Insane Shipping on Tokens

[cmk8895]

$50 shipping! For tokens!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...188969429&rd=1

I mean really. Are we not aware of the nice $8.15 flat rate USPS box? It conveniently holds exactly 4000 tokens, just like the auction is selling.

cmk

[vgc]

As cheap as stuff is selling on eBay currently it is becoming common practice to make a portion of the profit off shipping. Mike : )

[doodude]

That does seem to be happening alot on many items.
A like item ive watched for a few months & normally ships for under $15 but starts bidding at $10 just went for a shipping of $25 with a start bidding at $0.99.
It went for the avg price it has gone for over the last few months.
The only difference I saw were less bids probably due to the high shipping. Same money but it turned people off to see that high ship fee...

[cmk8895]

*sigh*

You know, I've been on eBay since it's early days. You know, before you even had to register to bid on things. Does anybody remember that? It REALLY bothers me when people try to make money on shipping. I used to even freak at "handling" charges, though I can see it with pachi boxes since one isn't likely to have one lying out in the garage. But still, making money on shipping is just not right. I even have a tyrade about it in my "About Me" profile on eBay.

My policy as a seller: I consider the above policy binding to myself as well. I use the online calculators to estimate shipping costs. If, however, there is a misestimate for whatever reason, I will try to fix the problem. When I drop off the package for delivery if there is more than $1 extra, I will enclose the extra shipping that you paid with the package or under separate post. If the shipping turns out to be more than I expected, I will absorb that cost.

I have gotten shocked people when I return some of the overpaid shipping fees. Some even try to give it back.

My policy as a buyer: When you quote me a shipping charge you MUST give me package information if requested (excluding fixed shipping stated in the original auction). If you do not wish to provide this information then I can only assume that you as a seller are trying to hide actual costs and charge more. This type of activity will lead to negative feedback from me and no further transactions with myself or anyone that asks information about you as a seller. It may also render the transaction void. I will not help someone make money on shipping. I also confirm shipping costs on the package once it it received.


If you have an item that isn't going to sell for much it's because it's not worth it. Don't try to MAKE it worth more by inflated shipping charges.

Ok. Off the soapbox....

cmk

[vgc]

But more profit for the seller. eBay only gets a percent of what the item sells for and not the shipping. People are getting wise. Mike : )

[monaghj]

I bought a gross of clay casino chips that were shink wrapped. They didn;t come with any containers. I saw a guy selling alloy cases, and another selling clear acrylic chip holders. In both cases (no pun intended) the items were being given away at <$1 but shipping was $25.00 and $18.00. Gotta read those adds.... my favoriate was contact me after the auction for shipping rates.....

[slotter]

Some vendors, especially those living in high population states like CA list very low prices but make up the difference with shipping. That way, they don't have to charge high sales tax and can compete with out of state sellers. I bought a Palm cable the other day for $.99 BIN and the shipping was $10. Well, the whole reason he priced it that way was to save people living in the state sales tax. He only had to charge tax on the $.99 to in-state people and the $10.99 total price shipped was a great deal.

[weirdo]

As cheap as stuff is selling on eBay currently it is becoming common practice to make a portion of the profit off shipping. Mike : )

I had bought tokens from him. 4000 tokens, he said $90 to ship to Hawaii.
Then i find a flat rate priority box sitting at my door...

[cmk8895]

That would DEEPLY p*ss me off to be so obviously overcharged on shipping.

I understand the sales tax notion mentioned above, but this dude is getting 'regular' price for the tokens and nasty shipping on top of that.

I just feel sorry for whoever wins that auction.

cmk

[vgc]

If anyone needs tokens let me know. I have those flat rate boxes on the way and will charge exactly that. Token Prices here :

http://www.videogameconnection.com/pachislo.htm

Mike : )

[Si7]

The excess shipping usually sorts itself out in an evolutionary manner, on the surface for a new seller it appears as a trick the established sellers have missed... "hey, I can undercut him and make it up on the postage !" *lightbulb appears above head*

Reality - Joe Public hates the practice, Ebay is a fine balance of trust in the seller, ultra fine. Wanting £2.99 to ship a £0.30 weighted item is noticed Little secret - subsidise the shipping and put your base price up ...... Yes, Ebay get a fraction more but you'll sell 3 x the item qty's when finally the buyer finds a seller not ripping the hide out of them on the shipping.

[jwegger]

I think the biggest reason sellers inflate shipping fees is to avoid ebay fees, they really don't care about the instate customers and collecting tax as much as they do avoiding the ebay fees. take the $10.99 example above, for the 99 cent item the final value fee is 5 cents, at $10.99 the FVF is 55 cents multiply that over 100 items or 1000 items and the fee avoided get up there very quickly. Do it with a $20, $30 or $100 item and you can save some serious cash - at least until ebay figures out what you are doing.

[luckydog]

I always try to give my ebay customers the best shipping price possible.

I might make a little sometimes, but i also lose on shipping sometimes when west coast bidders win.

It usually evens out.

[MrGneiss]

My policy as a seller: I consider the above policy binding to myself as well. I use the online calculators to estimate shipping costs. If, however, there is a misestimate for whatever reason, I will try to fix the problem. When I drop off the package for delivery if there is more than $1 extra, I will enclose the extra shipping that you paid with the package or under separate post. If the shipping turns out to be more than I expected, I will absorb that cost.

When we used te sell stuff from our store on ebay we always gave refunds when people payed to much for shipping.

This reminded me of the people that whould send money orders and round up, even a few bucks. Why would someone do this? If it was just once or for $.02 ok but 100 different people and for two or three bucks.

Mabey they were in so much of a hurry to pay for thier new R/C car tires they couldn't wait for thier change.:confused:


Sorry, this had nothing to do with token shipping.

[cmk8895]

I see the logical connection, though, MrG

cmk

[crosschk]

I got tokens from him as well. The box package was 2 priority mail boxes taped together, but they did come ups

[cmk8895]

I'm suprised that UPS would take USPS boxes. It's supposed to be some sort of nasty federal offense to use USPS marked stuff for anything other than USPS mail. Or so the inlaws who work at the post office tell me. I'm too much of a wuss to try it.

cmk

[crosschk]

I was just as surprised to see it. I didnt think it was allowed either