Let's get 'Real' about "Postage & Packing"

Jackie

kingshir wrote:

Inflated P&P drives me nuts on QVC too. Sometimes they have an item at a reasonable price that I would really like and then there is anything between £3 to £5 added on for P&P which virtually wipes out any saving - then I don't buy!

If you are buying from any mail order company they have packers who have to be paid. Small traders may also have packers, otherwise will have to factor in the time it costs them to pack and the cost of packaging. Private sellers will have the cost of packaging to consider. All sellers (irrespective of size) have the cost of getting parcels to the Post Office for despatch.

As long as postage and packing is stated or the buyer asks the seller how much it will be BEFORE bidding I can't understand why buyers feel ripped off. If you think the p&p is too high then don't bid.

LongDongDave

balsingh wrote:

To attract buyers, I usually offer FREE p&p (obviously within the UK only). I work out roughly how much its likely to cost and then I bump up the starting bid a little bid. Buyers appreciate being able to pay the actual final bid amount.

Nothing wrong with that. But if you're in a competitive market, the headline price will attract buyers. Include P&P by "bump[ing] up", and your starting bid price may be 10-50% higher than your competitor.

pug_in_a_bed

this morning i finally recieved my long awaited charger. I paid £3 for p+p yet it cam loose in an orinary envelope with a first class stamp on. Plus envelope torn by the plug. I don't mind paying p+p so long as i see some evidence of where its gone.

Shugster

smam21 wrote:

this morning i finally recieved my long awaited charger. I paid £3 for p+p yet it cam loose in an orinary envelope with a first class stamp on. Plus envelope torn by the plug. I don't mind paying p+p so long as i see some evidence of where its gone.

That was one of the points I was trying make in this thread

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=68780

All that happened was I got shot down and told to stop moaning, so I'm glad that someone else shares my view.

We_Laugh_Indoors

i agree too.

i don't like paying £2 postage for a cd when it has been sent 2nd class in a jiffy bag.

sending it in an ordinary envelope is ridiculous.

pug_in_a_bed

Shugster wrote:

That was one of the points I was trying make in this thread

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=68780

All that happened was I got shot down and told to stop moaning, so I'm glad that someone else shares my view.

yes i agree although i also agree it is reasonable to add on a 'handling' charge for time etc etc but obviously within reason which i think we all agree on. Many people don't find out the exact cost, i know i don't , i just set a standard of £2.50 to include recorded delivery and packing. If its considerably less I will refund the buyer in part.

rizla01

Hmmmm.

Hi,

I have been reading with interest some of the points raised
BUT ONE MAJOR POINT SEEMS TO BE MISSING.

It often helps promote a sale if you are able to offer a full refund of the selling price. Would you agree?

I have done this several times and it appears to be a very reasonable advertisement.

WOULD YOU BE MORE INCLINED TO PURCHASE IF YOU KNEW THAT YOU COULD RETURN SAID ITEMS??

Yeah Right, I hear you saying. "I'm in this to make money"! "I don't want them returning items that I then have to re-advertise, Etc"

Agreed, but if the purchaser is THEN reminded that the p&p doesn't constitute part of the purchase price they will the realise that they will be out of pocket if the item is returned and 99% won't bother.

Con?? Thats up to you?

Hope it helps.

Riz

chem14346777

I've bought a couple fo things on eBay now where I couldn't see how people are justifying postal costs, so I just sent an email before hand saying "I won this item, blah blah, However, I have sent a payment of x amount (£x below total price, inc. postage), as I have sent similar items in the past and combined cost of packaging and postage should only add up to this, any problems, let me know.. blah blah..

People rarely complain, and if they do, just amend the payment accordingly.

Not sure how this is in line with the EULA, but it works.

LongDongDave

chem14346777 wrote:

I've bought a couple fo things on eBay now where I couldn't see how people are justifying postal costs, so I just sent an email before hand saying "I won this item, blah blah, However, I have sent a payment of x amount (£x below total price, inc. postage), as I have sent similar items in the past and combined cost of packaging and postage should only add up to this, any problems, let me know.. blah blah..

People rarely complain, and if they do, just amend the payment accordingly.

Not sure how this is in line with the EULA, but it works.

Why did you buy the item if you didn't agree to the P&P? Looks like you are failing to fulfill an obligation by paying what YOU think should be the final price (including P&P). My ebay preferences would not allow a buyer to tamper with an invoice i sent out.
Anyway, look at this UK seller (5986252564) listing everything for 1p BIN, then charging £9.99 second class, and £19.99 1st Class Recorded!

laurence2163

By making my P+P charges a bit inflated (but not unreasonable) I save ebay selling fees and I'm able to list my items at lower starting prices in order to get the returns I want.

End result customer wins, ebay loses. Isn't that linked to the mission of this site.