Shipping Costs

[Archive]

Posted By: Robert

Does it really irk you that some people out there charge outrageous prices for shipping $4.00+++ then they have the nerve to send it to you without a delivery confirmation. I am so tempted to tell these people that I never received the package and they have no way of verifing it or not. I sell about 300 cards a month and charge $2.50 with an additional .75 for other cards won, and there is no way I would let that package go w/o a DC. I think that this is reasonable. But I am an honest person and don't have the heart to do that to a fellow collector.

[Archive]

Posted By: Rhys

I either charge $2 for a card, and sometimes $3 if it is larger, and $4 for a program and never include DC with the cost. My Post Office recently went to new computers which show the day and time you were in there and the zip code your item was sent to, so you can confirm in most cases that a package was sent without delivery confirmation. Someone tried to pull the "I never got it" routine with me a few weeks ago and I sent them a scan of the receipt showing the zip code and day my package was mailed to and they never responded, it was an obvious attempt to defraud me. Does every post office have these computers now, or are they just phasing them in?

[Archive]

Posted By: jay behrens

small town Alexandria has that system, but I wouldn't rely on it. When it comes down to brass tacks, all you can prove is that you mailed it. You can't prove it got delivered. That's where DC is nice to have. Not sure how many of you have noticed, but you can do you postage online with the post office now. By doing this, you get free DC. Lee and I use this for business and it has worked out great. We rpint out the shipping label, pay the postage online and then hand off the package to mailman when he shows up. No more waiting in line at the post office

Jay

I've just reached Upper Lower Class. I am now officially a babe magnet for poor chicks.

[Archive]

Posted By: Judge Dred

You're right it is irritating to pay $6 for shipping only to find out the USPS label indicates that the total shipping cost was $2.50 on the label. All in all I just incorporate the cost of shipping into the cost of the card. The nice part about this is that there are a lot of people that refuse to pay $5+ for shipment of a card. I figure I'll make out if the card is worth a few hundred dollars and it's going cheap because people don't like the shipping charge on the item. I believe that if someone is going to charge a premium for shipping then they better use the better services offered by the USPS.

I recently paid $6 for shipping on an item. The card came in a thin hard plastic sleeve in a bubble mailer. It was sent first class and insured but the total on the USPS label showed $2.57 on it.

I about crapped my pants because when I recieved the package it was a bit mangled. I thought for sure that the card was going to be creased because the sender didn't bother to put any stiffners around the hard plastic sleeve. Luckily the card was ok.

The seller probably made a few dollars on the shipping but overall I feel the card was worth the low bid I paid for it.

[Archive]

Posted By: Judge Dred

As a seller I recently charged $6 for shipping on a few lots but I lost money on the shipping charges because I paid the insurance on each shipment (between $500 - $700 per lot) and I sent the packages 3 day ($3+). I also paid extra for delivery confirmation. It was worth it to me because I started the bidding at a level where I knew the shipping charge would be recouped in the end.

[Archive]

Posted By: jay behrens

Many of us also forget there is the cost of padded envelopes, etc that go into shipping. With a few cards, it's not that big a deal, but Lee and I found out just how expensive good shipping materials can be. We sold a guitar thru our business and didn't think we had a box for it, so I went and bought one. A box that made for shipping a guitar cost $18. Yes, $18. And that's not even adding in the shipping and padding materials.

there is more to shipping than simple postage. There is materials and the time it takes to properly pack the item and in some cases, take it to post office. When you are running a business, all these things matter. Granted, $6 is pretty stiff for a few cards, especailly if there in no insurance in the cost. With DC, it shouldn't cost more than $3-4 for a few cards.


Jay


I've just reached Upper Lower Class. I am now officially a babe magnet for poor chicks.

[Archive]

Posted By: Gilbert Maines

I agree with Jay. There is much more to shipping than postage.

When the purchase is for only a few dollars, the shipping charges are quite noticable. In these instances, eBay may not be the best source for individual cards.

However, for larger dollar purchases, the shipping can be considered a part of the price.

[Archive]

Posted By: barrysloate

When I put out a catalog I try to match my shipping fees as best I can to my actual cost of shipping. But it isn't always easy. If one person buys a slabbed card for $1000 and the next guy buys 20 slabbed commons that total $1000, that's a big difference in what it will cost to ship. One may pay a little too much, and the other too little, so estimated shipping may not be as accurate as it should be. But shipping fees should at least be close to the costs, and I agree some companies do charge double or more of their actual costs. They are probably figuring in salary of packer, or they may send it out to a packaging company who doubles the fees right off the bat.

