outoftheblue
|
posted on December 22, 2000 09:18:27 PM
This will be the first time the postal rates have changed since we've been seriously selling on Ebay. My delema is when to put the new rates into my auctions. Thinking ahead I will probably be receiving a lot of checks and money orders 7 - 10 days after the auctions end and don't really want to eat the new rates for a lot of transactions....
How are you going to handle the change over?
|
heygrape
|
posted on December 22, 2000 09:20:24 PM
I'm putting in my auctions that postage will be $4.05 insured priority postage IF payment is received no later than January 6th.
|
Shoshanah
|
posted on December 22, 2000 09:46:46 PM
I listed that bids placed up to and including Jan 7, will have shipment sent at old postage rates. Bids placed after Jan 7 will have to be charged new rates.
********************
Only an opinion...
Gosh Shosh!
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/rifkah/
|
mauimoods
|
posted on December 22, 2000 10:11:59 PM
Ive been thinking about the new rates and how to deal with them....and decided not to mess with it at all. I will continue as I have been with the old rates. Im used to them, and my customers are used to them. So, no changes for me and mine.
|
rampaged
|
posted on December 22, 2000 10:25:43 PM
My auctions state the following and I'll leave it the same and pass on the increased cost to the customer.
Winner pays actual shipping cost & combined shipping charge on mutable auction wins unless otherwise stated. Items are shipped from zip code xxxxx by Priority mail.There are no handling charges/fees
|
chinaguys
|
posted on December 23, 2000 02:59:49 AM
I started charging the new rates 3 weeks ago (had to adjust them when the official new rates were announced). My reasoning: I often have customers who take 2 weeks to pay and then their checks may be held 3 weeks to clear, hence after the new rates start.
|
SantaC
|
posted on December 23, 2000 03:05:29 AM
The auctions I have coming off next week I will put old and new rates. Adding to EOA notice that payments post marked before Jan.1,2001 pay the old rate.
HO! HO! HO!
|
MrJim
|
posted on December 23, 2000 04:56:15 AM
We are going to try Fedex Home/Ground service beginning in January and see how that goes. Either way we will have to raise our shipping rates.
Our typical package is 2 pounds and has a value of $50 to $100. With the old rate, it was $4.40 for Priority Mail with DC and Insurance.
With the new rate, that same package will be over $6.00. A huge increase for us.
With Fedex, it looks like the same package will cost between $4.00 and $5.00, with $100 insurance. Their rate schedules require an accountant to figure out, so we will learn as we go.
|
chinaguys
|
posted on December 23, 2000 05:07:36 AM
We have always shipped UPS for packages over 3 lbs and will probably be shipping almost all packages UPS in the new year.
That being said, we simplified matters by taking the priority mail rates (plus insurance and about 50-75 cents handling) as our flat rate for shipping anywhere in the country. We then almost always have charged more than the UPS rate and are set.
The important thing to remember for UPS rates (don't know about FedEx ground) is that they may be lower, but you've also got to pay for daily pickup service ($7-13 a week) plus the cost of the little UPS printer ($2 a week), if you don't have a laser printer.
Anyway, I'd recommend coming up with a flat shipping rate for the entire country based on the weight and putting that in your listings. It became much too much of a hassle to figure out which of 14 different zones for UPS was the right charge for lighter packages.
|
MrJim
|
posted on December 23, 2000 05:44:32 AM
We have had daily pickup with UPS for over two years. On numerous occasions, we asked them if they would offer us a discount if we moved our 100 to 200 USPS packages a week to them. Each time they said no, they don't offer discounts.
When we proposed the same to Fedex, they offered us: Free pickup for the first 8 weeks, up to 20% discount per package (based on weight and zone) up to 4% off our weekly total (based on gross dollars spent), free printer and supplies, and possibly a free computer system to run the software if our volume hits a certain level. (which is doubtful) We also have a dedicated sales rep that we can call if we need help or wish to negotiate future discounts and benefits. They are also combining our Express and International Freight accounts with the Ground service to offer discounts on those services as well.
The discounts are set at fairly high levels, but we expect our overall discount to be about 6% to 8% on Ground Services, and 20% to 30% on Express and Freight, which beats the zero offered by UPS.
|
dman3
|
posted on December 23, 2000 07:39:34 AM
I changed the rates in my listings as of all auctions ending January 1 changed fro exsact postage to a fixed rate on items 1 lbs up to 2 lbs will be $5.00 $1.25 for each additional pound signed up for stamps.com $1.25 seems to be incress per pound with the new rates.
http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
|
Shoshanah
|
posted on December 23, 2000 08:06:20 AM
What is a mutable auction?
********************
Only an opinion...
Gosh Shosh!
