Is it wrong of me to do this?

baseballjeff · September 29, 2007 2:57PM

I've got a question. I recently sold approx. 43 cards on ebay. I charge $4 for shipping, and $1 for each additional card won. This guy buys 24 of my cards, am I wrong for charging him $27 for shipping? I feel my concious kicking in telling me not to, but on the other hand, I don't?

What's the right thing to do here?

Thanks,
Jeff

Guru · September 29, 2007 2:59PM

I will say from experience when this happens you've got a big decision to make. I mean, they knew what they were getting in to when bidding. BUT, you know it doesn't cost that much to ship. The best way to figure this one out is put yourself in his shoes and think about how you would feel either way.

ldferg · September 29, 2007 3:03PM

i would not charge $27 for shipping 24 cards. you could charge $15 and ship 'flat rate usps' for less than $10.

even though you specified $1 for each additional (same as i do as well) you are not obligated, especially if your conscience is tugging at you.

chb · September 29, 2007 3:06PM

The fact that you bothered to ask tells you all you need to know

baseballjeff · September 29, 2007 3:09PM

Thanks for the words of encouragement, I couldn't bare doing that. I just sent him a message, I hope I don't upset the guy by sending him an invoice for the total, than another message explaining I'd be happy to reseed my initial shipping cost.

Thanks everyone,
Jeff

ElectricPrune · September 29, 2007 3:10PM

Don't charge. He's saving you a ton of time on packing, mailing, etc. Almost everyone puts a cap on shipping.

grote15 · September 29, 2007 3:11PM

Considering that a flat rate priority mail box costs about $9 to ship, $15 should be the max for any number of PSA cards, IMO.

killingdream · September 29, 2007 3:35PM

I just paid $9 shipping for a bunch of lots that I won. I think I won 15 total. The guy was doing the add a $1 for each additional thing. So my shipping should have been $15 or so. If he stuck by it. Usually I oppose excessive add on shipping. I prefer dealing with people who do the flat rate price for total number of cards. But this was a group of awesome deals. Great small lots of 55,57,58 and 59 Topps. I got them so cheap that I didn't care if he charged me the full shipping price or not. After all the guy has to make something out of the lots. The reduced rate made it all the better.

So in general I oppose the additional add on rate but if the deal is good enough I see no reason why you shouldn't tack on a few extra bucks. After all you have to make some cash too. I'd maybe keep it to the $9-12 range.

gumbyfan · September 29, 2007 3:45PM

Flat Rate Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation is $9.60. I use that service for my bulk sales and for the occasional sale of bulky non-card items.

colebear · September 29, 2007 3:46PM

If you did I probably would not buy from you again.

rube26105 · September 29, 2007 3:56PM

if slabbed you can get em in flat rate box for what 9.60-if raw 5.00 pri mial is what i do, 27.00 shipping, no way lol
randy

BobaFett72 · September 29, 2007 4:39PM

if your asking, you already know the answer. Don't rip the guy off, I just bought a half dozen cards from the same seller on Ebay and his "discount" saved me $3.00, each card was $2.00 or $2.50 shipping. He charges me $9.00 (no tracking, no insurance) and when the package arrives it says $2..95 on the bubble mailer.

I wont be buying anymore cards from him; be careful what you charge. Youll get some goodwill by giving him a well deserved break on shipping.

Stone193 · September 29, 2007 8:16PM

<< I've got a question. I recently sold approx. 43 cards on ebay. I charge $4 for shipping, and $1 for each additional card won. This guy buys 24 of my cards, am I wrong for charging him $27 for shipping? I feel my concious kicking in telling me not to, but on the other hand, I don't?

What's the right thing to do here?

Thanks,
Jeff >>

Hi Jeff

Many sellers state: multiple lot purchasers receive a shipping discount or words to that effect.

That obviously mitigates the possibility of charging for every "single" lot purchased.

If selling raw cards on ebay - it's only fair to discount heavily anyone who buys more than a few lots.

mike

ping4u43 · September 29, 2007 8:35PM

I wouldn't even consider buying from you with those shipping rates. You are just trying to rip people off, because you probably priced things to low.

swartz1 · September 29, 2007 8:56PM

<< if your asking, you already know the answer. Don't rip the guy off, I just bought a half dozen cards from the same seller on Ebay and his "discount" saved me $3.00, each card was $2.00 or $2.50 shipping. He charges me $9.00 (no tracking, no insurance) and when the package arrives it says $2..95 on the bubble mailer.

