Just venting... Ebay seller postage rates
Topps29
Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭
This might be an old topic, but how many of you out there receive cards in the mail from an ebay purchase only to see the cost charged for shipping far exceeds the cost for shipping on the padded envelope? Paid $4.99, actual shipping $2.07, Paid $2.50, actual $.64, etc...
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On a slightly related note, does anyone else feel a little miffed by the fact that PSA doesn't work on a 'first in, first out' philosophy?
<< <i>This might be an old topic, but how many of you out there receive cards in the mail from an ebay purchase only to see the cost charged for shipping far exceeds the cost for shipping on the padded envelope? Paid $4.99, actual shipping $2.07, Paid $2.50, actual $.64, etc... >>
I would say this is pretty much typical. The only one that annoyed me, involved paying a $5 and receiving the card in a PWE for .64. I factor the shipping into what I'm paying, so as long as it comes in a bubble mailer I try not to pay attention to the actual shipping cost.
If you are shipping items correctly... Bubble mailer, card protected, cardboard, bubble tape, shipping, insurance, and delivery confirmation it can be a win/lose proposition. Lower cards cost right around $3... I recently sent out a $150 card with the above and it cost me in the range of $7, but I only charge my standard $3 shipping.
If they make an extra $1 off it, I'm not too concerned as I factor shipping charge into what I am willing to bid.
Such complaints are VERY common.
That is why MANY sellers offer "free" shipping AND add ALL costs to
the price of their BIN item.
...............
Some approximate retail-cost numbers:
$2.00 Postage
$1.75 Insurance (For $50 and less.)
$.75 Delivery Confirmation
$.50 Bubble-Mailer, Bubble-Wrap, Tape, Cardboard Inserts
............................
Keep in mind, whether or not the seller buys USPS INS, he is
responsible for the safe delivery of the item to the buyer.
Mickey71
<< <i>If I'm willing to pay $10 for a card, and the shipping is $4.99, I'd bid no more than $5.01. If the actual shipping charge on the package is $1.50, the seller gets 1 star. If it's close to $4.99, then he gets 5 stars (if it's packaged well enough). >>
This is very true, you should include the shipping costs into what you want to spend on a card.
I charge $3.00 for a graded card, and increase it by $0.50 for every additional graded card, with a $6.00 cap. I've had zero complaints.
////////////////////////
Yup.
And, smart sellers should include ALL of their selling/shipping costs into the price
they want to charge for the card.
<< <i>How about the opposite? When the winning bidder pays $4, and shipping is actually $10? It works that way too, ya know! >>
Yeah, that's happened to me way more times than I would like to admit...
<< <i>How about the opposite? When the winning bidder pays $4, and shipping is actually $10? It works that way too, ya know! >>
Whenever that happens, I always give the seller 6 or 7 stars.
<< <i>
<< <i>If I'm willing to pay $10 for a card, and the shipping is $4.99, I'd bid no more than $5.01. If the actual shipping charge on the package is $1.50, the seller gets 1 star. If it's close to $4.99, then he gets 5 stars (if it's packaged well enough). >>
I've never understood this type of logic. If you were willing to pay $10 for a card and you got the card for $10, you're happy right? If you got the card for a $9 bid and $1 shipping would you somehow be more happy than if you got the card for a $5 bid and $5 shipping? At the end of the day, you got the card for exactly what you were willing to be out of pocket for it. The only way I would ever be bent about shipping is if the lisitng said one number, for instance $3 and I was charged another number, say $5 at checkout. As long as I know going in what the shipping amount is, then it is up to me to bid accordingly. If someone is mad about winning an item with what they deem to be excessive shipping and handling, then why did they bid on it in the 1st place. They knew the S/H posted. They should just be mad at themselves if anything then.
I think almost everyone takes into account shipping charges when they bid, so a card's final price at auction reflects what the market at that time is willing to spend (including shipping) for that card, no matter what part of the total is shipping. The total would still be same if the shipping price was higher or lower, it is the bid amount that would vary.
If you are buying from fixed price, that is easy, the S/H is listed and either you decide the card price plus shipping is a good deal or it isn't. The idea of somehow penalizing the seller for a purchase decision that you made seems odd to me.
