Xaxaxe wrote:The latest media mail chart I have actually ends at about $25.50 ... and that's for 70 pounds of material.

If that's not a typo of some other kind of mistake, we're looking at a listing that practically redefines "excessive shipping."

I reported both auctions. I think I'm going to make it my personal mission to start reporting excessive shipping in the D&D section.

For example, I was looking through the D&D mini's last night and some people have $7.00 for a single plastic miniature.

I'm tired of it.

Busman wrote:
I reported both auctions. I think I'm going to make it my personal mission to start reporting excessive shipping in the D&D section.

For example, I was looking through the D&D mini's last night and some people have $7.00 for a single plastic miniature.

I'm tired of it.

Shipping is a funny thing. After mailing stuff for 14 years, I can pretty much look at an item and tell you if the shipping is over the top or not.  In a lot of cases what seems to be high may not be, depending on the method of mailing.  Unfortunatley a lot of buyers (I'm not pointng to you Busman by any means, just making a generalization) think that ANY shipping cost is too high. I've actually had buyers underpay shipping, and I took up the difference, to have them complain the shipping was STILL too high.....

The artwork is going to have to be shipped in a wooden crate and insured for $1000 AT A MINIMUM.  The final price for the piece may end up being even more, which would require even more insurance. That one might be about right. I don't have that much experience with expensive artwork; plus maybe the seller was covering his bases in case a foreign buyer purchased the artwork.  If they were to put a low shipping price, an overseas buyer might initially pay that without realizing that shipping to Asia requires additional costs.

For the D&D minis, it depends on the size.  I ship all my D&D minis in a small priority box, which typically runs $4.60 to $6 for a single.  If it's a larger mini like a medium sized dragon, giant, or the like (which would require a bigger priority box), $7-$8 isn't out of the question. Thus, if the $7 mini is being shipped in a padded envelope or small plain package, $7 is probably too much.  If it's being shipped in a priority box, or it's a larger mini, that's not over the top to ask $7 for shipping. It depends on the specific item.

The media mail one seems a bit padded....I don't think I've had a media mail shipment come out to above $20 in my life.  Not to mention he could use flat rate priority box mail on that lot and it would come in at HALF the total.

I've stopped reporting excessive shipping totals merely because it plays into Ebay's hands.  They have gone on record saying they want sellers to give out free shipping and make up for the price difference by having the seller tack on the extra charges to the price of the item....a transparent ploy to take money OUT of the sellers pocket and put it INTO their pocket (because Ebay makes money on the FVF and not the shipping cost). In other words EBay has absolutely no problem with anyone overpaying for something, as long as they get a piece of it...which is why they've made every effort to crack down on "excessive" shipping, yet done nothing for years to stop sellers like Cougar from pissing on people.  I'd much rather pay higher shipping and help out someone trying to make a living than give another cent to the greedmongers that are ruining EBay at the moment.

Mike B.

Busman wrote:
Totally agreed, Mike.

But, for every guy like you who is trying to keep things reasonable, there is a guy taking a 4oz module, shoving it in a grocery bag and stuffing that in a 40 cent yellow envelope and writing do not bend on the envelope; and charging $4 for S&H. (One of my latest purchases)

I generally don't bat an eye at anything $4 and under for shipping, even on small things.

I've shipped stuff for the last 14 years or so as well for my job and I know that you can ship things cheap if you want, and people often do. Or you can very nicely package things and put them in a nice box with a nice wrapping of bubble wrap.

If something is shipped well, I don't mind paying for it. $8-$10 for something wrapped in bubblewrap and put in a nice box. Totally worth it. $8-$10 for that same box set just thrown in a cardboard box? Not worth it.

It's why I mention in each of my feedbacks about the shipping quality if it's good. Well shipped items mean I'm a repeat customer.

Yeh I have had the guy who took a pulp magazine 50 years old, wrapped brown paper around it, slapped an address and stamp on that, and charged me priority shipping.    Did he get a postive feedbck? Noooooooo......

I also recently had another magazine disaster...which is why I'm always throwing caution to the wind when I buy mags (after promising myself I wont' ever buy mags through the mail again!). Then again I just had a box full of mags arrive from Bspaul in PERFECT shape...so I know it can be done.  

I guess what I meant to say is that I don't mind paying for shipping...even overpaying...as long as I get the product in the condition it was packaged in.  So I don't like to judge a lot of the "excessive" shipping until it gets to me and I can see if they charged me $10 for a priority box or $10 for a grocery bag and duct tape......

The lesson I suppose is ask before you bid..."Do you use priority boxes, or is my paperback going to arrive coverless in a reused plain white envelope?"

Mike B.

NetRodent wrote:Bio One

** expired/removed eBay auction **

2nd print fyi



ShaneG.

xraygord wrote:
I hear ya! I  had my eye on a module that was up for auction by an Acaeum member. The shipping was $12.00 to Canada from the U.S. I cannot justify paying that much.

I am assuming this was me. Mark is right, my shipping to Canada would have actually been $10($12 for outside North America) for Priority Mail or if you would have wanted I would have shipped it First Class for like $5 or $6. You should have asked.  

bclarkie wrote:

I am assuming this was me. Mark is right, my shipping to Canada would have actually been $10($12 for outside North America) for Priority Mail or if you would have wanted I would have shipped it First Class for like $5 or $6. You should have asked.  

BC makes a good point...sometimes when I see ridiculous shipping, I ask them if the rates are set in stone and if they will combine shipping for multiple orders. Almost always they will help me out, I've got some really good deals on stuff I wouldn't have normally bid on because the shipping looked really high.

Mike B.

It's all moot if sellers follow eBay's advice and start providing 'free' shipping (the modern thing to do, don't you know?). Everything will just start at $big bucks or more instead of 99c and the handling fees are going to be harder to determine because they'll blur with arbitrary opening prices. Plus that price will include eBay's new FVF cut.

xraygord wrote:Beleve me I DO NOT agree with the way ebay is going and i'm mostly a buyer. When I do sell its not to make money, although it never hurts  its usually just to get rid of stuff I have that is collecting dust.

Shipping costs money, it shouldn't be free, I'm referring to exceptionaly high shipping prices.
i.e. seller A ships for $1.00 while seller B charges $7.00. The exact same shipping service and packing materials used by both

Yeah I know you are, sorry but when I get a bee in my bonnet I bang on and bore the crap out of people. It's my way. Actually I used to charge fairly high shipping prices, for several reasons. First, Royal Mail is damn expensive and they've put that 25mm max depth rule in to ensure that anything over a size 3 Jiffy goes small packets rather than large letter. Third - I always used new packing materials because I hate getting decent RPG stuff in scribbled out, half worn envelopes that already took a battering first time around. And C - I took every step to ensure the item ended up in the buyer's hands in the same condition it left me, so that meant plenty of bubble wrap, bags, boards and so on. I worked out my costs carefully, to the penny, and figured how much materials cost to charge. Worked out 70p for the first item and 30p per item thereafter with postage costs by weight added. But nobody ever complained because they always got their stuff in tip-top condition. What with eBay and Paypal fees I had to pass this cost on or else I would have made negligible profit. Mind you, when I did clear a decent return I always dropped the additional charges and sent at cost. I think as long as the intentions are good then shipping costs can be justified. When shipping turns into a scam I agree, that's the time to complain.

Sooo.....

Is there any interesting item s up?