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New LAME excuse on eBay
quattrocoins
Posts: 1,881 ✭
>>>
Unfortunately, due to increased costs (shipping, supplies, gasoline, time spent, etc.) we can no longer offer combined shipping. <<<
Unfortunately, due to increased costs (shipping, supplies, gasoline, time spent, etc.) we can no longer offer combined shipping. <<<
FULL Heads RULE!
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Due to a rising number of dirtbag ebay sellers gouging shipping charges I am unable to bid on your auction.
Minnie Minoso Master and Basic
1967 Topps PSA 8+
1960's Topps run Mega Set
"For me, playing baseball has been like a war and I was defending the uniform I wore, Every time I put on the uniform I respected it like the American flag. I wore it like I was representing every Latin country."--Minnie Minoso
<< <i>BS piled on top of BS, wish I had a photo of a manure pile to post.
Be carefull what you ask for my friend
Ask and you shall receive.
Ray
<< <i>>>>
Unfortunately, due to increased costs (shipping, supplies, gasoline, time spent, etc.) we can no longer offer combined shipping. <<<
This biggest BS is from the "I Soldit" ebay seller chain:
"Sorry, but our systems and store operations do not enable us to accommodate combined shipping."
Which is utter horsecrap. They just want to collect their huge handling charge on each auction. Really a bad deal for their consignors, because it results in lower bids.
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986
5-10 for shipping now. Recently I intended to bid on 3 auctions by the same shipper. I asked about
a combined shipping price (he wanted 8.00 per item for shipping), he wrote back and informed me
me in a very direct, I could care less about customer service tone, to say items would be combined
in the same package, but shipping would be 24.00 dollars. Go figure. Funny thing though, I noticed
all three of his items went unsold and have remained unsold in his 3 attempts to sell since.
I wonder though, if we as collectors arent fueling this greed. Look at the rise in prices of Common Date coins since, lets say 2000-2001. I was dabbling the other day through one of my old Grey
Sheets and did a side by side to a new sheet. Some of the prices have increased well over 100 %.
Lets not even mention the price increases in more desirable dates and grades. I hear of the ever
increasing number of collectors. But see the same old face at the local club meetings, shop and shows.
I have thought lately how many potential collectors have been priced out of the hobby. How many of you think the market is prime for a right sizing?
Just my thoughts, I am rambling so I will close.
Al
<< <i>BS piled on top of BS, wish I had a photo of a manure pile to post.
I don't see shipping as a profit center, but I do want my costs covered. I always ship by US mail and since they went to pricing by zone (not counting the flat rate boxes), I just base my rates on the farthest zone and put that flat rate in my auction. The result is that I do not need a shipping calculator but it can mean that on a few items I make a minor profit on shipping (if the buyer lives close by). I figure that it makes up for the times when I guess wrong and lose a bit on shipping. One thing I do (ever since I had a guy complain that I overcharged him 17 cents on shipping) is to use "stealth postage" meaning my shipping label does not say how much I paid for postage. Instead it gives the rate basis (weight and zone) along with the 2d bar code for the stamp.
-Fuzz
My strategy is not only to combine shipping but I give free shipping for all purchases except the most expensive one. I hope this encourages multiple purchases. --Jerry
<< <i>Unfortunately, due to >>
decreased brain activity...
If I don't like the total charges($45), I don't bid.
1) My costs are lower to ship.
2) It encourages bidders to bid on multiple auctions.
3) Combined purchases reduce my packing and shipping work load.
<< <i>I always give combined shipping.
1) My costs are lower to ship.
2) It encourages bidders to bid on multiple auctions.
3) Combined purchases reduce my packing and shipping work load. >>
Yes, but you certainly wouldn't want to do all that as you will probably make some extra money and end up having to pay more taxes.
It just makes it easier for me; and, I never have to have
discussions with thrifty buyers about S+H.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>This biggest BS is from the "I Soldit" ebay seller chain:
"Sorry, but our systems and store operations do not enable us to accommodate combined shipping." >>
Yeah, they also charge five bucks if you want to pick the item up.
Russ, NCNE
However, coins don't usually weigh more than 8 ounces. Usually a couple of ounces, the price of 2-3 First Class stamps.
When I see people seemingly basing their shipping costs on the price of the item BUT charging extra for insurance, I am dismayed. Just because I am paying $100 for an item (coin?) why is shipping $7.00 instead of $4.00 for a $20 item? Even if insurance were included, it costs around $2.00 to ship any coin.
My favorite seller on ebaY as far as having coins I am interested in (Modern Commems) and downright cheap coins is LCCoins. Their shipping is a BUCK! $1 per coin. No muss, no fuss, no combined shipping necessary. Also, they self-insure and are a big enough company to do so.
People who try to make money on shipping are misguided. Although a company that takes consignments DOES make more money if they charge more shipping due to the fact that they get a flat percentage of the sales price. So padding the shipping makes them money.
I believe, just as many here do, that if the shipping is high, the bids are just as much lower.
Jonathan
<< <i>Just because I am paying $100 for an item (coin?) why is shipping $7.00 instead of $4.00 for a $20 item? Even if insurance were included, it costs around $2.00 to ship any coin. >>
It costs $2.00 to ship any coin? With insurance? I shipped a coin last week that cost $24 just for the P&I.
Russ, NCNE
That's a nice fresh one! (Dairy origin?)
But I think this sort of lame seller rationale deserves something with a bit more volume:
<< <i>
<< <i>Just because I am paying $100 for an item (coin?) why is shipping $7.00 instead of $4.00 for a $20 item? Even if insurance were included, it costs around $2.00 to ship any coin. >>
It costs $2.00 to ship any coin? With insurance? I shipped a coin last week that cost $24 just for the P&I.
