Another ebayer overcharging for shipping.
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Dboneesq
Posts: 18,219 ✭✭
Picked up one oversized PSA card (Hostess full panel) on eBay. OK, shipping is going to cost seller a bit more ... larger padded shipping envelope costs a little more ... maybe D/C. The guy charges $6.00 for shipping. So he makes a little. What does he do? He ships it in an old shoe box (well wrapped) and goes Media Mail. $2.38 total. Do you agree that charging 2.5 times actual shipping costs is a bit much??? Just like to hear other opinions.
STAY HEALTHY!
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
0
Comments
IMF
<< <i>Picked up one oversized PSA card (Hostess full panel) on eBay. OK, shipping is going to cost seller a bit more ... larger padded shipping envelope costs a little more ... maybe D/C. The guy charges $6.00 for shipping. So he makes a little. What does he do? He ships it in an old shoe box (well wrapped) and goes Media Mail. $2.38 total. Do you agree that charging 2.5 times actual shipping costs is a bit much??? Just like to hear other opinions. >>
Doug....I hope you give him the FB he deserves BTW........
IMF
You're not figuring in the cost of the shoes.
Nick
Reap the whirlwind.
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<< <i>Do you agree that charging 2.5 times actual shipping costs is a bit much???
You're not figuring in the cost of the shoes. >>
I don't care who you are, that's funny right 'dere.
If the auction said $6.00 and also specified 1st Class mail, Priority or some other type, then I think you have a beef. But what's it going to get you other than an e-mail battle with the seller and a bunch of excuses about him having to factor in shipping supplies, etc...
Lou Gehrig Master Set
Non-Registry Collection
Game Used Cards Collection
There are some reasons that the amount may seem high in some cases. If the seller is prepping for worst case of going coast to coast and ends up selling much closer to home the amount may seem high. If the seller is guessing the amount for something they do not sell on a regular basis or guessing for combined charges all make for a chance they could over estimate.
Steve
<< <i>The issue is that item does not qualify for media mail.
Steve >>
Actually the OP's question was "Do you agree that charging 2.5 times actual shipping costs is a bit much???"
I would agree that the seller took a chance sending it media mail, but every seller that ships without using DC is also taking a chance.
Unless it is a $100 plus card, sellers should offer shipping at $3-4 or be prepared for unhappy customers. I charge $3 and have upset a couple customers in the past....but not much you can do about bidders that complain abotu $0.25. The same package does very in price depending on location since the last big PO change.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
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Ralph
<< <i>ebay sellers are crooks. >>
Who knew, eh Ralph?
But without knowing what type of service was promised for the 6.00
my answer could be wrong.
<< <i>sellers should offer shipping at $3-4 or be prepared for unhappy customers >>
I charge $4 for the 1st card and 50 cents for each additional card. My shipping stars have been dinged so I can't get the discount. It is a no win situation.
<< <i>It seems that 90% of the sellers I have dealt with on ebay in the past 3 months have overcharged significantly for shipping. I say you're lucky he shipped it in a shoe box, I just got a Harmon Killebrew signed baseball, sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard and taped up, sent in a magazine envelope; he charged $10 for shipping, it cost him $2.50. >>
again, I hope you showed your displeasure with this seller by leaving the approriate feedback.......
'Just sayin...
When the amount over, I immediately refund the over portion (minus any shipping material costs I incurred). Strapping tape and bubble wrap are not free.
<< <i>Picked up one oversized PSA card (Hostess full panel) on eBay. OK, shipping is going to cost seller a bit more ... larger padded shipping envelope costs a little more ... maybe D/C. The guy charges $6.00 for shipping. So he makes a little. What does he do? He ships it in an old shoe box (well wrapped) and goes Media Mail. $2.38 total. Do you agree that charging 2.5 times actual shipping costs is a bit much??? Just like to hear other opinions. >>
Sounds like a character that would not make out too well around a cement truck.
I just can't believe people start these threads. I truly can't.
It seems like a complete non-issue to me.
I just understand the mindset of someone who cares what business model the seller uses. He may be going against Ebay rules and he may be going against USPO rules BUT you are not the Ebay police or the federal police.
You got your item and you paid what you agreed to pay.
Rant over.
Some asked for more details: The seller said he was shipping Parcel Post, which would have cost $4.90. To charge $6.00 is reasonable, as it costs SOMETHING to drive to the PO and something for the tape he used to wrap the package. Instead, he used Media Mail (which you guys are right about ... that is NOT allowed and he also did rip off the PO) and it cost him $2.38. That said, I think he overcharged.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
<< <i>I just can't believe people start these threads. I truly can't. >>
Believe it, because I did.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
<< <i>
<< <i>I just can't believe people start these threads. I truly can't. >>
Believe it, because I did. >>
lol
Doug paid for Parcel post, 1st class mail or priority NOT media mail.
By sending the item that way the seller could have put Doug on the spot.
<< <i>People seem to be missing the point that the seller used media mail.
Doug paid for Parcel post, 1st class mail or priority NOT media mail.