I wont be buying anymore cards from him; be careful what you charge. Youll get some goodwill by giving him a well deserved break on shipping. >>

Keep your shipping price the same - the same person bought all the lots because he thinks/knows he is getting a deal - what do you think 4 SC would do - bigger dealer - same thing - the little guy deserves to make a few bucks also -

Stone193 · September 29, 2007 8:58PM

<< I wouldn't even consider buying from you with those shipping rates. You are just trying to rip people off, because you probably priced things to low. >>

What?

He charges 4 bucks for shipping and a buck for an additional card...

How is that a rip off?

Now, he doesn't have a mulitple lot discount policy and may want to consider that but otherwise I think you flew in from left field just to lay a cheap shot on Jeff.

The Beckett Board is down the block.

Stone

nam812 · September 29, 2007 10:02PM

You never said if they were raw cards or graded, so I will speak about raw cards because that is what i mostly deal in. When I auction raw single cards on eBay my shipping policy in the auction states:

High bidder please add only $2.50 for S&H with free delivery confirmation. For multiple winners I can ship up to 5 of these single card auctions with no increase in shipping, and only $1.00 for every 5 cards after that NEVER EXCEEDING $4.50 S&H no matter how many you win.

To me, this attacts bidders instead of making them, as Dionne Warwick sang, walk on by.

Even for graded cards, $4.00 seems a touch excessive to me right from the start. One graded card, protected in bubble wrap, and then inserted in a bubble mailer weighs under 2.5 ounces. Shipping up to 3 ounces will cost $1.47 plus delivery confirmation (and the minimal cost of the wrap and mailer). Now, when you add the next graded card to that package, the weight goes up exactly 1.5 ounces making the new weight of that package under 4 ounces, so the cost of shipping that package goes up only 17 cents to $1.64 plus delivery confirmation (and the minimal cost of the wrap and mailer). If you wanted to look like a big shot and get items to your buyers realy fast, up to 1 pound sent priority mail to the furthest mailing zone will only cost you $4.60

I am of the opinion that if you re-think your shipping practices you will see the bidding on your auctions start to increase.

jimq112 · September 29, 2007 11:03PM

<< Keep your shipping price the same - the same person bought all the lots because he thinks/knows he is getting a deal - what do you think 4 SC would do - bigger dealer - same thing - the little guy deserves to make a few bucks also - >>

I've bought multiple lots from 4sc several times, and every time I did I received a discount on shipping without even asking. They usually charged me actual shipping costs or less. I've also bought multiple auctions from sellers on this board (on ebay) and had them shipped free.

Treat a buyer right and you'll have a repeat buyer.

Jeff - if that guy bought 24 of your auctions and what you were selling wasn't a one-time thing, give him a discount and a bonus or 2 and you'll end up ahead in the long run.

Blackborder · September 29, 2007 11:30PM

I wouldn't charge it. (looks like you already decided not to) Good deal!

TNTonPMS · September 29, 2007 11:41PM

I guess that all is thre number 1 reason I don't sell on E-Bay , all that shipping rate stuff is so confusing , it would just be easier for me to just put free shipping on everything , but like that, I would take a bath and probably lose money ..

I have never been good with numbers . . .

Like the time I was tryin to get to the ball game by 7
drivin on 495 to 287 to 95 and got pulled over for doin 85 in a 55 and I had to explain to the officer that all those numbers just Fkd me up . . . So he handed me 2 tickets with some huge numbers on it . . . .

I wonder if they sell a handbook like E-bay for dummies of something ?

I'm starting to run out of living space here . . .

swartz1 · September 30, 2007 12:10AM

<< 

<< Keep your shipping price the same - the same person bought all the lots because he thinks/knows he is getting a deal - what do you think 4 SC would do - bigger dealer - same thing - the little guy deserves to make a few bucks also - >>

I've bought multiple lots from 4sc several times, and every time I did I received a discount on shipping without even asking. They usually charged me actual shipping costs or less. I've also bought multiple auctions from sellers on this board (on ebay) and had them shipped free.

Treat a buyer right and you'll have a repeat buyer.

