O/T Ebay to start collecting final value fees on shipping!

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

What I find objectionable are:



--The incessant lying over the changes. It would be so refreshing not to feel like Winston Smith every time Ebay announces one of its new initiatives. Just once, I'd like to see them say something like "we're charging on shipping now because a bunch of jackholes in Taiwan are charging $35 to ship a $5 item and we'd like a slice of that action."

I think the last one is what annoys me the most.

Maybe some "Buy It Now" sellers who don't mind letting stuff sit for decades don't mind the changes.

I already have two websites that do that for me...............and they don't change the rules, up my rates, force me to renew my listings every month and charging me again for every item in my store.......... and then ask me to continually fiddle with my listings every time somebody in management gets an itch on their brain.

For people who run true auctions............this is a huge rate hike. There is no form of math that can say otherwise.

You can bet this will lead to shoddy packaging from Ebay sellers trying to cut costs........... and increased use and abuse of Media Mail, which seems to be getting slower and slower by the year.

This certainly is not an advantage to the buyer, which Ebay claims it to be.

Ebay logic - Lets raise the sellers shipping expenses in order to cut the buyers costs. Oh, and we'll fool the sellers into thinking they're getting a great deal by cutting their final value fees by 1% on items under $50.............and hope they don't notice all fees are actually going up for items over $50.

Oh, not to mention the carrot of "Top Seller" discounts and the discontinuation of the PowerSeller discount, they seem to be really proud of.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

For people who run true auctions............this is a huge rate hike. There is no form of math that can say otherwise.

I strongly disagree. Show me the math to prove your case. I read from the email that eBay will lower the FVF on the item sold, but then add a FVF to the overall purchase.

"...starting July 6 Final Value Fee rates for Store sellers--Fixed Price and Auction-style--will be reduced and then applied to the total amount of the sale--including shipping."

Let's say your item sells for $100 and you charge $3.00 S/H. Currently, the FVF would be $9.00 (9%). Using the same example, under the new fee structure they are going to reduce the FVF (they didn't specify by how much, but let's say to 8.5% - a .5% discount), so it would be a $8.50. Then they are going to add a FVF to the shipping (again, they didn't specify how much, but let's say 10%), so it would we $.30. So, the FVF under the current fee structure would be $9.00, but the FVF under the new structure would be $8.80 - saving $.20 from the current system.

The above is just an example. I don't know what the exact percentages are, does anybody else? If not, how can you say this is a bad change? If my numbers are wrong then so be it, but show me an example with some true numbers.

And if I am wrong, just do what many, many other sellers on eBay are already doing - offer FREE S/H. They're loving this change because it is actually saving them money.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

I strongly disagree. Show me the math to prove your case. I read from the email that eBay will lower the FVF on the item sold, but then add a FVF to the overall purchase.

"...starting July 6 Final Value Fee rates for Store sellers--Fixed Price and Auction-style--will be reduced and then applied to the total amount of the sale--including shipping."

Let's say your item sells for $100 and you charge $3.00 S/H. Currently, the FVF would be $9.00 (9%). Using the same example, under the new fee structure they are going to reduce the FVF (they didn't specify by how much, but let's say to 8.5% - a .5% discount), so it would be a $8.50. Then they are going to add a FVF to the shipping (again, they didn't specify how much, but let's say 10%), so it would we $.30. So, the FVF under the current fee structure would be $9.00, but the FVF under the new structure would be $8.80 - saving $.20 from the current system.

The above is just an example. I don't know what the exact percentages are, does anybody else? If not, how can you say this is a bad change? If my numbers are wrong then so be it, but show me an example with some true numbers.

And if I am wrong, just do what many, many other sellers on eBay are already doing - offer FREE S/H. They're loving this change because it is actually saving them money.

I posted the percentages in the 4th post in the thread as it relates to ebay store owners who run "auctions"

All the new percentages can easily be found on Ebay.

$3.00 S&H? Oh in a perfect world. I suppose I won't insure anything going forward. Rigid packing..............gone...............Priority Mail..............gone................Delivery confirmation.............gone.........I'll just hope my stuff shows up in good shape and on time, where it's going and have my DSR scores trashed in the first month.

I shipped a package to California last week cost me $14.07 just in postage costs alone. It wasn't a huge sale either, but publications that ran on the heavier side and cost enough I thought it was important to insure.

I sell Memorabilia also. 1st Class Mail only takes packages up to 13 ounces..........and as I've painfully discovered recently is getting less and less reliable. I just refunded a customer 80 bucks for a 1st Class package that disappeared on the way to Newark, New Jersey three weeks ago. I've seen NET54 members rail that Priority Mail is a rip-off and not worth it...........but I've yet to have a Priority Mail package disappear. Every lost package I've had in the last 11 years has been either 1st Class Mail or 1st Class International Airmail.

Take into account Paypal already gets their cut of the shipping charges.

Now Ebay is going to take their full FVF out of those shipping charges (they will not include them in the Top Seller discount, if anybody actually ever has one of those 6 months from now).

