Question about shipping

[Damion]

Hey everyone I'm selling a bunch of games on ebay and I want to consider different shipping options besides priority because I've noticed between ebay, paypal, gas and time fees I'm losing (in some situations) a little over one third from my sales in fees.

Is there a better cheaper method thats as fast as priority. Don't get me wrong buyer comes first it just seems a waste to ship something priority if shipping cheaper would get there just as fast.

I'm on the east cost here in Indiana.

[RugalSizzler]

I keep hearing about UPS but the only reason I do not use them is there outlets are small and close for vaction from time to time. Like a one man operation.

UPS ground shipping can be pricey but I got my JVC Saturn with 25 games, and a Saturn arcade stick for only $25 in less then a weekend even though it said a week and it came from cross country not around the corner.

Then there is Fed Ex also. They are know to brake things as with the lady and her $1000 valued flat screen. Even so they brake things alot.

Again if your shipping is high like my shipping. It would be wise not to use automated print out services since they like the so called absolute wow they used ebay the correct way.

Like me again I try to at least balance the shipping with the selling price just to be fair. You can offer that you take pesonal checks but you have to E-mail me first and only walk away with the ebay fee.

Then why ship priority when Priority is just two days faster. Just ship First Class Mail and put 50 cent delivery comformation on it.

Offer insurance also. Say that " I am not responsible for the item when it is shipped" . The buyer will be like WTF but they will still buy if they really want it.

You can also try walking to the post office or make it a task for your kid who is on your insuranceLOL . If they mess up just take it out of there allowance or birthday money for the next four years.

Lastly you could do the whole fee for this and fee for that and ship extra cheap telling your buyer it is my way or the highway but your item would need to be really high stakes.

Then you could say the item is for pick up and you let them in your house or outside. Personal I let them in if I could. Instead of doing that lets meet up at at MC Donalds and I have a bright red ballon in my hand with a load of PS3'sROFL

[ryborg]

Is there a better cheaper method thats as fast as priority.

Better AND cheaper? Come on now. If you're selling individual games, First Class Mail will be around $2 and is typically 1-3 days slower than Priority. If the shipping location is close enough, sometimes there is no time difference. I use First Class Mail for all individual game sales (and similarly sized items), and I've never had a complaint. I do offer Priority for extra, but very rarely do buyers take me up on that offer.

For small items, your best bet is still USPS. FedEx is garbage. I don't recommend them for anything. UPS is good for larger packages (20+ lbs), but very expensive for smaller ones.

Most ebay buyers are okay with a small handling fee, but be reasonable. Don't do what Rugal does, by charging everyone $25 shipping for every item.

[Kitsune Sniper]

The folks at my local post office told me the order packages leave their offices:

Express Mail
Priority Mail
First Class Mail
Parcel Post
Media Mail / Book Rate

First Class Mail is often a better alternative to Priority. It takes about 3 days on average for a letter to get to its destination, sometimes even less. Oh and ryborg, first class can go up to... $3, I believe. Anything over 13 ounces gets bumped up to Priority.

[Griking]

Regular parcel post or first class mail can be just as fast as Priority Mail depending on how close you are to the person that you're shipping to. But I would avoid charging a person for Priority and shipping Parcel, you can get a negative that way.


I keep hearing about UPS but the only reason I do not use them is there outlets are small and close for vaction from time to time. Like a one man operation.

UPS ground shipping can be pricey but I got my JVC Saturn with 25 games, and a Saturn arcade stick for only $25 in less then a weekend even though it said a week and it came from cross country not around the corner.


Not all UPS stores are small mom & pop stores. For instance every Staples has a UPS Ship Center in them. UPS also has their own brand name ship centers.

In my experience UPS is the better option for heavier items and the USPS is the better deal for lighter packages. Another thing to consider is that every package you ship with UPS comes with tracking, an options that you have to pay extra for with the USPS.


Offer insurance also. Say that " I am not responsible for the item when it is shipped" . The buyer will be like WTF but they will still buy if they really want it.

I hate to break this to you but of your buyer pays via PayPal they get a certain amount of protection regardless if they purchase optional insurance or not. It may not be fair but it's just the way it is.

[ryborg]

Oh and ryborg, first class can go up to... $3, I believe. Anything over 13 ounces gets bumped up to Priority.

