EBay and over-priced shipping charges RANT

Homerr · Nov 28, 2003

I know I've griped about this before, but I couldn't find the original post. (sorry mods) How can some of the EBay sellers get away with such over-priced shipping on some items? I was just looking at a small amplifier for my wireless internet system. The unit weighs MAYBE 1 pound boxed, yet you see several sellers asking anywhere from $8 to $15 shipping! Outrageous!

Same thing for some DVD cases I was looking at. They have a real small opening and winning bid (generally around $5 to $7) but the shipping is $20+ I shipped an entire 36" chainsaw across the country for that! I'm really sick of the over-priced shipping, and I wish there was a way to regulate it. ALL of us use the same shipping methods (FEdEx, USPS, UPS etc...) Why should I be charged more? A most recent example was a pair of pants I bought off EBay for my daughter. The auction stated the shipping was between $5 - $6.50. Ok Fine. It ended up being $6.25 Well, guess what... It got to my door and it had $3.95 on the box! I wasn't happy.

And the seller couldn't call it "handling", cause the box was a USPS Priority box you get for FREE! Lately, if the seller is obviously making profit off the shipping, I won't bid. Even if I pay a slightly higher price elsewhere. Just watch yourselves folks, and ask about the shipping before you bid if the auction doesn't state it up front. Kinda like the rebate garbage we've all been nailed with. I'm sick of them. I feel it's kinda like false advertisement. They list a real low price only to read in fine print that there is a rebate you won't see for 6 months if you're lucky. If you are going to be giving my money back, then DO IT NOW! Not later! H.

11 footer · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

I had that prolbem on ebay once. The guy didn't say in the auction how much shipping on the little plastic sign was going to be, they he wanted 15bucks to ship it. I emailed him and asked for "the real number" and he gave me a bunch of bull about his expences. I just never send him the money and was ready to take a bad feedback from him, but he never left it.......which was a smart move on his part

one more cast · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

I know what you mean, I just paid $6 shipping for a marble. The actual postage was $1.18. when I buy I always ask what the cost will before I bid and when I sell I charge actual postage. I sent a small outboard and it only cost the buyer $16 postage and I had to build a crate. Some people are just too greedy.

SeaMasterZ@aol.com · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

welllllllllll cmon gang, lets be real here, things on ebay usually sell pretty cheap, so the seller isnt making a mint off the deal I know that I want to be reimbursed for my time and gas (well, gas isnt that bad NOW, but still, a gallon of gas is a gallon of gas) I have a bunch of parts I am going to put on ebay, and I for SURE am not gonna underprice the shipping on them - I wont charge five bucks to ship a rear tailight lens, but I think three bucks is gonna be needed to ship a box big enough to hold enough protective packaging to keep it safe and the van lights ... hmmmmm, dont want them getting busted up in transit, I consider it cheap insurance to actually provide sufficient packaging to keep the items safe while in transit

wikelam · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

A bidder should look at the shipping, if they do not want to pay it, then they should not bid. I have sold things on ebay before and i could have charged more and still feel that i was not ripping the buyer off. I sold one item that weighed 12 pounds. the postage was 13.35, could have been lower, but most buyers want it ASAP. I could have easiliy charged $20. takes about 30 minutes to pack, seal, deliver to post office(plus 30-45 minutes of waiting in line at post office) at the pay rate i make this is about $20. if i want to charge more i feel i can, if the buyer doesnot like it they should not bid. I usually charge the postage though. but if i ever want to charge more, i feel that i am in the right. I have bought things that i paid 3 bucks for and paid 4 bucks for shipping. $7 total, if i would have bought that here it would have cost me alot more, would have had to drive 65 miles to tulsa to get it. $17.00 for the actual purchase $6.00+ for gas $32.00 for my time (2 hours @ $16) plus wear and tear on my truck I think the higher shipping is fine. but if you do not think so, then do not bid. there is usually more than one item.

roscoe · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

ALL of us use the same shipping methods (FEdEx, USPS, UPS etc...) Why should I be charged more?