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/rifkah/
|
toke
|
posted on December 23, 2000 08:18:40 AM
I was puzzling over "mutable" myself. I think they mean "multiple."
|
rampaged
|
posted on December 23, 2000 08:22:18 AM
What is a mutable auction?
So my speling hant so goad.
More than likely I was in Viet Nam while others were in school learning proper spelling.
|
Shoshanah
|
posted on December 23, 2000 08:42:15 AM
?????? 
Thanks toke...Happy Holidays, everyone.
Off I go....
********************
Only an opinion...
Gosh Shosh!
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/rifkah/
|
rampaged
|
posted on December 23, 2000 10:19:46 AM
What is a mutable auction?
Remember this
There was only one perfect person and he was crucified.
|
toke
|
posted on December 23, 2000 10:58:58 AM
rampaged...
I promise you...no one was knocking your spelling. It was just that since "mutable" means "changeable" it was confusing at first...until I thought about it a bit. And that's why Shoshanah asked the question, I'm sure.
That's all. Truly.
|
mizscarlett
|
posted on December 23, 2000 11:03:11 AM
Rampaged...I, for one, don't care HOW your spelling is. I am so thakful you are HERE to mispell.
War, esp. 'Nam; is one one the things I do a lot of writing about! God bless you; THANK YOU for the SERVICE to you country. I will forever appreciate all who have, do and will serve! Wishing all on The Ebay Outlook a SAFe, Healthy and Happy Holiday Season!
(mizscarlett1 on ebay) PS. 'Granny' tired ta teech me to spelt, but i didt lessten ta hern. There remains hope for us all!
|
brighid868
|
posted on December 23, 2000 11:08:30 AM
I've already made the decision to go from selling many small things per week to a few higher priced items per week in the New Year, so hopefully, on higher priced items, complaints of an extra dollar or two (when their final bid is 50-150) for the new price of shipping will be minimal. Of course in practice this is gonna be hard to stick to. I just came up with a new angle of merchandise that could make me some good money and guess what, it involves lots of 1 and 2 pound packages. Sigh! I'm not going to go for UPS or Fedex (not enough volume to justify the pickup costs) so I guess it's USPS for me......
|
rampaged
|
posted on December 23, 2000 11:30:57 AM
I sell mostly heavy items on eBay. Seldom is the shipping cost under the $3.20 charged for Priority Mail.
The majority of my widgets are in the 3 to 17 pound range and I only ship Priority mail unless there is a combined or multiple auction winner. I then ship Parcel Post if the winner so desires, but only if the weight is 20 pounds or more. I do not ship UPS. The details of my auction page states this information. If the buyer don't read the details i'm sorry, for I won't ship at a cheaper rate to save them 0.50¢
I also put a link to the USPS rate calculator, my zip code and the weight of the merchandise on the auction page so they can see up front what shipping is going to cost them.
This keeps deadbeats and those that can't afford the high cost of shipping from bidding on most of my auctions.
It's worked well for the last year because the bidder knows what everything is going to cost them before I send them an EOA notification.
Merry Christmas Everone. I am blessed to get to spend this one with my four year old granddaughter.
|
Shoshanah
|
posted on December 23, 2000 11:49:24 AM
rampaged...Dear Toke is correct: as a foreign-born, I sometimes am thrown by the diverse meanings of certain words. I first truly thought you meant an auction which can be placed in many different categories...Then you made me mad...
I am very happy for you that you will see your Grand'Daughter...Happy Holidays...Extending my hand for a "virtual" handshake.
********************
Only an opinion...
Gosh Shosh!
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/rifkah/
|
Collegepark
|
posted on December 23, 2000 12:00:01 PM
Since my auctions end around this time I'm figuring the new rates in. I take it that $3.50 is the new rate for the flat rate priority envelopes?? 
|
Shoshanah
|
posted on December 23, 2000 12:06:39 PM
A kind soul posted this a couple weeks ago:
First-Class Mail
Letter Rate First Ounce $0.34
Additional Ounce $0.21
Card Rate (post cards) $0.20
Single-Piece Letter Rates
1 ounce $0.34
2 ounces $0.55
3 ounces $0.76
4 ounces $0.97
5 ounces $1.18
6 ounces $1.39
7 ounces $1.60
8 ounces $1.81
9 ounces $2.02
10 ounces $2.23
11 ounces $2.44
12 ounces $2.65
13 ounces $2.86
Priority Mail
Up to 1 lb. $3.50
2 lbs. Flat Rate $3.95
Over 2 lbs., up to 3 lbs. $5.15
Over 3 lbs., up to 4 lbs. $6.35
Over 4 lbs., up to 5 lbs. $7.55
(Rates available up to 70 lbs.)
