P&P under / over charge.. would you ask for the difference?

ViolaLass

soolin wrote: »

Ouch, telling me why your postage is exensive, on your listing is a red rag to a bull for me. As a buyer I don't care where you live or what car you do or do not drive, all I care about is whether the post and packing looks about right for the item I received-the stamp cost and the packaging. Frankly if you have to explain your pricing then it is way too high.

If I'm paying for your time, your remote property etc you'll just get it in the stars. Post and packing is just that, it isn't anything else and stars are now, unfortunately, th emost important thing to a business seller on ebay. Two low stars, or a series of average ones and you lose any seller discounts. Drop to even average and your best match disappears.

So even if the seller is up front about it, you get annoyed.

I really don't see the big deal. I don't scrutinise how much it may have cost John Lewis or whoever to send me something in the post, why be different with eBay?

As long as the OVERALL cost is an amount that I was happy to pay for the item, I have no issue with how the costs break down.

You could always ask how heavy the item is before you bid and then calculate whether you think the postage is reasonable.

themull1

no, i couldnt be bothered to ask for a partial refund especially if the item itself only cost 99p for example, i would just use the stars when leaving feedback. if you don't like the postage costs don't bid on it. simples.

soolin

ViolaLass wrote: »

So even if the seller is up front about it, you get annoyed.

I really don't see the big deal. I don't scrutinise how much it may have cost John Lewis or whoever to send me something in the post, why be different with eBay?

As long as the OVERALL cost is an amount that I was happy to pay for the item, I have no issue with how the costs break down.

You could always ask how heavy the item is before you bid and then calculate whether you think the postage is reasonable.

I always assume sellers are quoting for post and packing so why would I ask if they were quoting for a bus fare or bag of chips on the way?

Red_Doe

Ouch, telling me why your postage is exensive, on your listing is a red rag to a bull for me. As a buyer I don't care where you live or what car you do or do not drive, all I care about is whether the post and packing looks about right for the item I received-the stamp cost and the packaging. Frankly if you have to explain your pricing then it is way too high.

If I'm paying for your time, your remote property etc you'll just get it in the stars. Post and packing is just that, it isn't anything else and stars are now, unfortunately, th emost important thing to a business seller on ebay. Two low stars, or a series of average ones and you lose any seller discounts. Drop to even average and your best match disappears.

Which is why you have the option NOT to buy from me, of course.
The reason I explain upfront is precisely for that reason...if anyone disagrees with the pricing of my p and p, then simply don`t buy from me.
Incidentally, I don`t price for `a bag of chips` or anything of that nature, so please don`t get offensive, there`s no call for it.

Crowqueen

Red_Doe wrote: »

I sell on Ebay as well as having a site shop. On Ebay I always state what the post and packing costs include. In my case I always buy new packaging, and I live in such a remote area with no personal or public transport excepting a taxi service so must take that into account too...miles from the post office. But, I do try and keep it reasonable and do not charge over what it actually costs me to buy the packing and go to and back from the post office, plus the postage itself of course. In the small print at the bottom of each ad on Ebay, I always explain this too. The end cost is never outrageous and I wouldn`t slap on extra just to make myself some money that way!

If you live a long way from a PO, then selling online isn't exactly a great way of making money. I'm not paying for your taxis to the post office - I don't know where you live, but I'm sure there are other people on eBay you are trying to compete with who are getting more sales because they can sell more efficiently. It's actually in your interests to keep your costs down or at least factor some of it into the item cost. I have a £5 bus fare into town, but wouldn't consider charging for that in my P&P costs.

I would also avoid your listings, and think you should reconsider. "Don't bid if you don't agree" always makes me pass on, and those that do buy will hammer your DSRs into the absolute ground.

macfly

ViolaLass wrote: »

So even if the seller is up front about it, you get annoyed.

I really don't see the big deal. I don't scrutinise how much it may have cost John Lewis or whoever to send me something in the post, why be different with eBay?

As long as the OVERALL cost is an amount that I was happy to pay for the item, I have no issue with how the costs break down.

You could always ask how heavy the item is before you bid and then calculate whether you think the postage is reasonable.

I'm afraid, though logical, yours is not the ebay way.
It's how ebay operate. Not aimed at anybody posting here, but they put power in to the hands of the masses, sit back and let them do their dirty work for free. Same thing worked a treat in Germany.

Red_Doe

You know, you are making it sound as if I`m deliberately ripping buyers off, but my ratings speak for themself. I sell a product that is very competitive in price compared to others of the same item. I am upfront about postage and costs associated with it, and in the end buyers don`t HAVE to buy from me!
Since you don`t know my circumstances you really can`t comment with any weight on it.
I live in such a remote area my choice of transport to the post office, many miles away, is limited to that one taxi service.
Selling online is the ONLY way I have to make a living, as there are no customers nearby, no shops I can stock my product in, so the net is the only way to sell. Or would you rather I pack it in and sit on Jobseekers instead?
I know there ARE many sellers who DO rip customers off, but I am not one of them.
I`ll continue to list my p and p charges and will continue to get customers and for those who don`t like that, the answer is simple..buy elsewhere. It`s a free market after all, no?
Incidentally, given even my breakdown of costs, I STILL lose out on money because I do try and keep it to the bare minimum, and that`s a fact. It isn`t like I am charging extra pounds for it, but pennies.