[Archive]

Posted By: leon

I charge $3 for cheap cards to go UPS insured with tracking and about $4-$5 for UPS insured with tracking up to about a $300 valued card....then add about $1 for every $200 of value, for insurance, after that. Sometimes I make .50 and sometimes I lose .50.......pretty easy for me and never had a complaint. If something sells for less than $50 I give the buyer a cheaper option but then they get USPS regular crap delivery with no tracking. I HATE GOING TO THE USPS offices so I stick the cheap card in the mail box and the buyer can cross their fingers.....around Dallas USPS offices all are slower than Ruth when running to first later

[Archive]

Posted By: runscott

I try to charge just below the actual cost of posting and mailers. That way no one will complain and I should get a few extra bids from the people who really really watch shipping charges....like the people posting on this thread who have complaints. So far no one has griped and I haven't lost much.

It's been said before, but you should read the auction description carefully before bidding - if you don't like the s&h policy, ask for modification or don't bid. If it isn't posted, either take your chances or send an "ask the seller".

[Archive]

Posted By: Josh K.

I agree with Jay. I dont sell often, but when I do, I will charge from $3-6 (the lesser amount for cheaper cards) to ship with delivery confirmation. I think it is acceptable to add a charge into your price for materials such as bubble wrap, envelopes/boxes, your time, etc.

[Archive]

Posted By: jay behrens

The best response I've gotten from someone with outrageous shipping was a selling charging $12, yes $12, for a single. He sent me a breakdown of his cost, which included $2.55 per package to pay an employee to go to the post office, not including packing it. That was another $2.05. I asked him if I could go to work for him as the the guy that goes to the post office as he does a large volume of sales and I figure I could make about $25k a year as the guy that goes to the post office for him. Never heard back. Darn!!!

Jay

I've just reached Upper Lower Class. I am now officially a babe magnet for poor chicks.

[Archive]

Posted By: Josh K.

Well, that is $4.60, what accounted for the other $7.40?

[Archive]

Posted By: jay behrens

actual postage, materials plus insurance and DC. When I asked about the job I asked why you was requiring insurance on $5 cards. As Lee mentioned to me, looks like the guy is trying to get back his eBay and PayPal fees thru outrageous shipping costs.

Jay

I've just reached Upper Lower Class. I am now officially a babe magnet for poor chicks.

[Archive]

Posted By: Rich Klein

But the Addison post office rocks. Everyone there is SO helpful and courteous to me. Now the post office (Bent Tree) by my apartment, which controls the mail I get, now that is bad. I once put a hold on my mail and lo and behold it sat in a drawer for 10 days and the mail just piled up.

Geez

That's why they are called horses for courses

Rich

[Archive]

Posted By: warshawlaw

Priority mail via click n ship with the USPS includes free delivery confirmation when you buy the postage on line and print your labels. Also frees you up from taking the envelope to the P.O.

[Archive]

Posted By: Rick McQuillan

This is what is great about Priority Mail -

Free shipping boxes - you can have several sizes sent directly to your home - order them at USPS.com

Free delivery confirmation with click and ship at USPS.com or pay the postage through PayPal.

You can insure your package through click and ship at USPS.com

You can track your delivery confirmation packages at USPS.com or by telephone.

Free packaging tape for Priority Mail through USPS.com

You can go to USPS.com and ask for carrier pick up. The carrier will come to your home or business to pick up your Priority Mail package. There is no cost for carrier pick up.

I work for the Post Office, and I send all of my packages through the Post Office. I have sent at least 2000 packages over the last 5 years, and none have been lost or damaged. Priority Mail normally takes from 1 to 3 days, and 97% is delivered on time.

Thanks for the free advertising! Rick

[Archive]

Posted By: jay behrens

You can only get up to $200 insurance online with USPS. I found this out the other day when I tried to insure a package for $400 and the site told me there was a $200 limit online. It's still the ebst way to go though.

Jay

I've just reached Upper Lower Class. I am now officially a babe magnet for poor chicks.

[Archive]

Posted By: Julie Vognar

as far as I'm concerned, the less it SAYS on the envelope ($$$) the better I like it! Who's going to bother to open a 2.25 package? Not many. But a 6.00 package, might be interesting.

The less you tempt people, the less they will be temnpted.
(Boy, that was simply a piece of unequalled brilliance, it was....)

