posted on March 21, 2001 12:22:40 PM
I've been charging exact postage as a rule, and combining shipments for multiple wins and charging exact postage on the combined shipment as well.
This means, of course, that while writing up my auction descriptions, I have to weigh each book or set, if it's a multiple-book auction, to get the exact postage cost. I have no problem with that.
And if I get a multiple winner (not really too often although I've had more recently), I have to then weigh everything together before I can send out the EOA.
I also have a USPS website link for the convenience of foreign bidders along with the shipment weight, but I can tell by their emails to me that they probably didn't consult it before bidding anyway.
I have no problem with continuing to do business this way.
However, I'm wondering if it might not be better to go to a flat rate charge regardless of the number of items won.
Benefits would be:
1. No more having to reweigh items together for multiple winners before I can send out the EOA notice.
2. Bidders might bid on more than 1 item more often, knowing in advance the shipping charge won't be outrageous. (I do note in my auctions that I combine for lower shipping costs, but that still doesn't help the bidder anticipate until it's all over.)
3. I could type up my auction descriptions without having to weigh everything, which would speed things up a little.
4. I've seen that some people have a flat rate charge for international bidders in their auctions, and that might also be something I could consider, since they don't seem to use the USPS link anyway.
Some facts:
1. Most of my books weigh in at $1.75 Media Mail.
2. Next most frequent price is $2.20
3. I looked over my sales in AuctionTamer since the beginning of February and by dividing the total postage cost over that time by the number of items shipped, I discovered that my average cost in postage was $2.09. That includes some of my more recent multiple-book auctions where the postage was anywhere from $4 - $10.
(I do offer Priority and then I could put "Please add $x.xx addition for Priority", so this is not to put Priority out of the picture.)
I don't want to upset anyone when the shipment only warrants $1.30, but from threads I've read, most people wouldn't be anyway.
So, do you think a flat-rate of $2.00 Media Mail would go over vs. charging exact postage all the time?
posted on March 21, 2001 12:46:57 PM
BJ...I use a flat $2.50 for almost all my books. The only time I change that is when I have an exceptionally heavy book or set of books. On multiple purchases I will add another dollar or so (depending on how many they buy) to the $2.50.
I find it easier this way. Sometimes I pay more for postage sometimes less, but it seems to even out.
Books that sell for over $10 get insurance on me. Books that sell for $40 & up will be upgraded to priority on me.
posted on March 21, 2001 12:49:52 PM
I was doing a flat rate of $2 for several weeks. So much easier to do the addition. I had to buy boxes and I've bumped it up to $2.25, then $2.75 for 2-3 lbs, etc. I don't get complaints about what I charge to ship. My main problem is non-delivery of the media-mail books. I did two refunds this week for books buyers say never showed up in Feb.
posted on March 21, 2001 12:56:55 PM
Thanks, keziak, you do bring up another good point about the addition. Most buyers aren't sitting there with a calculator waiting to bid, are they?
posted on March 21, 2001 01:38:15 PM
I buy a lot of books and I do not mind paying $2.50 shipping for a regular sized book. I would rather everyone charged a flat rate. It would sure make buying easier, I wouldn't have to hit the back button near as often (when I find outrageous shipping prices).
posted on March 21, 2001 01:42:38 PM
If you go for a tour of ABE and check out the shipping policies of many of the book sellers--most put down a flat rate then and additional amount for any extra books. They vary in cost--as each bookseller sets their own amounts.
But one thing to note--most of those booksellers are not sweating about EXACT postage. They know it costs money to ship and charge accordingly---most charge $3.00 for the 1st book (book rate) and then add to that with heavy books amybe costing more.
posted on March 21, 2001 02:07:08 PM
I don't think anyone would have a problem with a reasonable flat rate, I certainly wouldn't. Buyers don't generally expect exact postage, what is upsetting is sellers not stating what the amount will be, just "buyer to pay shipping". If you list a set amount that's in the ballpark, your buyers aren't going to complain.
posted on March 21, 2001 03:48:48 PM
I've gotcha keziak!
Actually, I'm making it $2 and specifying Media Mail, with Priority available at actual postage. I figure it's a fair rate since the most common range is $1.30 to $2.20 actual postage. Really, anything around $2.50 to $2.75 is probably OK, but I'll be a bit conservative.
I'm doing the same for International, with a higher rate for Surface of course, with Airmail being actual postage. (Of course, sometimes Airmail has been cheaper since they tweaked those rates around.)
And as for outrageous shipping costs, you'd think that sellers would realize that if people wanted to pay "full price", they'd buy from Amazon or Borders.
posted on March 21, 2001 05:44:46 PM
You can find out more about media postage by going to www.usps.gov, but a general summary is below for their prices up to 10 pounds. You can add delivery confirmation on media for an extra $.50. For example, I sell cd's, so for me to send media, it costs $1.80 ($1.30 for media and delivery confirmation $.50) It might take a little longer to get to the destination, but at least with the delivery confirmation, it can be proved it was delivered to the post office of destination.
