After getting several email from others saying how much they like my "me" page and what I have to say about shipping costs, I decided to post it here.    I hope the message gets out and we can make ebay sellers a little more aware of how much this annoys buyers.  Personally, I only charge actual shipping..... no dumb box charge, no handling, and I have been known to refund as little as .17 if the package was lighter!  If I can cram it in a 8.95 flat rate box, then I will!!!

So here is my "funny rant" as I have had it called to PROTECT YOU THE BUYER and to get more LOYAL customers for the SELLERS!  I am actually really easy going, but this is a thorn in my side:

I hope I do not offend anyone who is truly confused about what to charge to ship, and I hope this helps you.  In fact, there are sellers who are willing to negotiate their shipping, and I will buy from them!  I have found I sell more and have more repeat customers when I charge actual shipping.  People have no problem paying what you want for your items if your shipping is fair.  I know I am that way! 

Have you noticed that you will go to buy a top and see the shipping is over 5.00?? Let me let you in on a little SECRET...... false shipping charges can be altered using the shipping program that ebay has, in order to make it look like shipping is more than it is.  Even a T-shirt that is a mens xl (I weighed my husband's T-shirt and it is 9 ounces or 2.54 to ship) will still be under 13 ounces.   Remember, ebay likes to make money, and may decide to charge fees on the combination of shipping and item selling cost to avoid losing money on those who are falsely charging exorbitant shipping costs to avoid fees!

Now if the seller will only do priority, it would cost 4.80, and you have to respect that if they will not ship first class.  For kicks, lets review the excuses of sellers:

1.) I DON'T HAVE A SCALE, SO I GUESS!

Personally, if a seller is too lazy to buy a scale I am too lazy to bid!  I bought my scale in 2001 for under $20.00 and is was a tax write off! (YES I PAY TAXES on what I sell on Ebay) I have had that same scale for 6 years, and I update the rates on the side on a post it note. (let's see at 19.99 over the last 6 years, that is $3.33 a year?!)

2.) I DON'T HAVE TIME TO WEIGH ALL THE ITEMS!

Even with over 400 items listed in my store, I weigh each item WITH the envelopes..... that I buy.... to save you money! TAKES ABOUT 15 SECONDS!! I had one seller tell me to ship a tiny top to me would be 5.35 first class...... UH FOLKS, THAT IS NOT EVEN A DENOMINATION FOR ANY FIRST CLASS! Just scroll down to any of my auctions and you will see the proper shipping for thick envelopes.

3.) Seller: "I CHARGE HANDLING BECAUSE OF THE GAS AND TIME IT TAKES TO DRIVE TO THE POST OFFICE!"

Again, you can go on the computer, and have the post office PICK UP your packages for FREE!!! There has to be at least one priority item, which is not that hard of a feat for power sellers.   If you can't then fine, just make sure you PUT that in your auction.   I think if that DUMB star system was gone, the we could all save gas and go only 3 times a week to the post office!!  For those sellers who MUST drive way out of the way, this is understandable.  BUT remember,  buyers are not stupid and can go online, type in your address and figure out how truely "far" away your local post office really is........

BTW, YOU CAN PRINT POSTAGE OFF OF PAYPAL AND ENDICIA.COM OR STAMPS.COM TO PRINT A FIRST CLASS LABEL THAT WILL BE PRE-STAMPED AND PRINTED FOR YOU TO JUST DROP IN THE MAIL BOX!!!  NO MORE WAITING IN LINE!!.

4.) WHEN I TRY AND CHARGE ACTUAL POSTAGE, I ALWAYS GET OVERCHARGED ON PAYPAL OR THE POST OFFICE, THEN I LOOSE MONEY.

This is understandable because the USPS changed their rates.  Now, there is an option for "thick envelope"  (which is an option under the shipping calculator)  Selecting "thick envelope" for clothing or anything that makes the envelope thicker than paper will give you the correct shipping costs.  (again do not use the plain "envelope" option)

Why use this thick envelope option?  You have to because the post office now has a surcharge of .33 for such a package.   BY THE WAY SELLERS...... IF YOU ARE MAILING A THIN LITTLE PAIR OF UNDIES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, SHOVE IN A WADDED PIECE OF PAPER TO GET IT OVER 3/4" OR THE POST OFFICE WILL CHARGE YOUR CLIENT PRIORITY!!!!! (they assume it is not a "package" and with delivery confirmation any letter becomes priority and they charge the customer.  That happened to me and I refunded the poor woman the 3.28 her post office charged her!!!)  USPS has an agreement with ebay and paypal to ONLY charge .18 for delivery confirmation if you print it off of Paypal.  So my problem was the little pair of panties were under their "3/4" criteria!!!  No, they do NOT think outside the box.........

Again, when you print out postage on Paypal, there is a mandatory charge of .18 for delivery confirmation. Actually that is quite a deal!  The buyer loves to track their packages and 99.9% have no problem paying the .18 over the actual shipping to cover that expense.  (just mention it in your auction)

People, this is a basic education that I hope will help you buyers. I cannot TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I would not buy from a seller due to their shipping rates.

WHY DO THEY DO IT?

This is a kicker....... EBAY WILL NOT CHARGE A PERCENTAGE ON SHIPPING, how could they?   That would cause an uproar (oddly paypal will charge you for the whole amount including shipping to process a payment....... people, do we WANT ebay to have to do that to cover their loss from dishonest sellers?)

Here are the mathematics of the issue:  (these numbers may be old, but you get the point)

If I sold an item for $10.00 and shipping was 1.99, (total = $11.99) then I get charged the 5.25% for final fees from ebay on the $10.00, (not the 1.99 shipping) which comes to .53.   ($0.53 is what I give ebay for exposing my item to millions.... not a bad deal)

NOW if I charge .99 buy it now, and then charge $11.00 to ship (total still is $11.99)  then I get charged the 5.25% fro final fees from ebay on that $0.99 which comes to $0.05 final fee!!  

That is dishonest and against Ebay's policies.  I pride myself on honesty, so sorry, I cannot do that.  Can you imagine how much it would cost you to advertise all over the USA or the world for your one item?   Ebay is charging you 5.25%. (or more by now!)   PUT that into the cost of the item if it bothers you!

So now you have a little more of an understanding.

I will be happy to spend 18.00 on something if the shipping is correct, say $1.99), than to spend 10.00 and be charged 10.00 to ship an item. I just can't wrap my head around that. 

This false over charging for shipping TRULY HURTS EBAYS reputation!

******By the way, sellers, to cover that added .18 that paypal charges for delivery confirmation, this is what you do:

When listing your item, use the flat rate option to all buyers option when you are using actual shipping and then add the .18 for that charge that paypal charges you.   Say that your item is 4 ounces, which is $1.68 to ship a thick envelope, add that .18 to it and you will come to $1.86 flat rate  to all U.S. buyers.   Again, buyers will be aware of that when you mention it in your auction.

**Remember, if you are shipping international also, put in that 4 ounces in the international slot and they will pay the accurate amount.

If you do not find this helpful, email me and I will be happy to help you with your listing.  

AGAIN.... WE DO NOT WANT EBAY TO HAVE TO CHARGE US A FEE ON THE COMBINATION OF THE ITEM SELLING AND SHIPPING, DO WE?  That is what paypal does!  To save US ALL money in the future, let's get the word out!

I hope this was helpful!!!  Please visit my store, Kookamonga Kids!