posted on February 9, 2004 03:01:01 PM new
It is no small wonder buyers complain about shipping and handling charges. I just looked at a piece of Capodimonte to see if I wanted to purchase. The item was marked as a sale for 4.95 which is a good price for the piece. Then I check the s/h/i charges. This individual quotes 15.50 shipping - 2.00 for handling and 2.20 for insurance. The piece is 6" long X 4" deep X 3" tall. Now I know that buyers should check s/h/i charges prior to bidding but not all and maybe none of the newbies know this. This type of gouging gives the rest of the sellers who attempt to be fair with s/h/i charges a black eye. I checked to see who was bidding on this persons items and most have very low feedback. Boy, are they going to be surprised!!!
Just to add - the charges this person is quoting is for US domestic shipping only-they're not even international charges.
[ edited by capolady on Feb 9, 2004 03:02 PM ]
posted on February 9, 2004 03:10:00 PM new
I have had Capodimonte pieces before. and they break very easily.
You did not give us the auction number, but from experience, some of those pieces would take a lot of packing materials and a couple prayer services to get it to it's location.
posted on February 9, 2004 03:38:09 PM new
hi capolady:
..i have to agree with you, and the first reply..
..i just shipped piece rwood from zone1 to zone 8..it was bubbled, wrapped in a box, then centered in large p/mail box and filled with styrofoam pellets..carton weighed 4.0lbs..p/mail was $10.35...not including insurance..this was my cost.
..also the seller you referencing is actually quoting $15.50 plus 2.20insurance...i always wondering where they come up with the charge for insurance..fee on $4.95 item is $1.30...
..and i DO CHARGE s/h/i fee for applicable items i sell..i charge for heavy box i buy to pack ups items in...on other hand,i never charge s/h on my media mail..after all, empty beer flats dont cost anything!
..i have a negative from a seller, because i would not pay her "exorbitant fee" ...her auction stated:: "winning bidder to pay actual ups fee." [THERE WAS NOTHING HERE FOR ME TO QUESTION]
..in her invoice, SHE ADDED A $58 FEE TO SHIP THE ITEM.. her actual ups fee was 3x normal ups fee-because, she considered shipping thru mailboxes, etc., as actual ups fee.
..myoldtoy
[ edited by myoldtoy on Feb 9, 2004 03:39 PM ]
posted on February 9, 2004 04:02:13 PM new
I don't want to gouge anybody on shipping, however I just got through listing some carnival glasses and ltray had to email me on my shipping costs. I listed them individually, BIN and shipping for each glass I quoted at $7.00. Seems like everything I ship these days goes from FL to CA. Shipping in the minimum size box USPS is $6.00 actual.
Although I said in the auction if they used BIN and bought all 5 glasses, I'd throw in a 6th glass free (which has a small chip on the base) and I know I could ship the whole box for $20.00. Sometimes it pays to buy in bulk.
ltray (hi girl - yes my hair is still pink) said she could ship a 12 pound box of china for $8.00. I don't know if she could or not, it seems awfully low.
posted on February 9, 2004 05:03:55 PM new
so how much does that 4.95 figurine sell for in the store??
-sig file -------the lobster in the boiling pot of water who tries to prevent the others from climbing out.
posted on February 9, 2004 08:15:27 PM new
I have raised mu shipping charge to a minimum of $15.00. I am tired of trying to figure how much to charge for packing materials, etc. plus ins, etc. I do charge extra for shipments to AK & HI. Otherwise I have had no complaints.
posted on February 10, 2004 12:14:57 AM new
I have been shipping everything that weighs over 3 lbs via FedEx ground. My buyers are still giving me fast shipping and excellent packing feedbacks, so I guess the extra day or 2 in delivery time is insignificant to them.
I can add a few dollars for packing supplies and still keep 10 lb shipments at $10.00. FedEx provides the first $100 of insurance for free.
I don't feel a need to gouge my customers with shipping charges when I am making good money on the item I am selling.
