Ebay Cracking Down On Excessive Shipping

Impressive. Let's hope they are going to follow through. If they do, it could make a big difference to those of us who sell honestly. NDS, thanks for fighting this battle.

Egads yah ... whats up with the public auctions? How is the 20% justified? Do they figure that people who buy expensive coins have lots of money to throw away, and 20% wont mean that much?

Another gripe is that too often when you look at an item on a listing- you will see Shipping costs "Not specified" Well there is one way to stop this and that is simply do not ever bid on these lots- I have sent many emails to these people who have excessive S/H fees.- It all has to do with GREED. These reprobate minded people who do this do not consider it thievery when someone is ignorant enough to bid on it. - I have even sent emails to these unscrupulous sellers- stating that I have placed a watch on the particular item to see if there is anyone who actually bids. To be sure, a bidder who does this simply does not read all the description. If the Shipping (And handling) isn't spelled out, I do not bid. We can make these people feel uncomfortable by sending them an email. I really don't think ebay cares.-In spite of anything they say. There isn't any coin or roll that outweighs being able to send it priority- and that is a whale of a lot less than 10,12 dollar shipping and handling. THE BEST REMEDY TO ALL OF THIS IS SIMPLY DO NOT BID- BUT SEND A SCATHING DENUNCIATION TO THE SELLER. Dewey

quote:

---

Originally posted by nds76

I feel this is a dishonest practice on ebay. S&H shouldn't be used for profit, but for proper shipping and related costs. Like you said if only the item price is refunded, the seller gets to keep the $4.00 shipping for which they probably used a .39 cent stamp. Clearly this seller is in violation.

"In most cases I'm taking a loss after my expenses so I'm sorry but I cannot offer a combined shipping discount on these auctions."

---

For some reason I am moved to respond to this issue. Altho I totally agree on excessive shipping & handling, most of you know that no matter what you ask for, you lose money in S&H. Using your scenario above, even if he used a .39 cent stamp the dude probably LOST money. (Unless the PO is across the street). You are not taking into consideration the following: To wit: The envelope & or the bubble envelope, OR the corrugated coin shipper & the envelope, OR the box. In no case have I ever paid just .39 for shipping anything, it has ALWAYS been more. The time to package item, weighing it, delivery confimation &/or insurance, (to cover the seller), THEN the biggie, taking it to USPS, in my case 30 minutes there, 30 minutes back, UPS, the same 30 minutes there, 30 minutes back, Fed Ex, 45 minutes there & back--What about my time and the super BIGGIE, who pays for the gas? Wear & tear on my car to ship YOUR coins? or whatever--

Anyway my point is, there are many many variables involved. Each sellers circumstances are different. You maybe just put couple of stamps onto package and perhaps stick it in your mail box--whalla, no travel costs at all> I cannot do that for ex because around here the younguns go around with a baseball bats and beat the hell outa your mailbox. I had to buy an iron mailbox with a key, the mailperson cannot take prestamped stuff-PLUS mind ya, we have had thieves steal mail for the checks inside. (And I live in a upper middle class neighborhood!)-soo I have to travel to fullfill my obligation or to ship a box, they won't take boxes. In each and every transaction I have lost in S&H--in each case mind ya, BUT, I still only weight the package, add postage, confirmation &/or insurance (depending on value) then I eat all other costs-(All I want is to break even mind ya)-Now you tell me, for a HONEST, seller is that right? What would be a FAIR S&H cost? the stamps alone? uh-uh, sorry, its gonna cost you more with me--If you don't want to bid on my items because I'm charging a "fair" price for S&H, please--don't bid, someone else WILL--(They always do).

