How to Avoid Over Priced Shipping Charges
This may sound difficult to do but, you can totally avoid paying over priced shipping. When looking at an auction, look at the sellers price for shipping. If they are pricing a baseball card for shipping at $4.00 you know this is ridiculously overpriced. 2 ounces sent via PAYPAL first class is 1.92 which includes the delivery confirmation fee that is required and charged by PAYPAL shipping center. Delivery Confirmation is only free on Priority Mail. It is included at no cost on all UPS shipping. Flat rate shipping boxes via US Postal Service are 9.95. They will hold 18 Metal or Plastic Single DVD cases or 1200 4.5" fabric squares. They allow up to 70 lbs (Packed total lead I guess) and a flat rate envelope is 4.95 and will hold 4 DVD cases but no protection as it is just light weight cardboard. A flat rate padded envelope is also 4.95 as well and I can pack 4 DVD's in one. These are Priority Mail. So why are some sellers charging $7. to ship one DVD via media mail ( 2 lbs cost 3.00 with delivery confirmation.....We could ship an entire season of NCIS or any TV show for 3.00 via Media and 4.95 priority.)
I think my least favorite fraud is the person shipping Photographs. Really? It doesn't take $8.95 to ship a photo. If it is sandwiched between two cardboard flats, packed in a padded envelope and shipped PRIORITY it would cost 4.95 max and yet I've see sellers charging outragous shipping to ship it first class, less than 3.00. On top of that, they could put 50 photos in that same padded PRIORITY envelope (which are free from USPS) and still ship it for 4.95. Protest the overpriced shipping. LOOK for the seller giving discounts for multi purchases and Look for those sellers offering REAL discounts. I actually like packing more auctions into one shipment, as long as it can be done safely.
Sellers charging you service fees for going to the post office is also ridiculous as both UPS and USPS will pick up for FREE. Understand though that some sellers charge for the packaging, such as buying bubble wrap, envelopes, boxes and peanuts....take that into consideration. Some sellers consider it part of the shipping fee and will recoupe this cost. However, there is no way it costs $5.00 in bubble wrap and packaging supplies to ship a plate....so use your common sense there. I can pack out an entire set of china in tape, bubble wrap, peanuts and box for about $ 6.00, this packing costs not actual shipping cost.
Look at how much an item weighs. A plate will weigh about a pound or so plus a pound to pound and a half for packaging...Always allow for packaging, it has weight also. Then go to the US Postal Service site for information on your shipping costs. You can get an approximate idea. Again look for seller who will combine shipping to save YOU money. Some will tell you that they will combine but, they don't offer YOU the discount they take it themselves to make up for auction fees, losses or just greed. ASK before you bid. Look for the wording in their auctions. I should state whether they combine to save YOU money. Again, this is YOUR money.
Some of the sellers have signed up for the new UPS discount.....this is a huge savings. We have been able to ship more items with UPS and save even more money because we don't have to charge the $2.65 insurance for the first $100. Plus their shipping has been a little less. Check their website at UPS you will be quite happy you did. They are stating you can save 30% on shipping with their service. Insurance with the US Post Office is $1.70 per $50. UPS is $2.25 for up to $300. with the first $100 free.
If your seller isn't offering UPS for heavier items find out why. There really isn't a good excuse except that the seller only ships priority in order to get the free boxes. Again though, boxes are free at the grocery store and yes, I raid the box boys when they are stocking. I don't charge anyone anything for a box. AND, I don't think there is anyone out there that cares if they are getting a recycled box or if they are getting a brand new one as long as their item arrives alive.
Just don't pay overpriced shipping. Simply don't shop with the seller. Then tell them why. You may get a nasty email back ( I have) but, delete them or forward them to Ebay. There is absolutely no reason to waste that kind of money. Shippers should combine and they should be fair. They are NOT suppose to be making a profit off of shipping. Don't give it to them. There is very little out here that won't come onto Ebay again. Be Patient.
Lastly, in the event that one of my customers jump invoices and pays the computer generated combined invoices with all that shipping charge on it (Not one that I have personally combined) , I refund the difference between what it costs to ship and what they paid. And yes, I really have refunded shipping, from $2.00 up to over $30. But, some shippers won't. Don't know why. Seems rather ridiculous as well. Wait until the shipper combines the costs themselves. If you are not sure if they have combined it...email them and ask. Email is free. Over priced shipping isn't.
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