If I buy a jacket or a pair of pants or something from a catalog compnay like eddie bauer or lands end or some electronics from best buy or the wife buys something from a catalog or website, I know what I am getting and exactly what my total expenditure is for that item including shipping and handling. I never would even think to see if the package from the clothing store or best buy reflects a $1 less for shipping than what I paid. All I know is I was willing to buy it for $29.99 plus $8 shippping for example and I got it safe and sound and the order is right and I was charged $37.99 total, I am happy
little eBay sellers are not them. if you pay for it to arrive safe & secure, and it DOES, what's the complaint?
<< <i>On a slightly related note, does anyone else feel a little miffed by the fact that PSA doesn't work on a 'first in, first out' philosophy? >>
<< <i>Storm, are you saying sellers should offer free shipping, but start their auction at the desired price of the card, plus the shipping/selling costs? >>
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There are not many/any practical ways to do that in an "auction" listing.
I use only BINs and have offered "free" shipping since LONG before it
was fashionable/EBAY-encouraged to do so.
The buyer pays ALL of my fees, and I collect the amount I want for
the item.
I have not had to chat with a buyer about "shipping costs" for years.
I like that.
<< <i>I always calculate the shipping into my bid, so if I get my item in the stated condition, they can attach the item to a carrier pigeon for all I care. >>
costs little to feed, fairly dependable.
you may be on to something, i'm calling the pet store.
collecting 1977 topps baseball in psa 9 and psa 10
I'm paying what I'm willing to pay for a card, including shipping. As long as the card gets to me fine and shipping wasn't by an overly risky method (graded cards in PWEs are a no-no, even if I get lucky and it arrives whole), I don't care what the shipper spent.
Nick
Reap the whirlwind.
Need to buy something for the wife or girlfriend? Check out Vintage Designer Clothing.
<< <i>This topic is rarely brought up on these boards, and I'm glad someone finally has shown the courage to broach it and initiate a discussion. >>
-CDs Nuts, 1/20/14
*1956 Topps baseball- 97.4% complete, 7.24 GPA
*Clemente basic set: 85.0% complete, 7.89 GPA
Linky
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss
<< <i>I bought these the other day to save on shipping single graded cards, they fit perfectly and leave plenty of room for a paypal shipping label. Just saying.
Linky >>
It would be cool if each one of those came with a slice of cheese. I love cheese
I won a card for $1.50, shipping was $3.50. I received the card today in a plain white envelope with a postage stamp for .44 cents. The card was in a penny sleeve and top loader.
To make a point, I wrote this to the seller:
Received subject card today. Thanks! However, I have a question: why did I paid $3.50 for shipping when it cost you a plain white envelope and a 44 cents stamp? Is this really fair? I'm trying to make a point here so the next customer does not get upset on future purchases...
The seller wrote:
because most of the people who sell try and make a little extra on shipping , if the shipping is a little higher you may not get as much for the card , but ebay will make less on the comission , and out of many feed back with 3 accounts , your the first to ask a question about shipping charges i hope it explains itself , example if it was free ship the card may have sold for 3 dollars more but thats putting 3 dollars in my pocket rather then 9 percent in ebay . with more valuable items i ship in a bubble mailer . have a nice day
WWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Title
Honestly, if you paid $10 for a card and are happy with the card..WHO CARES how much it costs the seller to ship the card??? When you go into Wal-Mart and buy a box of Kleenex and it costs you $2.99 for the jumbo box, does it matter what wal mart paid for it as long as you are happy with the price.
Again, everytime the complaining about this type of nonsense reaches critical mass, ebay execs institute some kind of idiot policy which hurts everyone. Remember the feedback issue of retaliatory feedback, look where that got us.
That's how they stay in business and defray the increase costs of doing business by the ever fee grabbing ebay machine.
Do I like a seller making $5 on the postage...... no. I think them making $2-3 is reasonable.
Like most sensible buyers, just factor the S+H into your bid and you'll never overpay for the item.
I'd rather see a seller make a few bucks on the shipping, than ebay.
Just read the description and cost of shipping and then bid or don't bid.
cost of S/H + winning bid = your cost of the item.