Crowqueen wrote: »

If you live a long way from a PO, then selling online isn't exactly a great way of making money. I'm not paying for your taxis to the post office - I don't know where you live, but I'm sure there are other people on eBay you are trying to compete with who are getting more sales because they can sell more efficiently. It's actually in your interests to keep your costs down or at least factor some of it into the item cost. I have a £5 bus fare into town, but wouldn't consider charging for that in my P&P costs.

I would also avoid your listings, and think you should reconsider. "Don't bid if you don't agree" always makes me pass on, and those that do buy will hammer your DSRs into the absolute ground.

ViolaLass

Crowqueen wrote: »

If you live a long way from a PO, then selling online isn't exactly a great way of making money.

How someone chooses to make their money, provided it's legal and harms no one, isn't actually any of your business. Clearly it's good enough for Red Doe else s/he wouldn't bother.

I'm not paying for your taxis to the post office

Indeed, you can scrutinise the proposed postage charge and decide whether to bid. No one is forcing you.

- I don't know where you live, but I'm sure there are other people on eBay you are trying to compete with who are getting more sales because they can sell more efficiently.

Again, not actually any of your business or relevant to the discussion.

It's actually in your interests to keep your costs down or at least factor some of it into the item cost.

Wow, really?! Red Doe doesn't sound like s/he is a complete idiot, why treat them like one?

I have a £5 bus fare into town, but wouldn't consider charging for that in my P&P costs.

And good for you. But you would have the option to, if you wanted to, and buyers would have the option of not bidding.

I would also avoid your listings, and think you should reconsider. "Don't bid if you don't agree" always makes me pass on

As you are entitled to.

and those that do buy will hammer your DSRs into the absolute ground.

It appeared Red Doe sells at the moment so unless you have something with which to back your assertion...

Next time you order something from Tesco, are you going to work out the most efficient route the driver could have taken and therefore the amount it's reasonable for you to contribute to their petrol? Or are you just going to accept that it costs £3.75 and add that to your overall cost?

cyberbob

ViolaLass wrote: »

Next time you order something from Tesco, are you going to work out the most efficient route the driver could have taken and therefore the amount it's reasonable for you to contribute to their petrol? Or are you just going to accept that it costs £3.75 and add that to your overall cost?

You're being very silly.

It comes down to this. If you wish to sell on ebay you have to charge reasonable P&P charges if you don't be it your downfall. As people may still buy your items and then mark your DSRs down. A few low ones of these you start to lose customers you risk your seller compliance going down and the possible suspension. I have bought items that I couldn't get anywhere else and when I realise the postage is extortianate I will happily make my feelings known in the DSRs as that's what they are for.

So it's your choice what you do, but I find it a very dodgy business plan to risk allienating customers and putting your ebay account in jeapody just because you want to charge higher postage for your shoe wear.

I as other sellers are pretty happy when competitors charge far higher postage than me. It means I get more customers and make more money. So please anyone who sells similar products to me please charge high postage. I have one item I sell I charge cost for the postage my competitor charges double (our BIN price is the same) what I do. In the past month I have sold 40. He's sold 2. I still make a healthy profit and cover all my costs

You mentioned earlier why don't people question postage for say John Lewis. Well for starters John lewis postage is normally free and the other thing is John lewis aren't selling on ebay,

Red_Doe

Speaking personally, my DSR`s are just fine. I am convinced that is because I make my charges plain in black and white in each item for sale.
If, as people suggest, buyers will be unhappy with my postage charges, then can someone explain why that does not reflect in either my feedback or stars ratings?

So it's your choice what you do, but I find it a very dodgy business plan to risk allienating customers and putting your ebay account in jeapody just because you want to charge higher postage for your shoe wear.

I have both an online shop and sell on Ebay. The most popular item I sell posts for £2. Out of that, the postage cost is £1.59. The rest is what I charge to cover both the packaging and the cost of getting to and from the post office which, as I`ve explained, is miles away and there is no public transport here, plus I have no private transport..due to a medical condition, I can`t drive. ( this does not reflect the true cost, as the taxi costs me almost £3 alone each trip so I am in fact cutting losses)
I hardly think that is exhorbitant. It`s perfectly clearly explained in each ad.
And I am selling regularly and well.
In fact, due to excellent feedback, I`m selling better than my competitors selling the same item.
Speaks for itself, I would have said.