Charges

jparchitectus

I know this topic has been talked about...but over the last few weeks I really have been getting zapped by
Ebay Sellers Shipping fees. It is partly my fault for not paying more attention. I cannot see the logistics (besides profit)
of selling/shipping one graded psa card valued under 20.00 for 6-8 dollars. You can do bubble mailers and insurance
for much less then that...I am starting to lean towards buying from a few individuals off Ebay these days. It is surely worth it.

I was wondering what people on the board typically do...whether you steer away from the sellers or what seems to work best.

jrinck

I pondered the same questions, and the impression I got from a good many people here was that they saw nothing wrong with someone making a profit on shipping and handling.

In the end, your bid implies that you accept whatever the shipping charges will be. Don't bid if you don't like it, and telling the seller this is probably a good way to go, too.

bill7549

Why is it that so many people complain about shipping fees? If you don't want to pay for it, DON'T BID on the auction!! It's that simple. Shipping and handling means just that....shipping AND handling. It costs money to buy the packaging and to drive down to the post office or UPS, stand in line for 20 minutes, and mail out the merchandise. It so irritates me to see when people leave negative feedback or complain when the s&h fees were spelled out and they either didn't read it or didn't agree with it. The only time it is ok to complain is if you paid for say Priority Mail or insurance or something like that, and they mail it out without insurance or first class or media mail.

Personally, I don't gouge people on S&H, but then again, I don't sell a whole lot either. And I definitely avoid those people who ask for $5 or more shipping of a $40 PSA graded card. But, THAT IS THEIR CHOICE to charge that inflated shipping charge, and YOUR CHOICE to avoid bidding on it.

SoFLPhillyFan

With today's technology it is possible to ship and receive numerous packages right from your home. The Postal Service has a great system that fits right in with card sellers.

It costs 60 cents to mail one card in a bubble mailer, top loader, penny sleeve, and cardboard. Guess what - you can send three cards for that price.

The serious and informed seller will make only infrequent trips to the post office - probably only for insured packages.
All of the supplies, including stamps can be purchased on line and delivered.

Buy some stamps of varying denominations and you are ready to ship bubble mailers of varying weights. Priority Mail for boxed packages can be purchased and printed through the Postal Service web site, without a service charge, and includes delivery confirmation.

I do it all from my house, with free shipping supplies (even tape) from the Postal Service, then take the packages to my office. Our mail carrier picks them up there. I pay mainly for bubble mailers, that's all.

So where is the enormous handling charge?

Obviously I think that some sellers could cut their shipping and handling. I e-mail them and request it before bidding. If we do not agree then I do not bid.

I charge $2 for up to three raw cards, 50 cents each after that, $3 for a slabbed card. If listing a lot I weigh them in the box and use the USPS website to give me an amount using a zip code on the far corner of the US from my location. If not sure, then add 50 cents, but several dollars, who are we kidding?

fsjeter

When I sell on ebay, I ship fedex and charge exact shipping. By doing it this way, the buyer can go to fedex.com, put in the two zip codes and verify the charge. In addition I usually include insurance at no additional charge to the buyer. What I don't like is when someone charges $6 to $8 for shipping and I get a package with a $1.89 stamp on it. That is kind of annoying. Just my $0.02!!

Cubfan

Just adjust your bid accordingly. If you think the postage is $4 too much, reduce that amount from your bid.

The only time I would think about complaining is if its not printed or if its changed.

bill7549

Philly Fan, that all works well and good if you sell massive amounts of merchandise on eBay. It doesn't work as well when you sell just a few items per year. You need to keep that in mind when complaining about higher shipping fees.

qualitycards

Sometimes I get great deals because the seller has high shipping fees. If there is a card that I would be happy to pay $40 incl shipping, I bid accordingly. And the high shipping of say $6 ot $7 scares many away, so I end up winning it for say $20. So I'm not mad that I paid $20 for a card and $6 more for shipping, I'm happy that I won the card for about $15 less dlvd. Its all in the way you look at it. ...jay

envoy98

Why is it sellers think they are doing YOU a favor by shipping to you and that you should pay for their time? I sell quite a bit, and as my fiancee will tell you, I buy a lot more. I usually charge 2.50 for shipping in a bubble mailer, 1st class, insurance up to $50 and delivery confirmation. Cards are also penny sleeve, top loader and team bag and in most cases wrapped in bubble wrap besides. I don't charge a "handling" fee. I figure I was selling something I wanted to get rid of and you did me a favor by buying it from me. I am not doing you a favor, at least in my eyes, by listing an item and selling it to you.

However, I'll play devils advocate here. If you don't like a sellers shipping fees either don't bid, or include the shipping price in your bid. Ie. A card you are willing to pay $10 + $2 s+h. $12 total. If the seller charges $6 shipping, then just max your bid out at $6. Simple enough in theory, usually more difficult in practice.

Just my .02

jparchitectus

I agree with most of you...As I said, part of it is my fault for not looking.

I have also had the same experience with bidding on a card that has high shipping, some stay away and you get it cheaper. It is the single cards that kill you sometimes...It doesn't help I have the registry bug.

I like the point of views to bid that much less. Say 20.00 is my max..only bid 14 if shipping is 6.00. Thanks for the input. I am
glad it isn't just me thinking this. I have sold alot of cards..and I only charge what it costs me regardless...I am also not selling
or buying to make money either

Spigrimace

I love USPS' click & ship but you need a scale for packages. I like using the flat rate priority envelope (free delivery confirmation tracking with click & ship!) and I use thick cardboard which I simply save when I buy a new appliance or whatever. Downside is cannot insure it so I go up to about $50 otherwise I'm off to the PO in a package where i can insure it. I've never had to eat one yet sent in a priority envelope. Again, it's not a great way to go for the $15 and under cards. But for the $15-$50 range, none seem to mind the $3.85 rate and I get superlative accolades for the super quick ship. Sometimes an auction ends in the AM, I get an instant paypal payment, I leave instant pos. feedback and the priority envelope with the card(s) is in the hands of the mailman in the PM. And the customer usually gets it in an amazing 2 days.

On the other hand, for a buyer to go to a card shop or card show costs gas ($2 plus a gallon these days!), maybe tolls or parking and show admittance fee plus searching time for the card(s) you want which is definitely all the more time-consuming than a search on eBay. How many times have you gone to a show and just not found what you want and left frowing empty-handed? That cost you more than $3.85.