By sending the item that way the seller could have put Doug on the spot. >>
Had the PO decided to open and check on it, it would have come back on the seller. Return postage fees are charged and they would have been out 2 shipping charges and still have the item in their hand.
<< <i>People seem to be missing the point that the seller used media mail.
Doug paid for Parcel post, 1st class mail or priority NOT media mail.
By sending the item that way the seller could have put Doug on the spot. >>
You are right. I have spoken to the people who work at the post office from where I ship my cards. I sold some magazines and asked about Media Mail. She told me that if there are ANY advertisements in the magazine then it does not qualify. Since I know her pretty well, she said do not take a chance just to save a little on postage, as many of those MEDIA MAIL pieces actually get opened and examined. If that happens, the piece might "GET LOST" or at best shipped back to me.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
<< <i>A Hostess panel is nothing more than an uncut sheet of 3 mini biographies and contains no advertising. Happy now. >>
I know you are joking, but for those who are not familiar with Media Mail, here is the PO definition.
Media mail is used for certain types of books, films, manuscripts, printed music, printed test materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information, video recordings, educational reference charts, and computer-readable media. And NO, reading the back of the card does not qualify as "Printed Educational Charts".
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
<< <i>
<< <i>I just can't believe people start these threads. I truly can't. >>
Believe it, because I did. >>
I can't believe people take time to open a thread they know they are going to respond to negatively.
<< <i>[And NO, reading the back of the card does not qualify as "Printed Educational Charts". >>
Then how do you explain that I learned long division from baseball stats???
Working on the following: 1970 Baseball PSA, 1970-1976 Raw, World Series Subsets PSA, 1969 Expansion Teams PSA, Fleer World Series Sets, Texas Rangers Topps Run 1972-1989
----------------------
Successful deals to date: thedudeabides,gameusedhoop,golfcollector,tigerdean,treetop,bkritz, CapeMOGuy,WeekendHacker,jeff8877,backbidder,Salinas,milbroco,bbuckner22,VitoCo1972,ddfamf,gemint,K,fatty macs,waltersobchak,dboneesq
Believe it because it happened and now it's happened again!
<< <i>
Had the PO decided to open and check on it, it would have come back on the seller. Return postage fees are charged and they would have been out 2 shipping charges and still have the item in their hand. >>
Afternoon,
Not always true, I have been caught sending lots of 500+ cards Media Mail, recently, by some Post Office on two occassions. In both instances the Post Office opened/Resealed and sent on to the Buyer with Postage due for Parcel Post. Buyer then contacted me and I re-imbursed them. Auctions stated Media Mail!
YeeHah
Neil
although I agree the shipping was high 2 1/2 times the actual cost, myself I would leave positive feedback & skip leaving any stars.
I am assuming this was an Ebay auction and would imagine all buyers figured the cost of shipping in with their maximum bid.
also let's look at at the sellers hidden costs.
let's say the item was 24.00 + 6.00 shipping. ebay fees guessing it was a 99 cent auction. 10 cents to list + 9% FVF $2.16 + paypal fees 2.9% .87 +.30 cent transaction fee total 1.17 +2.26 + 2.38 postal fee = 5.81 net 24.19 for the seller and this is not counting employees wages if any + shipping tape +bubble wrap + internet access cost + time & gas going to & from the post office ect ect.
also as mentioned above maybe the seller was figuring coast to coast shipping or was just guessing at shipping cost.
I know myself I charge 4.00 for a graded oversize (69 topps PSA basketball card) larger mailer + card between two pieces of cardboard with bubble wrap + DC (80 cents) and runs between 2.73 to 3.50 at the post office, and have had sellers complain that 4.00 was to much. and if the card sells for over 100, I ship it in a 6x6 box (box costs 75 cents) and then postal fees go to 3.25 to 4.50 or more,
but I have never had a buyer email me and say wow I see where the shipping cost more than you charged can I paypal you the extra money it cost you.
I try to break even or make 10 to 75 cents off of shipping, better than losing money on shipping, heck I offer free shipping if my profit margin is high enough, but then sometimes you are just lucky to break even on an item let alone adding salt to the wound by losing money on shipping.
I know there are sellers that their business model is set at making money on shipping 1 to 4 dollars per item, I just adjust my bid to offset the high shipping costs.
I just sent an item that I charged 16.00 for I was guessing, after the post office trip & filling out all the proper forms (headache) it cost 13.78 + shipping materials 54 cents total 14.32, I thought about refunding the buyer, and then said wow I made 1.68 - .46 cent paypal charge = 1.22 and if I want to refund the buyer a 1.22 then paypal nails me for the 30 cent transaction fee , so now I only refund a 92 cents to the buyer to break even or just say the he@@ with it . I said the heck with it and went and bought some aspirin. The guy behind the counter thought I was crazy when I asked him if they would take 3.00 (instead of 4.99) for the aspirins & skip charging tax since it was consumable item like food. he called security and I had to go to another store.
jmho
Larger items are more expensive obviously but if you want the cards to get there in great shape let the buyer know in the auction what to expect and they will have no problem paying it.
