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Top Banana
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/11/2008 12:55:36 PM
Posts: 314,
Visits: 383
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What many buyers (and some sellers) don't seem to realize is that there is cost to do shipping above what actual postage is.
I know that some find this a red herring, and will viably argue; "well, the shipping costs should be up front so it's a buyer's choice whether or not to accept those charges". Be that as it may, some buyers begrudgingly accept the charges, and then if they are unhappy about them later, use it as the reason to complain.
I'm not talking about fee circumvention here where a $200 item is sold for .99c with $200 in shipping charges. I'm referring to a slightly elevated shipping charge.
For example, someone might be glad to have an item shipped to them via priority mail for $6.00, but after the sale, they do a bit of research and find that the flat rate envelope costs only $4.60 in postage. Now they feel cheated.
But what many fail to realize is that there are other costs aside from just postage. For example, while some buyers might be savy enough to point out that ebay does not charge fees based on shipping, paypal does take a percentage of your bottom line, shipping fees included. Then there is the cost of delivery confirmation (absolutely mandatory in all of my transactions, this benefits buyer and seller alike), although that can be free on priority mail if postage is printed online, there is a charge incurred for most sellers.
Let's not forget packing materials, tape, and the time it takes to process the order. What if I had to drive to the post office? Fuel is expensive these days. Sure, one could make the argument that the postman can pick up my package, but you see, I ship the same day as payment is received. Therefore, if you submit payment towards one of my products at 9 p.m. that means I'm going to drive to the post office that night and put your package in the drop box with prepaid postage attached.
Considering this, the star system isn't fair, especially when rating shipping and handling charges. Is it correct to say that a person that charges only actual postage, doesn't wrap your package or protect it in any way, never gives you a confirmation number, and then lets your package sit over the weekend on his dirty pile of clothes is actually more cost effective than someone that does the things mentioned earlier for only around $1 more?
Nevertheless, it's important to consider one's total cost for the item, and it hardly matters if too much was spent on shipping or too much was spent on the item itself. As a buyer, the total amount that you are out of pocket is what is important, right? Believe it or not, there are a LOT of buyers that overlook or flat out ignore shipping charges listed in auctions, looking only at the item's sell price. This narrow oversight provides enough room for people to exploit the shipping on ebay. This exploitation results in many buyers in turn being skeptical as to shipping charges.
But here are the brass tacks; shipping costs more than actual postage, and while I do not believe in making a profit on shipping, I don't think I should take a loss either. Remember to evaluate the entire auction before you bid, and I thank anyone in advance for considering that $6.00 for a flat rate priority envelope, securely packed with delivery confirmation, and even shipped same day is a great deal!
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Witch Doctor
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/7/2008 8:11:56 PM
Posts: 37,
Visits: 76
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Oh, if people would read, Oh, if people would think.
Which brings me to the STAR dings! The new eBay policy has a human nature hole in it the size of Texas. It's already been noticed and can easily be verified how the shipping star is being chipped like our polar icecaps.
Even EBayers fulfilling with FREE shipping lose a STAR arm. I dare say if the hand delivered the goods, winning bidders would whack that indicator.
Knowing the mind of the winners isn't a closed science. By all evidence there appears to be a disconnect between writing out a Feedback and clicking the STAR chart. It is highly likely folks believe the STARS are about their overall experience online buying experience and their overall view of the cost of shipping.
Having two more task to accomplish with this online buying experience when they quick naturally feel paying the bill was the only thing they need do unless a problem arose, exhaust their patience. For them, Feedback, was never more than a relatively good indicator and motivator for keeping the seller honest.
The worst part of the design which will eventually prove it's demolition power is how buyers with multiple purchases at a time from the same buyer will not sit there and click all five STARs per item. Consider the happy buyer of 20 CDs whose much more ready to start viewing than getting carpal tunnel syndrome clicking 100 tiny points. The only circumstance under which they'd be pleased do so is if their really pissed of. 
Sanity
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Wide-Eyed Apprentice
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 1:24:38 PM
Posts: 7,
Visits: 128
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| Coming in pretty late on this one... In an effort to raise our DSR's we lowered our shipping prices from $5.99 to $3.99 for the first item sent out via First Class Mail. We send all items in boxes/padded envelopes, and ever order has delivery confirmation. The labels can be expensive (unless you can get free ones from UPS if you ship with them too). We also try to add in a little bit knowing that the $800 postage printer will eventually die and need to be replaced. Our DSR's have went up. We aren't losing money on it as we have raised our item cost. That works for us!
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