I quote a flat rate shipping fee that will get the product to CA from FL. Personally , I am turned off by auctions that have high shipping charges.
posted on February 10, 2004 01:59:30 AM new
I think the s/h norm on ebay is to charge about triple what it actually costs. Many sellers require insurance that is double the actual rate. The gouging has to turn off most buyers.
There is some speculation on other boards that ebay is going to eventually try to force most sellers into a set range of s/h similar to Half.com's s/h structure. The 'item specific' categories may be the first to get such a s/h structure. Videos, CDs and most books should all be close to the same size. It's a win-win situation for ebay and buyers. I can see it easily happening in the near future at ebay.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on February 10, 2004 02:56:35 AM new
Maybe for videos and cd, but for collectibles and glass items - it really varies by weight and the amount of packing you intend to do. Some say they double box breakables. That is easily another .5 pound right there.
I, personally, dont mind higher shipping if the item is 1.00-5.00 or less. But I dont like it if the item is at regular going auction price or close to retail; and then the shipping charge is loaded on top of that. To me that is what gouging is because the seller is making his money twice/three times over with an unfair tactic.
posted on February 10, 2004 03:18:19 AM new
S&H can also have paypal fees included... it may seem like gouging to you on the outside, but do you actually know this sellers costs? What they are packing with?
I thought not...
If you feel that shipping is being gouged... find similar items and begin selling... looks like your low shipping fees would put the other seller out of business.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
heh, who really cares in a world were queers can be married...
posted on February 10, 2004 09:00:14 AM new
No, what's pathetic is posting the same old whinge about s/h.
Look, the next time you feel the urge, just read this...a capsule summary of every single s/h thread ever posted on every auction chat board:
"I am APPALLED! This seller is demanding $1,000 in s/h to send a 50 cent item! Greed! Imminent demise of eBay!"
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I paid $4.00 and the package came with $3.85 in postage. I want my 15 cents back!"
"If these sellers want additional profit, they should build it into the opening bid."
"Well, *I* am a seller, and *I* never charge more than actual postage! In fact, I often LOSE money on shipping, but I don't care! Oh yeah, and I help old ladies across the street! I volunteer at a homeless shelter for former dotcom billionaires! I am worthy! Love me, dammit, LOVE ME!"
"I would never gouge buyers on shipping. I make plenty of money on eBay. Now, if you'll excuse me, my five Beanie Baby auctions for the week are ending."
"Oh come on, there's a lot more involved in s/h than actual postage."
"The seller should build those costs into their opening bid. That's what they do in the real world."
"I read a lot of other auction chat boards so obviously I am well-versed and knowledgable and you can believe anything I say. Really. And I am telling you that eBay is going to come down hard on sellers that gouge. Huh? What's that? Oh, shut up. I know what I'm talking about. I read a lot of other auction chat boards."
posted on February 10, 2004 09:27:03 AM new
I thought Fluffyiareateacher would show up in this thread to defend her s/h profits. We could also dicuss the no combining of items making penny items into $5 items. Ebay may be trying in the future to reign in those sellers too.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on February 10, 2004 09:58:57 AM new
capolady spotted a deal but she cant have it as shipping is too much.
end of this thread.
same old same old #*!@ on ebay,everyone should work for peanuts,lose money or breakeven,ebay motto-to make money is evil.
-sig file -------the lobster in the boiling pot of water who tries to prevent the others from climbing out.
posted on February 10, 2004 01:27:05 PM new
Personally, I love it when others sell the same thing I do and charge huge shipping amounts. I win because because my bidders know up front what it is really going to cost them from me.
posted on February 10, 2004 01:39:17 PM new
I am sick and tired of buyers always complaining about shipping & handling charges. You see what the seller posts in the add for the shipping & handling. Simply, if you do not like it, DON'T BID! What is so hard about that! I don't see buyers complaining about the "big" companies that charge high shipping & handling like QVC, and other online retail merchants (i.e. Macy's, The Disney Store, etc.). It is the cost of doing business! When I buy, I look at the sellers shipping & handling and if it is reasonable, I don't mind paying it! He or she, you figure, has to pay for the packing material, etc (for most of us, the styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap is not free as well as not being cheap!). Have any of you complainers checked the price on a bag of styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap? For this highly delicate collectible glassware, I am sure the seller of this glassware had to use ALOT of packing material since it is so delicate!!
posted on February 11, 2004 06:53:36 AM new
To: gousainc - myoldtoy - glassgrl - sanmar - ltray - auctionACE - nerotel12: Thank you for your reasonable and mature responses to my thread. It is much appreciated.
