loosecannon
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posted on March 31, 2001 01:57:36 PM new
I have two items on right now that probably wholesale for around $60, let alone retail. They are unused items with a little bit of "shopwear" but fully funtional and in nice shape, even if not the most desirable models.
I'm auctioning both for $9.99 each (1/6 of wholesale!) and my terms state "actual shipping, no handling". Isn't that freaking clear enough and cheap enough? Evidently not. Some guy just emailed for shipping charges, like if he had to pay very much for shipping he won't bid.
Hey, just give me your address and I'll ship the thing to you free and put a $20 bill inside too.
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chum
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posted on March 31, 2001 02:07:38 PM new
eBay turned into the worlds largest flea market. Personally I would not let him bid on the items. Sounds like a major pain in the a** to me.
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shaani
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posted on March 31, 2001 02:08:54 PM new
Just one question. Does your auction say how you ship?
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camachinist
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posted on March 31, 2001 02:17:05 PM new
Some folks are a bit gun-shy because of the S&H gougers....
If you state actual "shipping charges by xxxx method" and give your zip and item weight, most folks will compute the shipping to their local and feel more at ease bidding...
Of course, then there are those who are never please....usually when I've received e-mails with a tone like that I just delete them...can't please all the people all the time...Those kinds of e-mails can turn into after-sale nightmares and I get enough of those paying the bills every month...
*G*
Good luck!
Pat
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loosecannon
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posted on March 31, 2001 02:25:14 PM new
No, I don't say "US Postal" or "Fed Ex Ground" but I do say "actual shipping, no handling charge". They are bulky (but not very heavy) items. I don't have them packed yet because people are sure to email for measurements.
But I'm feeling a little sheepish. A couple who are friends saw them (they deal in similar stuff sometimes), recognised a real bargain and bid on them both.
[ edited by loosecannon on Mar 31, 2001 02:29 PM ]
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gboy
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posted on March 31, 2001 03:38:52 PM new
I'd probably ask too. Actual shipping can vary quite a bit, depending on how you ship it.
And, you're not **auctioning** them for $9.99, you **started the bidding** at $9.99 (unless $9.99 is your BIN price). Who knows, maybe the winning bid will be many times that.
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mballai
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posted on March 31, 2001 03:39:05 PM new
Actual shipping is a fast way to the poorhouse with cheapo bidders . It only covers postage according to eBay. Your best bet is just to state a flat US rate and tell foreign bidders to email for a quote.
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Meya
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posted on March 31, 2001 03:40:43 PM new
I won't bid on an auction that only states "Actual Shipping". I rarely if ever receive responses to emails asking a seller to clarify, so now I just move on.
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laum1
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posted on March 31, 2001 03:52:21 PM new
I have seen "actual shipping" but than they tell you they used "mailbox etc".
There is no handling charge but, of course, "mailbox etc" charges are much higher than most shipping methods.
Also, bidder may not know much item weights with packaging and wondering what is cost to get it to them.
Sounds like a reasonable request to inquire before bidding. If you want to minimize such inquires, include in your auction description approximate weight with packaging and a link to a shipping calculator for whomever you plan to use for shipping.
[ edited by laum1 on Mar 31, 2001 03:53 PM ]
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loosecannon
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posted on March 31, 2001 04:13:31 PM new
Actual shipping is a fast way to the poorhouse with cheapo bidders . It only covers postage according to eBay. Your best bet is just to state a flat US rate and tell foreign bidders to email for a quote.
That's some advice I'll probably end up taking.
If a seller has a small trinket that will easily ship for $3.50 Priority or $1.50 First Class, well, that greatly simplifies things. Bigger items, unless I pack it before I list it (which isn't too practical because of potential bidder's questions), go for "actual" with "no handling". I've always thought that was plenty clear enough to let people know I would not overcharge them for shipping. Apparently, I've been laboring under a profound misapprehension (been wanting to use that one for a while)  and will probably take mballai's advice.
And no, I don't take it to Mailboxes, Etc. for packing LOL (if someone did that to me, man, would I ever be p*ssed).
