shipping services?  (USPS, FedEX and UPS).  I need to figure something out quickly because with this pandemic I am under doctor's orders not to work and this is my only means of income.  When eBay forced us into their managed payments system, we were devastated.  It takes way too long for the money to hit our account and by the time it does, there is usually a NSF accompanied with it.  I am so over it.  I thought they were connected with PayPal and was shocked they stopped using that service.  PayPal was fast and easy.  Managed payments is nothing but one huge delay after the other.  I love when you select daily payouts and to them that means Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  It's not like our bills stop on the weekends.  

From One Very Aggravated eBay Seller!

Any help any of you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[tdumonde2014]

EBay has been collecting a FVF on shipping for about 8 to 10 years now.

[pburn]

Your comments are sort of all over the board. The only question I could identify was:

 Does anyone have any sources they use besides the normal shipping services?  (USPS, FedEX and UPS).

I'm not familiar with any other reputable, reliable nationwide carriers within the borders of the continental United States. You might research DHL, but I think they're handling only overseas-to-US shipments (and vice versa), and it's my understanding even those are passed off to a local carrier. 

Perhaps other members will be able to come up with viable suggestions.

[nobody*s_perfect]

eBay has been charging a final value fee on the buyer's full payment including shipping and handling since 2011.

The shipping calculator in eBay listings is set by default to charge the retail prices.  If you leave it that way but purchase your postage online, then the buyer's payment includes an automatic cushion to approximately cover the fees on shipping, when you purchase labels online for Priority Mail or First Class packages.

PayPal and eBay became separate companies about 5 years ago, and eBay immediately announced that they were going to phase out access to PayPal in favor of using their own in-house processing.

I recommend that you just set up your listings with calculated shipping and let those California buyers decide for themselves whether the postage cost is worth it.

[dhbookds]

I'm in PA and sell more than a little to Cal, some large/heavy item......have calculated shipping.......so people out there will pay.  You might look at Pirate ship.......they are supposedly cheaper on 1/2 ( I think it is) cu yd or less items. 

[stephenmorgan]

You mentioned 10% on shipping.  Did you know you also have 2.35% on the money transfer.  So fee is actually 12.35%.

Ebay charges their Fees (Commission) on all money that goes thru them.  It does not matter what it is for.  It does not matter how or who you purchase the shipping Label from.  You can buy the Label on eBay or you can purchase it somewhere else.  If the money from your shipping charges went thru eBay you will be charged the fees.

Mostly for small package items of low value, even with the eBay Fees added to the shipping cost, USPS is slightly cheaper or the same thru eBay then if paid for directly at USPS. 

Not all USPS services are discounted thru eBay.  If the cost of a USPS item on eBay is the same as it cost with USPS then you are paying more thru eBay because of the added eBay Fees.  Since the money went thru eBay you have already been charge their fees so at this point you are not saving anything by going to USPS directly.

[pooh333piglet]

I dont get this. Can you give an example?

How are you paying more? 

"Not all USPS services are discounted thru eBay. If the cost of a USPS item on eBay is the same as it cost with USPS then you are paying more thru eBay because of the added eBay Fees."

[nobody*s_perfect]

That statement didn't make any sense to me, either.

For two reasons: (1) eBay's "shipping fee" is baed on the buyer's payment. So the seller pays it regardless of where they purchase postage.  (2) AFAIK the only postage service that isn't discounted by eBay (i.e., charged at the USPS published online rate) is Media Mail.  And the USPS Click N Ship service only offers Priority and First Class, for which they charge the retail prices. So color me confused here, too.

[stephenmorgan]

Please note I said "Not all USPS services are discounted thru eBay."

Here is an example, this just barely gets in to it being cheaper at the USPS.

Large Flat Rate USPS  $21.10  Insurance for $500 is $7.10 Total $28.20

Large Flat Rate eBay  $18.30 Insurance $7.10 Sub Total $25.40  eBay 12.35% Fee $3.13 for Total of $28.53

This example eBay is $0.23 cents more than the USPS

I know $0.23 in nothing, but it increases the more Insurance you add.  

As nobody*_perfect pointed out Media Mail is not discounted.  

If you wish to send something Register Mail, I do not see that it is offered on eBay.  So if money is being exchanged on eBay to pay for Register Mail you are paying Retail plus the 12.25% eBay charged.  Maybe Registered mail is offered with a discount, I don't know for sure.  I only know needed a package to go Register Mail and did not find the service on eBay.

My only point is not all USPS items are discounted and you could pay more one eBay.

[nobody*s_perfect]

You are miscalculating the fees.

It is not appropriate to add the 12.35% onto the cost of eBay postage.

That's not how eBay figures the fees.

The eBay fee is based on what the buyer pays to the seller, not on what the seller pays to eBay for postage. The fee on shipping is the same wherever the seller purchases postage.

[pooh333piglet]

Thx for explaining. I was thinking all that too but didnt have the exact words to explain it nor the time.

Fees can be tricky for sellers. Especially now with MP you see all these fees and money coming in and money going out so I can see how it might not be clear. 

Great for all to learn new ways, ideas, corrections, and options on these boards.

[pooh333piglet]

I was checking with you that you are familiar with all USPS options that can save on postage? Mainly the 2 loves of my life...

Legal flat rate envelope and Regional Rate A box. There's also a Rate B box. 

It's difficult but I can ship a queen sheet set in a legal flat rate to anywhere in US for 7.25 I think it is.

Rate A saves me a $1 - 3 generally but at times it has saved me more when the items were heavier but small enough to fit in it

[Anonymous]

Lots of topics on everything you're complaining about.  At this point it's up to each of us to decide whether it's still worth it.

Just wait til you see their math on the new fee structure that includes full FVF on sales tax.  

Previously PP charged 2.9% on sales tax, ok.  Now EB is charging 12.35% on the sales tax, **bleep**.

[jblack36-2013]

I agree wholeheartedly Opticams!  eBay is getting a way out of their hands with their fees.  Are you guys looking at how much you are actually making on an item?  I slacked and wasn't really paying attention.  Not until they switched to Managed Payments.  I knew they were charging a fee on shipping and handling, but now it is ridiculous what they are charging.  It does amount to almost 13% an item...and more.

I contacted eBay about this only to get the ole "we don't make money on taxes and shipping either...."Bull...they are making money by charging us.  

[jblack36-2013]

I am fully aware of that, but not to this extent tdumonde2014.