posted on March 15, 2001 12:40:32 PM
Hopefully I can explain this correctly.
OK, I sell trading cards. Most in the range of $1-5.00. When I first started, I was charging actual postage. Then I realized I was losing a lot on the mailers, etc. So I bumped it up to a $1.00 flat fee per card and I combined shipping on multiples. This is comparable to most of the other sellers.
Now, by purchasing some supplies in bulk (on ebay of course!) I figured out that it actually costs me about 75 cents to mail a single card (soft sleeve, top loader, bubble mailer, postage, etc). So, I am not sure how to adjust my rates, or if I should. I was thinking of 2 options:
1) Advertise .75 S&H for the first card and .15 each for up to 4 additional cards (won within a 5 day period)
2) Advertise $1.00 S&H for up to three cards won within a 5 day period.
I group cards when I list so I get people that will win multiples. I want people to be happy with their cards when they get them and not feel cheated on the shipping. I have bought cards off ebay and most of the time been happy overall. Then there was the seller that charged me $9 for $4 shipping and the seller that charged $1.50 for an envelope with cut up priority mailer cardboard and 34 cents postage. Now I still was happy with the overall price I paid for the auctions, but probably will not buy from those sellers again.
I would appreciate any feedback you all have to offer!
posted on March 15, 2001 07:27:53 PM
I think both of the options are perfectly acceptable. I personally like the #2 option a little better, it's simpler. My husband buys sportscards every now and then on eBay, and $1.00 for shipping seems very reasonable. You might add in your auction description that you ship them in padded mailers, or whatever your method so they know you are not just going to stick them between 2 peices of cardboard and pay $.34 postage.
Martiniswiller (not my name on eBay)
[ edited by martiniswiller on Mar 15, 2001 09:56 PM ]
posted on March 15, 2001 08:08:35 PM
Yeah I agree that #2 would be simpler for everyone. I could just consider the extra quarter on single card sales a kicker into my self-insurance fund.
Hopefully eBay doesn't have a rule on offering such a deal on shipping? Anyone know?
posted on March 15, 2001 08:45:52 PM
magik87: I do sports cards on ebay 100% and charge a flat fee of $1.00 shipping in CUSA.
Shipping can be combined. You can purcahse
bubble mailers in bulk at a cost of approx
22 cents each an postage on these are .44 leaves the other .34 for tops loads, sleeves etc and your time and effort.
posted on March 15, 2001 09:11:48 PM
Why bubble mailers?
I believe that a normal envelope with cardboard is safer, beside being cheaper, for a card or cards in toploader.
I used to do stamps and have received hundreds such without a single damaged in shipping problem; if anyone sent them in a bubble mailer I'd think they were idiots.
posted on March 16, 2001 07:54:22 AM
I sell trading cards too.. for single card winners, I find a plastic sleeve and hard plastic toploader, wrapped in paper, placed in the small #10 envelope works just GREAT! Haven't received any complaints yet anyway.
I don't buy my mailing supplies in bulk yet (don't quite have the volume that I think I can support buying that many at once), but anything under 4 cards can go in the envelope just fine 2 cards per plastic sleeve in a toploader - above that and it goes in the small sized bubble mailers.
For larger sets of cards, the next size of bubble mailers, unless they are going priority, then its a video mailer sized box.
posted on March 16, 2001 09:03:33 AM
OK, why bubble mailers?
Because they are easy and not overly expensive (16c each). I put the top-loader in a team bag, slide it and the invoice in the mailer, seal, address and stamp. I don't have to find cardboard and cut it to size. And I can mail up to 6 cards in one #000 mailer. And while a bubble mailer may not be the right choice for stamps, none of my CARD buyers have called me an idiot yet that I am aware of.
I think the packing method should be left up to the seller. Ship how you feel comfortable and whichever way gets the item there in good condition and time.
I was really hoping to get some opinions on how to best handle my s&h fee in my listings. I am still kind of on the fence. I don't know if bidders really pay attention to the s&h when they are shopping for cards or if they compare similar listings for the cheapest shipping.
