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Shipping fees have been increased by the United States Post Office each May since I have been a seller on eBay.
When I started shipping in 2005 a flat rate box shipped for $6.95. Now the exact same shipping box ships for $10.35!!!!! Did I put enough exclamation marks?!!!!
When you purchase an item from a seller other costs relating to shipping your item are included in the shipping cost you pay. First of all the minimum we eBay sellers pay for shipping one ounce is $1.35 ! Included in that price is 18 cents we are required to pay for delivery confirmation which protects both the buyer and seller. It is NOT .42 cents to mail one ounce like some buyers think. My minimum shipping cost right now is $2.85.
Other costs included in your shipping your item are: paper, printer ink, tape, fragile labels, wrapping paper, tissue paper, boxes, envelopes, baggies, bubble wrap and more. Sellers must maintain an office with a computer with a high speed connection and a printer. We must also maintain a mini photo studio and camera to take the pictures we post in our ads. We must drive to the post office which takes time and gas but eBay doesn't allow us to include these in our shipping costs.
Add up all these costs and then you the buyer can sort of get an idea of what it costs to ship your item. You really won't know until you become a seller yourself with a substantial amount of items mailed on a regular basis each month what shipping costs really entail. A once in a while seller won't know all the ins and outs.
I hope this clarifies shipping cost so you the buyer can understand better why you are charged what you are charged. And remember that you the buyer know the exact shipping cost before bidding. So bid with care and don't bid if you don't agree with your sellers shipping cost. And ALWAYS ask about multiple purchase shipping discounts BEFORE purchasing. Never assume!
I have now been a seller for almost 4 years on eBay since June 2005 and I have over 5000 feedback. I have shipped thousands of items so please consider my advise in this guide.
When I started shipping in 2005 a flat rate box shipped for $6.95. Now the exact same shipping box ships for $10.35!!!!! Did I put enough exclamation marks?!!!!
When you purchase an item from a seller other costs relating to shipping your item are included in the shipping cost you pay. First of all the minimum we eBay sellers pay for shipping one ounce is $1.35 ! Included in that price is 18 cents we are required to pay for delivery confirmation which protects both the buyer and seller. It is NOT .42 cents to mail one ounce like some buyers think. My minimum shipping cost right now is $2.85.
Other costs included in your shipping your item are: paper, printer ink, tape, fragile labels, wrapping paper, tissue paper, boxes, envelopes, baggies, bubble wrap and more. Sellers must maintain an office with a computer with a high speed connection and a printer. We must also maintain a mini photo studio and camera to take the pictures we post in our ads. We must drive to the post office which takes time and gas but eBay doesn't allow us to include these in our shipping costs.
Add up all these costs and then you the buyer can sort of get an idea of what it costs to ship your item. You really won't know until you become a seller yourself with a substantial amount of items mailed on a regular basis each month what shipping costs really entail. A once in a while seller won't know all the ins and outs.
I hope this clarifies shipping cost so you the buyer can understand better why you are charged what you are charged. And remember that you the buyer know the exact shipping cost before bidding. So bid with care and don't bid if you don't agree with your sellers shipping cost. And ALWAYS ask about multiple purchase shipping discounts BEFORE purchasing. Never assume!
I have now been a seller for almost 4 years on eBay since June 2005 and I have over 5000 feedback. I have shipped thousands of items so please consider my advise in this guide.
Guide created: 12/26/06 (updated 09/28/09)
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