Express Mail
Up to 1/2 lb. $12.25
Over 1/2 lb., up to 2 lbs. & Flat Rate $16.00
Over 2 lbs. up to 3 lbs. $18.85
Over 3 lbs. up to 4 lbs. $21.70
Over 4 lbs. up to 5 lbs. $24.50
(Rates available up to 70 lbs.)
Express Mail Insurance
Up to $500 Included
$500.01 to $5,000 $1.00 per $100
International Airmail
1 ounce, Canada & Mexico $0.60
1 ounce, other countries $0.80
International Postcards
Canada & Mexico $0.50
All other countries $0.70
Aerogrammes
All countries $0.70
Certified Mail $1.90
Certificate of Mailing $0.75
Return Receipt $1.50
Return Receipt for Merchandise $2.35
Receipt Requested After Mailing $3.50
Money Order
Domestic $0.75
APO/FPO $0.25
International $3.25
Inquiry Fee and Copy of Paid Money Order $2.75
Delivery Confirmation
Priority Mail $0.40
Package Services $0.50
Signature Confirmation Used in Conjunction with Priority Mail
Electronic $1.25
Manual $1.75
Signature Confirmation Used in Conjunction with Parcel Post, Bound Printed
Matter, Library Mail, and Media Mail
Electronic $1.25
Manual $1.75
Insured Mail
Up to $50 $1.10
$50.01 to $100 $2.00
$100.01 to $5,000 $2.00 plus $1.00 per $100
Pickup Fee $10.25
for Express Mail, Priority Mail and Package Services
********************
Only an opinion...
Gosh Shosh!
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/rifkah/
|
Collegepark
|
posted on December 23, 2000 12:20:18 PM
So they went up to $3.95
I'm glad I found out.I had some eraly auctions posted at $3.50
|
unknown
|
posted on December 23, 2000 02:18:52 PM
Since FedEx ground is a new service (Not avaialble to all areas) I suspect they will keep thier rates low for a while.
But expect UPS to raise thier rates soon to mathc USPS.
We also get a FedEx discount 16% on next day air, and our volume is miniscule.
Also I think FedEx ground is for volume shippers only, I don't think an individual can walk in and ship somethin ground.
Also it seems to be a completely seperate service. The FedEx ground truck comes by my house and the Regular FedEx truck comes by at a different time. UPS air and ground all get delivered in the same truck. If I have a red label (9am) package coming in I also get my ground packages for that day delivered early.
Fedex seems very in-efficiant using different trucks. One day I had 3 different FedEx trucks stop at my place.
|
marlenedz
|
posted on December 24, 2000 03:16:20 PM
An individual can mail a package Fedex ground as I just did so before the holidays. It was a day late but I was told upfront that it was not guaranteed during the holidays and I was satisfied with that.
|
blondestranger
|
posted on December 24, 2000 03:36:39 PM
mine will actually go down 2 or 3 cents, thanks to the lessor amount per extra ounce
I rarely ship priority or better or dc insurance.. and will do my best to try to steer my buyers away as I am appauled by the new rates.
that money order hike? is that from .35 to .75?
I rarely buy them so I suspect I'll be getting more cash and checks, which is a-ok with me.
deja deja deja vu believe it and it will come true!
|
mfigroid
|
posted on December 24, 2000 11:14:45 PM
I can see how that one cent increase can bankrupt someone 
|
sadie999
|
posted on December 25, 2000 05:16:45 AM
You may be able to save your customers a little bit on shipping by offering Parcel Post instead of Priority. Of course this means no free boxes which is a drag, but depending on the extent of your business, I've found local businesses very helpful in supplying me with boxes, peanuts, bubblewrap, etc. They don't have to pay someone to cart it away, and I don't have to pay for it period.
Also, UPS does have discounts for small shippers. They now have something called an "Occasional Air" account. I never ship air, and I have one. I get a $3 discount on every UPS Ground package I send, and I pay NO monthly/weekly fee, and there's no minimum or maximum shipping limit. Even without the discount, UPS Ground was usually less expensive over 6 pounds, but this $3 discount is great. You don't need a laser printer, but you should probably cover your label with clear packing tape to prevent the ink from bleeding if the package comes into contact with any moisture. The label needs to be dark enough and unsmudged so the bar code can be scanned.
Hope this helps to off-set these awful new rates.
|
toomanycomics
|
posted on December 25, 2000 01:05:36 PM
I make a note of it in my 'About me' page and in the confirmation e-mail I send to my bidders warning them about the upcoming changes in the shipping.
I provided them the link just in case they think I'm scamming them.
I HAVE to make changes because I can't afford to lose my profits in my business but I also make sure that they have a good deal too.
|
