Is it legal for ebay to take commission from seller's postage?

adouglasmhor

Road_Hog wrote: »

How do you manage to offer free posting? Or do you mean that you put the cost of the posting in the selling price? Which means it isn't free, just that it is hidden in the retail price.

What happens if I'd like to collect the item? Would you still charge me the same price or would you give me a discount. Probably the latter, can you see how it isn't free?

I own and run a small posting house operation as part of my main business. I use the cheapest option available and my costs are minimal. I currently pay out under 27p for a second class C4 or DL envelope under 100g and 44p for a 1st class the same I then bill myslef at the end of the week; and yes it is included in the retail price as it is an expense, anyone who thinks otherwise is deluding themselves, Custardy kindly pointed out another way postage is free from some sellers though earlier in the thread.

Flyonthewall

RFW wrote: »

I think it depends what you're comparing them with. If you've only ever sold on Ebay then they won't be favourable. If you've ever put stuff in a bricks and mortar auction they are good value.
Back in the 90s I ran my own auction house, we used to spend anything up to £2000 per auction in advertising, that still didn't guarantee a good number of customers. When Ebay came along I could list on there, sell and get good prices for less than a tenth of that, with less overheads.

There isn't anywhere else that offers the amount of 'passing trade' that Ebay does. Amazon works well but in a different way, and without the auction element. Sure you can't sell anything you like but if you have something of decent value then there still isn't a better place to sell it.

Ebay is cheaper than some and more expensive than others (online and not). Depends on what you're selling.

They don't need to charge that much though, especially with the amount of sales on the site. If they charged less more people might sell and they might be better off. Anyway, that's slightly beside the point.

Point is, they do charge more than they need to so yes, a lot of people do still use them and the fees are acceptable and, in some cases, better than others, but I still wouldn't class them as good.

I'm not exactly happy to pay the fees they charge, it's just it often works out the best option. Same goes for many other things.

adouglasmhor

Flyonthewall wrote: »

They can't if you're offering free postage. Otherwise they can. Besides, if you package the item badly or do anything else wrong they'll mark you down on other things and give you negative feedback. You're not safe just because you can't be marked down on postage.

I am safe from losing stars on postage though. Never had a complaint about packing or addressing though. (I have had one valid complaint in over 5 years which I resolved immediately and still got a positive review and one neg about 4 years ago from a nutjob who did not read what was being sold and did not realise American sizes were not the same as UK sizes).

Chrysalis

if you think ebay fees are bad how much do you think a national newspaper or national tv station would cost for national advertising?

Road_Hog

Here's a thought. ebay batter to sellers into offering free postage, being available 24/7 and you're also expected to lick the bottom of any buyer who may buy an item from you.

And here is the question, it's only for those unfortunate enough to have phoned ebay when there is a problem, such as a recharge etc.

Using ebay's own DSR rating and feedback system, how would you rate their customer service? Do you think that they adhere to the high standards that they demand of their sellers?

soolin

Road_Hog wrote: »

Here's a thought. ebay batter to sellers into offering free postage, being available 24/7 and you're also expected to lick the bottom of any buyer who may buy an item from you.

And here is the question, it's only for those unfortunate enough to have phoned ebay when there is a problem, such as a recharge etc.

Using ebay's own DSR rating and feedback system, how would you rate their customer service? Do you think that they adhere to the high standards that they demand of their sellers?

Actually I have found Dublin CS absolutely excellent, I have no complaints at all. We are asked to rate them as every time I call I get a survey and have to score them out of 10. I usually give 9-10.

Live chat though is a joke and best avoided if you don't want to risk losing your account.

Road_Hog

Chrysalis wrote: »

if you think ebay fees are bad how much do you think a national newspaper or national tv station would cost for national advertising?

The dead tree press will soon be extinct.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/guardians-76m-loss-hits-boss-in-the-pocket-8031761.html

Chrysalis

Road_Hog wrote: »

The dead tree press will soon be extinct.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/guardians-76m-loss-hits-boss-in-the-pocket-8031761.html

as much as I would like that to happen, no national newspaper is going to just give up its power to manipulate the population. The national press are here to stay.

Flyonthewall

adouglasmhor wrote: »

I am safe from losing stars on postage though. Never had a complaint about packing or addressing though. (I have had one valid complaint in over 5 years which I resolved immediately and still got a positive review and one neg about 4 years ago from a nutjob who did not read what was being sold and did not realise American sizes were not the same as UK sizes).

OK, you're safe from postage marked down and it sounds like you are a good seller. Still doesn't mean you're totally safe. Certainly for sellers whose standards are not as high as yours, they may have problems.

If you posted something to me and it was really badly wrapped, took forever to be despatched and possibly had some damage to the item (whether a scuff, small crack or something worse) and I couldn't mark you down on postage I'd mark you down on item description instead and quite possibly communication too, especially if you state in listings will be well packed, sent within a day (or 2 days) etc.

It may only be one star off depending on how bad it was, but it's still making a difference to your account and it's the only way to warn other people that you're not providing the service and item to a good enough standard. If enough buyers do the same you're account isn't safe.

RFW

Road_Hog wrote: »

Here's a thought. ebay batter to sellers into offering free postage, being available 24/7 and you're also expected to lick the bottom of any buyer who may buy an item from you.

All that being nice to customers is just too much for some people. I believe Basil Fawlty is setting up his own auction site, jump on board while the going's good.