ecomputeremporium
|
posted on March 14, 2001 07:32:53 AM new
Hey if people are breaking rules that I am following. I will turn them in. I can't compete with people that are not following the rules. Ebay says you are not allowed to charge hendeling fees for profit. This guy is sending out a 1/2 ounce product reguler priority mail $3.50 and the envelope is free from USPS. He charges $14 shipping and handeling. That is why he can sell so cheap. That is wrong. I will go out of business if people keep doing that.
|
taz8057
|
posted on March 14, 2001 07:39:42 AM new
Wow, $14.00! That is very high!
-Trey
***********************************
"If your mind can concieve it, and you believe it, then you probably can achieve it."
http://www.CondomDeals.com
***********************************
|
thepriest
|
posted on March 14, 2001 07:56:38 AM new
While his shipping and handling fees are truly high....
they are legitimate.
If you review many of the low end items, you'll see that ploy...it's on television all the time..
The seller has not broken any rules...
|
dottie
|
posted on March 14, 2001 08:12:26 AM new
thepriest: Actually, eBay does prohibit padding profits with shipping charges. It can be considered Fee Avoidance.
Rather than include the profit amount within the opening bid - by tacking it on as "S&H"... the seller avoids paying FVF for that portion of the revenue generated from the sale of a "low dollar" item. AND... in some cases, the actual listing fee might be slightly higher if the item were listed for more than a lower opening increment... with more accurate and reasonable shipping charges.
Turn them in... it's against the rules.
- Dottie 
|
danilynn71
|
posted on March 14, 2001 08:13:44 AM new
The seller is breaking a rule. eBay calls it fee avoidance.
|
hellcat
|
posted on March 14, 2001 11:14:54 AM new
Actually, the eBay listing policies prohibit "listings with low prices but unreasonably high shipping or handling costs" as a way to avoid fees. The only problem is that "unreasonably" isn't defined. What may seem "unreasonable" to me (and the above example certainly does) may not necessarily seem unreasonable to others. Further, if the shipping/handling charges are specified in the auction description, then the bidder is informed prior to bidding as to the terms (and costs), and really has no basis for complaint.
Beth
Madness takes a toll. Please use exact change.
|
blondestranger
|
posted on March 14, 2001 11:20:44 AM new
I think that is easy to compete with!
Sellers charging outrageous s/h rates = a red flag, many buyers see through that.
buyers will see you as fair an honest. putting your auction side by side with a seller like that most will choose you, I know i would
many times I have paid more for an item with better terms alone. it's not always about the best ending price.
|
dottie
|
posted on March 14, 2001 11:34:39 AM new
hellcat: It is my understanding that regardless of whether or not the seller discloses unreasonable shipping charges in their listing ... unreasonably high shipping charges ARE considered FEE AVOIDANCE and IS against the rules at eBay.
I don't think they've actually come right out and offered specific text as a public guideline on what is considered (by eBay) as reasonable and what is not. However, I would think that common sense often dictates and the obvious ones are turned over to [email protected] where they are investigated on a case by case basis... since SIZE and WEIGHT of the item being shipped also must be considered. The dollar amount isn't always the only indicator of what the RANGE for shipping cost for a particular item should actually be.
Obvious misuses of S&H charges above what is reasonable do justify intervention via warning or suspension.
- Dottie
|
MrJim
|
posted on March 14, 2001 11:47:53 AM new
Ebay's own company, Butterfields, lists $17.20 for shipping an item that weighs less than a quarter pound. Since this is Ebay, that is not an unreasonable amount for anyone else to charge.
Have a look at the "Premier" section of Ebay, and you will see what is acceptable as far as gouging bidders on shipping.
|
rustybore
|
posted on March 14, 2001 12:09:41 PM new
MrJim --- I took a look at some items on the "Ebay Premier" site and darn if your not correct about their shipping charges!
I found what is basicly an old and fancy letter opener - Shipping (within USA) for this letter opener?
Sit down now... $21.45!
Now, if you had the bad luck to live in Mexico or Canada, you could expect a shipping bill of $52.45...