[Archive]

Posted By: painthistorian

Service should be the most important thing offered with shipping on E bay..We spend a lot of time and money making sure that the customer gets the item fast and safely..The average cost to us to mail a graded card in a bubble envelope with labeling, packing materials etc and DELIVERY Confirmation/Insurance($50 to $100) is $3.50 PER PACKAGE..WE SHIP MANY OF THESE..Add multiple cards and the weight increases..Average cost per package on VINTAGE Professionally graded cards should be $4-$7 depending on value(under $200) and weight..Once you get multiple card orders or expensive cards, priority boxes are needed..REMEMBER service and integrity also play a big part of the overhead..You need quality people to keep the shipping efficient...and of course to make sure the customer is satisfied...

[Archive]

Posted By: Elliot

I guess we can all agree that $15 is a bit much for a single card as in this auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5178823300

At least he is upfront about how much he wants to charge.

[Archive]

Posted By: Judge Dred

Elliot,

Agreed, $15 is ridiculous but if the card only sells for $20 (because people don't want to pay the outlandish shipping) then it'll be worth the $15 shipping charge...

[Archive]

Posted By: Glenn

As far as I'm concerned the seller can charge $150 shipping for a single card. Anyone who isn't willing to bid as a result has my gratitude. That's more beer for me.

[Archive]

Posted By: Dan

Not saying that $6 is reasonable at all, there just needs to be an honest look from the sellers at true shipping costs, packaging price (bubble mailer, tape, etc) and most importantly the time that is involved with getting the item wrapped properly and then going to the Post Office and getting the item mailed out. As it has been stated before, time is money and some folks have horrific waits at the Post Office. That being said, I rarely charge more than $2.50 s/h to a max of $4, unless the buyer specifies some extra items. I feel that having delivery confirmation adds piece of mind on my end, so I pay that myself and it really keeps the rif-raf from trying to take advantage with the good ol' "I never got it" excuse.

[Archive]

Posted By: warshawlaw

outrageous shipping costs are not reflective of costs; they are a means of avoiding an ebay seller's fee on a cheap item. If I price a $20 card at $1 and add a $15 shipping charge, it costs me less to list the card. Odds are that the buyer will bid no more than $5. I then receive the $15 free of ebay final value fees and

[Archive]

Posted By: Lee Behrens

I have a big problem with UPS in the fact that they will deliver a pack age without putting it into a humans hands, they just leave it at your doorstep whether you are home or not. Not to secure shipping in my book.

Lee

[Archive]

Posted By: Glenn

I agree with Lee completely. I received a $2000+ card from UPS and they left it on my doorstep while my wife and I were away. They put it under the welcome mat, which I guess reduces very slightly the chances of its being stolen but increases substantially the odds of its being stepped on (which actually did happen). I've had my share of problems with the USPS too, but this was ridiculous.

[Archive]

Posted By: Dan

I had 100 vintage cards "delivered to my home", they never got in to my hands. The UPS guys stated that it was left on my porch, they were never received by anyone in my home. I have been watching the auctions closely to see if any of them ever show their face, ironically, none of them have shown as far as I can tell. Thankfully, I was reinbursed by UPS because the package was supposed to be signed for, so their insurance took care of it. That being said, it will not replace the cards that are just floating out there.

[Archive]

Posted By: pete

sometimes if your mailperson knows you, they will leave a package at the door so you wont have to go to the P.O. to pick it up, trying to be helpful...i had to tell mine that if it was "insured" do not leave it, if "un-insured" go ahead, cause i probably didnt think it was worth insuring in the first place....but unfortunately, they do get days off and the "fill-in" screws up.
pete-

[Archive]

Posted By: dennis

UPS, instead of leaving in the driveway,why not on door step,or between the doors. also they (UPS) never ring the door bell,i swear they throw the stuff from the truck while it is still moving.to get a job there you must be able to run under 5 in the 40 yard dash.ever see a fat ups person?

[Archive]

Posted By: Glenn

Isn't Kevin James's character on King of Queens a UPS guy? Perhaps you were just asking about non-fiction delivery persons.

[Archive]

Posted By: warshawlaw

we have a fence and a gate 75 feet from the house. UPS usually just tosses the box in the bushes, where it will sit for who knows how long until we find it. I always have stuff delivered to my office.

[Archive]

Posted By: jay behrens

Don't even get me started on how much I absolutely hate UPS, the thieving bastards.

Jay

I've just reached Upper Lower Class. I am now officially a babe magnet for poor chicks.