Well, yeah, but for something light like a single game, it'll always be First Class, unless it's some heavy PC game. If it's over 12 oz., it doesn't necessarily have to go Priority. Parcel Post is cheaper. The clerks are told to ask if you want Priority, but Parcel Post works just as well.

[scorch56]

Better AND cheaper? Come on now. If you're selling individual games, First Class Mail will be around $2 and is typically 1-3 days slower than Priority. If the shipping location is close enough, sometimes there is no time difference. I use First Class Mail for all individual game sales (and similarly sized items), and I've never had a complaint. I do offer Priority for extra, but very rarely do buyers take me up on that offer.

For small items, your best bet is still USPS. FedEx is garbage. I don't recommend them for anything. UPS is good for larger packages (20+ lbs), but very expensive for smaller ones.

Most ebay buyers are okay with a small handling fee, but be reasonable. Don't do what Rugal does, by charging everyone $25 shipping for every item.

I agree with everything ryborg says. I use 1st class for single cart & case games and it averages around $2. About 6 months ago I started simply wrapping my Genesis cases, SNES & NES boxes in heavy brown wrapping paper (no outer box). I explain this in my auctions.. though I DON'T tell them I'm going to use 1st class (I pick "flat rate"). You can charge them a couple of dollars more for S&H fees (I usually charge $5 total). If they want their game "boxed".. they can then upgrade to priority, and get a priority box. I've been sending games like this for months now and not one single customer has complained of damage.. or postage. Hasn't hurt my business in the least. I box Sega CD & Saturn games but keep the packing lite and it usually averages about $3. PSX, Dreamcast (small jc) and such.. games get a bubble mailer (which I recycle) and average even less than the carts.. but I believe a envelope has to be thicker than a certain amount to be able to use delivery confirmation on 1st class. Once again I offer "boxed priority" for CD games as well. So.. on the average I charge a flat $5 for shipping of single games now and no one seems to complain. I charge $8 for priority but hardly anyone elects for it. Insurance optional.. state HOW you will package.. and that your NOT responsible for damage in shipment if NOT insured.. and no one has recourse against you. Also.. padding the shipping charge to $5 also allows you extra "room" should you decide to ship another second game.. you can almost do it for nothing more. Game collectors are cheap-asses.. it makes them happy. For about halfway the countrie's breadth.. 1st class is just as fast as priority.. going acrossed country is only a day or two more.. priority isn't half as fast as it used to be when it came out. Anybody remember when priority FIRST came out? How the PO said "2 to 3 days.. guaranteed"? They stopped saying that about five years ago. ;)

During one round of selling a couple of months ago.. I tried the "price low.. overcharge on shipping" method. In fact.. I'd take a BIN price I wanted for my games.. make it 60% of my total.. and charge 40% in S&H. It also didn't hurt my sales AT ALL. A few people e-mailed me about exhorbanent shipping.. but I simply informed them on the sly (NOT through evilBay) that it resulted in me not having to pay as much in seller fees and asked for their understanding. I also would politely tell them that if they didn't like my "method".. they could go elsewhere; besides.. even when they totaled up the BIN price AND S&H.. 95% were still satisfied because they were STILL getting a good deal as a total (I've been getting about 70% of what I paid for my games in the last year.. a TERRIBLE return rate). I also ask them to factor in the S&H into their bid, right in my auctions.. so they can't complain if they see a cheaper postmark than what they paid.. CYA.

FedEx is a total shit company.. I've had countless fuckups with them in the past on BOTH the recieving and sending end. I'll NEVEr use them again. For heavier packages.. go UPS.. they then become cheaper than the postal service.

Light, small packages to Canada.. USPS
Light, small packages to Canada that the recipient wants insured.. UPS
Heavier, big packages anywhere.. UPS

That's my rule.

Take a look at my auctions running right now on eat-me-bay under "scorch56 (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZscorch56)", and look at my section called "Shipping".. I explain it all there and cover my ass.. and my feedback is still high. Basically.. some eB'ers are idiots.. you HAVE to explain everything to them in writing, and plain English.. given the opportunity to bitch & moan.. they will.. take it away.. and they really can't.

Of course.. with the new eB "5-point rating" system.. this may ALL go out the window. An idiot thought that one up; but I'm counting on the hope that most people are still gonna' be too lazy to utilize that.. I know I WILL be.. purposely.

[Damion]

Thanks for all the advice guys I think the next time I do this I'll need to get some media envolopes and charge slightly less for shipping and maybe consider other options then ebay.

