posted on March 5, 2001 10:44:47 PM
I currently ship everything priority mail with delivery confirmation. Usually cost the bidder $3.90 - $4.35.
I am considering a few changes. One is using a online stamp service which will do electronic delivery confirmation free (ok, not free free as there is a $9.95 monthly service charge). The problem is the affixed postage will only be $3.50 or $3.95 so the bidder may think I am not charging them actual postage. So I thought about using a fixed shipping sharges of $4.00 and $4.40. This would help pick up the cost of the $9.95 fee.
The questions is will bidders frown and run on this? I would be sure to state fixed postage rate of $4.00 using USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation.
Or, would it be better to charge actual postage of $3.50 or $3.95 and a handling fee of 50 cents.
Ultimately, makes no difference to me. I am just wondering which the bidders would prefer. I do not want them to run, I do want them to bid!
posted on March 5, 2001 11:01:08 PMStay away from the H word!!!!. It's poison.
As A bidder I like to know how much shipping will be, if it's fair that's OK by me.
I think a fixed shipping fee of $4.00 is very reasonable. Expecially IF you state Priority and DC. I don't see how anyone could complain. BUT do you not offer insurance???? I buy nothing that I can't get insurance on! I don't want to end up in an argument with a seller.
DC only means you can tell when or if it got there. What if it doesn't?? Are you going to refund. You have proof with DC that it didn't make it!!!
posted on March 5, 2001 11:12:03 PM
I agree with sulyn. I use Priority/Insured and delivery confirm depending on value&weight of the item. Up to 1 lb via USPS Priority is $3.50, 2 lbs is $3.95 and so on. Insurance costs $1.10 and up based on value and deliver confirm is 0.45 cents. Adds up fast but is great for peace of mind for buyer and seller. If bidder doesnt like it he can move on. However, there's no tracking number with Priority if item is less than $50 value, did you know that? So it depends on what I'm selling and how much it weighs. For an inexpensive item, like under $10 I forgo insurance but offer it as an option at buyer discretion and his cost. I am not adding a handling fee at present, and sometimes if I really underestimate the shipping cost, I throw in the difference with the packing slip.(surprises a few buyers).
[ edited by midlifestu on Mar 5, 2001 11:14 PM ]
posted on March 5, 2001 11:12:42 PM
I require insurance on glass items only. I do get insurance for those who want it.
Although, I have been selling for about a year and a half and for the first time in February I had a buyer that paid me for insurance and I FORGOT it! I did DC on it. And you are right, I now have a DC that says it was delivered. And a buyer who says he spent an hour at the PO and was told they most have put it in the box next to him because that guy had lots of packages with DC on them just the other day. I will refund his money because I screwed up. But I do wonder what the post office would do if it was insured and the DC showed delivered and the buyer said no it wasn't.
So that is one vote for fixed shipping charges and be sure to offer insurance.
posted on March 6, 2001 12:01:35 AM
Free delivery confirmation is available to anyone that uses shipping software that supports delivery confirmation, I'm not sure what company your talking about but that sounds like how the DC is free. I plan to get set up this year with my own shipping software and plan on using a permit so all the packages will be manifested and I'll just cut a check for the post office when I ship for what I owe. one of the biggest advantages is there will be no dollar amount on the package at all. We insure with U-Pic and about once a week I get a "I PAID FOR INSURANCE, I'M GOING TO TURN YOU INTO EBAY, FILE POSTAL FRAUD CHARGES, COME TO YOUR TOWN...................." kinda emails. I send them a link to U-Pic and usually I don't hear anything again.
posted on March 6, 2001 09:26:49 AM
I don't care what you call it, just as long as you give a dollars and cents total for your shipping/handling/whatever in your item description.
posted on March 6, 2001 09:27:13 AM
Minimum shipping here 2lbs or under is $4.50 priority mail delivery confirmation. Gas is $1.54 a gallon and the guy that takes it to the post office likes nice things...
posted on March 6, 2001 09:53:56 AM
When I sell, I don't offer a choice of shipping method. Everything goes priority, insured. In the category I sell in most people request that anyway. I charge for the postage and insurance, but I pay for the DC. Why? Because DC is really for my benefit not the buyers! If a person uses a payment service such as PP, it's proof the item was shipped. Since it doesn't offer a particular benefit to the buyer, I don't feel they should be forced to pay for it. That's just my opinion, but when I buy from sellers who charge for DC, it really doesn't upset me.
I also don't mind a handling fee. I always factor the shipping in with my bid anyway so if you want to add $10 handling, that's OK, I'll just bid $10 less! Don't you just love bidders like me???
posted on March 6, 2001 11:07:27 AM
My experience, small items.
"$5 Priority Shipping"
"$6 Insured Priority Shipping"
I don't complain at all.
"small handling fee added"
I don't bid at all.
"$1.25 handling fee added"
"insurance is extra"
"I'm not responsible for lost uninsured packages"
I have to really, really want it, because
I know I'm dealing with a seller who seldom,
if ever, is a buyer, a seller who just might not "get it" if something ever did go wrong.
posted on March 6, 2001 11:22:42 AM
If I am told...if it is delineated...if it is explained
Then I could care less.
SERIOUS!
But bait and switch...@#!*&
I will never buy from you again.
Oh pish. I will if you have the one and only pristine widget I need to add to my collection - and there's not a mountain of zero newbies I have to kick away to get at it - then I will ask you what's what and then bid accordingly.
In my own smattering of auctions I only list actual shipping in the more competative arenas and I will add handling to cover time and energy to ship if it's a more unique item (isn't everything rare in ebay?) ; )
posted on March 6, 2001 02:50:25 PM
I am quite willing pay $4.00-$4.50 as a fixed shipping cost on a 2-lb priority package (I think that's the size -- I'm not a seller).
If every seller would list a fixed s-h cost like that, I would do more buying. I've gotten so I won't bother to email a seller for the s-h costs, and I won't take a chance on getting gouged, so I pass up a lot of auctions.
posted on March 6, 2001 03:00:31 PM
If you are getting DC--electonic or otherwise there must be a DC number somewhere in this set up---right????
Set up your "I have mailed" letter to to have the link to the Post Office Tracking page and insert the DC number in the letter---and if they feel so inclined, they can check it out for themselves.
posted on March 6, 2001 05:14:36 PM
Zazzie,
I really like that idea!
You all have great ideas!
I am going with the fixed shipping cost, $4.00 for 1 lb, $4.50 for 2 lbs. and will state priority mail with delivery confirmation. Insurance is optional at an additional cost.
I am starting this new policy tonight. The little extra will help with the AW fees.
Don't you just love bidders like me???