posted on June 26, 2002 05:12:09 PM
Lots of discussion on the new shipping rates which are endless and will continue. I would like to Mentor you....
We have been in business for 25 years and always charge for shipping and Handling with a "fixed" rate. This eliminates so much of the headache for you and your customer. Its done in most big business and small. How can you consider giving away your time to package and the cost of the box for free? Your time or the time of an employee is "MONEY". If you are not charging for handling you are doing yourself a dis=service.
We ship a standard stock size of 20"x20" 3lbs anyplace in the USA for $12. which includes insurance either UPS or Priority mail. The actual cost is about $8.50 to the furthest area of the US. Our box cost $1.32. Guess what?? Im giving away the labor at $12. We do reduce the shipping charge when it is local.
Shipping at fixed prices posted on the auction description and we never have a problem. I encourage those of you picking nits on the shipping to go to fixed prices. You can easily calculate a fair price even if you use recycled boxes. Keep repeating these words. Shipping and "HANDLING", Shipping and "HANDLING". You are worth every minute of your valuable time when you are selling your product.
posted on June 26, 2002 05:20:02 PM
i agree,
we have 2 sellings ID's
one is for low end stuff so we cant do it there, but on our high end stuff we charge $10.00 (up to $25.00) to ship and it's usualy $5.95 cost, (on the $10.00 rate)
but by the time I ad my time to it, it should be $20.00
this whole problem is not caused by sellers,
it's the buyers that deman low rates and sellers are just trying to acomodate the buyer / not loose the sale,
when buyers will start to understand this
we can end this topic....
I cant wait for the buyers that will start screaming come 1st of July about the new rates, I can already see the threards that will be posted here
posted on June 26, 2002 05:35:04 PM
I think that is part of why so many buyers like to buy items like books and CDs on Half.com . The shipping total and grand total is clearly stated next to the title.
When I want to buy an item on eBay if there are several items that are the all same I will usually bid on auctions that clearly state the shipping over any others. Sellers that do not mention any shipping fees are usually skipped unless I have no choice and then I will take a good look at the seller's feedback for hints of excessive or fair shipping.
posted on June 26, 2002 06:31:28 PM
I have charged a flat rate for shipping for over 4 years on eBay. I will continue to do so when the new rate goes into effect. Most of my items are under 2 pounds so I just state a flat rate fee of $5.25. On some I will be short and on some I will make a little so it all balances out.
posted on June 26, 2002 09:04:11 PM
greengate -- you are so right!
when I've watched the tv shopping channels, they sell an item with at fixed shipping and handling charge stated right there on the screen. they don't wait until after you have bought the item to ask where you live so they can figure the shipping!
how did we all get so bogged down on this issue? I think the buyers got us into this by wanting to pay exact shipping charges to their zip.
I am switching to fixed price for s/h otherwise I might go bonkers!
posted on June 26, 2002 09:34:12 PM
I agree that the buyers are asking too much from sellers when they demand the lowest humanly possible shipping rates and expect us sellers to jump through hoops to give it to them.
We sell most 2 pound or under (and $20. or less usually) items and for the last two years have had a flat rate s/h charge of $5.00 to USA, and it included Priority Mail w/delivery confirmation.
I'm in the process now of updating a few hundred "stock" item auctions to reflect our new rate starting July 1st of $6.00.
While I hate to raise that rate up the dollar and hope it does not cost sales, I can't help but think buyers are still getting a great deal at that rate when I factor in ever increasing Ebay fees,Auction Management Fees, Gas Prices, and the fact that I put a hundred miles a week on the van and spend about 4 hours weekly in line at the PO. That does not even begin to figure in the load of time spent carefully packaging (okay, OVERpackaging) stuff to be sure it arrives safely.
If enough sellers put REASONABLE and FAIR shipping AND handling charges in their auctions, hopefully buyers will eventually realize we sellers are in business to earn a living and not lose money on shipping. Did you ever notice the s/h tv advertisers like QVC or infomercials charge - those are usually WAY up there!
posted on June 27, 2002 08:32:53 AM
I've decided to go with a 'fixed rate shipping' and put it in my auctions. 5 years, and I've always put in actual Priority costs. Most everything we sell is 2 lbs or under.
Its the multiple wins that I will have to add to descript. ; that it will be higher.
But I am not starting new auctions until well into July... going to see how everyone else does with the new rates
