slhsato
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posted on April 2, 2002 07:59:28 AM
The other day I found this seller on eBay who sells name brand clothing for really cheap (like $1.00), but then charges $8.00 for shipping & handling. It seems like a lot of people were buying his stuff, and I wondered if they realized how much they would be paying for shipping. This seller is obviously making his money from the shipping, and getting buyers to "bite" his product by starting his items at a ridiculously low cost. What are your opinions on this? Do you think this guy is being smart by doing this, or is he going to bite his way right out of eBay?
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sun818
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posted on April 2, 2002 08:02:38 AM
That's one way to sell. Buyer at least views your auction and considers purchasing your item. Buyers often pass up auctions if the bid price is too high. Until eBay displays the s&h price on the browsing screen, this will be an effective selling method.
tekgems.com
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mrfoxy76
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posted on April 2, 2002 08:06:05 AM
I hate when that happens all they are doing is AVOIDING ebay fees
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kiara
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posted on April 2, 2002 08:26:26 AM
I guess it depends on how he is shipping it and his presentation.
Buyers may take into consideration that the shipping and handling is higher but they factor it into the total cost and bid with that in mind.
Does he have a good feedback rating?
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bidsbids
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posted on April 2, 2002 08:28:18 AM
They are avoiding eBay fees and giving most auction bidders a bad taste in their mouths, especially new users. eBay should try to do something to halt this practice.
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stopwhining
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posted on April 2, 2002 08:30:25 AM
8.00 is not bad for clothing
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kiara
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posted on April 2, 2002 08:36:37 AM
Is he selling wedding dresses or bikinis? Suits or panties?
There is a big difference in shipping costs I would think. Not everything is one rate and some take extra care in packaging.
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slhsato
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posted on April 2, 2002 08:51:45 AM
Thanks for all of the responses! To answer kiara's question, from what I can remember the guy was selling things like Abercrombie & Fitch t-shirts, DKNY blouses, etc. They weren't anything bulky or special- just a bunch of name brand tops or pants that only cost $4.35 at most if he sent them Priority Mail. Which means he is guaranteeing himself about $5.00 from each purchase based off the $1.00 he charges for the product(which, by the way, most items he sold went for more than that since a lot of people would bid on it!), plus the $4.00 extra he made in shipping. I wish I could remember his seller ID- I will try and look for it and let you know if I find it again.
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ess98
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posted on April 2, 2002 08:55:07 AM
I saw a formal with a posted shipping of $14.00. Could it be these folks are shipping in flat oversize boxes, and not just pocketing the entire $8 but putting it to purchase of boxes and additional postage because of box size? I can't imagine you want to fold a formal dress up and put creases in it.
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mrfoxy76
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posted on April 2, 2002 09:01:41 AM
once purchased a cell battery and the auction stated in size 4 font 14 for shipping and handling  i had no choice but to pay it i bid i honor his terms. EVER since then CHECK the shipping if not indicated email and ask
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on April 2, 2002 09:22:23 AM
[i]It seems like a lot of people were
buying his stuff, and I wondered if they realized how much they would be paying for shipping.[/i]
Obviously they realize it, since it's spelled out in the auction description.
I don't get your outrage. How does this seller's auction practices affect you in any way? You're not even a customer of his.
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quickdraw29
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posted on April 2, 2002 12:19:01 PM
I'm sure he's not doing it to avoid ebay fees, more likely to attract more lookers. There's nothing wrong with it because buyers know upfront their total.
Does it matter if ebay gets less fees? No. If I start a price high and it doesn't sell, ebay loses the FVF. If I relist that item a little lower so it sells, ebay has to host that auction for free. Should we complain about high start bids then?
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mrfoxy76
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posted on April 2, 2002 12:27:42 PM
i just think its a joke it someone sells say a cd for 2 dollars and charge say 10 for shipping? agree?
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quickdraw29
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posted on April 2, 2002 12:46:49 PM
A mutual agreement between the buyer and seller to pay x amount is far from a joke.
If the seller allows you to pick up the item at his place, the buyer gets a $10 CD for $2! It's a loss leader and he hopes you pay for shipping. It's a common business practice to offer loss leaders.
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mrfoxy76
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posted on April 2, 2002 01:05:17 PM
you have to pay for shipping its STATED in the auction.....ebay should weed out these kind of people its costing them money. true cost of item with true cost of shipping.
mind you it makes no difference to me when i now see insane shipping costs move onto next item.
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quickdraw29
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posted on April 2, 2002 01:18:31 PM
You have to pay for shipping if you have it shipped!
Ebay is only a venue, they do not decide what is the best price to start an auction so ebay gets more money. They lose money? Too bad, this isn't a dictatorship.
If buyers really hated these low start/high shipping auctions, all they have to do is find another auction. Obviously many don't, so it only makes sense for a seller to meet the demand for having this type of setup.
You really want less freedom? I pity you.
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bidsbids
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posted on April 2, 2002 01:51:36 PM
I sometimes marvel at all the sellers that rally around other sellers that charge outrageous shipping fees. It must be like crooks defending other crooks. "Please don't kill our golden goose with talk of fair shipping".
