posted on September 20, 2002 08:19:31 PM
I recently asked a seller what way they shipped since they were charging $9.00 for one stick RAM.
This was his reply to me:
Normally, I ship via usps first class with delivery firmation # for 1 module and via usps priority for e than 1 modules.
If you purchase 1 module and want it ship via usps ority, i will do that but must mention when make payment.
From experience first class postage is around $1 and you cannot do delivery confirmation with a small package using first class. I do know the cost of packaging these items, because I sold some in the past.
This person is making some extra and the sad part is, it was a fixed price auction.
So I am glad I asked and now I can decide if I want the item for the actual price I will be paying.
I am not saying it is bad, just lets me know I am glad I asked.
posted on September 20, 2002 08:50:14 PM
It is possible to mail an item via 1St class mail with delivery confirmation. One of the postal rules stipulates that the package must be at least 3/4" thick. I ship most my items via 1st class mail (under 13 oz) & charge $3.95. Normally that allows me to pay for the padded envelopes, the postage service I use & the trip to the post office.
But $9.00 seems excessive to me. Although more sellers seem to be setting fixed pricing for shipping.
Rule No 1, if you don't like the TOS, don't bid on it.
posted on September 20, 2002 09:59:05 PM
I think every eBay seller should be required to spend some time shopping on eBay. I did recently, and found a couple of curious things.
First, many sellers pad their auctions with outrageous s/h fees. I'm talking $10 - $30 over actual postage. I wouldn't bid on those auctions on principle alone.
Second, many sellers fail to quote shipping in their TOS. I WILL NOT bid without knowing what the cost to deliver it will be. Interestingly, when I contacted those sellers, their shipping was reasonable. Those sellers are shooting themselves in the foot and losing bids because they don't disclose their terms up front.
posted on September 21, 2002 11:32:43 AMTwinsoft, you've been around here as long as I have (at least), so maybe you can give me some advice.
Prior to this last (and worst) postal increase, it was so easy to quote priority shipping charges (up to five pounds), and add that "parcel post may be less, depending on destination."
Until this summer, I considered an 80% sell-through rate a 'bad week', as I could usually count on 90%, and 95% or better was not unheard of. (I don't think I ever had a single week that was 100%, though one week only one item didn't sell (and it got a bid as soon as I relisted it!).
But since 6/30 (which seems to be my own personal 9/11, as I can put my finger on exactly when my problems started), I have been unable to quote shipping charges in my auctions. I do have a paragraph at the end of my auctions explaining why (zoning), and in which I assure the customer he will pay only the actual cost of shipping and insurance. I further offer to calculate it on an individual basis, if the bidder will send me his ZIP code (and I always respond - LOL - I may have been one of those 'reasonable' ones you contacted!). I tried a 'one-size-fits-all' shipping charge, and it didn't seem to help - in fact, it may have made things worse.
What else can I do? I don't sell shipping - I sell glass!
posted on September 21, 2002 01:42:09 PM
"No such thing as outrageous s/h" Well Fluffy, I bid on a widget that weighed 4 ounces, could be shipped first classfor less than a dollar, & the seller charged $10.00, would you think that it was ourageous. Would YOU pay it without bitching?
I am like gc2, I sell china, not shipping.
posted on September 21, 2002 02:17:59 PM
Fluffy, you are right. I buy a cetain item off of ebay over and over, and resell it for a profit. I know pretty well what I can resell it for. So my bidding formula is just as you've stated. My bid + the sellers s/h = 50% of my expected sales price.
Sanmar, I don't care what the seller charges for s/h, I simply reduce my bid accordingly.
Unfortunately most bidders don't use this formula. They figure their bid independently of the s/h - then they look to see if the s/h is "reasonable." These are the people -collectors, re-sellers, whatever - that shoot themselves in the foot.
posted on September 21, 2002 05:37:20 PMWell Fluffy, I bid on a widget that weighed 4 ounces, could be shipped first classfor less than a dollar, & the seller charged $10.00, would you think that it was ourageous. Would YOU pay it without bitching?
If:
(my bid) + ($10.00) = the price I'm willing to pay
...the answer is yes.
Sorry, I thought that was obvious from my previous comment.
posted on September 21, 2002 05:52:24 PM
I am a seller who charges a handling fee. I think it is fair. When I say "outrageous," I mean that the handling fee is high enough so that after I click on the item and read through the description, when I see the handling fee tacked on to the very end, I am ready to wish the seller a one-way ticket to Hell.
Read what I said again. Sellers should spend some time shopping on eBay. I'm not asking you to validate your business practices. I'm suggesting you look at what some other sellers are doing.
You're kidding if you claim that ANY handling fee is fair ... because it isn't. Eventually you will see an item that you desire, with a high enough handling fee tacked on that you will concede it is outrageous.
posted on September 21, 2002 06:53:19 PM
Twinsoft, this is exactly what I meant. You sellers that have highs/h fees are really selling low, maybe below cost & adding in the S/h to make aprofit. Tome this just plain dishonest & I will never do this. I think you that do this are the bottom of the cesspool on eBay. Be honest & price your item for sale at there true value.