If a seller has absurb shipping then chances are they are little dishonest anyway so move on to the next one.
<< <i>I said the heck with it and went and bought some aspirin. The guy behind the counter thought I was crazy when I asked him if they would take 3.00 (instead of 4.99) for the aspirins & skip charging tax since it was consumable item like food. he called security and I had to go to another store.
jmho >>
The best part of a long day full of whiny threads and sword fights.... Thanks, I needed that!!
Working on the following: 1970 Baseball PSA, 1970-1976 Raw, World Series Subsets PSA, 1969 Expansion Teams PSA, Fleer World Series Sets, Texas Rangers Topps Run 1972-1989
----------------------
Successful deals to date: thedudeabides,gameusedhoop,golfcollector,tigerdean,treetop,bkritz, CapeMOGuy,WeekendHacker,jeff8877,backbidder,Salinas,milbroco,bbuckner22,VitoCo1972,ddfamf,gemint,K,fatty macs,waltersobchak,dboneesq
I don't want anybody but the seller and myself to have the collectible in hand.
This is about level of service and the seller messed up big time.
Mick was right when told us that all the cops are criminals and all the sinners, saints.
<< <i>Since when is it legal for the postal service to open mail addressed to a private individual for any reason other than a possible safety hazard? That sounds like the dictionary definition of a federal mail crime.
Mick was right when told us that all the cops are criminals and all the sinners, saints. >>
They tell you it is subject to inspection when you request that service, they are up front about it.
<< <i>
<< <i>Since when is it legal for the postal service to open mail addressed to a private individual for any reason other than a possible safety hazard? That sounds like the dictionary definition of a federal mail crime.
Mick was right when told us that all the cops are criminals and all the sinners, saints. >>
They tell you it is subject to inspection when you request that service, they are up front about it. >>
Ok: Note to self never ship cocaine or any other drug by media mail. glad I know this now, whew can change that 5lb media mail package to priority mail tomorrow.
<< <i>When I ship a graded card the bubble mailer is $1.50, the bubble wrap is at least $.50 to $.75 >>
If you are truly paying $1.50 for bubble mailers and $.75 per shipment for bubble wrap, you are getting screwed. In bulk, bubble mailers are like $.10, maybe $.20, tops. And bubble wrap? How much are you using? Big rolls of the stuff are $3 or $4 at Wal-Mart. Surely you're not using 1/6th of roll on every card?
C'mon.
Tabe
IF the seller said $6 to ship and did not promise a method of shipping, only that he is charging $6 to get said item from point A to point B, then I have no problem whatsoever with what he charges. Sure, it cost him $2.38 to mail the item, you only know this because the label from the PO is on the box. Do you care what the gas station paid for the gas you buy? Do you care how much Wal-Mart paid for that heavy duty roll of Northern Bath Tissue? Do you care how much McDonalds pays for the fries they sell you? NO, the only thing that you care about in those instances is how much YOU pay for the item, but for some wierd reason, ebay buyers are fixated on the amount someone ELSE pays for a particular service.
Ebay and Paypal are screwing sellers over left and right, most people are not making a high profit on the items they sell and definitely dont want to lose money, so they add a little to the shipping to make sure they dont lose money. Yeah, in a way they are screwing ebay right back, but so what. Do you really think it takes $15.99 to send you a set of the "Super Chopper" you see on TV? NO, they do it to pad THEIR profits as well. When I see a high shipping cost, I figure it in. As long as I get the item, undamaged, I dont care if they send it carrier pigeon.
Lighten up people, its ebay, before long, THEY will set shipping charges for you if the complaining keeps up and then NOBODY will be selling there. Remember, this idiot FB system they have is because the complaining and FB manipulation by sellers.
<< <i>Jesus, another "Ebay seller ripped me off on shipping thread"
IF the seller said $6 to ship and did not promise a method of shipping, only that he is charging $6 to get said item from point A to point B, then I have no problem whatsoever with what he charges. Sure, it cost him $2.38 to mail the item, you only know this because the label from the PO is on the box. Do you care what the gas station paid for the gas you buy? Do you care how much Wal-Mart paid for that heavy duty roll of Northern Bath Tissue? Do you care how much McDonalds pays for the fries they sell you? NO, the only thing that you care about in those instances is how much YOU pay for the item, but for some wierd reason, ebay buyers are fixated on the amount someone ELSE pays for a particular service.
Ebay and Paypal are screwing sellers over left and right, most people are not making a high profit on the items they sell and definitely dont want to lose money, so they add a little to the shipping to make sure they dont lose money. Yeah, in a way they are screwing ebay right back, but so what. Do you really think it takes $15.99 to send you a set of the "Super Chopper" you see on TV? NO, they do it to pad THEIR profits as well. When I see a high shipping cost, I figure it in. As long as I get the item, undamaged, I dont care if they send it carrier pigeon.
Lighten up people, its ebay, before long, THEY will set shipping charges for you if the complaining keeps up and then NOBODY will be selling there. Remember, this idiot FB system they have is because the complaining and FB manipulation by sellers. >>