Shipping cost more then the part

[Roy B.]

I cant see buying a part when the shipping cost more then the part



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-...Q5fAccessories

[Bob D.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

Wow

I think I would opt for first class mail. Something that small could go USPS first class for about $1.40.

[Tom H.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

Well, you could do it the way I do. To avoid the 4.00 shipping, I wait until a swap meet. Pay 10.00 for gas to get there, 5.00 to get in, and 6.00 for a hot dog, fries and a drink !! Then buy the part.

Much better than paying that shipping !!

[William D.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

That part could be placed in an envelope and mailed with a .44 stamp. These vendors just try to make money off the postage. I refuse to do business with vendors like that.

Bill

[David S.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part



I like the swap meet way too!

-Dave

[Michael W.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

That part could be placed in an envelope and mailed with a .44 stamp.

True, but it probably wouldn't make it safely to the destination in a regular envelope- most likely it would get ripped open going through automated machinery. So, the shipper has to use one of those bubble pack envelopes. Those cost money. So does the extra postage used to mail the part inside the heavier envelope. It also costs money to print the shipping label. You also have to pay someone x labour minutes per item to do this work. USPS doesn't pick up like FedUP or OoPS, so you have to pay someone time and gas money to run down to the post office and stand in line to mail your item.

I think $4.95 for shipping is a bargain given the convenience. If anyone thinks they can do it cheaper, give the vendors a call, I'm sure they'd love to subcontract to you and then pass along the savings.

[William D.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

What you say is true for large vendors. Large vendors do have discounted shipping available, or free shipping with the cost rolled in to the item price.

[Michael W.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

Which would make a $5 screw set cost $10. It's the overhead BEHIND the packaging and shipping that costs big money, not simply the face value of the stamps.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

Just this week I was watching a part that was offered at a starting price of $.99 and had a flat rate shipping of $40! It bid all the way up to about $3. Someone explained to me that in doing this the seller could avoid paying eBay on the percentage of the sale price since almost all of his payment is for "freight". If this is true, look for eBay to now base the commissions on the TOTAL payment including shipping.
Jeff

[Jack H.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

That part could be placed in an envelope and mailed with a .44 stamp. These vendors just try to make money off the postage. I refuse to do business with vendors like that.

Hum, I doubt it (envelope for 44-cents)... The USPS has three different rate schedules for ordinary 1st class service: (1) letter, (2) flat, (3) parcel. The distinction lies with letters being 'machineable'...will they go through automatic cancelling machines.

If contents cause an envelope to 'bulge', it'll be returned for postage due. A conventional jiffy bag with 'lumpy' contents does NOT rate as either an envelope or flat... It dictates USPS 1st class parcel rates.

Example: a 1-oz or less letter mails for $0.44. The equivalent packed in a flat ships for $0.88. The same 1-oz item with lumpy contents in a jiffy bag climbs to $1.22.

To fight 'freight kite' situations, eBay implemented a new policy at the start of the year requiring all sellers to make full disclosure on S&H. It's a 'drag' for several reasons...

First, you either have to 'estimate' each items' final packed weight and dimensions (guess which way most 'round' their estimates) OR go get a shipping box to actually weight/measure before the auction.

Second, eBay's freight calculator only comprehends two carriers (USPS and UPS). Both provide discounts to the shipper but calculate and charge the buyer for the freight's 'rack rate'. This means you can't pass along shipping discounts unless you want to manually process refund(s) for each and every shipment!

FedEx recognizes small shippers and provides better rates than UPS, but can sellers quote FedEx? NOOOOO!!!!

Last, eBay's shipping calculator isn't always accurate. They do NOT require the seller to input package dimensions for all services and that can trigger 'dimensional weight' surcharges (oversize) from time to time.

As a listing seller, you HAVE to know the carrier + service size limits (they're different for USPS priority versus, say, parcel post and various UPS services) and drive their declaration table(s) appropriately. Bottom line, the current system is a MESS that can still generate mis-quotes....

[Rich P.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

Pay pal still takes thier cut out of the shipping. They still get you comming and going.
I haven't sold on evil-bay in several months and reluctantly am going to start again.

As far as shipping charges go I lose 35 cents on everything I mail and I charge 6.50. I send everything fully insured priority that way I can track the shipment and get a delivery confermation.

Rich

[Twan B.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

A few years ago i ordered a compleet spare tire ass. for my '65. this item costs me about $600.- my vendor charged me for shipping $540.- to ship it to my adres in The Netherlands. $600.- + $540.- = $1140 + 25% tax = about $1430.- or 1200,- Euro.
When i recovered from passing out from the total amout of the shipping costs i called my cousin who lives in Chicago. He shipped it to me for $65.- .
Twan

[Ridge K.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

Let me offer some thoughts from an ex-seller of vintage auto parts on eBay. I quit selling on eBay, and shut down my business in November of 2008, after selling over $250K worth of used and NOS parts (which eBay netted around $10K

[Stewart A.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

Roy I could of built another car for the amount of freight I have been charged living Down Under. Stewy

[John S.]

Re: Shipping cost more then the part

just returned from the post office after returning the wrong 1/4" by 3/8" hex head bolt a vendor had sent me. vendor required that i send original packaging back in order to get proper bolt. $4.95 postage plus gas. being that i drove a dodge ram equiped with a hemi, i spent even more on gas than postage!