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Ebay Selling Shipping Questions

I have two eBay stores one of them I sell both graded and ungraded cards. I have my shipping
for ungraded cards currently set at $3.25 for first class in a bubble mailer. No additional charge
if you buy more than one ungraded card. Graded cards are $3.25 for up to 4 cards $4.25 for
5 or more cards.


Questions
I see that some sellers have under there auction title have buy 10 cards get free shipping. I
was wondering if anyone else here use this feature and does it create more sales on lower price
items? Is there a charge for this feature? Can I bulk add this feature to just my ungraded cards I
am selling and not have it come up on my graded listings?

Also for lower priced cards on eBay is there a way to ship a single card at buyer request in a PWE
and still meet eBay Top Rated Seller statues I think if there isn't tracking on the envelop it will
count agents you and your 20% discount? I am just looking for ways to move more lower prices
cards I am selling.

James

Comments

  • PMKAYPMKAY Posts: 1,372 ✭✭
    There is no charge for creating and adding shipping discounts.

    When you list an item you will see either "create shipping rule" or "apply shipping rule" to listing. Once you create a shipping rule you can bring up other items you have already listed and apply the rule to those as well.

    $3.25 is high for 1 ungraded card in my opinion. Depending one what single cards you are selling you are going up against some sellers who are offering $.99 shipping charge for one ungraded card -I've actually seen a few sellers offer a shipping rate of $.56. These are shipped in plain white envelopes without tracking. I think you are correct that doing that affects US Top Rated Seller status but I can't confirm that as I am a Canadian seller.
  • KbKardsKbKards Posts: 1,782 ✭✭✭
    Also for lower priced cards on eBay is there a way to ship a single card at buyer request in a PWE
    and still meet eBay Top Rated Seller statues I think if there isn't tracking on the envelop it will
    count agents you and your 20% discount? I am just looking for ways to move more lower prices
    cards I am selling.


    Shipping in a PWE will have a major impact on meeting the 20% discount requirements.

    Questions
    I see that some sellers have under there auction title have buy 10 cards get free shipping. I
    was wondering if anyone else here use this feature and does it create more sales on lower price
    items? Is there a charge for this feature? Can I bulk add this feature to just my ungraded cards I
    am selling and not have it come up on my graded listings?


    Bulk editing in one store will only affect items in that store. You would need to go to your other store to bulk edit those items. If you're going to do 10 then don't cap it at your current 5. Let it increase so there would be incentive to hit 10.


    Charging $3.25 for one graded card is high and could potentially scare off buyers concerned with such a thing. Adding that $3.25 to the price of the item and offering free shipping will be loved by most ebay buyers. Adding $1 to the cost of each item you want to ship in a PWE, and offering free shipping, will also receive great love by most ebay buyers rather than charging them $.56.
    On multiple card orders priced in this manner do you notice how you can make a lot more money now with each sale and addition sale, and having free shipping will attract more buyers.


    The 20% discount incentive is highly overrated for most sellers. Do the math. What is the average amount you're saving? How much is it costing you in sales to maintain qualifying for that 20%. Tracked shipping for your cheap raw sales costs you the same as it does for a graded card sale. Needing to charge $3.25 for both types of sales, or a little less for raw sales, will hurt your sales, raw worse than graded. Offering $.56 shipping will help with sales but with any significant type of volume you'll lose the 20%. So if you say the heck with the 20%, and roll free shipping into your prices you will be making more money that way than trying to meet the 20% requirement. Adding $3 or so on your graded and $1 on your raw, and offering free shipping, will start adding up quick, especially when you get multiple card orders. Another benefit is no longer the hassle of needing to do or adjust invoices for people when your combined shipping rules aren't automatically or correctly calculated by the Ebay system.
  • mtcardsmtcards Posts: 3,340 ✭✭✭
    I think shipping charges are generally only important on lower dollar cards, where shipping costs outweigh the value of the card. Shipping in PWE is becoming more and more prevalent with the continual increase in shipping costs. Honestly, I dont care as long as the card gets to me or if the seller takes responsibility if it doesnt

    Considering that even with the ebay discount, a bubble mailer's shipping cost is at $2.60 then add another 25 cents for the mailer itself, top load, penny sleeve and any other packing materials, your cost is at $2.85. At $3.25 shipping and ebay taking 12.9% on most sellers when factoring in paypal fees as well and $3.25 isnt covering the actual costs of shipping. I have no problem with $3.25 being the shipping costs as long as the seller is willing to combine reasonably if you purchase more than one item


    IT IS ALWAYS CHEAPER TO NOT SELL ON EBAY
  • BatpigBatpig Posts: 460 ✭✭✭
    Top rated seller isn't only about the 20%. You also get preference on searches and the badge that certainly means something to some buyers.
  • bighurt2000bighurt2000 Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭
    I think I will have to stay away from the PWE. Maybe I can send a flyer with every purchase
    offering PWE on a single card if the purchase is done off eBay? I can't see sending more than
    one card in PWE without increasing problems.

    As for $3.25 for one raw card sent in bubble mailer with tracking and not charging for additional
    cards I thought that was a fare price once you factor everything into it. I am trying to increase my
    sales on my $1.50 to $10 ungraded cards.

    I have to be able to ship in bubble mailer with tracking but $3.25 is scaring buyers off. I can't add
    $3.25 to a $1.50 card and offer free shipping buyers wont even click on my listing then.

    James
  • PMKAYPMKAY Posts: 1,372 ✭✭
    If you are selling a lot of low dollar cards you should consider switching to accepting micro payments via paypal.
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