[veronica_marsfan]

Hey everyone I'm selling a bunch of games on ebay and I want to consider different shipping options besides priority because I've noticed between ebay, paypal, gas and time fees I'm losing (in some situations) a little over one third from my sales in fees.


I recommend these values. You can adjust them later to fit your needs & make sure your Ebay/Credit Card transaction fees are covered even if the game only sells for 1 penny ($0.01):

$4.00 - media*
$6.00 - priority
$20.00 - global express (foreign sales w/ tracking)

*
When a buyer selects media mail, I sometimes ship 1st class instead, depending on what's cheapest (media or 1st). Some lightweight games are 25 cents cheaper than media mail.

[Hardcore]

That's right. Ramp up your shipping fees to cover your Ebay fees. Good advice there. :(

Good thing I only look for free shipping auctions now. I'm tired of asshats like veronica and rugal screwing people.

[veronica_marsfan]

I only look for free shipping... I'm tired of asshats like veronica screwing people. FREE shipping?!?!?

Well that's okay. I'm tired of "asshats" who want to buy their games for $0.01 and not pay for the reasonable costs of the postage, packaging, or credit card transaction fees. (They demand free shipping.)

These "asshats" don't care if the seller loses 3 to 4 dollars on the $0.01 transaction, because they are self-centered greed-mongers who want something for nothing. Not team players. Well guess what? Ebay's not a place to find free christmas presents & I'm not Santa Claus. The customer WILL pay for the ~$1 envelope, the ~$1 in credit card fees, and the ~$2 in postage costs.

Hence $4.00 S&H.

And no that's not unreasonable. Amazon.com charges $4.50 to ship Mario Sunshine & other low-priced games. That's the cost of moving a package a thousand-plus miles, and it's the CUSTOMER that pays it, not the seller. If amazon can charge $4.50, then I can certainly charge a similar amount.

Stop being so greedy.
Stop demanding the seller pay
for the games you want.

YOU should pay for the cost for YOUR games, not somebody else. If you want them, YOU pay to get them to your door, not the seller.

[Hardcore]

I usually BIN my games, so the prices are usually well set.

BF2: Modern Combat for the 360? $30. Free shipping.

People like you, and rugal, want to use shipping to cover your Ebay fees. If you can't sell something for your "profit margin," then you'd better stop selling.

[veronica_marsfan]

BF2: Modern Combat for the 360? $30. Free shipping.Fine. And how much would you charge for a worthless copy of FEAR EFFECT 2? Current going-rate on Ebay is only $0.01. Would you offer a BIN of $0.01 plus free shipping for FE2?

I doubt it.

You'd probably do what everyone else does.... charge a Ship & Handling fee to cover the costs of a $0.01 transaction.

[Griking]

*shrug*

For the record, I don't see anything unreasonable with charging $4.50 to ship a game. It is called shipping AND handling. Christ, with gas prices being what they are it costs a few dollars just to drive to the post office nowadays. If UPS and the post office can raise their rates as the cost of fuel goes up it shouldn't be unreasonable for a seller to factor in that expense as well. Also, envelopes and packing materials aren't free unless you want to pay for priority mail.

Now I'm not saying that it's ok to abuse the handling part but I also don't think its fair to ask the seller to take a loss to sell a game either. $4.50 is reasonable to me, it's the people who charge $8.00+ to ship a single game that annoy me.

[veronica_marsfan]

delete

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I think that it is safe to say that most people are looking to get the best deal for themselves that they can. I can't fault anyone for that. When I am looking to buy something, I take the shipping cost into account when figuring out how much I am willing to pay. If there is a game that I am willing to pay $10 for, I don't care what part is for the game and what part for shipping. All I care about is what I am paying in total.

If you are selling your game and worried that it will only get $.01, then maybe you ought not to put it up on eBay. That is one of the risks associated with selling stuff at auction. There is no guarantee that you will get what you want for it. Why not make up a sale list and post it if the buy/sell forum here? If selling games on eBay is your way of making a living, maybe you need to get better games to sell.

Getting upset because you can't sell a 'worthless' copy of Fear Effect 2 for more than $.01 seems a little strange. You already said it was worthless. I am sure that I can find a lot of worthless stuff to sell if I can find someone willing to pay a large enough shipping charge.

JY

[veronica_marsfan]

Getting upset because you can't sell a 'worthless' copy of Fear Effect 2 for more than $.01 seems a little strange. Uh. You're missing the point. THIS is what I'm upset about:


I'm tired of asshats like veronica and rugal screwing people [with 4 dollar shipping/handling]. Totally uncalled for.