To: twelvepole - iareateacher - stopwhining: I will post what I want, when I want. If you are tired of the same old posts then stop reading the board. Consider this: If it looks like a horse - sounds like a horse and smells like a horse, then it must be a horse. For those of you who don;t understand this medical analogy - it means that if there are so many posts about unfair s/h charges then there must be something to the complaints.
Those of us on this board are mostly old hands at selling and buying on ebay. Of course we check the s/h charges. Most of us are well aware of what it costs to ship almost any item in the venue. I'm speaking of the newbies who don't check s/h charges (and most don't, that's a fact of life). These are the individuals who get burned on the high s/h when they think they are getting a great deal. And why shouldn't they think this? All of the advertisements shout about the great deals on ebay so newbies come in expecting to get something for next to nothing. They see a really low price on an item they want and they are all excited when they bid and win. Then they get hit with huge s/h charges. This immediately sets up a feeling of distrust for all sellers on the venue.
If you don't agree with me that's fine - that's what this board is all about, differing opinions about all types of subjects. In the future it would be refreshing to read a thread of differing opinions that don't rapidly become argumentative, childish rantings.
Thank You
Staying out of a mental institution is a testament to my greatness!!!!
posted on February 11, 2004 07:05:57 AM newI'm speaking of the newbies who don't check s/h charges (and most don't, that's a fact of life). These are the individuals who get burned on the high s/h when they think they are getting a great deal.
And your condescending "I'm the only one who can save them from themselves" attitude is worth reading, while our childish rantings are suitable only for bird cage liner?
Yeah-right.
The newbies don't need you to look out for them, though I'm sure there are one or two who would be deeply touched by your concern.
People will stop bidding! Imminent demise of eBay!
If it looks like a horse - sounds like a horse and smells like a horse
posted on February 11, 2004 07:35:53 AM new
capolady said,
If you don't agree with me that's fine - that's what this board is all about, differing opinions about all types of subjects. In the future it would be refreshing to read a thread of differing opinions that don't rapidly become argumentative, childish rantings.
//////////////////////
WELL SAID,thats why we respond the way we respond,#*!@ for #*!@.
-sig file -------the lobster in the boiling pot of water who tries to prevent the others from climbing out.
posted on February 12, 2004 11:42:54 AM new
capolady,
if i am looking for such an item and if i add the shipping cost to the 4.95 asking price and it comes out same or less or slightly more than what i would have paid in local store (sales tax included),i wont mind bidding on it.
may be the seller cost of that item is much more than 4.95 and he wants to make sure he is not losing money by padding the shipping cost.
some sellers just dont have time to wait in line in the post office,they may have a retail store somewhere and cannot get away to stand in line at post office.
a lot of brick and mortar retail stores sell on ebay,and their shipping cost is higher.
i apology for being rude .
-sig file -------the lobster in the boiling pot of water who tries to prevent the others from climbing out.
posted on February 14, 2004 12:14:16 PM new
I can't speak for others but I know that I shipped a lucite purse in of a PO box #7, wrapped in tissue paper, newspaper, two layers of bubble wrap and packed with peanuts and I had insurance and the shipping cost was close to $15.00.
The shipping charges that make me go HUH are the ones on items like CD's or paperback books where they want more than $7.00. >
[ edited by ThriftStoreQueen on Feb 14, 2004 12:14 PM ]
posted on February 14, 2004 12:18:03 PM new
NEWSPAPER really adds weight to package, I avoid it all costs--plus it breaks down too easy. Its good for moving a house of stuff--to new house but not my choice as a shipping material.
Just my opinion
[ edited by getkicksonrte66 on Feb 14, 2004 12:18 PM ]
