- This topic has 6 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 10 months ago by
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Right off the bat, I apologize for this.
Why oh why do some sellers feel they have to charge exorbitant shipping fees?
It kills me when I look to buy an item that has a reasonable price and there is a shipping charge that is several Tim es higher than actual cost.
Current example is an old toy train car, want it to replace one from childhood that was broken, weighs MAYBE 4 ounces, call it 10 ounces packed – seller has a $17 shipping charge. (Item is $6 Obo.)
Yeah, I know, get a box, drive to the post office, mileage to the estate sale, stop for a Big Mac on the way, bubble wrap ain’t cheap.
But I’ve never understood the low item price and way overcharge for shipping mindset. And do believe it is the cause of decades of complaints and the reason eBay charges fees on shipping.
Seems all bait and switch you hidden charges.
Big question – while eBay is pointing sellers into free freight ( I.m against it) this approach seems counter intuitive.
probably just me, but this seller isn’t going to get a sale from me at least.
I’m watching the listing, if it is still there in a few months, we’ll see.
By the way, see this all the time, not an isolated incident.
Disclaimer – I charge only actual shipping but accept the eBay discounts (since they essentially pay for their fvf on shipping.)
And, again, sorry.
Archaicly yours, BTSTiki
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Ive seen this many time andhave had success messaging the seller who replied that he used calculated shipping and made a mistake. The listing was revised and I bought it.
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Steve has advice that we use. If there’s an them we ant but the shipping is crazy, we always message the buyer to ask for cheaper shipping. We explain what shipping costs to our location.
Sometimes it was a mistake. Often the buyer just doesnt know what shipping should cost. It’s simply ignorance. 90% of these buyers change the shipping for us.
There are sellers who are obviously trying to make their profit on overblown shipping and wont budge. we just dont buy from them.
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So, a question… Would you have bought it for $23 and Free Shipping and Free returns? We do this sometimes just to hide the shipping cost into the item cost. Then we run Sales almost weekly at 15%-20% Off. So if this was our item you would see it listed at $23, then crossed off and above that showing on Sale for $18.40 and we would ship it to you Free [our cost being $2.66] for the shipping. This way we would have made $15.74 on what you are seeing as a $6 item.
So, would you have bought it at The $18.40 price knowing you wanted to replace a childhood memory?
Just wondering …
Mike at MDC Galleries and Fine Art
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buytikiselltiki,
I do not think they are selling to sellers. I think they are playing on people thinking – I got it for such a low price, so paying the shipping is ok. In addition, many do not know what actual shipping costs, so they accept it because they think it is legit.
This really frustrates me when I am selling something similar and wanting to put the real price and the real shipping but know that buyers are seeing a skewed selling experiece because of those who engage in this practice. So, I simply put the real or average price and the real shipping and expect that either buyers will see the prices are about the same (or mine is lower) or expect that the other seller’s item will sell first leaving mine to help set the actual price standard and to be one of the few left or the only one available to buy.
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Well, here’s how it is playing out.
First, did I mention that these trains typically sell for ~$10 -12 with shipping?
Mike, if the item had a buried shipping cost, wouldn’t have an issue per se. But in your scenario I’d likely offer $12.50 and be happy enough. My question / rant is really about being upfront about the price you want and the cost you might incur.
I like AdventureE’s point, just be fair about it.
Probably matters that this is an auction, too. Seller likely hedging his bets trying to get a bid then will stick it to the buyer.
Steve, did reach out to the seller who replied quickly with over-the top folksy attitude, willing to work with me, but every response inched the price up. Very fuzzy.
Somehow I’m reminded of buying a part from Sears for my lawnmower – great deal. Ship to store, $7 part, $15 shipping to local store. Wait, how is Sears doing these days LOL.
As a buyer, I’ just wait for a fairly priced example to pop up.
As a seller, I’ll continue to ask why!
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