Getting Ripped in shipping?!

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by Mike

I don't understand you guys sometimes. Why would you want to ship something and actually LOSE money? What's the point? If the guy posted his shipping fees up front, then what's the big deal? If he's selling this stuff to make a profit, he probably wants to feed his family. The key here is... if it was posted in the auction before the bidding began. If it was something he threw in at the last minute, then that's another story. The shipping fee shouldn't change depending on the auction results.

-- Mike

You are missing the point Mike. The thread started with a complaint about the shipping fee NOT BEING stated and then it being quoted at an excessive rate for a puny, light weight item after the end of auction. Also, keep in mind that most of these items are used parts stripped out of a parts car or leftovers from a project. Generally there is very little cost basis in them, so most if not all of the sale price is profit to the seller. By that I mean these problems generally do not occur with sellers selling new items ( or "professional" high volumn used-parts sellers) as they know what the are doing, and how to run a business. I.E. Chloe at Midwest_Z, and the other people mentioned who run a REAL business, and want repeat customers. It is the amateurs (mostly) who do not know how to price their items properly and then experience remorse when it sells cheaper than they wished who screw people on onerous shipping charges.

Of course the shipping cost should not change based on the selling price, but it often seems that when an item draws few bids and someone gets a bargain on the auction, many amateur sellers will use inflated shipping prices to make up for the deal the smart bidder won fairly. We're talking about sellers who do not list the shipping cost, and in some cases will not repond to inquiries as to those costs. If the shipping cost is openly stated in the auction, or can be calculated with eBays FREE calculating tool and a person bids, then that is acceptable though it may be an excessive shipping cost, and there should be no whining about those costs after the auction ends. The bidder must be aware of the terms of the auction to bid intelligently. CAVEAT EMPTOR means Buyer Beware, but it does not give license for the seller to rape honest buyers.

[Zvoiture]

>>>>It is the amateurs (mostly) who do not know how to price their items properly and then experience remorse when it sells cheaper than they wished who screw people on onerous shipping charges. <<<<

Thanks, Carl...that was very nearly my point--I just never got around to actually saying it. I have never had ANYONE quible about my UPFRONT/PRESET shipping charges (and since this whole thread STARTED with the problem of NON-upfront shipping, perhaps it is irrelevant) and now have a really good idea of what something will cost to ship when I advertise it. It was a learning process, yes, and now my shipping prices are higher, but upfront.

steve77

[Bambikiller240]

Yep, good deal Steve. When the costs are stated it's up to the bidder to have his/her eyes open and brain in gear. No quibbles there.

My feeling is that eBay should require the shipping cost calculator to be used, or for fixed shipping quotes to be part of the auction set-up process.

I had one person inquire as to the basis for my shipping cost and I gave him the weight of the package and referred him to the USPS website for a quote, and he emailed back an acceptance of my stated shipping cost within 2 hours.

[seerex]

another I have used is to just list the weight of the item packed and the zip from where its being shipped from , they can get an approx $ for shipping , but its a problem easily fixed froma buyer stand point , bid only on items with a fixed , shown price for shipping , I don't care for the mystery price of shipping

[abas]

but its a problem easily fixed froma buyer stand point , bid only on items with a fixed , shown price for shipping , I don't care for the mystery price of shipping

I agree, unless the seller emails you after auction end and says that he got the shipping wrong, as has happened to me on a couple of occasions. I know you can say 'but this is a binding contract' and all but if you really want the part you will pay an extra $2 if they want it. Strangely one guy in particular wouldn't actually ask me for extra shipping but kind of 'hinted' that the shipping had gone up and wouldn't give me any kind of promise as to delivery etc UNTIL I e-mailed him and said well would the extra $2 resolve the matter. Not surprisingly it did.

Fortunately that is the kind of game only a few people seem to play. The majority of sellers are great no problems at all. And keeping an eye on a seller's feedback does no harm either. I would never buy an expensive item from someone with little or no feed back. I might risk it on a cheap item that I really want.

I'll also second Bambikiller's point about Midwestz. Chloe's 'bombproof' packaging is becoming legendary, and I 'm sure defies physics with the amount of packing material they can get into a box of a certain size. :classic:

[Zvoiture]

>>>>Chloe's 'bombproof' packaging is becoming legendary, and I 'm sure defies physics with the amount of packing material they can get<<<<

I agree. She's GOTTA be losing money on shipping! (side note: the packaging has the distinct aroma of cigarette smoke!)

I always use UPS and they also have a cost calculator on their site. I send anyone there with their zip and weight.

steve77

[Go240Zags]

IMHO several e-bay sellers I have dealt with have added to their shipping costs to make up for not getting the price they had in mind. I no longer bid unless shipping is listed or the seller is willing to e-mail me with a shipping cost to my zip. My last bad experience was buying a part for $7.50 and gladly paying the $15.00 shipping cost (long package) and then being charged $2.00 insurance when UPS automatically insures up to the first $100. I complained, but was ignored, even though the auction said insurance was optional. In the end I just gritted my teeth and sent the purchase price, shipping and insurance as it was still an incredible deal (those Honda front strut braces that fit early Zs w/ modification). But seller may not get a positive feedback, maybe a neutral, but most likely none at all.

I sell lots of Z parts and other items on e-bay and have never charged for packaging (or handling), just shipping. I buy so much off e-bay I have a large collection of packaging materials, boxes, etc. And I also use priority mail a lot and send with the free USPS boxes and labels. I feel packaging is just part of doing business and where else can you reach millions of customers around the world from your own home in rural America? E-bay has been a great place to shop and sell, especialy when you're stuck out in the sticks.

I suppose if I sold something really big like an engine block some special handling fee might be involved, but only if I was assessed that charge first by the shipper.

Gary

[gramercyjam]

Many ebay sellers businesses make their profit on shipping alone. I will ask many of them to combine shipping if I am buying several small things from them (like R/C car parts). Many will just say no. Ask them why and they will tell you they don't make any money on the item itself, shipping is how they make their money.

[Black Beaut]

You guys should try getting shipping quotes to the UK, then you'll know what it's like to have to bend over and think of England!! Still works out cheaper than buying Z stuff in the UK though

BTW if any of you guys that sell on Ebay have your own ebay stores and are happy to ship to the UK can you let me know your store URLs. Always useful to know more places to get rare parts from.

Cheers,

Rob