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Bigggest Shipping Mistake I See Sellers Make Everyday

by: history-bytes( 16190Feedback score is 10,000 to 24,999) Top 5000 Reviewer
10 out of 11 people found this guide helpful.
Guide viewed: 865 times Tags: Shipping | Listing | Listing Mistakes | Shipping Mistakes | Postage


I know this goes against everything ebay, and most advisors tell you - But, offering more than one shipping service in your listing can actually hurt you, and can even tank your auction. 

Here's an example of what I mean:

When you specify shipping costs in your auction, ebay uses them:  1) To help rank you for their best matdh search, and 2) To list right next to your price in auction listings.  Next let's assume that you are offering three services:

  1. Media mail:  $3.79
  2. Priority:  $8.95
  3. Express:  $16.50

Which one do you assume shows up next to your price in the auction listing?  If you guessed $16.50 you are correct.  Now assume all of your competition offers only one shipping service - let's say standard media mail for $6.00.  You have the lowest service hands down at $3.79.  But all ebay shows your potential customers in the search results is $16.50.  Talk about a business killer.  Nobody is going to know you offer the lowest shipping rate unless they go into your auction, and read all the details.  And, we all know the attention span of most ebay buyers.

My advice would be to list only your lowest shipping rate in ebay's shipping caclulations.  Spend time in your listing text explaining your other shipping options.  You will rank a lot higher in search this way, and your hits will go way up.  So should your sales.

 

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Guide ID: 10000000007348500Guide created: 06/01/08 (updated 07/09/09)

 
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history-bytes
history-bytes( 16190Feedback score is 10,000 to 24,999) Get fast shipping and excellent service from Top-rated sellers.About Me
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