On a slightly related note, does anyone else feel a little miffed by the fact that PSA doesn't work on a 'first in, first out' philosophy?
I also want to mention that Levi charges way too much for his PSA graded cards...who does he think he is?
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
<< <i>I think all sellers should make money on the shipping they charge. That's how they stay in business and defray the increase costs of doing business by the ever fee grabbing ebay machine. Do I like a seller making $5 on the postage...... no. I think them making $2-3 is reasonable. Like most sensible buyers, just factor the S+H into your bid and you'll never overpay for the item. I'd rather see a seller make a few bucks on the shipping, than ebay. >>
Agreed! Shipping is one cost, handling is another. Some people don't realize it costs time and money to get to the Post Office too.
<< <i>I always calculate the shipping into my bid, so if I get my item in the stated condition, they can attach the item to a carrier pigeon for all I care. >>
THis is what I do also. If something is worth $10 to me and the shipping is $4 then I bid $6. If I win then good. If not no biggie.
As a seller I'm glad I don't have to worry about my DSR as my shipping and handling rating has gone from 4.9 to 4.5 with the last 12 auctions I have listed that have received feedback.
Singles were charged $2.50 shipping and the postage alone was $2.02 at a minimum. But then that's ebay and that couldn't care less about the seller.
I get up - shower, shave, dress and eat a light meal.
I get in my F150 P/U that gets 12 mpg and drive to one of those annoying local shows where there's never anything new.
I pay 3 bucks to get in and start the trek - but wait!!!
I DO find that elusive aardvark I've been looking for - I pay "his" retail (which perhaps on ebay would be cheaper - BUT doesn't exist)
I walk around some - buy a pretzel and coke and go home.
On a PARALLEL universe ebay exists:
I buy the elusive aardvark for 4 bucks cheaper than my parallel universe self and don't pay to get into my livingroom, don't get dressed, don't shower, don't shave, don't spend 10 bucks in gas, don't have to see "Fat Dave the Dealer" with the same stale stuff he's had since 1990 (he like others still have 12 cases of 1990 Donruss in his garage) and don't get indigestion from that stale pretzel and flat big gulp of Coke.
<< <i> This topic is rarely brought up on these boards, and I'm glad someone finally has shown the courage to broach it and initiate a discussion.
On a slightly related note, does anyone else feel a little miffed by the fact that PSA doesn't work on a 'first in, first out' philosophy?
I also want to mention that Levi charges way too much for his PSA graded cards...who does he think he is? >>
Yes! Great point. And why is Levi such a 'sacred cow' around here? He's been ripping people off for years now, and NOBODY has ever started a thread that brought this matter to the board's attention. What's up with that? Does he have Joe O in his back pocket or something?
Edit to add: Not to nitpick, Stone, but 1992 would be the year '3 BE'. 1992 BE would be 3 AD, a year that, to the best of my knowledge, did not feature obese sports card dealers and lousy pretzels!
<< <i>I buy the elusive aardvark for 4 bucks cheaper than my parallel universe self and don't pay to get into my livingroom, don't get dressed, don't shower, don't shave, >>
Naked ebay browsing!
<< <i>Just for the fun of it - here's an alternative scenario. It's Jan 27th 1992 BE (before ebay)
I get up - shower, shave, dress and eat a light meal.
I get in my F150 P/U that gets 12 mpg and drive to one of those annoying local shows where there's never anything new.
I pay 3 bucks to get in and start the trek - but wait!!!
I DO find that elusive aardvark I've been looking for - I pay "his" retail (which perhaps on ebay would be cheaper - BUT doesn't exist)
I walk around some - buy a pretzel and coke and go home.
On a PARALLEL universe ebay exists:
I buy the elusive aardvark for 4 bucks cheaper than my parallel universe self and don't pay to get into my livingroom, don't get dressed, don't shower, don't shave, don't spend 10 bucks in gas, don't have to see "Fat Dave the Dealer" with the same stale stuff he's had since 1990 (he like others still have 12 cases of 1990 Donruss in his garage) and don't get indigestion from that stale pretzel and flat big gulp of Coke.
Very good comparison. The fact of the matter is, people who sell as a business will always pass on added or an increase in expenses to buyers. They will either do it in the S&H charges or they will charge more for the item itself. (which of course is what ebay wants).
