posted on March 21, 2001 09:24:44 PM
Yaachhh ... check previous threads for much emotional discussion on this topic.
The consensus seems to be, charge a higher S&H fee. Do not use the dreaded word "handling" or call it out as a separate fee. I believe that both "S&H" and "Shipping" were acceptable terms to use. And state the mail method as well. As in:
Buyer pays $4.50 S&H. Ship method is Priority Mail.
posted on March 21, 2001 09:25:15 PM
jlady-I don't charge a handling fee, but that doesn't mean you can't. You can charge what you want but I would keep it within range so that the buyers won't pass you by. I would say if you charge actual shipping charges 50cents more wouldn't make any difference. I always put S/H of then I put the amount. If I do charge a handling fee it is in with my shipping charge.
[ edited by Libra63 on Mar 21, 2001 09:28 PM ]
posted on March 21, 2001 11:08:23 PM
I have mixed feelings on this issue. I have posted vehemently against some abuses of the term "handling" fee, and I almost always get bombarded with sellers who disagree.
My basic feeling is, if you are going to include a fee and list it in the category termed "shipping and handling" it should be only for fees related to the actual shipping of an item. (legitimate items to me are things like expenses to cover boxes, padded mailers, bubble wrap, etc..)
Where I blow a cork is when sellers try to recover all related fees and expenses for doing business in the online auction format and call it "shipping and handling!" Some sellers try to justify "padding" the S&H category to recoup listing fees, paypal fees, the new AW fees, prorated wear and tear on their computer, and you name it. These items are NOT justifiable to include as "shipping and handling." A seller should expect fees and expenses to be part of selling in online auctions, and should plan accordingly and account for these costs in his/her minimum bids and reserves...not by disguising them in a padded S&H fee.
As a seller, I charge actual shipping costs. As a buyer, I probably would not avoid an auction with a minimal "handling" fee like .50 cents, but I definitely take those fees into consideration when deciding what my final bid will be. If I see a handling fee much higher than that, I simply do not bid on that auction.
posted on March 22, 2001 12:26:03 AM
a fifty cent handling fee sounds reasonable to me. i'm one of the sellers/buyers around here who usually dislikes handling fees, but if you're going to charge one, that's certainly a reasonable amount and a compromise that I wouldn't argue with. just be sure to state which method you use to ship your items and it should be fine.
posted on March 22, 2001 12:27:12 AM
a fifty cent handling fee sounds reasonable to me. i'm one of the sellers/buyers around here who usually dislikes handling fees, but if you're going to charge one, that's certainly a reasonable amount and a compromise that I wouldn't argue with. just be sure to state which method you use to ship your items and it should be fine.
posted on March 22, 2001 12:28:02 AM
a fifty cent handling fee sounds reasonable to me. i'm one of the sellers/buyers around here who usually dislikes handling fees, but if you're going to charge one, that's certainly a reasonable amount and a compromise that I wouldn't argue with. just be sure to state which method you use to ship your items and it should be fine.
posted on March 22, 2001 12:42:15 AM
It would depend are you charging Handling fee of $.50 on each item or each package shipped.
I purchased 10 small widgets for $1 each from a seller and they tried to stick a $.50 hndling fee per ite.
That is wrong.
I would just add it to Shipping charges.
JB
posted on March 22, 2001 12:45:12 AM
As a buyer, I don't mind a small handling fee. One thing I do like to see, however, is a dollar amount. I would be much more likely to bid on an item that says "buyer pays $4.00 for priority mail" even if I know it will only cost the seller $3.50 to mail, than the identical item that states "buyer pays shipping plus 50 cents handling".
In other words, I don't mind a small handling charge if you tell me up front exactly how much S/H I'm going to be paying before I bid.
posted on March 22, 2001 01:33:58 AM
I HATE auctions where the S&H is not stated in actual dollars. I'd rather bid on an auction with a padded shipping fee than one where I have to contact the seller to find out what it is. Also, check other auctions like yours to get an idea of what different sellers charge--you may be on the low end anyway, and buyers WILL appreciate the fact that you are up-front about your costs.
