What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

[ndevlin]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

Thanks for the update, do you know if they have all one size shipping boxes or do they have different sizes? My wife picked up some boxes free for me before however they were too small to ship virtually anything that I have sold over the past year or two.

Thanks

Yeah, I know they have a couple different sizes. For example, the boxes you ship bats in, I know those are free, as well as the ones that are a little bit shorter, but same sort of box. And I believe boxes that you can put baseballs in. Here, I'll drop a link and hopefully it will work. Under each item, it will either say No Charge, or the price for the item. Also note there are 6+ pages of boxes and supplies. Let me know if this does not work and would be more than happy to send you an email.

http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductCategoryDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10152&categoryId=13354&parent_category_rn=11820&top_category=11820

[David]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

Actually, from a personal standpoint, I hate packaging. Some people may enjoy it, but I don't. The primary reason for cutting back my sales, is I don't want to package the items. It's often easier not to sell, especially when they're a good chance you'll los money on eBay. Packaging is indeed more palatable on a profit than a loss, but there are many losses on eBay these days.

I don't charge buyers from my packaging and handling, but that's not because I think my time is worthless or that packaging is fun. As I mentioned earlier I can't find anyone who wants to package for me for free or cut boxes as a pastime, so I assume I am not the only one with this sentiment.

[orioles03]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

Actually, from a personal standpoint, I hate packaging. Some people may enjoy it, but I don't. The primary reason for cutting back my sales, is I don't want to package the items. It's often easier not to sell, especially when they're a good chance you'll los money on eBay. Packaging is indeed more palatable on a profit than a loss, but there are many losses on eBay these days.

I don't charge buyers from my packaging and handling, but that's not because I think my time is worthless or that packaging is fun. As I mentioned earlier I can't find anyone who wants to package for me for free or cut boxes as a pastime, so I assume I am not the only one with this sentiment.

THATS WHY I GO TO UPS STORE THEY CHARGE ME SIX DOLLARS FOR THE BOX AND PACKAGING THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD SHIP IT WITH THEM TO MUCH BUT THEY DO A GREAT JOB AND THE SHIPPING TUBES I BUY I LIKE BETTER THAN THE BOXES USPS OR FEDEX HAS BECAUSE IT FITS BATS BETTER IT COST ME $2.99 FOR A TUBE WHICH IS 42 INCHES LONG

[mr.miracle]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

THATS WHY I GO TO UPS STORE THEY CHARGE ME SIX DOLLARS FOR THE BOX AND PACKAGING THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD SHIP IT WITH THEM TO MUCH BUT THEY DO A GREAT JOB AND THE SHIPPING TUBES I BUY I LIKE BETTER THAN THE BOXES USPS OR FEDEX HAS BECAUSE IT FITS BATS BETTER IT COST ME $2.99 FOR A TUBE WHICH IS 42 INCHES LONG

Agreed, that is what I generally like to do as well. Since I am at work 75 hours a week and spend another ten to fifteen hours commuting to and from, I really don't often have time to play with packaging tape, boxes etc.

[trsent]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

i'm not concerned it's over i was just stating the facts whats a stamp now 42 cents im not sure but to charge $3.00 it's only $3.00 but thats almost a gallon of gas for a 22 year old kid who goes to ocean city all the time

Two things:

1. If a seller charges $3.00 shipping and puts the item in a 42-cents envelope there is an issue as they are avoiding packaging, protection and PayPal required tracking. They are poor sellers taking advantage of the system.

2. If you have to debate weather to buy $3.99 baseball cards or spend it on gas to get to the Ocean - You need to find a better job. Then again, I always love to tell the story how while in high school Dad used to tell me he wanted to see me pay bills with my baseball cards. Then about 12 years later, Dad asked to borrow $17,000.00 to have enough for a down payment on his house. As I sent him the money, I told him to remember that this was, "Baseball Card Money".

Though all of you comments are fine, I dont see why a seller would want more for shipping than what it actually costs to ship! You can get free boxes at usps, with free shipping, and just about everyone I know gets the newspaper or have some sort of paper lying around. The handling for that is completely free. So overpaying due to shipping charges I feel is a bit silly. Or just a lack of what free supplies are available, which is not the buyers fault. Do your homework sellers!

I think what you are missing is many sellers use the shipping fees to cover other costs, such as PayPal fees or eBay fees or maybe just the fees involved with running an eBay business. Instead of worrying that someone is making money on shipping and handling, make sure you understand that when you bid you know what they are charging and bid accordingly.

There is also the issue, that may cost or save you that a seller is charging a flat fee. So, if you buy and you live 100 miles or 3000 miles from the seller, you are paying the same price even though the seller may be charging more or less than actual cost. Sellers often do not have time to calculate each order, so they use a flat rate and it all evens out to them. I have found that even though eBay offers a calculated button, it often doesn't work right and it just often scares away bids - So like most all sellers I use a standard flat rate.

Once again, you see the shipping and handling fees prior to placing a bid, so bid accordingly and then there are no surprises since you have figured the eBay final bid price into your calculation by deducting shipping from your bid.

Ndevlin actually I looked into just out of curiosity to see what the actual costs would be on this item.
If you pay attention to the sellers shipping preference he is using UPS Next Day Air.
Which I checked out and roughly estimates on this item from $33.00 to $52.00 depending if on the specific day you choose.
He has it listed for $65 shipping.
So as he still may be gouging his actual balance he will make for himself would be between $13.00 to $32.00
Judging by this seller also doesnt seem like he is a big seller and probably is just trying to make an educated guess and get the item to you as quick and safe as possible.