Russ, NCNE >>
Yes, if you self insure. The most the postage could be, except for a 2 kilo silver round, (And anything heavy, I was talking silver dollars or smaller here) is less than $2. And, yes, for just about any coin I can afford to buy, even with USPS insurance, it would be 2 bucks or less.
Yes, I neglected to think of coins you might be selling or buying. I'm sorry. But my point still stands. To charge $7.00 for a $100 item as opposed to the same seller charging $4.00 for a $20 item is definitely padding the shipping costs. It only costs a buck or so more to insure $100 than it does to insure $20. Again, I didn't take 6 figure coins into account. (I am assuming if it cost you $24, that you were shipping Registered and the coin(s) were high value.) My point was that it doesn't make sense to charge 75% more for a $100 coin than a $20 to ship.
Jonathan
<< <i>(I am assuming if it cost you $24, that you were shipping Registered and the coin(s) were high value.) >>
That's correct.
<< <i>My point was that it doesn't make sense to charge 75% more for a $100 coin than a $20 to ship >>
I agree. In both cases I'd charge $3.95 insured.
Russ, NCNE
///////////////////////////////////////////
Even EBAY's TOS allows that the amount charged for S+H is NOT
related to the selling price of the item shipped.
I am opposed, obviously, to gouging people on shipping; and, I
do not think that smart sellers make shipping part of a profit-center.
BUT, some buyers are simply cheapskates - nobody here, of course -
and will argue over both cents and dollars.
I offer "Free" high-end shipping on everything I sell, mostly to avoid
chatting with the overly-thrifty.
I know there are options out there that I could use but have avoided them. 1) I could add a handling fee, but I do not see many other sellers use that tool. I think it would tick off a lot of buyers. 2) I could require insurance, but on some of the lower priced listings I do not believe a buyer should be forced to use it. 3) I could change my shipping costs to a fixed amount and raise it a bit. I am not sure if this will prevent me from being visible on ebay express or not. I need to check into that, as this may be a good option. To truly cover my costs, each shipment should have about $6.00 charged for shipping, rather than the $4.05 that I currently charge. Not too unreasonable.
Another option, that I am considering, is to simplify things even more for the customer and provide free shipping. Just add the costs to my asking price. On a very low priced item, I ship 1st class; medium priced goes priority, and expensive items registered; I pay insurance. I really like this option the best. I know I love free shipping as a buyer....so why not treat my buyers the way I would want to be treated.
my buyers the way I would want to be treated. "
//////////////////////////
That really is the ultimate solution. And, it costs the seller
NOTHING. All business expenses are supposed to be covered
by the buyer, when he/she pays the asking price for the item.
If that is not happening in any seller's business-model, the
seller need only raise his/her prices to make it so.
However, sellers offering "Free" shipping are disadvantaged
in the user-prefered search-results scheme: "lowest-price first."
If every seller was offereing "Free" shipping, that disadvantage
would be eliminated.
It is important for sellers to understand that when accepting
PayPal, the notion that "insurance is optional," is nonsense.
I have no problem with sellers trying to con their customers
into paying extra for insurance, but when the con flops smart
sellers pay for the insurance. An INR dispute/claim with PayPal
will almost always be decided in favor of the buyer, IF the seller
failed to insure the package. Similarly, a SNAD claim on damaged
items cannot be defended with PayPal by claiming the "buyer
refused to buy insurance."
Under the PayPal scheme, insurance is for the protection of the
seller, NOT the buyer.
storm
Not really BS but definitely not in the spirit of excellent customer service.
“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” — Gautama Buddha
//////////////////////////////
That is really the best solution.
Sadly, corrupt sellers continue to be encouraged in their bad conduct
by buyers who are not as well informed as we are.
<< <i>"I know I love free shipping as a buyer....so why not treat
my buyers the way I would want to be treated. "
//////////////////////////
That really is the ultimate solution. And, it costs the seller
NOTHING. All business expenses are supposed to be covered
by the buyer, when he/she pays the asking price for the item.
If that is not happening in any seller's business-model, the
seller need only raise his/her prices to make it so.
However, sellers offering "Free" shipping are disadvantaged
in the user-prefered search-results scheme: "lowest-price first."
If every seller was offereing "Free" shipping, that disadvantage
would be eliminated.
It is important for sellers to understand that when accepting
PayPal, the notion that "insurance is optional," is nonsense.
I have no problem with sellers trying to con their customers
into paying extra for insurance, but when the con flops smart
sellers pay for the insurance. An INR dispute/claim with PayPal
will almost always be decided in favor of the buyer, IF the seller
failed to insure the package. Similarly, a SNAD claim on damaged
items cannot be defended with PayPal by claiming the "buyer
refused to buy insurance."
Under the PayPal scheme, insurance is for the protection of the
seller, NOT the buyer.
storm >>
Storm; You make a very good point about the insurance protecting the Seller. I have always felt that way with the way PayPal is set up.
As far as the problem of not being spotted in the lowest price search, because of the higher starting price with free shipping. I do not believe I will be affected by that problem. 95% + of my sales are done through the Ebay store outlet. I only put up a few items each week on the auction side to help drive traffic to the store. These auctions always start at a penny or 99 cents. I do not really care if I cover my costs with these auctions. Any losses I occur are more than offset through the store sales. I chalk it up to advertising costs. I would still offer free shipping on these auctions also. I think I am talking myself into this idea. The more I think about it, the more I like it.
////////////////////////////////
I do that, too.
It is the only/best way to get shoppers into the store.
I aim for a 90%/10% ratio - store/core - but sometimes
only have two ot three items in CORE, and it still works
fine.
Shipping is always "Free," even on my one-cent auctions.