I'm not an asshat.

I'm not trying to screw anybody.
Offer insurance also. Say that "I am not responsible for the item when it is shipped" . Poor advice. If I file a paypal claim (or credit card dispute), you WILL lose. You're responsible to get the thing to the buyer's door in working order.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Veronica, the best way for you to not get complaints about the shipping costs is for you to detail exactly why shipping is so expensive. I think $4 for Media is a bit too much, you could likely ship the same item First Class for the same amount depending on how heavy it is. Media is about $2 for anything a pound or less.

$6 for Priority isn't that bad with the new rates - $4.60 + delivery confirmation, plus a bit to cover extra fees, sounds allright to me, and I'm a cheap bastard. But $4 for Media does sound a bit... odd.

[veronica_marsfan]

Veronica, the best way for you to not get complaints about the shipping costs is for you to detail exactly why shipping is so expensive.
(1) You're not allowed to break-apart the S&H fees into sub-categories like "envelope cost" and "postage cost" and so on. That would be a violation of ebay rules, and my auctions would get yanked.

(2)

Anyone with half a brain should know that a padded envelope costs around 75 cents to 1 dollar; that a credit card transaction incurs 1 to 2 dollars in Visa/Mastercard fees; and that postage costs around 2 dollars. (Hence totaling 4 dollars or more.)

Demanding "send it free" is a sign of a buyer not using the brain god gave them. If THEY want the worthless 1-penny or 99-cent game, then THEY should pay for the costs incurred moving the game from my home to their home.

Else I'll just throw it in the trash (which costs me nothing).

you could likely ship the same item First Class for the same amount depending on how heavy it is. I do. I ship almost everything by 1st class.

The only reason I list "media mail" is because, if someone buys something heavy like a dual-disc set of Lord of the Rings (for example), I have the option to use media. $3.00 1st vs. $2.13... the media is cheaper.

Listing "media" gives me the flexibility to choose media or 1st class, depending upon what works best for me.


And amazon.com charges $4.50 to ship videogame dvd. If they can do it, it should be okay for me to charge $4.00 for the same service.

[Kitsune Sniper]

(1) You're not allowed to break-apart the S&H fees into sub-categories like "envelope cost" and "postage cost" and so on. That would be a violation of ebay rules, and my auctions would get yanked.

(2)

Anyone with half a brain should know that a padded envelope costs around 75 cents to 1 dollar; that a credit card transaction incurs 1 to 2 dollars in Visa/Mastercard fees; and that postage costs around 2 dollars. (Hence totaling 4 dollars or more.)

Demanding "send it free" is a sign of a buyer not using the brain god gave them. If THEY want the game, then they should pay for the costs incurred.

Else I'll just throw it in the trash (which is free).
I do. I ship almost everything by 1st class.

The only reason I list "media mail" is because, if someone buys something heavy like a dual-disc set of Lord of the Rings (for example), I have the option to use media. $3.00 1st vs. $2.13... the media is cheaper.

Listing "media" gives me the flexibility to choose media or 1st class, depending upon what works best for me.


And amazon.com charges $4.50 to ship videogame dvd. If they can do it, it should be okay for me to charge $4.00 for the same service.

Chill, I know we're having a heated discussion in the Media thread, but there's no need to have outbursts here. I'm not asking about free shipping, that's just nuts unless the cost of shipping is already covered in the sale price. If I sell something with free shipping I list it with a price that'll cover the shipping and the listing fee.

Padded envelopes? Well, -depending- on where you buy them, you can get two or three for a dollar plus taxes. Or you could do what I do - buy a pack of small "Kraft" envelopes and a roll of bubble wrap, and pack 'em yourself.

You should also mention that depending on the item, you may ship 1st class instead. That is, if you don't do so already.

Also, jeez, two bucks in credit card fees per transaction? What a ripoff. I'm glad I have a debit card now.

[Griking]

Anyone with half a brain should know that a padded envelope costs around 75 cents to 1 dollar

Bubble Mailers are NOT $1 each (http://stores.ebay.com/ESUPPLYSTORE)

[veronica_marsfan]

I don't see any reason to tell buyers I might use 1st class instead of media mail. They don't need to know that. Let them be surprised when they see I gave them a free upgrade to a faster service.

