posted on June 8, 2001 08:50:26 PM
I have noticed some sellers are over charging on shipping and also adding $1 to $3 handling fees on their auctions. I don't mind being charged more on shipping as long as its reasonable for the item I'm bidding on,but when I see handling fees also added I hit the I'm-out-of-here button.What is your reaction?
posted on June 8, 2001 08:53:59 PM
My reaction is that you are going to see even more of this practice due to all the new and increased feeZ. However, the smart-successful seller will word it something like this:
Fixed shipping including guaranteed delivery is $X.XX
Being reasonable is going to be key...
MTown
UBB
[ edited by morgantown on Jun 8, 2001 08:55 PM ]
I don't think that a $1-3 handling charge is excessive at all. There are many factors that this handling charge could be covering. Paypal fees, shipping supplies, time involved in packaging, record keeping.... the list goes on and on. These are all legitimate things that could (and IMO should) be covered by a handling charge. A lot of times the shipping supplies themselves can run over $1.00. Bottom line, is you should add ALL the costs of the auction together (item bid, s/h, etc). If the price for the item is still good, bid on it... if not, don't. It's as easy as that.
posted on June 8, 2001 09:05:28 PM
My reaction depends on a number of factors --first being the overall cost of the transaction.
Is the total cost of the item still lower than I can purchase it for locally, through a catalog or elsewhere online?
How badly do I want the item? Is this something I can't get locally, through a catalog or elsewhere online?
As far as I'm concerned, a seller can charge extra for postage and charge a handling fee and if I can get an item I want for the overall price I want to pay, I'll bid.
posted on June 8, 2001 09:06:41 PM
eBay facilitates this problem by encouraging sellers to start their bidding below the amount they'd like to get for their items. That's in ever selling tutorial I've ever seen. The cheaper the item, the more the seller has to take those little costs into account.
I complained a while ago about a $3.99 doll that would have cost me $10 delivered. The seller had the nerve to "recommend" adding $1.50 insurance on a four dollar item. I didn't bid.
I bought the same item last week for $5.99 at Walgreens, and saved myself 33%, even with the tax.
posted on June 8, 2001 09:09:19 PM
Rewassago----seeing as you are willing to work for free---I've got a lawn that needs to be mowed. Can you be here at around 12 noon tomorrow??
I'll supply the lawn mower--for free.
[ edited by Zazzie on Jun 8, 2001 09:10 PM ]
Quite small item, runs $.97 for actual postage but new specialty box for it costs seller $.50. Seller charges $1.50 shipping for this item.
OR seller can stuff 90% of the priority box w/peanuts (which are going to cost because most people running a business don't have time to run around time looking for freebie peanuts) and charge the customer $3.50.
So, in this ponderment...who's benefitting & who's being milked?
posted on June 8, 2001 09:20:53 PM
vargas has some good advice. If the overall cost (including shipping) is a deal, go ahead and bid. If not, go on to the next auction. Problem solved.
posted on June 8, 2001 09:39:03 PM
I don't have to go out looking for packing peanuts. I have asked people at local manufacturing plants to put them aside for me, and all I have to do is pick them up. I have garbage bags full of them in my garage.
Zazzie, I am not working for free, because I am collecting the profits from the items I sell. That is my wage.
But of course, if you don't consider that profit part of your wage, I would be HAPPY to take it.
Oh yeah, and it is REVVASSAGO with a "V" not a "W". I hate that the font on here.
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Still charging exact shipping fees, and darn proud of it!
[ edited by revvassago on Jun 8, 2001 09:41 PM ]
posted on June 8, 2001 09:46:08 PM
Well, as I just stated in my last post, the peanuts are neither costing me time or money, so I would choose the free packaging from USPS, cut it down to size, and fill the extra space with peanuts to make the item secure.
Haven't you ever cut a box down to fit an item? It isn't really that hard, and you get to use the nifty free packing tape that USPS will give you!
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Still charging exact shipping fees, and darn proud of it!
You are lucky enough to have it set up where you can get the majority of your shipping supplies free...but not everyone can do that. Also, what tape are you using? Just the USPS Priority tape?
Just wonderin'....
"Who's tending the bar? Sniping works up a thirst"
posted on June 8, 2001 09:51:32 PM
Not everyone has the luxury of having nearby manufacturers from whom they can collect packing peanuts. And in many locations, the usual free peanuts suspects (gift shops, etc.) already are giving their leftover peanuts to someone --- or are using them themselves to ship items they sell on eBay.
Not every item fits in a free Priority Mail box either. And the PO hasn't started handing out "free" boxes for items that can (and should) be shipped First Class.
My last trip to my box supplier cost $250 -- for boxes, one monster bag of peanuts, six rolls of quality packaging tape (that doesn't smell like dog pee) and two huge rolls of bubble wrap.
Customers who buy my smaller items will get a clean, fresh box -- fresh bubble wrap with no smashed bubbles -- enough peanuts to properly cushion their item, and first class postage.
