posted on May 4, 2006 09:11:19 PM new
Most sellers do charge handling but they include it in the shipping cost.
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People put their hand on the bible, and swear to uphold the constitution. They do not put their hand on the constitution, and swear to uphold the bible.
posted on May 4, 2006 09:41:52 PM new
I add the equivalent of 1 pound of postage (by increasing the packed shipping weight in the listing) to the stated cost of estimated shipping. Sometimes 2 pounds, depending on how hard it will be to pack and ship.
With media mail items, I add the cost of the bubble envelope plus a little extra. Never exorbitant, though, as I get books for practically nothing here and there.
posted on May 4, 2006 09:57:23 PM new
They BURY it in the POSTAGE costs....that way it L@@KS,,,,,,,,, like it's POSTAGE......A $4.95 REAL cost as quoted by USPS is sent out as $9.95..........
posted on May 4, 2006 10:02:52 PM new
got one the other day,,,,said,,,,$10.00 UPS,,,,I said, send it USPS parcel post,,,,came out $5.95......even then, the REAL postage rate was $3.95.....they made Money still, but that's O.k.
posted on May 4, 2006 10:11:06 PM new
Just don't forget, during the hot summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, you want to jack up the handling charge by 50% to cover the cost of beer.
If Murphy's law is correct, everything East of the San Andreas Fault will slide into the Atlantic
posted on May 8, 2006 12:59:00 AM new
There is no common amount or percentage. One way or another, companies will make their money. Some may have free shipping and charge you on the item, another gives away the item for a penny, but charges you $10 to ship something that actually costs less than a dollar to ship. As long as all costs are stated upfront, then all's fair as far as I am concerned, but there are a lot of bottomfeeders out there. I just auctioned off a lot, I started at 99 cents, and charged $25 for shipping. It actually weighed about 25 pounds, so the price isn't extrememly out of line, but if the item does sell for 99 cents, I won't take a complete bath. I clearly state no combining shipping on multiple lots, and no local pickup - yeah, you guessed it, lots of email asking for discounts or exact shipping only, and asking for local pickup. Buyers want something for literally nothing...
posted on May 8, 2006 04:54:32 AM new
On Priority mail packages, I don't charge a handling fee. I don't drive to the PO to mail the package and I don't pay for any packaging materials (even my peanuts have been free). However, I charge $1 (handling fee) for First Class and International. The $1 for First Class about covers the cost of the padded envelopes and a trip to the PO. Same for International.
I tried having handling costs that were higher, but I just didn't feel right about it. I want my profit to be in my product, not in my shipping costs. But, at the same time I don't see anything wrong with sellers adding a reasonable handling fee.
Cheryl
[ edited by cblev65252 on May 8, 2006 04:54 AM ]
posted on May 8, 2006 07:55:19 AM new
I have mine set up as $1.00 extra on priority to cover peanuts, bubble wrap and sometimes the correct size box. I occasionally use that extra to insure breakables if they don't purchase insurance - in those cases I take a loss so I guess it all works out.
Now that SMPro allows you to charge on a as you go bases - I'll probably change the way I do it.
