A SIMPLE GUIDE TO SHOW WHETHER YOU ARE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR SHIPPING

I have been a seller on ebay for awhile and have seen many sellers charging ridiculous shipping and handling fees!
They have created a bad taste to some ebayers so this is why I have written this BUYING GUIDE in AVOIDING
EXCESSIVE HANDLING & SHIPPING CHARGES. Some sellers lure buyers in with their low prices much like the following:

First they list the item: $ 0.99 BIN (BUY IT NOW)
Then they charge:         $30.99 for Shipping

And when you ask these sellers why they are charging that amount they try to tell you the following:
1. They have to pay for staffs or for their time and effort in fulfilling that order
2. They have to pay for the shipping materials and packaging materials.
3. They have to pay for the time to test the products before shipping.
4. They have to pay for the ebay fees and paypal fees.
5. or its because that is the cost of shipping the item over!

The act of charging excess fee can be called "CIRCUMVENTION OF EBAY FEES" and you can notify ebay
about that particular product or seller. Ebay will then find their staff to check out that listing and ebay will
address the seller about this issue.

There are a number of ways to see if the sellers are actually charging fairly. 
You should ask the sellers or yourself these questions before bidding or buying:
Question 1. Does the item come with a "tracking number"?
                   Reason: Shipping an item cost more when the item is traceable. Tracking number allows seller/buyer to find out
                                 where the item is at any moment; whether it's delay in customs; still enroute; or delivered to the wrong address.
                                 If the seller is offering to ship via FEDEX/UPS/Purolator etc..then it's expected if they charge more
                   NOTE:    However don't expect someone to give you a tracking number when they only charge you $10 or less because courier
                                 company usually charge more then $10 before providing tracking!

Question 2. Is this an expedited (RUSH) shipping ? How long will this item take to ship to your address?
                   Reason: If an item is shipped within 3 days then the cost will definately be more then an item that is shipped with a 
                                gurantee time of 10 days. 
                   NOTE:   Keep in mind that NO courier company or ebay sellers will be able to ship an tiem to you within 3 DAYS 
                                with a tracking number and especially with you not being in the same State or province! 

Question 4. How bulky or heavy is the product being shipped?
                   Reason: If the item is oddly shaped or bulky then shipping is definately going to be more expensive because of the packaging.
                                 For example; if a buyer purchaed a "inflated balloon" and the cost is only $0.50; the shipping is going to be way more
                                 just because of the volume this item takes up during shipping. Another example; if a buyer purchased a "bowling ball"
                                 for $20; the shipping cost of this item will still cost a lot more because of the weight factor even though the size is small!

The previous are just a few examples of questions and hopefully it brings forth a good experience to both buyers and sellers.
If you have any further questions/comments that will help make other Ebayers please don't hesitate to email to us and we will add to our guide.

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