- I get questions on why shipping costs are high. Hopefully the following will explain how shipping charges are determined. I don't add any handling fees. As a seller the only control I have over calculated shipping is to enter the package weight and size for one item.
- I believe that calculated shipping results in a fair shipping charge compared to free shipping for both buyers and sellers
- Free shipping does not mean the post office delivers packages for free. Sellers simply increase the purchase price to include the cost of postage. USPS calculates postage based on the weight, size and distance the package will travel. When a seller lists an item they know the size and weight but not the distance. Distance can vary between postal zone 1 and 9. For free shipping the seller has to pick a postal zone in which to use to add to the purchase price. If a buyer lives in a higher zone number then the seller under charged for shipping. If a buyer lives in a lower zone then the seller overcharged the buyer. For calculated shipping the buyer is charged for the exact zone they live in.
- On multi-quantity purchases free shipping can result in huge overcharging. For example purchasing 10 items means you're paying the postage to mail 10 separate packages since the shipping cost is included in the purchase price. But the actual postage when the 10 items are shipped in one package may only be slightly more than the postage for one item.
- With calculated shipping ebay computes the shipping charge based on the weight of one item x the quantity, the package size of one item and the buyer's postal zone. This is usually fair for both buyers and sellers except USPS now adds additional fees if the package size exceeds certain dimensions (these are paid for by the seller).
- I don't offer any of the USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes because I can't know in advanced if the quantity purchased will fit in the box. I may ship in a flat rate box. But any cost savings compensate for the times I pay additional fees because package size exceeded certain dimensions.
- Ebay uses the USPS retail postage rates to calculate the shipping charges. Sellers who purchase postage labels thru ebay do get discounted rates on the postage but ebay also charges sellers fees on the shipping charges so it evens out.
- Buyers sometimes forget that the cost for sellers to ship an order is more than just the cost of postage. There are the cost of boxes, envelopes, packing materials, labor to pack the order, the occasional drive to the post office, etc...
- Most orders are shipped within 1 business day after payment is received.
- Once I drop off a package at the post office I have no control over it's delivery time. Most listing have USPS Ground Advantage as the default shipping method. This is the lowest cost method and is usually delivered within the specified time frame. But occasionally it can experience delays at postal facilities along the way. If you need the item quickly I suggest that you upgrade the shipping method to USPS Priority Mail when you go thru ebay Checkout. The cost may not be much more and there's still no guarantee it won't get delayed but they do try to expedite it (sorry but I don't have any control over it).
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