Debit card fees are actually worse than credit fees. Typically 5 cents more per transaction which doesn't sound like much, but it adds up.
Bubble Mailers are NOT $1 each (http://stores.ebay.com/ESUPPLYSTORE) I didn't say they were $1 each.

Doesn't matter. I still have to pay $2.15 for postage and $1.50 or more for credit card fees. The handling fee covers those costs.

Let the buyer pay the fees if he/she wants the worthless 1-penny game.
Else, I'll just take the game and throw it in the trash (which costs me nothing).

[Kitsune Sniper]

I don't see any reason to tell buyers I might use 1st class instead of media mail. They don't need to know that. Let them be surprised when they see I gave them a free upgrade to a faster service.

Debit card fees are actually worse than credit fees. Typically 5 cents more per transaction which doesn't sound like much, but it adds up. I didn't say they were $1 each.

Doesn't matter. I still have to pay $2.15 for postage and $1.50 or more for credit card fees. The handling fee covers those costs.

Okay, you make a good point in regards to media / first class.

However, I've never, EVER heard about debit card fees. o_O Both my mother and myself used our bank card to do debit card payments, and we never got slapped with fees. And we've both got accounts in Bank of America, which is a really shitty bank which charges insane fees for everything. Man. I'll say it again, what a ripoff. I feel for ya.

[veronica_marsfan]

However, I've never, EVER heard about debit card fees. It's the MERCHANT that pays the credit and debit card fees, not you.

That's how these Banks make their money. That's why they keep pushing their customers to sign-up for debit cards again-and-again-and-again..... they want to collect Debit Fees off the merchants.

Me - I have no debit card.
All it takes is one thief a single hour in Walmart to subtract $4000 from your bank account. That happened to me once, but because it was a *credit* card my bank account was never touched & I lost nothing. Had it been a *debit* card my bank balance would have been $0.00.

[XianXi]

You guys need to learn to use all the tools you can to save money and pass the savings on to your customers. I only charge $5 for priority since I get the boxes for free, paypal shipping has free DC, mailman picks it up from my house.

$6 for Priority is fine but people who charge anything over $7 for priority and the item is UNDER 13oz is ridiculous. The most I've seen on eBay is $17 for priority for a ps1 game because I "Live in Hawaii", I always say "Look at my feedback" I've sold more than 1000 items on ebay I know the costs. Then it's always "Well there a handling charge, too". Please.

[veronica_marsfan]

You guys need to learn to use all the tools you can to save money and pass the savings on to your customers. I only charge $5 for priority since I get the boxes for free, paypal shipping has free DC, mailman picks it up from my house.

You forgot to include the ~$1.50 in credit card transaction fees. (Hey, if the buyer wants the item, then they should pay ALL the costs incurred.) That would increase your $5 charge to $6.50.

[XianXi]

You forgot to include the ~$1.50 in credit card transaction fees. (Hey, if the buyer wants the item, then they should pay ALL the costs incurred.) That would increase your $5 charge to $6.50.

That is a merchant cost not a customer cost. Like any business goes your costs are covered by your profit margin, NOT paid by the customer.

[veronica_marsfan]

(1) If you've ever worked in business, then you'd know the business pays NOTHING. Every dime; every penny comes from the customer. Labor costs, leasing fees, advertising fees..... all of it comes from the customer's wallet.

(2)
Saying my Visa/Mastercard fees should be in the pricetag? That's just an OPINION, not a fact. People can hold differing opinions.

(3) My opinion is that when I sell a worthless game like "Fear Effect 2" for only 1 penny (the current going-rate on ebay), there's NO profit margin. I'm spending around 6.50 in priority mail & transaction fees, but the buyer is only paying a single penny. ----- Therefore, I need to cover my Visa/Mastercard fees somehow. HANDLING is the logical place to do it.

If I charge $5.00 Priority S&H (as you suggested), and I'm spending around $6.50 in costs, then I'd be losing approximately $1.50 on every sale of a 1-penny game (like Fear Effect 2). <--- that would be dumb.


(4)
Some stores (especially gas stations) charge varying rates for Cash vs. Credit customers. You pay $3.10/gallon if you use a credit card, and only $3.00/gallon if you pay with cash. All perfectly legal. <---- What I am doing is no different.

(5) If you've ever worked in business, then you'd know the business pays NOTHING. Every dime; every penny comes from the customer. Labor costs, leasing fees, advertising fees..... all of it comes from the customer's wallet. (I repeated this one, because it's the most important reason in this whole list.)




