Post by: Kronz on April 07, 2009, 01:46:03 PM
Anyway. So I have got single loose Joes from the states and it's usually marked with very inexpensive shipping, I think just under $2 for a small bubble envelope with one Joe in it. That's reasonable. So when I went to sell single Joes I figured I need to adjust for Canadian currency, postal rates and taxes so I put $4 for one figure and extras for $2.75. Now to Americans apparently that rate seems outrageously expensive and a clear sign I am trying to take profit out of the shipping rate. However when I went to ship one Baroness in small bubble mailer with two file cards and her accessories I was asked to pay nearly $6 to Seattle from London ON and that was the ground option.
Last week I shipped a box with four complete figures in figure bubbles in a small box it cost me nearly ten dollars. I thought THAT was expensive. Now I know I can't sell extra low-value figures on eBay.
Am I doing something wrong?
Post by: darth cujo on April 07, 2009, 06:11:39 PM
Post by: BHMike on April 07, 2009, 06:20:02 PM
Ask them first if they mind re-assembling them. Unscrew the back and put all parts in a ziplock bag, then a padded envelope. They slide through the slots easy enough and cheap enough.
Sadly, I just figured this out about a month or so ago.
Post by: condor knight on April 07, 2009, 06:22:24 PM
That is what I have been told from the post office.
Post by: Radio Guy on April 07, 2009, 06:32:45 PM
Quote from: "THE Mike?"
I've found a way to send loose Joes to people - cheap.
Ask them first if they mind re-assembling them. Unscrew the back and put all parts in a ziplock bag, then a padded envelope. They slide through the slots easy enough and cheap enough.
Sadly, I just figured this out about a month or so ago.
that's brilliant! i'm gonna try that next time i ship!
Post by: Canuklehead on April 07, 2009, 07:20:38 PM
Post by: Realboss on April 07, 2009, 09:34:05 PM
Post by: martin-montreal on April 07, 2009, 10:06:55 PM
Quote from: "Kronz"
Now I know
... and knowing is half the battle!! :wink:
The best way to avoid shipping fees, is to meet people at the Con, May 2!
I'm surprised Mike didn't tell you that before
Martin
Post by: thatcarlguy on April 07, 2009, 11:35:27 PM
Post by: freakx2001 on April 08, 2009, 08:11:58 AM
On a sidenote the shipping cost in the states is so cheap, and I hate when people in the USA on Ebay, think shipping to Canada is like some foreign country half way across the world and charge crazy expensive prices, then you get the package and its like 1/3 of what you paid... >:(
Post by: Kronz on April 08, 2009, 01:45:26 PM
And a huge gripe abot eBay: there is no excuse for them to ban people from trying to cover the paypal and ebay fees in BiN listings. I mean c'mon. In my mind listing and payment fees are HANDLING. It makes sense that an auction with bidders could not adjust shipping and handling for a FVF but if it's BiN the sale price is accounted for.
Anyway, I think I will only sell things that will cause bidding wars if I have to list in the future. Trying to be charitable once again bites me in the ass.
Post by: BHMike on April 08, 2009, 02:01:40 PM
Include a link and your postal code for them to check it out for themselves with your listings.
The fees are a part of using their service. I don't see why you would charge others to pay your fee. There was someone on here before that wanted me to pay his paypal fees if I bought something from him. I never bothered to reply.
What I don't agree with, is PayPal taking a portion of the shipping price as a TOTAL for the money you get. THAT cuts into any money you actually make. I've never liked that, and have always rounded up to the nearest dollar because of it.
Post by: Kronz on April 08, 2009, 02:22:48 PM
edit: I would also like to point out that I never DID charge anyone the Ebay and Paypal fees, I have invariably made none or a negative amount of profit when selling on their site.
Post by: canprime on April 08, 2009, 05:14:13 PM
1) The USPS recently changed it's shipping prices and went with a similar system as Canada. Meaning they now charge based on weight/dimensions and don't have the same flat rate as they used to. The smaller packages do still come in at set rates, but regular packages don't. So in time the US residents will be seeing similar rates to us for shipping. Which is actually worse for us.
2) If you are using Ebay, try and get the exact dimensions/weight of the package. You can put those into their calculator. That way anyone interested can check the cost of shipping and it automatically gets put into the invoice. It is calculated using Canadpost rates and you don't have to get quotes or explain pricing to anyone anymore. I started doing this a few months ago and can't begin to say how much better it makes selling on Ebay.
3) Paypal fees/handling fees. I personally don't like them, but they are a fact of doing business on Ebay now. I don't charge extra for them unless it has to be done. That usually only happens when special packaging is needed (post tubes, specialty envelopes/boxes). However, if the person is upfront about the extra charge, then I don't see a problem. You have the choice then to buy or not, but if they try to add it after the fact, then that is just scamming.
Post by: Kronz on April 09, 2009, 06:19:09 PM
Oh and today I shipped a bubble mailer with two Joes in it to Ohio and it was less than a dollar more than it had been to send a much smaller package with one in it. Sigh.
Post by: Kronz on April 10, 2009, 02:16:02 PM
Post by: nighthawk on May 06, 2009, 05:25:10 PM