eBay shipping versus charging no shipping

[bangsportscards]

I have a little quandry. Is it more beneficial to increase sales by charging a fair shipping cost or offer a FREE SHIPPING deal?

Let’s paint a scenario: If I charge $0.99 to delivery 1-10 cards securely in a bubble envelope, $1.99 for 11-100, would it be advantageous to stick with this rate or go out on a limb and say shipping’s on me?

I have 120 + game used that I can let start at $0.99 each and given a presentable image(s), simple professional write up, and solid feedback, which way do I go here?

Thanks for sharing all insight!

Brian

[kornbreadchild]

Hey,
Honestly, I dont think you should short yourself on the shipping. If you are selling each individually then start at a normal starting price, you say 99cents and charge regular shipping because why would you want to lose out? I think most people that go on ebay rather worry about the ending price than shipping price, OF COURSE, if it is not too high.
Free shipping will definitely attract more buyers but would you really want to absorb the loss?

[steel75]

.99 cents is very reasonable. It should have ZERO impact on your auctions.

[OnePimpTiger]

That shipping rate is very good, I think people will appreciate it and it will actually help your sales. I do free shipping from time to time, I think it does increase activity, but very low shipping (like yours) does as well, so I don't think it would be worth it to go from where you're at to free.

[75zito]

.99 is awesome price I wish I could find more auctions that charged that little...I think $2 is fair shipping charge... but most sellers I have found charge $3 and like .50 per each card additional..... not all of them but probably 90%


Christopher

[tidefan95]

When I first started selling on eBay, I tried free shipping. Didn't really do much for driving up prices on a 7 day auction. What I've discovered is that FAST shipping is every bit as valuable, if not more, to the customer, as FREE shipping. We live in an instant gratification society, and the more instant you make that gratification, the happier the customer. I know some folks have time commitments to jobs, family, etc. that might not allow them to ship an item the day after.....or sometimes the day of.....receiving a payment. But if that's possible for you to do, it WILL show up in your feedback ratings and will lead to enhancing your reputation as a seller.

In most cases, I ship the same day I receive payment.....and no later than the day after. I've noticed a tremendous boost in my business. I charge $1.50 for a single card and $.10 each additional card. I DO offer free shipping for orders totaling over $25.00 within 7 days. I also handle everything exclusively through Paypal b/c delivery confirmation (which they require) protects both me and the buyer. I also don't find it necessary to send out stuff in bubble mailers or anything else that will drive up shipping costs. If it's a single card, put it in a penny sleeve and sandwich it between 2 pcs. of cardboard in a 6 x 9 envelope. Haven't had a complaint yet. Fortunately, regular first class mail is getting it there quickly too. I've had cross country shipments arrive in 2 days!!

Take a look @ my feedback rating and note the one phrase you see more than any other........ http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...ab=AllFeedback

[johnnym415]

On ebay, I am now charging $2.50 for bubble envelope mailing no matter how many cards you buy. I was getting $2.00 for the past few years, but prices of supplies, stamps and envelopes have risen over time. I do ship each card in a penny sleeve, top loader and team bag. It works for me for about 10 years now.
Of course, most of my inventory has been sent or is being sent to checkoutmycards.com. I am much happier with them then ebay.

Good Luck with your sales.

John

[bangsportscards]

Thanks fellas!

I heard a poster on the eBay board give bad feedback on the putting inside two pieces of cardboard idea but I thought that out. Do you have to cut up each piece? That would be time consuming in the end.

Have you guys seen the POLY MAILERS? They are grey looking in appearance, supposedly better strength, and overall protection for your items. Plus, they are cheaper than the kraft. I mainly bought the kraft but has anyone experienced or support the use of poly?

I also saw a guy charging $2.50 flat shipping on eBay for 1-100 + cards. That seems to be a benefit to both seller/buyer. The only concern I'd have is potential browsers seeing the $2.50 and starting bid, then not clicking the auction link, not knowing you are offering a discount. So I was thinking you'de have to put that info in the secondary title space?

I'm seriously considering www.checkoutmycards.com . They may have a 20% cash out fee but after you subtract all the time in the eBay auction process, you may be coming out in the green as a seller. I questioned firsthand their $2.75 shipping for a single card as I'm not sure how the buyers accet this price. It's a little more than the actual cost to ship through USPS for a card but that may not make much difference there?


Oh and I agree 100% that prompt shipment will work wonders for a consistent eBay seller.

Brian

[jonpop]

If it's a single card, put it in a penny sleeve and sandwich it between 2 pcs. of cardboard in a 6 x 9 envelope.

You must be lucky not getting neg feedback for sending cards out like that.

[tidefan95]

I should clarify that they're also inside a top loader of some kind......or sometimes screwdown holder if I have one on hand.