posted on September 15, 2000 09:35:48 AM
Since May, I have been selling a wide variety of items on ebay, mostly old stuff, especially pottery.
I have a bunch of auctions ready to launch that are all for books. In my TOS, I stated: The lucky winning bidder will pay $3.20 for Priority shipping or $1.75 for Book Rate/shipping material.
I figure for Priority items I'll be using a free box and my own plastic bag and piece of bubble wrap. I can absorb the cost of those. But Book Rate entails obtaining a good box or strong padded bag, so I added about 27 cents to 62 cents (depending on the weight of the book) for my additional expense.
I thought maybe if I stated what the additional fee was for (shipping material, not my time or gasoline or whatever) it would be less objectionable to the bidder.
I'm also thinking of stating it the same way when I sell fragile items that require extra packaging. I would never add more than 50 cents to $1.00, and clearly state the fee is for postage/shipping material.
What do you think? Is stating shipping material better than just saying handling fee?
posted on September 15, 2000 09:43:26 AM
It seems that the costs basis is clear enough as you have it stated. You could make it wordier, but that doesn't necessarily make it clearer. Probably more important is indicating the possible difference in projected delivery times between Priority and book rate. The last item that I received via book rate took 4 weeks, while I've rarely (if ever) had a Priority package take more than a week.
posted on September 15, 2000 10:00:50 AM
Describe what the actual fee is for, and avoid the term "handling fee" if possible (unless it really is for handling). What you describe is packaging and not handling. Considering many bidders' objections to handling fees, you won't be helping yourself by calling a handling fee.
I use the following:
... postage and packaging ... postage, packaging and insurance ... postage, packaging, insurance and handling
I don't think it's necessary to justify every penny of the cost in your advertisement. It seems a little unprofessional to me when I see sellers falling all over themselves trying to show how honest they are. If you are going to charge a handling fee, though, I do think you should say so in the ad.
You might state in a paragraph separate from your terms, "item shipped in sturdy cardboard box." Bidders will be smart enough to figure out this costs them a few cents.
posted on September 15, 2000 10:10:50 AM
nothing wrong with what you are doing. i do the same thing i charge no handling fee with priority but i use first class s+h 1.85 min. i have not heard any complaints because its fair. but i have to say , i pack the items in a manner that the customer sees that they have not been taken advantage of. good luck!