I'm tired of asshats like veronica and rugal screwing people.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Isn't there a part of the bible that says you shouldn't call you neighbors "asshats" or accuse them of "screwing" people? Something about loving your neighbor. You are setting a poor example.

[Griking]

You forgot to include the ~$1.50 in credit card transaction fees. (Hey, if the buyer wants the item, then they should pay ALL the costs incurred.) That would increase your $5 charge to $6.50.

Are you aware that you're not actually allowed to pass your PayPal or credit/debit card fees onto your customers? If caught you risk the possibility of having your PayPal account suspended as well as your ability to accept credit card payments.

Yeah, I know that it's hard to prove and many people just sneakily include these fees in their shipping charges but it is an actual policy of PayPal and credit card companies.


PayPal users are not permitted to impose a surcharge or any other fee for accepting PayPal as payment. For more information, please see Section V of the Payments (Sending, Receiving, Withdrawing) Policy in PayPal's User Agreement.

[veronica_marsfan]

On Ebay. No such rule applies to business in general (see my example about $3.10 credit vs. $3.00 cash at some gas stations).

And:

Even on Ebay you can charge varying rates for Credit versus Non-Credit customers. For example: "Pay with a check or money order, and you get a 1 dollar discount" or something similar. So Credit customers end-up paying 1 dollar more, and that covers my Visa/Mastercard fees.

[Griking]

Gas stations get away with it by offering a discount for paying with cash, not for not paying with a credit card. the difference is that eBay will not alow a seller to advertise that he accepts cash payments. I had an auctions pulled a week or so ago because of that.

I'll tell you what, as an experiment try creating two auctions. In one say that you charge a dollar extra for people who pay with PayPal and in the other say that you'll give a dollar discount to those who pay with a money order and we'll see how long either of them last.

As for as not allowing surcharges on credit card payments it appears it's a state law and not a federal one. Here in Connecticut there's a ban against the practice. Link (http://www.gofso.com/Premium/LE/06_le_ic/fg/fg-merchants.html#MORE:B)

Edit: Actually, read the entire page that I linked. It explains many common merchant credit card abuses and how to avoid them

[veronica_marsfan]

Reread what I wrote: "Pay with a check or money order, and you get a 1 dollar discount" which is 100% allowable on ebay. Such a disclaimer does not violate any of the rules & would not get pulled.



Bottom Line:

I don't care. I'm not going to sell a 1-penny game like Fear Effect 2, spend approximately $6.50 in postage/Visa credit fees, and only charge $5.00 Priority S&H. <---- I would lose approximately $1.49 out of my own wallet.



That would be dumb.

Instead I would charge $0.01 for the auction + $6.50 for priority to make sure I don't lose anything. And my profit would be 1 single penny (the final pricetag of the auction). Do you think a single penny's profit is outrageous???

Nuts.

[XianXi]

(1) If you've ever worked in business, then you'd know the business pays NOTHING. Every dime; every penny comes from the customer. Labor costs, leasing fees, advertising fees..... all of it comes from the customer's wallet.

I am in a corporate position so I know of business practices. And the profit comes from the customers wallet. You can also increase your profit margin by cutting costs like NOT accepting credit card payments and NOT accepting paypal. The problem with that is you will lose a huge customer base that pays solely with Paypal only.



(3) My opinion is that when I sell a worthless game like "Fear Effect 2" for only 1 penny (the current going-rate on ebay), there's NO profit margin. I'm spending around 6.50 in priority mail & transaction fees, but the buyer is only paying a single penny. ----- Therefore, I need to cover my Visa/Mastercard fees somehow. HANDLING is the logical place to do it.

If I charge $5.00 Priority S&H (as you suggested), and I'm spending around $6.50 in costs, then I'd be losing approximately $1.50 on every sale of a 1-penny game (like Fear Effect 2). <--- that would be dumb.


You obviously know the market value of the game and that you will have no margin on it but you still sell it, now THAT is just dumb. Do your research as to what sells and what doesn't, you are starting to remind me of that kevin_PSX guy that used to post this same crap.



(4)
Some stores (especially gas stations) charge varying rates for Cash vs. Credit customers. You pay $3.10/gallon if you use a credit card, and only $3.00/gallon if you pay with cash. All perfectly legal. <---- What I am doing is no different.