$14.00 seems like almost a bargin...I wonder if perhaps that seller should be commended for keeping mailing prices so LOW?
tyops? where?
|
reddeer
|
posted on March 14, 2001 12:14:48 PM new
Hey Rusty,
Us Canucks might be crazy, but not crazy enough to bid on the eBay Premier site. 
I saw some folks make a stink about this last year with a Butterfield's rep. He said the fees were high because they had to have a shipping company handle all their packing & shipping.
I suppose the regular eBay folks gouging on shipping prices could use the same excuse, eh?
|
rustybore
|
posted on March 14, 2001 12:24:32 PM new
Reddear...
Just be glad you do not live in W. Europe, ($60.45) or E. Europe ($99.45).
Remember from my above post, this item is basicly a letter opener...
The thought comes to me that after shipping out well over a thousand items over the last three years, (all of which have arrived safely and in good condition BTW) I should consider MYSELF a "Shipping Company" and adjust my shipping fees accordingly...
Na, I'll stick with the much more reasonable $2.00 to $10.00 shipping costs, I like sleeping at night.
|
thepriest
|
posted on March 14, 2001 01:50:10 PM new
The buying public will shortly see through the high rates...
But, I don't know if that justifies becoming a policeperson to cripple my competition?
Maybe it does, I'd feel uncomfortable about turning someone in for that.
Now, the empty box sales - that, I think should have been reported.
|
jumpup
|
posted on March 14, 2001 02:16:49 PM new
BAD KARMA comes in many forms.one may be high shipping charges and another might be squealling on others because they feel a need to rat. i dont believe in ratting under any circumstances
|
unknown
|
posted on March 14, 2001 02:21:30 PM new
If the product costs considerable less than $14 the it could be argued as Fee avoidance.
But remember people are responsible for thier own actions. If it says $14 S/H in the description then thats it.
But if it was me I would do the same thing, but I would send it first class mail for $0.45 and pocket even more profit. Even insured first class would only be $1.55
|
thepriest
|
posted on March 14, 2001 02:24:19 PM new
your right...at least 1st class...
very bad karma...
|
canvid13
|
posted on March 14, 2001 02:46:51 PM new
READ READ READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you don't like what you read then click the back button and stop bothering people!!
That felt better.
Really folks. If don't like a sellers ToS then don't buy from them! There are plenty of other sellers.
Whining gets you no where in life.
Like another poster said. If they post the rate you are not being rooked and they are not breaking any rules.
Sheesh!!
|
reddeer
|
posted on March 14, 2001 02:51:27 PM new
Listing Techniques that Circumvent eBay's fee structure:
Users may not use systems or techniques to circumvent eBay fees. Some examples include:
Listings with low prices but unreasonably high shipping or handling costs
Listings that circumvent eBay fees are not permitted and will be ended. The insertion fee will be automatically credited for that listing. Disciplinary action may result in the indefinite suspension of a user's account, temporary suspension, or a formal warning. eBay will consider the circumstances of an alleged offense and the user's trading records before taking action.
|
jimh1948
|
posted on March 14, 2001 04:14:56 PM new
14.00 is a bit out of line. I have idiots complaining about 5.00 s/h. Some people don't realize...what costsgo into the actual..shipping...but 14.00 is way too much to be charging.
Jim Hagan
|
esc74
|
posted on March 14, 2001 07:56:44 PM new
Question: What if I list an item, starting at $.01 (w/ no reserve), say a 32" television (in working condition) with a $25.00 s/h fee - and for some strange bout of bad luck to me (but good luck to the buyer) the tv's highest and ultimately winning bid is $5.36?
That's justifiable, no? There are exceptions to the rule - any attempt at fee avoidance would be obvious.
Alas, if you smell a rat, don't feed it!
|
outoftheblue
|
posted on March 14, 2001 11:32:02 PM new
ecomputeremporium
I don't see how that would hurt your business. If the seller was up front about the fees and they were clearly stated in the auction, many people would not bid. Those people would come to you or other sellers instead. He's only hurting his own business.
