Shipping Charges on Ebay.

[legolas27]

I have done a lot of purchasing on Ebay and over the last few months started selling cards on Ebay. I charge $3.00 per card. This helps cover actual shipping costs, paper and ink since I print the labels from home, padded envelopes, card holders, gas and time. I don't advertise combined shipping but if someone asks I will combine shipping at $1.00 each additional card. I think this is pretty reasonable and in line with what I've seen. Usually the sellers that have free shipping charge more for their cards. It is kind of like when I sold new cars, oh you want more for your trade in? Then we will just up the price of the car too. Anyways I had a customer recently bid and win several of my cards, which very upfront say $3.00 shipping. He asked for combined shipping which I did for him and he gladly paid it. Now that he has the cards he sent me an email saying my shipping was to high. I feel like if he didnt like my shipping why did he bid in the first place? As a buyer myself there have been a few times I didnt like the shipping on cards I was looking at so I didn't bid/buy the cards in the first place. Seems simple to me. I have always felt it was dumb that you rate a seller on how reasonable their shipping charges were. If you didn't think they were reasonable why did you buy from them? What do you guys think?

[CowboysGuide]

I do a modest amount od selling on eBay.  Mostly not cards, but a fair share is cards.  IMO $3 + $1 for each additional card is too much.  The additional weight of one cards isn't worth $1 more in shipping.  You should be able to ship 4-5 cards for $3, then add $0.30 or $0.50 for the next few cards.  You also have to remember that eBay has also started to take a chunk of what you charge for shipping.

You're right though, if you don't like the shipping charges, don't buy from me.  It is important to have all of your shipping info stated on the listing. 

[legolas27]

You may be right it may be too much, but I am factoring other factors besides just shipping costs. I went into my local card shop and talked to one of the regulars and the dealer who both sell a lot on Ebay and neither of them thought it was too much. In fact the regular said he charges $3.50 a card.
I didn't realize Ebay was taking a huge chunk of shipping charges. I guess I need to look at that more closely.
I agree with you though in the grand scheme of things if people don't like the shipping charges, don't buy. I don't think its right for someone to make a purchase, gladly pay your invoice you send them and then gripe about shipping charges after the fact.

[CowboysGuide]

Most of the Retrocards sets I sell have 15 cards, and the total for shipping in a padded envelope is under $2.00.  You can find padded envelopes for .50/ea if you buy a small quantity, then other things like card sleeves and team bags, tape, ink, ect, it should keep everything under $3 - and that includes delivery conformation.  I don't think $3 is outrageous, it seems to be the norm, but a wise shopper will pass up your single card for another with cheaper shipping costs...if it's a common.  What I think people hate the most is when the shipping costs more than the card they are buying. 

I'm more likely to look at what else a seller may have for sale when they offer free shipping, or shipping is $2 and under.  That's just me though.

[legolas27]

After putting up all these posts yesterday, I saw a card on Ebay I need for my collection and no one had bid on it and it was about to end. Then I noticed $7.00 standard shipping so I passed. At least I didn't buy it and whine about the high shipping after the fact.

[Cajuncowboy]

Just to chime in, I think 2.00 is sufficient to ship up to two or three cards. That should also cover the envelope as well. I think if you start sending oversized items then you can justify more. The increased postage rates also make it tough. To send something that is postcard sized with a pen in it costs 4.00 almost. That's crazy. But if you charge 4.00 to ship an 8X10 you are pretty close to right on for the cost of the envelope and the cost of the postage.

7.00 to mail a card though? Crazy talk.

[legolas27]

Cajun I charged Three Dollars because it seemed pretty consistent to what I had been paying as a buyer. In fact I just bought a Troy Aikman insert card I need and paid $2.95 for shipping. And like I said the guys at the local card shop said they charge more than that. I may look into lowering. I print my own labels which takes a lot of ink and ink cartridges arent cheap these days. In the bigger picture of things I just don't think Ebay should allow buyers to gripe about shipping charges after the fact. If you don't like the shipping charges don't buy or bid on the item. Seems like common sense to me.

[Cajuncowboy]

Cajun I charged Three Dollars because it seemed pretty consistent to what I had been paying as a buyer. In fact I just bought a Troy Aikman insert card I need and paid $2.95 for shipping. And like I said the guys at the local card shop said they charge more than that. I may look into lowering. I print my own labels which takes a lot of ink and ink cartridges arent cheap these days. In the bigger picture of things I just don't think Ebay should allow buyers to gripe about shipping charges after the fact. If you don't like the shipping charges don't buy or bid on the item. Seems like common sense to me.

I totally agree with you that if someone agrees to buy something and the shipping is clearly stated they have no room to argue over it after the fact. I was just making a point about the costs of shipping over all. Not about the complaining part.

[legolas27]

Yeah I understand Cajun. Not trying to argue with you or anyone on here. Just venting I guess.