That cost you are referring to is out in the open, your credit card charge is hidden in your shipping fees. The customer is aware of the gas station charge. Plus gas station barely turn a profit on gas alone as their margin is less than 4%. Their main source of income is from the items in the mini store they have. My uncle used to own a gas station and I worked there.



(5) If you've ever worked in business, then you'd know the business pays NOTHING. Every dime; every penny comes from the customer. Labor costs, leasing fees, advertising fees..... all of it comes from the customer's wallet. (I repeated this one, because it's the most important reason in this whole list.)

Such a contradicting post coming from someone who doesnt know how to run a business sucessfully. The business does pay in your case since you have a 0 proft margin because you choose to sell item with virtually NO market value. For games like these you are better off donating them to a charitable cause and using them as a tax write off.

And not all businesses are out of the red when they start. You usually do not even see a profit until year 2 and thats being modest if you have a very marketable product.

You really need to learn a lot of stuff so please refrain from trying to "educate" me in the business field.

[veronica_marsfan]

[EDIT] amazon.com charges $8.98 priority shipping, so if they can charge that amount, I don't see why I can't charge $6.00 or $6.50 for the same service. Fair is fair; if one business can do it, so too can another business.


You obviously know the market value of the game and that you will have no margin on it but you still sell it, now THAT is just dumb. Do your research as to what sells and what doesn't, Okay. And for 1-penny games that I have in possession (like Fear Effect 2)...
- what do you suggest I do with them?
- throw them in the trash?
- that's wasteful.

Someone out there would probably like to play that game. I see nothing wrong with selling it to them for a single penny, if they're willing to pay the associated handling costs.

Do you?

:frustrated:

[XianXi]

Okay. And for 1-penny games that I have in possession (like Fear Effect 2)...
- what do you suggest I do with them?
- throw them in the trash?
- that's wasteful.

Someone out there would probably like to play that game. I see nothing wrong with selling it to them for a single penny, if they're willing to pay the associated handling costs.

Do you?

:frustrated:

Man you really need to learn to read. I already answered your question before you asked it.



The business does pay in your case since you have a 0 proft margin because you choose to sell item with virtually NO market value. For games like these you are better off donating them to a charitable cause and using them as a tax write off.

[Griking]

Someone out there would probably like to play that game. I see nothing wrong with selling it to them for a single penny, if they're willing to pay the associated handling costs.

Do you?

:frustrated:


Just out of curiosity, would you allow someone who won a few of your "penny" auctions to pick up the games locally instead of having them shipped? I guess what I'm wondering is if you'd REALLY sell the games for a penny or if you'd insist on the shipping which is really where you're making your profit.

[veronica_marsfan]

Charitable write-offs only apply to itemized tax returns. I don't do itemized tax returns, because the standard deduction is a better bargain.

Therefore selling the games for a penny is actually the wiser course.
Man you really need to learn to read. I already answered your question before you asked it. YOU TOO. You skipped over the statement wherein I said amazon.com charges $9.00 for priority shipping, and that if they can do that, I can certainly charge $6.00 or $6.50.

Why did you ignore that statement?



Just out of curiosity, would you allow someone who won a few of your "penny" auctions to pick up the games locally instead of having them shipped? Sure, as long as they pay my handling fee ($1.00) for each item. If they pay cash, the fee would only be ($0.20) for each item. My main concern is that I cover my incurred expenses, and that I'm not losing money.

[Buyatari]

This conversation happens so much on these boards and every other game board we should sticky the damn thing and get it over with.

By law you are not allowed to charge the customer a fee for using a cc. This is why you can not charge for paypal fees. The day ebay put this into effect they ended a ton of auctions from sellers who charged buyers a paypal fee. I was one of them.

We all got a little email stating we could no longer do this BUT there were some options available to us as sellers. They stated that one option was to increase the price of the item and offer a discount for non-paypal payment. The other option which EBAY suggested (yes EBAY suggested) was to charge a shipping and handling fee to cover all expenses related to the sale.

Sellers are permitted to charge for shipping and handling and unless it gets to the point of fee avoidance (0.01 for rare sealed games + $300.00 shipping) its not only NOT AGAINST the rules but eBays suggest route for sellers who wish to recoup the expenses of paypal fees.





Are you aware that you're not actually allowed to pass your PayPal or credit/debit card fees onto your customers? If caught you risk the possibility of having your PayPal account suspended as well as your ability to accept credit card payments.

