Ebay Shipping Rant
jradke4
Posts: 3,573 ✭✭✭
Why do sellers seem compelled to resuse bubble mailers. I just got back from the PO with a a fraction of an 8.5 x 11 bubble mailer that was taped on two sides, but not completely. thankfully it was dropped in a puddle of water somewhere. So I paid 1.50 for this but the seller really only paid 0.52 to mail it. Then he just cuts out my address from the paypal notice he got. Nothing better than nice 12 point font writing for an address. He was able to use a larger label for his return address though. I left him feedback, positive since i got the item in a nice time frame but saying next time use a whole mailer.
Ahh, I feel better now. SOrry for the rant.
Ahh, I feel better now. SOrry for the rant.
Packers Fan for Life
Collecting:
Brett Favre Master Set
Favre Ticket Stubs
Favre TD Reciever Autos
Football HOF Player/etc. Auto Set
Football HOF Rc's
Collecting:
Brett Favre Master Set
Favre Ticket Stubs
Favre TD Reciever Autos
Football HOF Player/etc. Auto Set
Football HOF Rc's
0
Comments
Reduce - Reuse - Recycle
I'm not exactly a tree-hugger but I don't have a problem with that mantra - especially when it comes to this hobby.
Perhaps this seller was pushing it when it came to reusing; I've thrown mailers away that were falling apart or so covered with ink that they could cause trouble at the PO. And his labeling leaves much to be desired.
But ask yourself this: Did the product arrive in great condition?
In the end the only thing that matters is that the packaging protects the contents and gets the package into your hands.
As for the $1.50... Considering the idiotic shipping rates we see online, a buck overcharge is nothing. In fact as a seller I usually undercharge shipping - and really got nailed recently when I took a $12 hit on shipping charges to Australia thanks to Amazon's miscalculation of them. I could have refused to ship, but I took the hit because... well, I like Australians. They're a pretty cool people.
<< <i>$.52? You sure about that? Most bubble mailers I reuse add about 1/2 an ounce to whatever I ship. And since I always add cardboard to the cards for rigidity, even shipping a single card pushes me into 2 ounce+oversize turf.
Reduce - Reuse - Recycle
I'm not exactly a tree-hugger but I don't have a problem with that mantra - especially when it comes to this hobby.
Perhaps this seller was pushing it when it came to reusing; I've thrown mailers away that were falling apart or so covered with ink that they could cause trouble at the PO. And his labeling leaves much to be desired.
But ask yourself this: Did the product arrive in great condition?
In the end the only thing that matters is that the packaging protects the contents and gets the package into your hands.
As for the $1.50... Considering the idiotic shipping rates we see online, a buck overcharge is nothing. In fact as a seller I usually undercharge shipping - and really got nailed recently when I took a $12 hit on shipping charges to Australia thanks to Amazon's miscalculation of them. I could have refused to ship, but I took the hit because... well, I like Australians. They're a pretty cool people. >>
A ha! But saying you took a hit on shipping assumes that the item would have sold for the same amount even if you had listed the item with a higher shipping fee. Since most bidders to account for shipping costs when placing their bids (or at least I think they do), then this condition probably doesn't hold.
This is one of the reasons I don't get fussy about shipping charges when I sell. If it costs me $10 to ship, and I only charged $6, I figure I made the extra 4$ in the bidding- or at least something close to it. People who say 'wait for the auction close so I can determine exact shipping charges' are not, IMO, thinking very clearly.
<< <i>I must confess I do not understand the shipping complaints. If the shipper states the charges, then I know what I will pay. >>
Yep. I ALWAYS factor in shipping when I bid.
If a seller lists a card with $10 shipping and it's worth $12, I bid $2 (2+10=12).
If a seller lists the same card with $1 shipping, I bid $11.
That takes the sting out of the shipping issue.
<< <i>
<< <i>
As for the $1.50... Considering the idiotic shipping rates we see online, a buck overcharge is nothing. In fact as a seller I usually undercharge shipping - and really got nailed recently when I took a $12 hit on shipping charges to Australia thanks to Amazon's miscalculation of them. I could have refused to ship, but I took the hit because... well, I like Australians. They're a pretty cool people. >>
A ha! But saying to took a hit on shipping assumes that the item would have sold for the same amount even if you had listed the item with a higher shipping fee. Since most bidders to account for shipping costs when placing their bids (or at least I think they do), then this condition probably doesn't hold. >>
Yeah, you're right. I hadn't considered that from the seller's perspective. What I meant was that I regularly undercharge for shipping - mainly because I overpack my items which boosts their weights. But you're right - I probably make up for it with bigger closing prices.
Amazon is different though since there's no bidding. It ain't EBay - but it's a better venue for books and other media.
So do I, as does any intelligent person. I think forum members just like complaining about ebay, despite the fact that it appears forum members use ebay to buy and sell more then other venues.
In most cases, you can buy that card that books at $20.00 for $5.00 plus $2.00 on ebay ($7.00) or for $12.00 at a local card shop. I don't care if they send it with a stamp in a top loader as long as it gets to me and in the condition noted or shown, the end result is the same.
Mark
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
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I wish all bidders did that; they do not.
As part of their campaign against excessive shipping-charges
and fee-circumvention, EBAY has been trying to prove the
theory that most bidders factor in the shipping costs to their
bids; the raw data is dispositive.
What we know for sure is that MANY bidders factor in the
shipping costs. Most on this board say they do.
There is little evidence to support the notion that low-shipping
fees substantially increase closing prices. Even "free shipping"
is far from a guarantee of a higher end-price.
EBAY continues to claim that low item-prices are the primary
determination of whether or not a listing succeeds. Some phone
surveys show that FB is more important than shipping costs.
I use "free shipping" because it is easy; but, it does not increase
sale prices. In fact, discounted shipping for multiple purchases is
a far greater spur to add-on sales than is free-shipping.
<< <i>I could care less if the seller sends my card in a reused diaper, as long as it gets to me safely and in proper condition. >>
I will keep that in mind
Nick
Reap the whirlwind.
Need to buy something for the wife or girlfriend? Check out Vintage Designer Clothing.
I also reuse boxes; good sturdy ones are a great cost saver.
i'll also turn priority boxes inside out and reuse those too. or cut em up and make smaller boxes.
gotta cut costs!
<< <i> that could confuse someone from the USPS.
Nick >>
Not to pick on postal employees, but .....