You aren't paying any more than the next guy. Why are you complaining? You can always inquire about shipping charges before you bid. The simple answer is, don't bid. If you are shipping, and not covering your expenses, then you are choosing to absorb those costs. But don't expect others to to take money out of their pocket to ship you something. I usually post a fixed shipping charge, which includes a "cushion" of $.50 - $2. But sometimes it costs more. Someone has to pay for the packaging, gas, and time for shipping. Sure priority boxes are free, but my post office only stocks 3 of the Priority packages. So I have to special order them, then go pick them up. Or get them at the big post office, which is over 50 miles away. I normally don't go anywhere near the post office, and UPS won't pick up when I am at home. So an extra trip to town to the post office or UPS shop, takes up my time and gas money. Ah, but its only a gallon of gas to the post office, and gas is free, right? What about the guy that ships a small package Priority mail, instead of First Class? First Class would save you over $2, and both will normally get to you in 3 days. Is he ripping you off too? Have you never received a package where the shipping was more than you paid? I certainly have. Yeah, a couple of your examples are overly high, but as for the pants, you knew what they were charging. And if they would have weighed 2 ounces more, it could have cost $2 more to ship them priority with delivery verification to your zip code. Also, many of the sellers on ebay are operating out of a retail store, so they are going to charge you for their employees time (20-30 cents per minute) to list, process, and ship the item. Maybe you should just buy everything in person, at a brick n mortar retail store.

Jwill · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

Any Seller that charges inflated shipping rates will not get my business. I made a living selling items on Ebay for a couple years and always charged exact shipping rates. Sure it took alot of my time to box the items but I just figured that was part of doing business on ebay. I figure the Buyers are doing me a favor opposed to me doing them a favor because there is no way I would have been able to make the kind of money selling the stuff locally. I wouldn't have been able to sell atleast 90 percent of the stuff if it hadn't been for Ebay. I didn't like paying the Ebay or Paypal fees either but that's the cost of doing business or do some of you think the Buyer should pay for those costs also?

Homerr · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

Well, I guess I have a different view on things like this. I figure if I am making the effort to advertise something, and get people to buy my product, then I should be willing to eat the costs of gas, advertising costs, and packaging (unless it's a special circumstance) As Jay said...It's the cost of doing business. Kind of like selling your car... Do you charge people to come take a look at it? Did you charge them a percentage of the ad you place in the paper? Do you charge bidders your listing and final value fees? I don't charge any extra for shipping. I was well aware of the shipping on the pants before I bid, and I do read the auctions and inquire shipping before I bid. I just wish some of the sellers would be a little more realistic in their shipping charges, and be HONEST about it. If they want to charge for gas, or packaging, or whatever..fine...Just say so. Maybe I'm just too nice?

Heck Rosco... EBay is my toy store. I buy all sorts of things on there. The prices of some things in my local town are typically nuts and not even worth my time to go look! Thanks for the replies! H.

Bob in Calif. · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

I have had exceptional luck with e-bay. I made my first pruchase in September of 2002, when I bought a 2001 Dodge Ram Van conversion from a dealer in Texas. It was a fluke purchase, as the dealer mis-listed the reserve price on it. I found out from a "new" salesman, prior to bidding, what the the reserve was. (A dummy, but a real nice guy) I won the bid on a Sunday evening and called the salesman on Monday to confirm that I had won the bid and confirmed the winning price. Everthing was right, so I flew to Texas on Tuesday afternoon, to pay for it and pick it up on Wednesday A.M. I arrived at the dealer's about 9:30 A.M. and left the dealer's around noon, in my new purchase. "Wait, there's more" The van is a Ram 2500, 1/2 ton, raised roof, with the 360 FI engine, 4 speed/overdrive auto. trans., four captains chairs, folding couch, VCR, Color TV, factory tow package, with a unused receiver hitch, roof rack, ladder, premium chrome wheels and bumpers, stereo with cd and cassete combo, premium custom paint and all kind of other neat stuff. The original sticker price on this undamaged, near mint van was over $38,000!!! Why did I buy this van in Texas? Because I held them to their selling price of $13,200.

The mistake on the selling price was discovered when the salesman presented the sales form to the manager for review after it was signed by both parties and my cashier's check was accepted and attached to the form. I guess Texas has a slimilar law to California's of: If a buyer signs the form and changes his mind 5 minutes later about the purchase, the buyer is STUCK with the vehicle. This sale was the reverse of that, so I guess it applies to dealers also. So after I got the keys, I just ran to the van and got the hell out of there real quick like.

Arriving home with it, a few days later, my family was elated with my purchase. The day after I returned home, I was offered $22,500 for the conversion, but I refused the offer. These deals just don't come along too often. I have made a number of other excellent purchase's of Freon 12 and outboard items on e-bay, but you really have to know what you are buying. I have NOT bid on a number of items I wanted, because of the seller's high shipping charges. But I have waited and located the same items later and bought them, when the price and shipping charge was right.

