flynn
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:02:17 AM new
I would like to know what bidders would like me to do. Maybe it will help bidders understand why SOME sellers can't quote shipping in their descriptions, maybe not. 
If I have an item that weighs 10 pounds it could cost anywhere from $7.00 to $15.25 to mail it, depending on if you live in my local zone ($7.00) zone 4 ($8.50) zone 5 ($9.50) zone 6 ($11.25) zone 7 ($12.50) zone 8 ($15.25).
This is just the basic shipping charge, that doesn't include insurance!
Now, for all you bidders that are complaining about no shipping charges posted in the description which rate should I quote?
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triplesnack
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:06:42 AM new
"Due to the weight of this item, shipping amount to US address depends on your location, not to exceed $15.25. Insurance extra."
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flynn
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:09:03 AM new
That sounds good, BUT would some bidders still NOT bid on my item because I haven't CLEARLY stated the shipping rates?
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triplesnack
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:12:21 AM new
I would be comfortable bidding, if you stated that you charge shipping at cost and put a cap on it of a specific dollar amount. To get into the details of different zones I think is probably cluttering up your description with too many details.
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paws4God
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:16:32 AM new
In my auctions I offer the choice of 1st class or priority for small items. I always give cost of priority under 10 lbs. If I have an item that is heavy I give approx. cost and lbs with my zip so the bidder can go to the usps web site to calculate costs. I never charge handling or packing charges.
On auctions that don't state cost or approx. cost of shipping I won't bid unless it is something extra special. Too many people charge large amounts for handling. I know most mail order businesses charge for handling but if I want more for the item I just start my opening bid a little higher. I try my very best to very honest.
I do understand handling charges for large or unusual items and would state this in my auctions.
Not paws4God on Ebay.
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:18:37 AM new
If you stated:
A) Method of shipping (priority, book rate, etc.)
B) Approximate weight of packaged item
C) Your zip code
D) Handling charge (if any)
and provide a link to the USPS online rate calculator, bidders could check for themselves what the approximate shipping cost would be.
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flynn
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:19:41 AM new
Okay - what about this scenario. I quote the above and find out that in order to properly and safely mail the item it has to have more bubble wrap/paper, whatever, and puts the item at 11 or 12 pounds instead of 10? (I've had this happen and that's why I STOPPED quoting. Would you be willing to pay the extra? Or would you be back here at AW complaining that I quoted wrong shipping in my description?
I'm only trying to get a sense of what bidders really want here, if it will make them feel better and me get better results out of my auctions.
By the way, have any bidders ever sent money back to a seller that UNDERCHARGED you for shipping?
I've sent buyers money back for overcharging.
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:24:38 AM new
Would you be willing to pay the extra?
If you explained the reason for the increase, I wouldn't have a problem with that.
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dman3
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:26:01 AM new
The whole thing of this is you will never be able to please everybody.
Sellers who already have very slim margins cant be giveing more the an estimate of actual shipping in auctions an estimate will Incress or decress after you have your winner and there address.
Most sellers have auctions end with one bid and slim profit you cant be loseing money on shipping this just wouldnt make sense at all.
Hell I list basically all the same size weight items I ship these items over and over I state shipping I know I must pay and still get buyers telling me they know my shipping is way to high you would think after you ship an Item 4 or 5 hundered times you would know shipping rates.
Point here is that I have shipping rates in my auction and still hear complaints about shipping.
You cant please everyone you have to please your self and make your money and not lose on shipping .
Buyers who been saying its not worth there time to email sellers about shipping or what ever to there area are really not interested or are plan lazy since I get up words of 30 email question a day from people on current listings they have time to question about an item but not shipping give me a break.
Frist rule of buying on line is if you have doubts or questions email the seller before you bid this is wise and smart buying.
http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
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flynn
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:27:56 AM new
Would it make life even easier if I put all the zones in a chart with their charges and a charge with insurance charges. I would be willing to put all the zip code zones in a spread sheet and figure out what zips are in what zones and put that in the listing.
Would that be too confusing?