All of this will cost them far less than the $3.50 they'd be gouged for those "free" Priority Mail supplies.
posted on June 8, 2001 09:54:17 PMHaven't you ever cut a box down to fit an item? It isn't really that hard, and you get to use the nifty free packing tape that USPS will give you!
Are you serious? Your time may be worth nothing but mine sure isn't.
You STILL haven't answered my question. Who's customer is getting the better deal here..the one who's shipping runs $1.50 or the one who's customer is paying $3.50 (so the seller can get FREE supplies)?
Go to www.usps.com. You can order boxes in bulk, packing tape, labels with your address already on them, and it is all FREE!
koto1:
Yes, I consider myself very lucky that I found a source for free packing peanuts. But they aren't that hard to find. And even if you can't, they are pretty cheap on eBay.
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Still charging exact shipping fees, and darn proud of it!
For the third time now, I would cut the box to fit (approx 1 minute worth of my "precious" time), wrap it in paper (another 2 minutes) and charge ACTUAL shipping charges.
This is what I have been doing for three years now, and my customers praise me for it.
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Still charging exact shipping fees, and darn proud of it!
posted on June 8, 2001 10:18:43 PM
So. anyone who doesn't spend their time either cutting down boxes & wrapping them in paper OR ordering free supplies from USPS regardless of whether it can be sent for less is milking the customer.
posted on June 8, 2001 10:20:19 PMrevvassago
Read my post again. You missed the point entirely.
Yes, I've been using Priority Mail boxes for a couple of years for many items that weigh more than 13 ounces.
BUT most of the boxes I purchase are for items that weigh 13 ounces or less and can be sent first class at a significant savings to the buyer. Even after including the cost of the box, tape, peanuts, bubble wrap --my buyers are paying less than $3.50 for shipping. Most pay $2.00 or less.
Also, I have many shipments that are far too large for even the #7 Priority boxes -- or they're too large for the #4 box, but too small for the #7 box. My real life hourly work rate tops $40 -- taking the time to "cut down" Priority Boxes actually costs me more than buying the proper size box.
Plus, Priority tape is worth what you pay for it -- it's crap, leaves adhesive on everything it touches and smells like dog pee when it gets hot.
I'll pay for quality shipping supplies any day -- and my buyers are happy to eat the charges because they pay less for shipping in the long run.
posted on June 8, 2001 10:24:59 PM
Each seller has the choice to run their business the way they choose. What works for one may not work for another. Just because someone chooses to do it "their" way, what makes them think that all others should also do it that way?
As a bidder I have a choice to decide how much I am willing to pay for the item and that includes the total cost if there is extra shipping and handling charges. If I am uncertain I e-mail before bidding and I ask what the charges will be. Then I make my decision. It is that simple.
posted on June 8, 2001 10:27:39 PM
You're wasting your argument, vargas.
If you aren't creating your own packaging from scrap laying around the house, then you are milking the customer by actually charging for that box, those peanuts & tape.
posted on June 8, 2001 10:34:17 PMrevvaswago, sorry but I don't believe that it will take you only one (1) minute to chop down a box to a proper size and wrap it in paper unless you are like Edward Scissorhands. 3-5 minutes at least. (And we won't even address the illegality of using the USPS Priority Mail material to send first class.)
This subject is the eternal soapbox debate on this board. The bottom line is that every seller has to do what works for them and they can live with.
There is no way in heck that I am going to be chopping up priority boxes, driving all over town trying to beg leftover packing supplies, etc. My time is worth much more than that. But if this process is working for you and you feel you are making enough money to justify all that effort, then more power to you.
But you should not make a blanket statement that all the "non-actual shipping" sellers as "milking" the bidders. Yeah, there are a lot out there that do that, but I will claim many or most are just trying to cover actual costs, myself included.
posted on June 8, 2001 10:36:16 PMeventer I never said that, and I am offended that you are twisting my words around.
I am merely saying what I do. I have nothing but glowing feedback about the way I package my items, and I pay nothing for my packing supplies. In three years I have only had 1 item break in transit.
If you want to charge handling fees, go ahead. But I don't, and I know that my customers appreciate the fact that I don't. Many have told me so.
That is what this whole thread is about. MAH645 felt that handling fees were unreasonable, and said so.
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Still charging exact shipping fees, and darn proud of it!
posted on June 8, 2001 10:41:20 PMwbbell, it is my opinion, as I originally stated, and I am sticking to it.
If you want to charge a handling fee to cover costs, go ahead. I understand why you do it. I personally don't feel it is right to do it, and that is why I put those costs into my initial bid price so that they are right out in the open, and not hidden in the TOS or the EOA notice.
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Still charging exact shipping fees, and darn proud of it!
posted on June 8, 2001 10:49:40 PM
Actually, revvassago, I asked if a seller who charges $1.50 for an item which costs $.97 in postage but is shipped in a new specialty box which costs $.50 is "milking" the bidder.
You finally replied with some non sequitor about cutting down a box and charging actual postage.
Leading one to assume if a seller doesn't spend their time to cut down boxes & wrap them in paper, they are just milking the seller.
If that isn't what you meant, then, please, by all means, share it with us.
Sniping works up a thirst"