The sellers I worry about are the ones that start an item at $1 or less and charge reasonable shipping and handing charges. Those are the ones you can't compete with.
|
twinsoft
|
posted on March 15, 2001 12:24:48 AM new
If your competition is taking unfair advantage by breaking rules that you follow, you are certainly within your rights to report them to eBay. I do. It's not bad karma. That's rubbish. However, eBay may disagree with you, and then perhaps you might consider learning something from your competitors' approach.
eBay's unspoken rule is that items under $1 may not ship for over $5. That is the guideline eBay uses to determine fee avoidance. That is not a hard and fast rule, though.
|
kellyb1
|
posted on March 15, 2001 01:10:45 AM new
I ship an item and charge $2.00. Postage cost is 55 to 77 cents. I use padded envelopes, rap item in bubble wrap, print out an invoice, fold the invoice and put in plastic holder so it is a mailing label. I used to charge less, but many people don't opt for insurance, and I will sometimes (getting to be more and more) add insurance.
The same item was sold on ebay/disney auctions and the shipping/handling was $7.50. Was Mickey delivering this himself? Oh, and it says on their auctions that you can't combine to reduce shipping charges, something that I do.
Kelly
|
thepriest
|
posted on March 15, 2001 03:59:58 AM new
Twinsoft...there are no real hard and fast rules 'written'. Please review Premier, Disney or Butterfield.
If a competitor is breaking rules that 'I' may follow - that doesn't mean it is their rules also,
As others have said, eBay is somewhat inconsistent in their ruling.
Competition usually eliminates those that go too far.
Re: the issue of playing policeperson is my concern. History has shown us what can happen.
|
austbounty
|
posted on March 15, 2001 04:17:19 AM new
ecomputeremporium
I ordered a small book from amazon today, paperback size. They charge US$12.95 S&H to Australia for a est' 7-24 days delivery time. I would estimate that the 'actual postage' for similar delivery time from here to USA is 1/2 that amount.
That means US$6-$7 for handling, to throw a book into a cardboard sleeve, If they were selling on ebay, that would be commission free.
But I paid.
Why be a mug and pay extra commission for your packaging costs.
Don't waste your time trying to appease your tight fisted customers. The logical end will be that you & others like you will end up with all the tight customers and your competitors will end up with all the customers that don't mind paying for service. A reasonable customer expects to pay for service, what sort of scab doesn't?
|
AZGamer
|
posted on March 15, 2001 05:16:34 AM new
Butterfields charges a 15% Bidders Premium in addition to all else.
|
jrb3
|
posted on March 15, 2001 06:17:29 AM new
I don't think if S&H is posted you will loose sales.
If your widget is 20 plus $5 S&H
The guy who charges $14 S&H widget should sell for $11 this is simple economics.
If his are selling for $2 or $3 Then yopu will loose sales because his are a better deal.
I have personally paid outragous S&H fees but total cost was less the competition.
Joe B
|
thepriest
|
posted on March 15, 2001 01:46:55 PM new
interesting insights...
|
mark090
|
posted on March 15, 2001 02:26:15 PM new
What needs to be done is that everyone in the WHOLE WORLD needs to get together and determine the shipping and handling charges for EVERTHING IN THE WHOLE WORLD TO ANYWHERE IN THE WHOLE WORLD WITH EVERYBODY IN THE WHOLE WORLD BY EVERY METHOD CONCIEVABLE (Including by Space Shuttle and other Rocket Ships) and get everyone in the WHOLE WORLD agree that anything else is unreasonable and punishable by Death. Then you have to get the same agreement also from EVERYONE WHO WILL BE BORN FROM NOW UNTIL ETERNITY.
Otherwise, no matter what you say or think is unreasonable S&H for someone you have NEVER MET, DO NOT KNOW THEIR SITUATION OR PROCEDURES OR DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY HANDLE THEIR SHIPPING, is 100% wrong and you should just shut up and not bid.
Everything is unreasonable to the person who THINKS he knows everything. Reasonable people know better.
Those who think a seller is cheating in S&H, maybe your talents would be better used in your local justice system because you can pick out the guilty without absolutely no evidence at all.
|
dottie
|
posted on March 15, 2001 02:53:01 PM new
SOOOoooooo mark090, I guess this is a touchy subject for you?
I'm intrigued... what do YOU recommend as a reasonable S&H charge?
Inquiring minds want to know...
Dottie
|