Jeff - if that guy bought 24 of your auctions and what you were selling wasn't a one-time thing, give him a discount and a bonus or 2 and you'll end up ahead in the long run. >>

Can you clarify this - because I buy from them also - the same deal 1 card $4 2 cards $6 etc - do you receive a better discount? just curious

Tedw9 · September 30, 2007 12:14AM

I recently had one buyer purchase 15 auctions of mine at one time. Each auction was a shipping charge $2-$3, but I posted I do combine shipping. I charged her exact shipping and paid for the insurance and DC out of of my own pocket. And I even threw in a few freebies that were not listed.

If someone is good enough to purchase in bulk from me, you can bet they will be treated more than fair.

markmac · September 30, 2007 12:38AM

If I had to pay $27 for shipping, I would ask you to send each card in separate boxes.

Bthiet · September 30, 2007 12:47AM

it also depends on how you are shipping the cards. EX: it can cast a fair amount of money if you use bubble wrap/padded mailers/boxees that are not from the usps. I always factor these into my shipping. I have had some instances where i charged lets say $7 for shipping and on the package it said $4.75 and the person would get mad and send me a crappy email. but then after explaining that the padded mailer cost me $1.25 and the bubbble wrap or tape cost me a few extra cents, they usually understand.

jimq112 · September 30, 2007 12:50AM

<< . >>

Can you clarify this - because I buy from them also - the same deal 1 card $4 2 cards $6 etc - do you receive a better discount? just curious >>

# $4.00 For 1 Auction
# $6.00 For 2 Auctions
# $8.00 For 3 Auctions
# Buyers must add $0.25 for each Auction in excess of the initial 3 Auctions.

One of their IDs listed some old football in a set I was collecting. I believe I bought about 45 cards. If I remember right I was charged $16 shipping, way less than the amount it would have added up to. That's happened to me twice. I think when they see somebody buying a lot of their cards at once they knock a few bucks off. I didn't ask them to, but I was happy that they did.

baseballfan · September 30, 2007 12:58AM

seems like a bit much and the guy will probably take that into consideration next time he purchases form you
in my opinion.

your first thoughts are probably right

TomGshotput · September 30, 2007 11:15AM

You are not obligated to charge any less and both of you are completely accepting of the $27 charge. If you do give him a discount he may be more inclined to buy 24 more cards from you in the future. Is that sort of buisness promotion worth $10 or $12?

mknez · September 30, 2007 11:25AM

If a seller has a bunch of cards I was interested in buying, I would contact him to make shipping arrangements before I bid on any cards. Most reasonable sellers will cap the shipping charges at some level. If they won't, I'll limit how many items I bid on from them.

grote15 · September 30, 2007 11:41AM

As nam said, even charging $4 for the first graded card and $1 for each additional card is a bit on the high side, but charging $1 for each additional card after about 6 cards or so is excessive, as the actual postage for a flat rate priority mail box with free DC is less than $10. If you charge $15, you're still making a couple bucks profit and you'll also avoid having the buyer feel like he got screwed when the box arrives with $9.60 postage on it. The other thing to consider here is that the buyer helped you realize a higher price for each additional item since by bidding to win those extra cards he drove up your final bid price, too.

Buccaneer · September 30, 2007 11:49AM

There is absolutely no way any seller should charge more than $9.60 (rounded up to $10 or so) for shipping 24 cards. You can get a 11x8.5x5.5 flat rate box for FREE at the PO. Pack those cards in a smaller priority mail that you can get for FREE at the PO, plus some packing peanuts or wrap and it would be shipped securely. I do not and will not buy from anyone that charges more than $10 to ship the amount of cards that can be shipped in such a box.

rube26105 · September 30, 2007 12:17PM

if slabbed you can get em in flat rate box for what 9.60-if raw 5.00 pri mial is what i do, 27.00 shipping, no way lol-sept 29th
randy

correct steve,i d never charge any more than that, you can get a ton of cards in a flat rate box, slabbed or raw

Bthiet · September 30, 2007 12:41PM

only way to charge more than $10 is if you are also insuring the cards and sending them registered mail. Then those could add on an additional $10 or so depending on the value of the cards.

