posted on September 1, 2000 08:51:15 AM
Shipping $10 Charge- Rip - Off deceitful?"
I charge a standard 'approx.' US$10 above actual postage cost on all my items, but I don't actually spell it out as I'm about to, I just tell'em that 'some' of the money goes toward handling. Is that being deceitful?
I say aprox. because I often over charge a little because I go up the next weight bracket in my calculation if I think it's marginal.
I can estimate the postage before I pack because I use several sizes of standard boxes.
That money is partly for packing materials and, just in case you think it's fee avoidance let me tell you I pay my grandma to pack the boxes {.{I don't pocket the money}.} But I make her work very hard for your packing dollar.
She has used as much as US$1.00+ on packing tape alone (1 porcelain tea set)
Rigid foam boxes cost US$1.80 - US$3.00 each. Bubble wrap US$0.50 - $1.00
Thin particle/ mdf/ chip board cladding on foam box US$0.60
Phone call to customs sometimes avg./item US$0.03 - $0.04
Fax to customs nearly every time US$0.11
All wrapped up in thick brown paper because my customers are important to me and I like to demonstrate it to them. US$0.15.
No charge for genuine epson ink to print out label with name, no charge for 'fragile' stickers. No mention of biros, disposable blades for cutting, petrol to post office or phone call for credit card authorisation etc.
MUST I spell it all out. Is that being deceitful?
That means that my poor old grandma gets to work for under US$4.00 per hour for her packing because I charge her a little rental for the corner she uses in our laundry to do her thing in. But don't worry I'm not too soft on her just because we're related, I make her throw in delivery to the post office in her own time in my car. She gets to drop off 2 at a time, it's easy on her and besides she says she doesn't mind because she loves me…It's not like I'm ripping her off..
I don't tell the customers that my Granny is getting some of the money. Is that being deceitful? You see I think some of them get upset when they know the post office isn't getting to keep all the money.
It's not a wonder the small business person is being driven out by larger companies. Some people and it seems most, will stand in cue at the large department store, bank, large post office, and grin and bear it but when you try and let your grandma earn a whopping US4.00 per hour !#$%^&*.
If you feel your that right kind of person, can arrange all of that in any quicker time than my grandma & are prepared to work for just a little less, let me know.
Without prejudice,
Not Costa on eBay
[ edited by costa on Sep 1, 2000 08:52 AM ]
posted on September 1, 2000 09:27:58 AM
I think your granny deserves a raise! I am a POWER BUYER (I think I should get a little logo saying such, but so far eBay hasn't come through for me). I have spent over 25 years collecting a certain type item. When I found eBay I had so many to choose from I became dizzy! I usually have the really great ones I win appraised and I have NEVER had one that did not appraise for at least twice what I paid. I have paid shipping charges anywhere from $2.00-$20.00 and never flinched, because I MADE A FANTASTIC BUY!!! Even if the item I purchased for $10.00 had a $20.00 shipping charge, if it was what I was looking for, I would pay it without a blink. I really do think people loose sight of what many eBay sellers really offer: Unique, hard to find collectibles at unbelieveable prices! Just my 2 cents-sulyn
posted on September 1, 2000 11:17:50 AM
How much do you think would be the shipping / handling / packing tape / rigid foam box / bubble wrap / cladding / phone / fax / thick brown paper / Grandma wages Charge to ship these lil' buggers?
------------------------------------------------------------ Trolls: Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.
posted on September 1, 2000 11:26:34 AM
Wellll Pooh! I for one was looking forward to having some fun. I am so tierd of the "shipping rip off" threads, I thought it was refreshing to see a "tounge-in-cheek" humerous one showing the OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN. We all know by now you are not going to EVER have an agreement on this topic AND you are not ever going to "NOT" have this topic over and over and over and over.......
posted on September 1, 2000 01:10:54 PM
Why not just give your Grandma some money, and not make her work for it??? Aren't you capable of giving something for nothing in return? Especially to your own Grandmother?
Also, you've tons of nerve, overcharging $10 bucks per auction. I'm surprised someone hasn't turned you in yet.
As the song goes.... (y)our day will come............
(only kidding of course!!!!!! I'm not as imaginative/creative as most of you others!!!)
[ edited by creativethings on Sep 1, 2000 01:15 PM ]
posted on September 1, 2000 01:46:48 PM
Remember the old ladies in "Happy Gilmore"? Maybe your Granny would be well suited for this line of work...or maybe you could just give her some money!
posted on September 2, 2000 05:05:56 AM
I have been so snowed under by work lately that I have asked my grandma, at no extra charge, to fill in the 2 page customs export clearance application and fax it to customs.
I charge her next to nothing for rent, and she doesn't even appreciate the ALMOST US$4.00 per hour I'm paying her. It's not quite $4.00 because I charge her a nominal amount for electricity she uses in the laundry. I should make her use a 25W light but she reckons it's too dark in there, personally I find it romantic working by the ample moonlight which comes in through the large window.
Can you believe the ungrateful old b%^&# is complaining that an extra 10 minutes of her life is being waisted. For all the money I pay her you'd think she could throw in a little effort to fill in a customs form.
Every time I get my Porsche serviced, the dealer throws in delivery and even picks me up and drops me off
And that's got nothing to do with the money I spend, it's the principle.
posted on September 2, 2000 05:19:17 AM
Like a breath of fresh air. IMO, you're paying her too much. This is, after all, her job! You'll never get rich if you keep throwing money around like that.
posted on September 2, 2000 06:16:22 AM
LOL
Costa lota moola to packa de parcel.
Costa lota more moola ifa granpa do da work?
Happy Fishing!!
Bob, Downunder but never down.