[ edited by loosecannon on Mar 31, 2001 04:17 PM ]
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shaani
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posted on March 31, 2001 04:25:49 PM new
Hi Loosecannon
Some bidders including me have been ripped off quite a bit by trusting in the "actual shipping" statement.
Also some bidders have no concept of actual measurements and sizes so may be confused.
And some bidders are just cheap %*#@!
We now try to quote a flat rate in almost all of our auctions. After awhile you get to estimate it fairly well. Sometimes we lose a bit but I think it evens out pretty well in the end.
Hope you do well on it! 
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reddeer
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posted on March 31, 2001 05:24:47 PM new
shaani ....... Ditto.
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cdnbooks
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posted on March 31, 2001 05:28:15 PM new
Last week I was quoted 'actual shipping' of $14 when if should have been $3.75
'Actual shipping' is scarey
Bill
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unknown
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posted on March 31, 2001 05:30:52 PM new
Buyers are much more comfortable with a fixed charge for S/H.
What if you decide to send it Fedex and use a concrete box. If he bid on your item he would be obligated to pay no matter what.
Just pick a reasonable figure and list that in the auction.
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ascorti
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posted on March 31, 2001 07:21:13 PM new
To many eBay buyers (me included, since May 97) 'actual' shipping = whatever the seller decides to 'actually' charge you
ascorti
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cdnbooks
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posted on March 31, 2001 07:31:08 PM new
ascorti
2 funny
Bill
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loosecannon
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posted on March 31, 2001 07:45:46 PM new
Well, about the only "handling" charges I've made have been on small First Class items, like when I charge $1.50 for shipping and it costs .99 cents postage--something like that. Heck, even that only helps me break even on buying bubble wrap, small boxes, etc. I'm not making any money to speak of there.
But on the big items the "no handling" does cost me. I know sometimes I have put $3, $4, $5 or more worth of bubble wrap on a big item. Once in a great while I have to buy a large TV box at Uhaul.
Ever try shipping a bass drum? I've shipped 3 of those. Take my advice--don't!
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squeeky
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posted on March 31, 2001 07:50:05 PM new
i'd rather have a potential buyer ask their questions before the auction ends, no matter what the question.
"Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions, they're easier to handle than dumb mistakes."
and, who is to say what is a 'dumb' question - as other posters here have said, some do get burned by "pay actual shipping" statements.
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loosecannon
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posted on March 31, 2001 07:59:55 PM new
squeeky
I haven't just been saying "actual shipping". I also say "NO HANDLING CHARGE". My whole point was that I thought that was good enough for people to realize that I would not pad the shipping charges.
Apparently not, since it's not even clear to everyone here.
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uaru
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posted on March 31, 2001 08:11:20 PM new
I've learned to email for shipping charges when they aren't stated. If there is harm in asking I regret that, but I regret more the surprises after I've won the auction.
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taz8057
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posted on April 1, 2001 02:12:57 PM new
Hi,
I charge a flat rate of $4.95 for everything regardless of how many auctions you win.
It just keeps it simple for me and the bidder.
-Trey
***********************************
"If your mind can conceive it, and you believe it, then you probably can achieve it."
http://www.CondomDeals.com
***********************************
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mikeselis
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posted on April 1, 2001 02:37:34 PM new
You should at least say the name of the commercial carrier you plan to use.
Because a certain shipping company lost my laptop I bought off Ebay for already six days, and I still don't have it, I have made a decision to no longer bid on items that are shipped by that shipping company.
There are than enough people who don't use the shipper...
Basically the buyer wants to know what vendor you ship items with. I know that even though it cost me $25 S+H for the laptop, the seller paid only about $6, and probably used $5 of materials. I don't know for sure as it is still sitting in Florida since last Tues, and I live outside of FL.
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toolhound
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posted on April 1, 2001 03:15:30 PM new
Maybe the guy was going to bid $75.00 and wanted to see how much the shipping would be on top of that. I have never asked about shipping costs, but I just had an experience that will probably change that.
The auctions I won stated buyer pays shipping. Reduced shipping on multiple purchases. I was charged $6.90 over the price of shipping and insurance.
After a few email he did finaly refund the $6.90 but was not happy about it.
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