Ahmanfan · September 30, 2007 1:05PM

Very wrong. I charge a flat rate of $3 no matter how many cards are bought/won and it works out well. I dont want to be gouged on shipping when I buy on ebay, so I don't do it to other people.

jmbkb4 · September 30, 2007 1:31PM

OP,

it is absolutely not wrong of you do charge your stated shipping fees. It is, however, baaaad for business.

nam812 · September 30, 2007 1:31PM

Hey, who said that? Me. No, you. You? No, me. Im Brett Favre. No, Im Brett Favre.

jmbkb4 · September 30, 2007 1:32PM

P.S. I've started offering free shipping if X number of cards are purchased, which has really worked out well.

jamesgotpoorman · September 30, 2007 1:36PM

There's another item that you must consider. Handling: if you do not print out your stamps or have a post office on your way. Then you should include that "cost" to your fee. Also the listing fee (although small), .20+ and then your paypal fee can add up if you have a lot of items for sale.

I agree that giving accurate shipping costs will increase sales, do not sell yourself short in your costs.

Just my 2cents

jmbkb4 · September 30, 2007 1:38PM

<< Hey, who said that? Me. No, you. You? No, me. Im Brett Favre. No, Im Brett Favre. >>

ColleSystem · September 30, 2007 1:44PM

The answer is simple, just pretend that you are the buyer.

rube26105 · September 30, 2007 1:51PM

<<<Very wrong. I charge a flat rate of $3 no matter how many cards are bought/won and it works out well. I dont want to be gouged on shipping when I buy on ebay, so I don't do it to other people.>>>>

me too i charge 2.50 4x8 bubble mailer,but if u buy a ton ,its coming pri box mail, most id charge anybody is 9.60-flat rate pri works great for me and all the military stuff 70 pounds for 9.60,not a bad deal-my mailman hates me lol
i hate getting charged 1.00 per card or whatever kind of scasm they got going, people that dont combine shipping,if they want paid by me they do
randy

packCollector · September 30, 2007 2:01PM

shipping should always be capped since your cost will actually be capped. if you make few $$ on the shipping no problem, but if you try to gouge , it is going to upset buyers even if did not state it.

I bought from a guy who said he siscounted and I bought 25of the 30 cards he lsited , he sends me an invoice with $27 shipping (coincidence it is the same as yours), I ask if I can pick them up since he is in the next town over , he says sure but I need to pay him in cash and pay him $5 to let me drive to his house and pick them up. my response was that I paid him paypal and will NEVER consider bidding with him again. It cost him more in the fees and shipping than if he jsut met me than he made on the shipping,

BTW , cards arrived in a box with $5.40 postage on it.

Moral of the story , you may make a little more now but it will cost you in the long run.

baseballjeff · September 30, 2007 2:50PM

Wow, I never knew I'd have so many people come an and help the new seller out here!

Thanks everyone. I ended charging him 15 for shipping. He e-mailed me back and sent a really nice thank you to me, so I'll sleep better tonight! And the cards I am selling are not raw cards, they are all graded by PSA.

Thanks everyone!

Jeff

rube26105 · September 30, 2007 3:40PM

$5 to let me drive to his house and

pack-thats funny - wanted to charge you 5.00 to come to his house,ive never heard that one before!!!!!!just when ya think ya heard it all

TNTonPMS · September 30, 2007 6:26PM

me too i charge 2.50 4x8 bubble mailer,but if u buy a ton ,its coming pri box mail, most id charge anybody is 9.60-flat rate pri works great for me and all the military stuff 70 pounds for 9.60,not a bad deal-my mailman hates me lol
i hate getting charged 1.00 per card or whatever kind of scasm they got going, people that dont combine shipping,if they want paid by me they do
randy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOL, yupp your mailman got to dread comming to your house , some of the boxes you sent Anthony were really heavy !

Mailman got to be like " WTF does this guy got for me today "

" I think this guy is tryin to break my back "

jimq112 · September 30, 2007 10:07PM

$15 sounds fair, sounds like your buyer is happy. You end up with good feedback, probably a repeat buyer, and if he's on a message board somewhere you just might end up with a "great seller on ebay" thread instead of a "bad seller on ebay" thread.

mbothner · September 30, 2007 10:28PM

I just paid $9.99 shipping to a seller for one wax pack. Insurance is still extra. It was in the description so I can't complain but I still think it is wrong.

item # 140160269960

drewsef · September 30, 2007 10:33PM

how about an update after you get back from the post office saying how much it actually cost to mail and what service, etc.... you used

Is it wrong of me to do this?

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