posted on July 28, 2005 08:33:51 AM
How much do you charge for handling fees when buyer purchases multiple items? Do you charge a handling fee per item?
I usually add about $1.25 per item for multiple auction wins. Is this out of line? My items usually cost me at least $1.56 to list minimum on an under $10.00 item if they pay by PayPal. There are people out there who do not charge a handling fee, but I just can't afford the listing fees, etc. on my smaller items if I don't have handling fee.
When a buyer bids on one of my items, I have already included the handling fee in the shipping, which is either stated in the description as a flat shipping amount or I build it in to the shipping calculator. Then if they bid, they already know what the shipping amount is. Buyers with multiple wins still get a break on shipping if you would add all the individual shipping amounts together.
I'm sure handling fees have been discussed before on this site, but I would be interested to know more about what other people think about this. Thanks
posted on July 28, 2005 09:22:45 AM
When I combine orders I charge full price on the first item and 50% off all additional. I guess you would consider that 50% as "handling".
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No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on July 28, 2005 09:34:51 AM
I play it by ear, but it's usually about $2 per additional item. It might be less if the items are light, or more if they are going to a foreign country since foreign shipping is such a pain. I don't list this separately, I call it all "shipping."
Once I charged a guy $1 each for 5 additional items, and he ended up paying about triple the actual shipping. He complained, I was embarrassed, and it didn't happen again.
posted on July 28, 2005 11:20:47 AM
Charge what you think your time and materials are worth. It's got nothing to do with your listing fees; that's between you and eBay. What time and materials you invest in combining an order ARE appropriate to charge for.
Most eBayers charge much too little for handling, and now buyers think that everyone should ship for postage costs only. As though they would ever work for free.
posted on July 28, 2005 12:08:17 PM
I feel it is good to state your combined shipping policy. Buyers don't like to be surprised, and are more likely to bid on additional items if they know what to expect.
posted on July 28, 2005 01:49:55 PM
Thanks for the great input. I was feeling bad because I see other sellers stating in their information that they charge "only actual shipping and no handling charge" -- to make me feel even more guilty.
Recently I had made an exception to my own policy by agreeing to ship to another location outside of U.S. I was very upset with myself because the buyer complained that the shipping was so high. (Of course she didn't inquire about shipping before she bid and won the auctions.) The shipping started out high because of out of U.S. and then I added my $1.25 per auction "handling fee" to that -- she was not a happy camper.
I immediately changed my shipping information to state that I reserve the right to charge an additional fee for multiple auctions. Thanks! Just had to get that off my chest!
posted on July 28, 2005 07:53:12 PM
I actually have started discounting for multiple purchases - I charge actual then take $1.00 off total cost of actual shipping. It's really been working well and I'm getting alot of multiple purchases from people. I also offer to hold purchases for 1 week while they continue bidding on additional items to take advantage of it - haven't had any problems - yet.
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Caroline
posted on July 29, 2005 07:32:08 AM
Good idea Caroline! I can't see charging a customer additonal handling charges for buying more! You want to encourage them to buy more
I don't bid on auctions that charge "handling fees". Sometimes if I really really want something I will accept a $1.00 handling fee.
I don't charge handling fees....the "fees" come out of the profit I made on the item. That looks way more attractive to buyers.
""Most eBayers charge much too little for handling""
Now let's have a thread on "Woe is me, ebay sales are down !"
posted on July 29, 2005 08:00:59 AM
Maybe you all sell things that are really easy to pack.
In the past few weeks, I've had to pack a large mirror, a color laser printer (not in its box), two McIntosh amplifiers (one of them tubed, no less) that sold for $1300, a print that sold for $1800, an ATMOS clock ($550 to Germany), $1700 Gibson Les Paul to France, various Lladros, china, etc.
I pay my employees $10 per hour. Most of the items above require double-boxing to meet UPS insurance requirements. Are you really expecting me to pack these for free? It has nothing to do with eBay being slow, or eBay fees, or anything else other than I will recover my shipping costs by charging what it costs me to ship.
And, for what it's worth, I get a few complaints, but many more thanks for the safe arrival of a fragile item.
posted on July 29, 2005 08:58:20 AM
If I were in a shop, or running an actual consignment shop with employees, I would definitely charge a higher handling fee, and use the shipping as a profit maker. But right now my overhead is only Ebay fees and inventory - my packaging supplies are almost completely covered in the small handling fees. I make sure the items I sell are going to give me enough of a return to make me over $25 an hour for my time for each item. It all works out well for me - wouldn't work for everyone though - but the discount really gets some people bidding on multiple items.
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Caroline
posted on July 29, 2005 11:38:51 AM
So sorry, cashin, but I guess because I make a good profit from what I buy and sell( I have no employees, saves money) that I don't have to worm profit out of my shipping fees....and my customers are very happy, too.
I can see where if you paid $500.00 for a clock and it sold for only $550.00 then it may be tempting to make a bigger profit elsewhere.
posted on July 29, 2005 12:37:59 PM
mingo and caroline,
I didn't say anywhere that I wanted to turn a profit on shipping; I just don't want to incur a loss.
The last time I took a careful look at the cost of shipping versus what I had charged, in a 4 week interval that was very busy (total shipping was around $2500), I had made a grand total of $45 "profit" on shipping (thankfully, quite a bit more on commissions ). I don't feel guilty in the slightest.
The problem for consignment shops is that shipping is outside the deal with the consignor. If I subsidize shipping with my sales price, it comes out of MY take, not the consignor's. They want their agreed-upon percentage of the final price; they're not going to want to hear "oh, I lost some money on shipping, would you mind horribly if I took another $10 out of your money?"
posted on July 29, 2005 03:36:36 PM
I usually charge $2.00 for s/h on the first item I sell. Additional items are $1.00 each as this is the cost to me for all the nickle and dime fees that ebay and PayPal charge.
The fees are fully stated in the item description. If the buyers dislike my policy, they just do not have to bid. I refuse to lose money on shipping materials and fees charged to me.
posted on July 29, 2005 04:03:59 PM
Nickle and Dime??? Where do you see nickle and dime fees from EB and PP??? I see Dollars and MORE dollar fees,,,,,,I just say,,,Whatever the UPS/PO wants and ( I have NO,,,,,, idea until I get YOUR ADDRESS) PLUS,,,,,$5,7,10,15 or what ever I Feel the job I have to do is worth to pack it "SAFELY". Never had a problem with that.
Also in 5 years of EB,,,,,,I doubt that I have EVER sold again to the same person anything more than ?????? 5 times, they buy , their happy their gone.....
Hey Jack! You JERK! I bought a pair of work boots from you last month and they wore out in a week,,,please let me buy another pair....hahahahaha.......
EVEN, on second thought,,,,,,something that DOES wear out Quick and MANY others were selling the SAME thing,,,,,I know for a FACT what THEY bought does NOT last more than a YEAR MAX If,,,,,,the REALLY used it....
I HAVE had past buyers e mail me for Replacement parts,,,,they ALL e mailed me direct. nothing to do with EB's auction format......
WOW, I'll have Another 2 BUCKer, it's HOT here today.....
now If I typed THIS Much in an AUCTION I might be a Billionare by Now........
posted on July 31, 2005 02:12:56 AM
I do it on a per case too. It really depends what I'm shipping. Jewelry will normally cost no more for the 2nd or 3rd.
Glassware etc I had to see what it will cost me 1st.
I always offer to pay 1/2 on the shipping (up to $15.00-I'm not crazy) if they win 4 or more auctions. This work well for me and has for 3 or 4 years.
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