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triplesnack
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:32:57 AM new
Well yeah, if you clearly stated shipping was "not to exceed $15.25" and then told me it was $18.00, I wouldn't be happy. If you made a mistake I would expect you to eat the difference.
I think it's reasonable to expect you to figure out the item's weight with packaging before you list the item. Even if you don't want to pack the item up before listing to weigh it, you could weigh the unpacked item with the box and packing materials and come up with a pretty close estimate. Or after you come up with what you think the max charge would be, add an extra dollar (or whatever) to give you a little wiggle room. Then charge the actual shipping when the time comes to send it.
[ edited by triplesnack on Dec 10, 2000 11:34 AM ]
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dman3
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:39:26 AM new
It wouldnt be confuseing but it would be more labor to put togeather each listing with rate chat per area for various weights after a while you would decide your time is worth something and decide you need to be paid for extra Labor then buyer will be here complaining about your handleing fee.
I know I see many say dont charge handleing if you want more money just incress your start bid but then they will be here complaining sellers starting bid are moveing up to high and they wont bid on item starting at near what they think they are willing to pay over all.
Point is These are your sales The Item you have list is you Investment in inventory you must please yourself and list the way things work well for you, the Buyer is not interested if you make profit you must have your plan and stick to it.
http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
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abacaxi
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:44:17 AM new
flynn -
List the shipping price to a representative city in each zone ... Or list the packed shipping WEIGHT and let us figure it out ourselves.
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flynn
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posted on December 10, 2000 11:48:27 AM new
Well I'm almost done with the spreadsheet. I have one question though. I've seen in other threads bidders complaining about the hassle of having to email the seller to find out shipping charges, but yet you wouldn't consider it more of a hassle to just have me list the weight and YOU have to figure it out. Isn't that more difficult, especially for new bidders who aren't as savvy with knowing HOW to figure it out?
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vargas
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posted on December 10, 2000 12:14:56 PM new
Here's what I put in my auctions for items that weigh more than 5 pounds (packed): Note: This item weights approximately 8 1/2 pounds. To estimate shipping costs, <a href=http://postcalc.usps.gov/ /a> click here for the USPS web site. </a> Calculate the cost from my zip code (30000) to yours.
It gives them all the information they need to use the USPS rate calculator: my zip, the weight and a direct link to the calculator.
It's easy and I've never had a single complaint about shipping charges.
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packer
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posted on December 10, 2000 12:52:18 PM new
Heres what I do for packages 6 or more pounds.
I add a pound to the weight I come up with(if its 6# I say 7#, this way I'm sure not to short myself on the weight), I put my zipcode and a link to UPS rates and they can look it up. Then I ask them to add $1.00 packing material fee(most of my items are glass and need extra packing). This gives them a pretty good idea of the cost to them to get the item.
Haven't had a problem yet.
And yes, I use to UNDER estimate all the time, only once did a customer reimberse me.
If I over estimate I REFUND and state so in my ad.
I'm not out to make my money on S/H fees, I want to give my customers the best and cheapest shipping method possible. For Glass and breakable items I charge anywhere from a quarter to a dollar extra, depending on amount of wrapping used, and even then its not enough. I wrap to survive a atomic bomb.
My feedback will attest to that...
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edited for packer by packer!!
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Having a BAD HAIR DAY! ... 
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wolflady137
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posted on December 10, 2000 01:57:58 PM new
I have made a mistake a couple of times on my shipping charge but it has been to their good not mine. It cost me extra, but the way I see it , It was my fault not theirs so I eat the extra cost and I am trying to get better at this . I am still new to this so I am trying to be as fair as I can. So they get the deal. Thanks for having this so we all can learn from others. Have a Great Holiday to all Sellers.
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kerryann
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posted on December 10, 2000 02:12:40 PM new
I can't understand why you would go to the trouble of creating spreadsheets (which will only confuse people) when simply saying: Winning bidder to pay actual UPS shipping cost from zip code 11111 plus a $2.00 packing fee or something like that. Keep it simple.
Not Kerryann on eBay
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