Are you selling cards as a hobby or a business? Consider your expenses in selling that $5.00 card. Ebay fees...AW fees...FVF fees...supplies...TIME...TAXES...TRAVEL...image hosting...ISP charges...office supplies (paper & ink to print out auction, etc.).
I also sell sports cards, primarily pre-1975, and newer sets. I processed over 15000 auctions last year so buying bulk supplies saves me a considerable chunk of change. I charge $2.00 S/H on 1 to 10 cards and $3.00 up to 20 cards. Once a customer purchases over 20 cards, I usually send their cards Priority Mail. I use a bubble mailer, semi rigid (Stor Safe) top loader and for additional security I place the top loader in a bubble pouch and then place in bubble mailer. I had one card damaged by our Postal Service last year.
Why give away your profits? Do you think Topps, Donruss, Upper Deck or Fleer ship your orders for free? Profit is not a dirty word.
When I first started, I was Mr. Nice Guy and didn't take all the expenses in consideration and had a plan much like yours. I looked at my books and realized I was spending 10% of my profits on shipping and expenses. The extra dollar charged for S/H will make a big difference in your profits and it's not unfair to your buyer. My feedback is over 2200 and total feedback is almost 4000. Tons of repeat customers so they must still think I'm Mr. Nice Guy.
If you present a quality product at a fair opening bid and an accurate description, the S/H become a mute point.
posted on March 16, 2001 09:39:34 AM
Bubble mailers are designed to be flexible and floppy, and so seem to be a poor choice for trading cards or any other paper collectible. I believe a top loader will do a good job of protecting a card from any resultant damage. Consider that a card in a plain envelope in soft sleeve without top loader would be damaged maybe 1% of the time, same in a bubble mailer could be expected to suffer over 90% casualty.
Regardless, all of the s&h charge suggestions here seem reasonable.
posted on March 16, 2001 09:47:27 AM
To answer your question... I don't know if bidders really pay attention to the s&h when they are shopping for cards or if they compare similar listings for the cheapest shipping. Bidders (myself included) definately pay attention to the s&h, but it would only deter me if it was unreasonably high. $1.00 for up to 3 cards is not unreasonable by any means. I don't think anyone is going to be more likely to bid because you charge only 75 cents for shipping. Now, if you were to charge $3.00, I imagine you would get quite a few less bidders. When I am bidding, I compare similar listings for cheaper shipping up to a point. If it is a small difference (say under $1.00), I would next choose by the sellers feedback rating and comments. Hope that helps!
posted on March 16, 2001 10:11:56 AM
This is a hobby. Something to keep me busy during the day so I don't go nuts. I love non-sports cards and since I don't really need the income, selling on ebay is a nice way to make a little spending money.
In the Collectibles:Trading Cards categories, shipping prices range from 34 cents to $1.50 with the average being $1.00. I really don't think $2.00 would go over, even stating it is for up to 10 cards. And I would feel uncomfortable charging that much.
I still make money on my cards. Not enough to pay myself minimum wage, but that is not why I am doing it. For me right now, this is fun. When it stops being fun, then I will reconsider the methods to my madness.
I appreciate the thoughts though and I will keep the information in mind for a later date.
posted on March 16, 2001 10:27:59 AM
Well, I must have gotten the wrong kind of bubble mailers, because mine are a little on the stiff side. I really don't think they are any more prone to damaged cards, unless you don't put the extra 11 cents postage on and the mailer gets run through the regular machinery. I may reconsider once I use up this supply of 100 mailers. At the rate I am going that will be several months down the line and I will have a better feel for the business.
Martiniswiller: That is kind of what I am thinking. 25 cents won't influence most people, especially since they won't see the shipping charge until they are in the listing and then there are other factors that they will be paying more attention to like feedback, description, pic. I think I will stick with $1.00/3 and swallow the 25 cents worth of guilt when they only buy one.
posted on March 16, 2001 03:44:49 PM
Only $1 for shipping cards?? I payed $2 for the past three auctions I've won, and they've ranged from 1 to 5 cards. You're shipping costs are great and clearly stated. The multiple auction within 5 days statement is great and will attract customers. For the record, I've never received a bad card (or card lot) in a bubble mailer, but I've gotten a shredded card and top loader in a regular white envelope.