For the item he is selling thats really not that bad (if the item is exactly what he says it is) I think it is actually worth it.

Wow, I have not used UPS Overnight in years since the USPS Overnight is so much cheaper (and less reliable). You are right, for a 2-pound box it is insane that this seller would pay $52.00 to UPS to ship it overnight from NH to me in IL.

Here is the thing - This baseball is not worth much more than the $65.00 shipping they are charging. Maybe I am wrong, but the ball is faded and dirty. Ok, it is worth more than the $65.00 shipping, but I don't think this ball will end over $200.00. In fact, with $65.00 shipping it shouldn't end too high at all.

Now we have to monitor it.

[orioles03]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

thats what he did 42 cent stamp on plain white envelope thats why i was mad and then he did not leave feedback that is another thing i did not like you take your time to leave feedback and then they dont leave it for you.
sorry to go off topic

[trsent]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

thats what he did 42 cent stamp on plain white envelope thats why i was mad and then he did not leave feedback that is another thing i did not like you take your time to leave feedback and then they dont leave it for you.
sorry to go off topic

Ok start a new topic because I still use the policy when I buy I leave feedback upon receipt of merchandise and when I sell I always return the feedback once I am sure the buyer is satisfied (generally when the buyer leaves me feedback).

With eBay's new policy, should I be leaving feedback upon receipt of payment?

[ndevlin]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

Hey Joel,

Was that you that asked the seller of the Red Sox ball if the shipping price was neg? Haha, he wasnt having it, was he? I also liked how he said "If a succesful bid is in the thousands of dollars, then the ball will be insured to that amount to protect the bidder buyer in the event of loss in transit." as well as "This baseball is irreplaceable" I wouldnt even bid, especially when you can barely see the ball in the pics. Hmm, who knows.

[trsent]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

Hey Joel,

Was that you that asked the seller of the Red Sox ball if the shipping price was neg? Haha, he wasnt having it, was he? I also liked how he said "If a succesful bid is in the thousands of dollars, then the ball will be insured to that amount to protect the bidder buyer in the event of loss in transit." as well as "This baseball is irreplaceable" I wouldnt even bid, especially when you can barely see the ball in the pics. Hmm, who knows.

Yes, you caught me:

Q: Will you offer any more reasonable shipping option for this baseball, say UPS Ground (which runs $10.00 from NH to IL) or USPS Priority Mail (which for a baseball runs $4.75 plus insurance)?

Jul-11-08

A: The ball will be insured to the amount of the succesful bidder.This baseball is irreplaceable. Whatever the cost to ship plus insurance in the amount of the bid is reasonable. So, yes, it could be less than $65.00. If a succesful bid is in the thousands of dollars, then the ball will be insured to that amount to protect the bidder buyer in the event of loss in transit.

...and my fair reply:

Ok, I don't think this ball is going to sell in the "thousands of dollars" due to a poor condition, as even single signed Ted Williams balls in mint condition are only selling for $300 - $600.00 these days.

I'll watch the auction.

I assume the $65.00 posted shipping has scared away bids, but I'll stand that this ball shouldn't sell for more than $200.00. My best guess would be this ball, with the posted shipping, would sell for say $65.00.

[David]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

As a longtime seller, my experience is that the vast majority of buyers are reasonable in their expectations and have common sense. If you do a good job shipping (including speed), are reasonable in shipping charge and the item is as advertised, the vast majority of buyers will happy and would recommend you to other collectors.

[Dewey2007]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

This is sort of off the topic but still eBay related. What's a fair amount of time to wait before filing an "Unpaid Item Report"? It's been two weeks since the seller agreed to buy the item and they haven't responed to two e-mails reminding them of payment due. This is the first time I've had to deal with this type of thing so I'm kind of unsure. Thanks!

[trsent]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

This is sort of off the topic but still eBay related. What's a fair amount of time to wait before filing an "Unpaid Item Report"? It's been two weeks since the seller agreed to buy the item and they haven't responed to two e-mails reminding them of payment due. This is the first time I've had to deal with this type of thing so I'm kind of unsure. Thanks!

Heck, I just filed two this morning for $3.00 and $2.50 items from a week ago Tuesday. I am listing 50-300 items a week and I cannot baby people to pay. I send invoices every 2-3 days and then after 10 days I file the NPB report and wait eight days to see if they pay.

I have no problem if a buyer emails me they need time or are mailing a check over PayPal, but if they do not respond to 3-4 invoices, I move on to the next step. It just takes too much time to email these buyers and wait and wait and wait while managing other sales.

[trsent]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

Here is the thing - This baseball is not worth much more than the $65.00 shipping they are charging. Maybe I am wrong, but the ball is faded and dirty. Ok, it is worth more than the $65.00 shipping, but I don't think this ball will end over $200.00. In fact, with $65.00 shipping it shouldn't end too high at all.

Now we have to monitor it.

Did I win a prize? I predected the price not to reach $200.00, and the ball ended around $180.00 or so.

[ndevlin]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

Did I win a prize? I predected the price not to reach $200.00, and the ball ended around $180.00 or so.

The winning bidder must have received some better quality photo's to base his bid on, because I would not have bid on that just based on those in the auction. The buyer overpaid.

[trsent]

Re: What is your opinion on sellers charging over and above the shipping cost?

The winning bidder must have received some better quality photo's to base his bid on, because I would not have bid on that just based on those in the auction. The buyer overpaid.

Yes, and the seller must feel taken advantage of since he though the ball was worth "thousands".