Free S/H? Show me any significant Ebay seller who runs "true auctions" as I've already mentioned. Low starting bids, lets the market decide what items are worth, and offers Free S/H.

Show me an auction house that offers free S/H.

Ask ScGaynor or JonStats how offering Free S/H on "auctions" would affect their ebay business. Ask any ebay seller who handles consignments on a regular basis and only gets a percentage cut of the final sale already, if they should start eating S/H costs.

It's completely unrealistic. You can't build S/H charges into the price of auctions.

Sorry for the rant.........but this one is hard for me to swallow.

Of course I'll adjust, figure it out and go on with my life.

Ebay is still the best venue around and I'll continue using it because it's the best way to move material.

Maybe GrandSlamBids will one day give them a run for their money. I'm rooting for them.

Until then............I'm stuck venting about it on Net54 for now. I'm sure I'll get over it and accept it eventually...............until then...........

[slidekellyslide]

John Rogers (Lexibell) runs true auctions and has free shipping...but he's the only one I can think of that does this. I get 100 free 99 cent listings per month which I usually use up on postcards or modern relic/autograph cards...no way am I offering free shipping on those.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

John Rogers (Lexibell) runs true auctions and has free shipping...but he's the only one I can think of that does this. I get 100 free 99 cent listings per month which I usually use up on postcards or modern relic/autograph cards...no way am I offering free shipping on those.

I don't get any free listings a month and I'm not eager to start selling items for 99 cents even if I did, to be honest with you.

Lexi has found a sweet spot based on the type of items he's selling and the fact he has what amounts to an unlimited supply of it. I'm sure he's weighed out his pros and cons and it works out for him. He's an exception.

[insidethewrapper]

I've been trying to save on postage. I finally started to use the on-line postage thru ebay. It is I think 6.6% cheaper and Confirmation delivery is free ! on priority mail. I also noticed that priority mail is many times cheaper than parcel using on-line postage and also NO standing in line at the Post Office.

Note: Also check the great rates on the Priority Regional A ( up to 15 lbs) and B boxes( up to 20 lbs). They are cheaper than Flat Rate on many occasions.
I've saved several $$$ this week shipping with Regional boxes. These boxes are free thru USPS.

Use the calculator to compare prices. Every penny helps off-set ebay fees.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by insidethewrapper

Note: Also check the great rates on the Priority Regional A ( up to 15 lbs) and B boxes( up to 20 lbs). They are cheaper than Flat Rate on many occasions.
I've saved several $$$ this week shipping with Regional boxes. These boxes are free thru USPS.

Use the calculator to compare prices. Every penny helps off-set ebay fees.

Hmmm...I ordered priority boxes from the USPS website and for some reason they sent me a crapload of these A and B boxes...the postal clerks don't have any idea what they are for. Can you explain these to me or send me a link that explains them?

Thanks

[Matt]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Ebay is still the best venue around and I'll continue using it because it's the best way to move material.

Maybe GrandSlamBids will one day give them a run for their money. I'm rooting for them.

Until then............I'm stuck venting about it on Net54 for now. I'm sure I'll get over it and accept it eventually...............until then...........

GSB's success is dependent on folks actually moving there as a selling venue; it isn't going to happen with people taking a wait and see approach. Folks have the opportunity to use a different venue that focuses on the hobbyist and doesn't gouge on prices, but we can't force anyone to use it; we've got free listings and fees are a fraction of eBay; let us know what else we can do to convince folks to move?

We do understand that there is a risk of running a true auction due to a smaller audience (to start) impacting the bottom line; that may be a short term hit that needs to be taken to secure a long term solution. Even then, taking a much smaller % then eBay, items that sell for less still don't net out too badly. Alternatively, a reasonable starting bid or a reserve offer protection.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Matt

GSB's success is dependent on folks actually moving there as a selling venue; it isn't going to happen with people taking a wait and see approach. Folks have the opportunity to use a different venue that focuses on the hobbyist and doesn't gouge on prices, but we can't force anyone to use it; we've got free listings and fees are a fraction of eBay; let us know what else we can do to convince folks to move?

We do understand that there is a risk of running a true auction due to a smaller audience (to start) impacting the bottom line; that may be a short term hit that needs to be taken to secure a long term solution. Even then, taking a much smaller % then eBay, items that sell for less still don't net out too badly. Alternatively, a reasonable starting bid or a reserve offer protection.

I understand that Matt, and when I get the time I very well may give it a shot. Unfortunately I'm only one person and have two websites and my regular auctions to maintain.

I have scoped out GrandSlamBids several times already to try and get a hang of the navigation, and when I am confident enough and have some spare time, I'll probably have a serious go at it.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

I understand that Matt, and when I get the time I very well may give it a shot. Unfortunately I'm only one person and have two websites and my regular auctions to maintain.

This is one of those things were all sellers are only 1 and by themselves wouldn't effect a change, but the more who come over, the more the ball rolls. Let me know if we can be of assistance or if you have ideas that might help.