Finally I am not a business, what I sell is personnal stuff, IF I am lucky I just break even or loss a few pennies, but I still lose fuel costs, time and wear & tear on my vehicle--

Now I DO agree on the other comments, for ex, $20 S&H and a .95 cent item--With that I totally agree, THAT should not be done--But my points should elicit SOME consideration--

CiScO

There is no need for special trips to the post office. Just go when you normally do and or combine arrands like mentioned above.

quote:

---

Originally posted by texasmick

Hi, CiScO

Thanks for posting; it's useful to get the seller's perspective so this thread doesn't turn into an unmitigated bash session. Just a couple thoughts:

First, I don't think anyone has suggested that the cost of the postage should be the upper limit on s&h. After all, it's shipping AND HANDLING, right? If postage is $.63-1.10, as it is for most of the raw coins I buy, I don't bat an eyelash for $2.95 s&h.

Second, I don't want to antagonize you, but do you really have to make a SPECIAL trip to the post office? Couldn't you tack it to the end of some other errand? Or during lunch at work?

And it's awful what you say about the crime in your area. I live in a very working class city. On a nice street, but adjacent to a lot of multifamily housing. Fortunately, I've never had to deal with what you describe.

Mick

---

Hi Mick

Thanks for your reply, to respond:

(first) I think the most I ever charged was 4.95, due to weight, it always includes delivery confirmation (to protect myself and at least some proof of delivery), and on an expensive item it will include insurance (again to protect myself) and on rare occasions it will be registered mail. In each case I charge "actual charges or costs). As I stated above, I "lose" money in each and every case in S&H, I know that going in.

(second) As mentioned above, I believe I should ship the item "right away". The only time I go to PO is when a bidder has fulfilled his obigation I should ship now, today if I can. Just as mentioned abpve when I win I want it now. I do make special trips, and the PO & UPS are all out of the way from where I live, so in my reality I cannot combine trips, but I will try when I can.

Finally, yea it was very surprising what has happened with the bashed mailboxes and the theft of mail, coming & going when the thieves think there is a check inside. Of course we always call police and in fact on 2 occasions they were caught. Now when I see them roaming with bats I call police right away. As for the mail, the PO says it is a federal offense, but yet when you report it to them you get the typical government response "There is nothing we can do about it" most frustrating, only thing you can do is try to catch them when it happens.

CiScO

quote:

---

Originally posted by TLS5933

Well, heres my perspective as a seller and a buyer. On coins I sell,I charge $2 for 50 cent coins or smaller and $4 for dollars size and I combine shipping costs. If someone buys 2 or even 3 large coins,its still $4. Same with the smaller coins,multiples are still $2. So it gives the buyer a break on shipping and an incentive to buy more than one coin.

Also I ship usually the same day of sale and never more than 24hrs later excluding weekends. Yes,I could ship whenever its convenient for me,but when I buy a coin I like to get it as soon as possible and I feel others would also. So I do make a special trip,sometimes twice a day so buyers get there purchase as soon as possible.
Of course thats my choice.I don't feel my shipping is out of line for the service I offer. As a buyer I don't mind paying slightly higher S&H if the service is there.
Of course I don't beleve you should have to pay $7,$8 to have one coin shipped or even multiples for that matter.

---

Hi TLS5933

It seems you and I have similiar thoughts. I to combine shipping but with me it goes totally by weight. And I agree with you, when the bidder has payed I am the type that wants to finish my obligation and get the thing shipped and off my plate, even if it is a special trip. Usually though I will ship multiple items so I ship all the stuff in one trip. When I do sell I do it in bunches, they all end the same day, after that it depends on when I get paid. I to want my stuff "right away" whether its from ebay or newegg, once you got my money, I want the product ASAP. So I do onto you what I expect to get back when I am the buyer.

CiScO

If one wants to see REALLY excessive shipping charges, check out the items this China seller is trying to peddle. As far as I can tell, the coins are not forgeries, an interesting change from what we have come to expect from China.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1852-BRAIDED...NE_W0QQitemZ170006248465QQihZ007QQcategoryZ257QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Note: the items are listed in ebay Australia, so if any secure website is accessed, one will have to completely log in.

I'd like to report this seller, will do so later if I can get a break from work, but if someone else wants to report him, go for it.

Fred