If one is willing to pay $10 for a card and it breaks down as $7 for the card and $3 for shipping, who cares?
What the people who complain about shipping don't realize is that if they keep complaining about the shipping charges THAT THEY ACTUALLY AGREED TO PAY by bidding on the item, the seller will eventually be forced to only start auctions out much higher or do fixed price with a very high price. You are already starting to see this on ebay( which of course again is what ebay wants).
The fact is, it gets more and more difficult for sellers to sell anything for more or even the same as they paid for something. Ebay fees are always going up as well as ALL costs of doing business.
This gives sellers very few options. They can either sell at a loss, stop selling all together, make a dollar or two on postage or raise their sell price. Either way the buyer will have to pay a certain price.
Does anyone complain when the pizza man brings your pizza and you had to pay a delivery charge even though they didn't spend that much money on gas to bring your pizza?
Does anyone complain about paying a dollar or so at McDonalds for a fountain drink when it costs pennies?
The g=fact is all businesses and people who sell things have to find ways to make money on their goods and services or there would be no one selling goods and services. Airlines charge for checking bags now. Yes it sucks but they have to do it because their costs continue to go up.
How many people here have paid $7 for a beer at a game and not complained at all about it?
Lastly as a buyer, be thankful that there are still people out there willing to list auctions and start them at .99 and give a buyer an opportunity to actually get a deal. A buyer is still in control of how much they are willing to pay for an item. The seller isn't twisting their arm. If you think price + S&H is not a fair price, don't buy it. Find someone else who may be willing to sell it cheaper.
I start all of my auctions at $0.99 and offer free insured shipping (priority mail for sales over $50, bubble mailer with two pieces of cardboard for sales under $50). Should I expect that the cards I sell will go for (on average) $3.00 more than cards sold by sellers who charge for shipping?
bobsbbcards SGC Registry Sets
<< <i>I'd like to challenge those of you who say you always factor shipping charges into what you bid/pay. How many of you bid $3.00 higher for a card that starts at $0.99 and has free shipping? If you don't, then why not?
I start all of my auctions at $0.99 and offer free insured shipping (priority mail for sales over $50, bubble mailer with two pieces of cardboard for sales under $50). Should I expect that the cards I sell will go for (on average) $3.00 more than cards sold by sellers who charge for shipping? >>
I would think almost everyone figured shipping into price when bidding. If I am willing to pay $10 and shipping is $3, I will bid (no more) then $7.03. If it is a card I am only willing to pay $2 total on, then in your above case I would bid $2.03. (I don't count the 2-3 extra cents when bidding.) The only factor I am consider is what I am willing to pay. That has nothing (usually) to do with other sellers, collectors or guide book....what you pay for shipping, gas, apples or whatever.
Clear Skies,
Mark
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
<< <i>Yeah I recently bought 4 psa graded cards from the same seller and they charged me 6.00 per card even though they shipped them all together. What a joke that they wouldn't combine shipping costs even though they combined the shipping!!!!! >>
If they don't combine shipping , I make sure I pay for each item separately and on different days. I always read carefully their terms if they don't combine shipping then I bid differently. I would out the seller that did this to you and charged you 24.00 for shipping for 4 cards, unless it was spelled out in their term of sales, then I would have paid for each item separate.
Me and Mary - 2 burgers - 2 Buds - 1 diet coke - 1 fries - 1 onion rings - 25 bucks.
In a few hours - like time - it will "pass."
Life's just too darn short to get wrapped around the axel about something that I can no more control than the weather.
mike
<< <i>Yeah I recently bought 4 psa graded cards from the same seller and they charged me 6.00 per card even though they shipped them all together. What a joke that they wouldn't combine shipping costs even though they combined the shipping!!!!! >>
Would you feel any better if I told you that I've so far profited $1800 on the lot of '96 Topps Chrome BKB refractors that I bought from you for $400 and change a few months ago?
Let's quit screaming about losing pennies when we're happy to give away nickels. It's banal, and more than that it's wholly beneath us.
Steve
<< <i>Ouch.
Steve >>
Agreed, wow.
Ouch.
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss
And to me anyway, that fact says something about the seller's character.