Yeah, I know that it's hard to prove and many people just sneakily include these fees in their shipping charges but it is an actual policy of PayPal and credit card companies.

[veronica_marsfan]

Well written post Buyatari.

But they won't hear a word you said.


amazon.com charges $9.00 for priority shipping, and that if they can do that, I can certainly charge $6.00 or $6.50.

[Kitsune Sniper]

By law you are not allowed to charge the customer a fee for using a cc.

... Uh, this is on eBay, right? Because lots of places have a fee for using your credit card. Taco Bell and some gas stations around here charge fees.

Maybe it's different depending on the state, I dunno.

[Buyatari]

... Uh, this is on eBay, right? Because lots of places have a fee for using your credit card. Taco Bell and some gas stations around here charge fees.

Maybe it's different depending on the state, I dunno.

I think its a state law in many states and either its a law in the state ebay in incorp so they must abide OR since ebay traffic covers all states they must abide by it OR ebay is just covering its ass because it is a state law in many states and they could face future problems so why risk it.

[veronica_marsfan]

HOWEVER, you can offer a discount for non-credit customers. So in effect I could say:

"$6.50 priority S&H"

"$1.50 discount for those paying with check, money order, or postal order". (Since these people do not incur Visa/mastercard transaction fees)

So you can't add a surcharge, but you can still charge different rates for Credit vs. non-credit customers. It's a loophole in the law, and therefore Ebay allows it.

[Griking]

HOWEVER, you can offer a discount for non-credit customers. So in effect I could say:

"$6.50 priority S&H"

"$1.50 discount for those paying with check, money order, or postal order". (Since these people do not incur Visa/mastercard transaction fees)

So you can't add a surcharge, but you can still charge different rates for Credit vs. non-credit customers. It's a loophole in the law, and therefore Ebay allows it.

In theory it SOUNDS like it makes sense but I still think that it would get pulled in eBay noticed it.

Give it a try and we'll see if it makes it through the week

[Buyatari]

What are you talking about? Its one of the options EBAY tells sellers to go with.


In theory it SOUNDS like it makes sense but I still think that it would get pulled in eBay noticed it.

Give it a try and we'll see if it makes it through the week

[Griking]

What are you talking about? Its one of the options EBAY tells sellers to go with.

I hope you're right.

Put that option in your auctions as well.

[veronica_marsfan]

There's no need to "believe" or "hope". Just look it up:


Sellers may offer a discount to the buyer for preferred forms of payment,

[veronica_marsfan]

Why do I list things for a single penny?

To pass worthless games (like Fear Effect) onto somebody else, so that they can play it. I figure it's better these games go to someone else, rather than into the trashcan. I only make 1 penny profit, but that's okay..... my real money comes from my fulltime job, not ebay.

[Griking]

I suggest you stop buying copies of Fear Effect 2 (and other worthless games) at garage sales. It sounds like it isn't wirth the hassle and effort. Once you get rid of all of your worthless games you can go back to selling and shipping games at normal prices and not have to do the panny thing any more.

[veronica_marsfan]

I suggest you stop buying copies of Fear Effect 2 (and other worthless games) at garage sales. It's difficult to PLAY fear effect (and tomb raider 1 and pacman world 1 and so on) if I never buy it. I bought. I played it. I sold it on ebay for a penny.

All of these 1-penny auctions come from my own personal collection.
I'm not buying them to run a business or get-rich.

[veronica_marsfan]

People like you, and rugal, want to use shipping to cover your Ebay fees. ..... Charge your profit to the game's price, or do not sell.. AGAIN, you viewpoint is merely opinion, not fact:
- Where should a seller's costs be applied? Pricetag or Handling?
- You say price.
- I say handling.

Neither of us wrong in our opinion. We merely differ in our viewpoints. The problem here is that you want to try to CONTROL me and tell me what to do, and I don't like being controlled.

I prefer freedom of choice.



Here's how I arrived at the cost for shipping (note that I charge less than my actual cost for handling your item). These are the actual costs that a buyer incurs every time he buys an item. I can't change them; they are controlled by outside forces.

Media Mail or First Class == $1.45 Handling (credit card fees) + $3.55 shipping (2.20post +0.50box +0.25gas +0.60dc)
== $5.00 (charge4.50 S&H)

Priority Mail == $1.45 Handling + $5.45 shipping (4.60post +0.25gas +0.60dc)
== $6.90 (charge6.50 S&H)