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kiara
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posted on April 2, 2002 02:02:56 PM
Speaking for myself, I am not a crook. (sound familiar) 
It's not fair though to accuse a seller of high shipping rates unless you know all the facts. Look how many people get anal over a slight handling fee, etc.
I'm not defending sellers that gouge but there are two sides to this issue. It has been beaten to death on these boards and sometimes people just don't get it.
If shipping is up front you either bid or you don't. It's that easy. If it's not stated you e-mail and ask first and then decide if it's worth it.
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stopwhining
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posted on April 2, 2002 02:06:07 PM
dont cry for ebay,ebay has more gimmicks of making extra for itself,see the latest fee on title characters!!!!!
do you sell clothes?are you competing with this seller who starts at 1.00 and charge 8.00 shipping?
is he shipping ups or usps??
standing in line at psot office is no fun,most businesses cannot afford to tie up an employee standing in line,employees are paid to work,not stand in line!!!
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MAH645
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posted on April 2, 2002 03:42:11 PM
This method works well to pull buyers away from other auctions asking more than 1 cent or a dollar.Great for them killer for you.It also destroys the price of the items they are running where they won't bring anything after they have run them several times.People get wise to that and bid the lowest amount just before the auction goes off,killer for everybody.It gets to the point that you can do better at a fleamarket or public auction in your area.I for one am not going to try to sell items using a dead horse.
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quickdraw29
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posted on April 2, 2002 04:15:42 PM
I marvel at buyers who rally around other buyers who want to deny sellers a fair profit. Yes I'm going to rally around other sellers because I understand their methods and agree with it. I'm also a buyer so I know I'm being subjective, and I have bought from sellers with low start with high shipping and I'm very pleased with the deal I got.
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buyhigh
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posted on April 2, 2002 10:34:05 PM
stopwhining - Where are you finding this bit about fees for title characters? Thought that was someone's April Fool joke.
buyhigh
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jalleniii
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posted on April 3, 2002 08:53:06 PM
Hey, cry baby Buyer's. Here are three free and easy tips to consider before placing a bid.
a. Know what the shipping costs are before bidding.
b. Know what the shipping costs are before bidding.
c. Know what the shipping costs are before bidding.
Simple as a.....b.....c......
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twinsoft
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posted on April 3, 2002 09:19:01 PM
I sometimes marvel at all the sellers that rally around other sellers that charge outrageous shipping fees.
Oh, grow up.
... ebay has more gimmicks of making extra for itself,see the latest fee on title characters!!!!!
Geez Louise, that was an April Fools joke you twit.
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sulyn1950
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posted on April 3, 2002 09:22:52 PM
What a seller chooses to charge for "shipping" is their business. I have no problem with it if it's stated in the auction, be it $1.00 or $20. I factor the shipping in with what I am willing to pay. I don't really consider them seperate. Shipping is just part of the total I will pay.
I don't really like having to email and ask, I like it included in the auction ad.
If I find a seller who spells it out in the auction and I am interested in the item I bid.
If I don't find it spelled out, I email. If I get a vague "I won't know until the auction is over and I have your address" I pass. I need a number so I can calculate my bid.
I don't understand the term "gouging" as it supposedly applies to "shipping".
I buy basically in one category. My shipping prices have ranged from $2.50 to $15.00. My max bid was placed taking those figures into account.
I don't consider myself having been gouged by any seller on shipping. If it's disclosed up front, I can't be "overcharged".
Whether the start is $1.00 + $10.00 shipping or $10 start and $1.00 shipping it's still $11.00 to me.
What I don't understand is why so many buyers and sellers compulse on S/H.
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kiara
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posted on April 3, 2002 10:14:06 PM
Geez Louise, that was an April Fools joke you twit.
snicker........ 
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outoftheblue
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posted on April 3, 2002 11:20:30 PM
Oh, come on. How many times are we going to discuss this tired, illogical argument.
bidsbids
>>"I sometimes marvel at all the sellers that rally around other sellers that charge outrageous shipping fees. It must be like crooks defending other crooks."<<
I personally don't care what other sellers do. I don't follow that practice, but to each his own...
Let me spell it out to you in terms I hope you can understand.
I want to pay $25 for an item. It doesn't matter to me weather I bid $5 for the item and pay $20 to ship or I bid $20 for the item and pay $5 to ship. You see the seller isn't making any more by charging a high handling charge than the seller is that charges a low handling charge because I will bid only up to the amount I want to pay including shipping & handling.
[ edited by outoftheblue on Apr 3, 2002 11:21 PM ]
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vvalhalla
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posted on April 4, 2002 06:09:06 AM
If it's lost, damaged or returned for refund you'll get the bid price only.
dendude
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stopwhining
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posted on April 4, 2002 08:58:37 AM
if i can get nice new clothing for 1 and pay 8 for shipping,total 9,it is not a bad deal.
sometimes a seller would come down in shipping fee if the bid price is high enough
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wwtraders1
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posted on April 4, 2002 10:06:49 AM
To Walhalla
I always refund the full amount Item cost and s/h if the item is returned within 7 days of reciept.
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