Ripped Of On Shipping Today + More!

As I said in an earlier post, when I have questioned sellers about this practice, some have just said I don't work for free and trips to the P.O. cost money! I have actually saved most of these e-mails because I don't like the blatant rip-offs like the ill packaged 37 cent envelope that cost $3.00 to $5.00! At some point I want to put together a complaint to ebay about this practice. Mike

Seems over at the other forum, members are getting tired of my postage thread. All I can say to them that if they don't like it, don't open it. Seems they are trying to change my mind that $5.00 is ok for a coin sent loose in a 37 cent stamped envelope. I just don't understand them.

You have to take into consideration that the vast majority of forum users are also ebay users, and for whatever reason, they continue to make excuses for any action on ebay. While it is true that it costs money to go to the post office, it doesn't have to be profitable. I am a coin dealer, I make money selling coins. I do not have to over charge for my time going to the post office. As a matter of FACT, the post office will come to you. It seems as if the people who are attempting to make money on shipping do so because that have NO CLUE how to sell coins. There are quite a few here on this forum that will tell you that I constantly lose money on shipping. Losing 50 cents to a dollar on shipping is well worth the customer. If you take care of your customer they come back to you over and over. It is simply good business.

My feeling about S&H costs are that I just consider that cost in what I am willing to bid. If I am willing to spend $20 on a coin and shipping is $5, then I only bid $15. In turn if shipping is $1, then I bid $19.

I agree that anything over $1.50 - $2.00 for shipping of one coin is too much, sellers will make money some how, after all that is what they are doing by selling in the first place. I typically charge $1.50 - 2.00 for a coin, but I always put it into a 2x2, then a padded envelope, and is mailed with delivery confirmation.

I wouldn't necessarily avoid the other forum, just recognize that, although they have some knowledgeable members as far as coins go, very few have extensive experience on ebay and therefore may not have the knowledge to respond to your questions.

Believe me when I tell you that your expectations are very reasonable and, regardless of how anyone is trying to make you feel, you are not the bad guy here.

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Originally posted by Farstaff

I have seen discussion on this subject at the other forum and I don't believe you should stay away from there. You have shared your opinion and others have shared theirs.
When I sell on ebay I clearly state the amount of postage is $4.50. This for US Postal Service Priority Mail with bubble pack, delivery comfirmed. That is my cost.
When I bid I also consider their shipping cost in my bid. If their shipping cost are less than what I paid, it is noted by me and I most likely will not buy from them again.

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Priority Mail is a waste of money, especially if you are shipping only one or two coins.

For example, if you send a slabbed coin worth $100 in a #000 bubble mailer, it usually costs 60 or 83 cents for first class, plus $2.20 for insurance, for a total of $2.80 or $3.03 insured. Priority mail costs $3.85 plus insurance for a total of $6.05.

And, in my experience, first class is just as fast as Priority Mail.

The reason I ship priority mail is because I will know the exact cost to ship whereas if I shipped first class, I wouldn't have a clue as what to charge. Plus Priority Mail boxes are free so I don't have to go out and pay a premium.

Well, we ship about 15-20 packages a day. We are on the east coast, 1st class to the west coast takes 5-7 days, where Priority takes 2-3. You must have a real good PO, consider yourself lucky.