...Bob in Calif...

Homerr · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

I have been a little learly of large ticket items like cars, but I hear it's a great way to get a good deal. Sounds like you stole that van. Nice job! Too bad my boat wouldn't sell that easily! H.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

I have bought and sold on ebay and have found a lot of sellers shipping charges are from where they live to the farthest point from them. That way they will cover any and all places in between. Some of my stuff I will charge a flat rate, some is charged by where you live. You send me your zip code and I tell you what it cost. Some buyers like that and some don't. Don't like the hassle. And yes, I have seen a lot of over charge on shipping. Bottom line is, if you feel it is to much, move on and find it somewhere else, there are more of them out there I'm sure. I sell a lot of old stuff that there is not much of on ebay, or not like mine as per size shape, etc. Old pictures of Pinkie and Blue Boy is a good example. Oh well, to each his own, just read the fine print and if you don't like what it says, go to the next item.

roscoe · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

Homerr, I'm also not in favor or the real high ship fees, but 50 cents, or a couple bucks isn't that much. And the seller is providing a service. On some items, where the seller is doing special crating and making ltl shipping arrangements, I expect there to be a service charge. Afterall, if I don't want to pay, I can always drive over and pick it up. I have found the higher shipping prices are from two groups of sellers. One is the guy that is trying to make 10 extra bucks. And the other is a business that is trying to sell off dead inventory. I don't know if you have bought anything from big retailers on the net, but many of them base their shipping charges on the $ amount of the purchase. Buy a $200 coputer chip, shipping is $25. Buy a $200 shirt, the shipping is $25. Buy a $200 table saw, the shipping is $25. Buy a $9 package of underwear, the shipping is $9. Go try to figure that one out. It makes my head hurt. BOB in CA-- You should have taken the $22,500, then went out and bought a Chevy!!

CCrew · Nov 28, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

My last two eBay purchases have been a bit "iffy" related to shipping, so I can comiserate. I paid for shipping insurance on both, which in USPS world means they get a barcode label.. Well, no barcode. Someone pocketed that $!! -Roger

one more cast · Nov 29, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

My BIG problem is the seller that dosn't state the shipping cost then really socks it to you.If you are going to inflate the shipping cost then put that in the auction so the buyer can take that amount into consideration before bidding.I look at the total price including shipping before I make my last bid.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Nov 29, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

And OMC, that is why with some of my auctions I ask the bidder to email me their zip code so I can give them actual cost of shipping.

FLATHEAD · Nov 29, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

I sell lots of antique bike parts on Ebay. I state my shipping cost up front. NO IF'S ANDS OR BUTS If you bid on the item you have agreed to the shipping cost. Some of my items are heavy and some are big. I always try to make sure that the cost posted will cover me.( which it doesn't always do) I have had whiners contact me and complain that the cost stamped on the box was one or two bucks less than I quoted on items they paid upward of a thousand dollars for. I don't understand the cry babies that complain about it when they know darn well what the cost was before they bid. If it is to much for ya DON'T BID!!! If they decide they don't want to buy from me anymore,,, big deal the next guy will buy it and be happy he got a good deal.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Nov 29, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

There ya go FH. My point to the tee. I ask them to email me and if they don't it ain't my fault. On some stuff I am like you, I have my shipping set and if they don't like it, move on, there is always someone else looking.

one more cast · Nov 29, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

here is another problem I've had. almost every time I don't add insurance ,I don't get my item.(just in the last year or so)seems fishy to me.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Nov 29, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

Well that is strange. I have had one item that did not reach the customer, so he says, but FedEx says it was delivered to the front door, but the guy said it did not, so I refunded his money and FedEx refunded my shipping cost plus my claim amount. I think the guy got the item, but just wanted his money back, but who knows. I do leave the insurance up to the customer, although I do have at least $50 covered on it for my protection. I try to use FedEx for all my stuff now. They seem to be cheaper than USPS and UPS in about all instances.

one more cast · Nov 29, 2003

Re: EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

SBN I was tracking an item shipped by fed ex and it said "delivered" I looked on the porch,in the car,in the garage but no package. I called fed ex and they said they would ask the driver.The next day my package arrived. The driver put it on the neighbors porch and it was still there the next day. But don't get me wrong, all in all i've had good luck dealing on eBay both buying and selling.

EBay and over-priced shipping charges *RANT*

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EBay and over-priced shipping charges RANT