Ebay selling question

[rh71]

Selling a game and have a question about how to list the shipping cost. While listing through ebay, they have a drop-down for "USPS First Class Package" which calculates to $3.78. I don't see this as an actual option through USPS' site. All they show is Priority Mail and none of them are lower than $6.45.

I know a lot of listers do free shipping, so are they basically eating that cost? I would presume so, but having to pay $6.45 is eating into a big portion of the profit if I'm only getting like $30. On the other hand, listing the game for $6.45 shipping seems excessive too. Do people just compromise and list it at a reasonable $3 on their own? Is the $3.78 even possible through USPS somehow?

 

[Ns1]

you can ship usps first class up to 13oz, but it was previously not supported by eBay's shipping feature OR USPS online shipping feature; you had to actually go to a post office or use a meter.

 

[rh71]

^ hmm would you guys wait an extra 1-2 business days for that to arrive at $2.50 cheaper? I think that was the other caveat to using it. Seeing a lower shipping cost is more enticing of course.

 

[Ns1]

^ hmm would you guys wait an extra 1-2 business days for that to arrive at $2.50 cheaper? I think that was the other caveat to using it. Seeing a lower shipping cost is more enticing of course.

depends on the value of the item - as a seller if it was a low value item I'd probably go the free ship with a 5-7 day shipping quote (not guaranteed), and then ship it first class. for a high value item I'd just eat the shipping cost or charge $5 and send it out priority.

you can always give the buyer the option of upgrading the shipping method at his cost...

 

[Newbian]

Cheap or free shipping means it will take longer and if you don't have to pay for it then people assume it's going to take longer.

Otherwise just charge the person the cost of shipping as normal for faster shipping.

 

[Rumpltzer]

There's a link (I Google it when I need it) where you can go into Paypal and get First Class shipping instead of Priority Mail rates.

 

[JimKiler]

Even if you low ball the shipping cost you will probably get higher bids to compensate for the free or lower than cost shipping. People are not stupid however you need an item with lot of bidding to make this work.

 

[JEDIYoda]

You could always deliver the item yourself!! As in drive to their location.......

 

[John Connor]

I would offer two options,

1) Priority mail which goes by air and is around three days sometimes two. Toss it in a priority mail bag and you're good to go. Or a priority box. Best part about priority is that you can put it in your mailbox for free pickup. You can schedule just in case the mailman doesn't come to the house. Go to USPS.com.

2) Media mail since this is optical media. That would be super cheap!

When I offer a flat rate, and since I live in CO, I just look at the shipping to NY and use that. LOL

 

[John Connor]

Crazy how USPS.com uses Akamai Technologies, Inc for a CDN and yet the IP looks like it came from Holland. I don't think all CDN edge servers have their location right in WHOIS.

This site when they migrated to the ZenForo platform went with Akamai Technologies, Inc and it too says from Holland.

 

[slayer202]

Even if you low ball the shipping cost you will probably get higher bids to compensate for the free or lower than cost shipping. People are not stupid however you need an item with lot of bidding to make this work.

yeah, especially with video games where there are lots for sale, it's the total price that matters, and is usually accounted for.

but like people have already said, usps doesn't give you a first class option online, though I think paypal does now.

 

[turtile]

Free shipping listings usually sell for just as much more. Ebay pushes free shipping listings since it gives them higher fees.

 

[Homerboy]

I just ALWAYS used a fixed shipping cost of $5 or something. Not worth the headache otherwise.

 

[John Connor]

Ebay pushes free shipping listings since it gives them higher fees.

eBay charges a final value fee based on the auction closing price AND your shipping fees. Pretty messed up, but eBay quickly learned the idiots charging a few bucks for something and then charging astronomical shipping.