I don't have a scale, most of the the auctions of like 15 to 20 snes lots usually have anywhere from 10.00 to 12.00 I have noticed so I might just put in between I guess.
Someone correct me if I am wrong here, but there are 3 different camps as to charging shipping on ebay. 1. Charge exact shipping costs - make people pay only what you pay the postoffice (or Fedex, UPS, etc.) 2. Charge a rounded rate, say, $5.00 or $10.00, depending on what you are mailing. This would be somewhat close to what the actual rate would be, but allows a little extra money for the seller to cover cost of mailing (mailing supplies, gas, tape, etc.) 3. Charge an excessive amount to ship, way over the actual cost of shipping, essentially making money off of shipping. Some people do this to avoid ebay fees as ebay does not collect final value fees from you for shipping costs, only auction amount price (Paypal does though). Sometimes this way makes people upset, especially if they pay say, $10.00 for shipping when the actual shipping price is only $2.00.
A way to get a close estimate as to the shipping cost would be to pack the games up, weigh yourself on a dependable scale (digital with tenths), then weigh yourself again with the box in hand. This should get you a relatively close estimate as to the weight of the box. Then go to usps.com and get an estimate as to how much it would cost to mail the games using different mailing services. You could also do the flat rate box as earlier suggested.
I'd go with the flat-rate box if I were you... 20 SNES games via flat-rate is $9.60 within the US...versus $13+ if you just shipped regular Priority Mail or Parcel Post.
I always charge a bit more than what it'll actually cost me, but I just guesstimate. If I were shipping 20 SNES games I'd probably charge $19.99 to ship, and then ship it Media Mail which should cost you around $5 to ship anywhere in the US.
Hey Nick, how do you ship NES games media mail? My post office won't let me. They said it has to be printed, bound material. They won't even let me ship magazines media mail, just books.
Post offices used to let you ship cartridge media no problem, now it seems it's hit or miss if they'll let you or not. They've been getting really anal about this. My solution is to just not tell them what's in the box, and if they ask, just say "books".
It should also be noted that I've never had anything returned to me when shipping via media mail, except once, and it was a bunch of Atari 2600 instruction books. I took it to my post office and they agreed with me that it was indeed media mail and they refunded my postage, so I just sent it again. This is the Mullica Hill post office that I went to (although usually I go to Richwood). Pitman and Glassboro have sticks up their asses.
I always charge a bit more than what it'll actually cost me, but I just guesstimate. If I were shipping 20 SNES games I'd probably charge $19.99 to ship, and then ship it Media Mail which should cost you around $5 to ship anywhere in the US.
If someone overcharge me for shipping i never leave possitive feedback.
In my opinion 2 to 3 dollars over is fair on packages under 10 pounds anything over that is unfair. Someone paying for priority and getting a package shipped media is really not fair. If your charging more for shipping it should be sent at least parcel.
I always charge a little over actual shipping charges to help with ebay fees, paypal fees, and cost of packaging. After all its shipping and handling charges. But only a couple bucks, nothing to gouge anyone. Also you will find that if you hike up shipping charges too high some people won't bid on your auction simply on principle.
I also agree, flat rate box is an easy way to go. You know the exact cost and don't have to worry about weight. Another shipping note: anything under 13 oz. Ship first class mail. The cost difference is very very small and it gets to the buyer in about 3 days.
I only ship Media when I've made an oopsie on the shipping price I charged and need an "out." Usually Media Mail takes TOO LONG and buyers get pissed. They can and will file Paypal complaints on the seventh day after they paid if they don't have their stuff, even though they knew and agreed to Media Mail service and know that it can take up to 2 weeks to get to them using that service. People just want instant gratification.
when I do use Media Mail, I only put the word "cartridges" on the box exterior top, in bold letters, and have not had a problem yet.
I personally never ship media mail simply because most media stuff I ship qualifies for first class. Under 13 ounces, it's not that much cheaper. For 1 or 2 boxed games, I'll send priority unless I have a suitable non-priority box to ship in, which I'll send first-class (1 game) / parcel (2 games). I never send boxed games in a padded mailer. For 3 - 5 boxed games, I'll send parcel. For 5+ I'll typically send flat rate priority. So, for me anyway, it really depends on how many games I'm shipping.
If it's under 13 ounces, then I ship first class. If over 13 ounces, I ship Media or Priority depending on what's in the box. Cartridges I'll ship Media, but if it's something like a console, then I ship Priority.
Originally posted by: Widar
If someone overcharge me for shipping i never leave possitive feedback.
I know, it's somewhat shady, many people don't like it, but I print out shipping labels from home and it doesn't say how much the postage label costs, so the customer will never know.
Q]If someone overcharge me for shipping i never leave possitive feedback.
Thats not fair. You know what the shipping charge is before you bid. Besides, feedback is based on alot more than shipping charges. Also, what a buyer charges for shipping includes alot more than just post office fees. YOu have boxes, tape, labels, gas, and most importantly time. I know my time is very valuable!
ok, this will settle it all.... GET PAYPAL ... AND USE SHIPPING WITH PAYPAL. this will require a scale though, the nicest part is u never have to leave the house your mailman will pick the package up the next day.. no gas, no time, no waiting in post office lines... it is better in every way... and u still can over charge for shipping if u want to...... i personally hate rip-off shippers and most of the time i will not even buy from them.
I really don't mind how much people charge for shipping. The more they charge the less I am willing to bid on the item though. I ultimately decide how much I am willing to pay for the item and then will only bid up to the total price I am willing to pay (my bid plus shipping). If I am willing to pay $20 dollars for an item and they are charding $19 for shipping then I will only bid $1. If they are charging $5 shipping then I will bid up to $15.
I will agree with NES King on the Paypal shipping. The only thing some people might not like is they require the purchase of delivery confirmation (is it around .15?) That adds up over time if you do enough mailings, but I think it is worth it to have a little peace of mind as well as a defense if someone claims they did not get the package.
TN u are right now that i think of it... sometimes if its high shipping i still buy but i just figure it in with my bid.... but still $6.99 to ship 1 game (or whatever the case may be)... lol big joke...
I really don't mind how much people charge for shipping. The more they charge the less I am willing to bid on the item though. I ultimately decide how much I am willing to pay for the item and then will only bid up to the total price I am willing to pay (my bid plus shipping). If I am willing to pay $20 dollars for an item and they are charding $19 for shipping then I will only bid $1. If they are charging $5 shipping then I will bid up to $15.
Comments
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1. Charge exact shipping costs - make people pay only what you pay the postoffice (or Fedex, UPS, etc.)
2. Charge a rounded rate, say, $5.00 or $10.00, depending on what you are mailing. This would be somewhat close to what the actual rate would be, but allows a little extra money for the seller to cover cost of mailing (mailing supplies, gas, tape, etc.)
3. Charge an excessive amount to ship, way over the actual cost of shipping, essentially making money off of shipping. Some people do this to avoid ebay fees as ebay does not collect final value fees from you for shipping costs, only auction amount price (Paypal does though). Sometimes this way makes people upset, especially if they pay say, $10.00 for shipping when the actual shipping price is only $2.00.
A way to get a close estimate as to the shipping cost would be to pack the games up, weigh yourself on a dependable scale (digital with tenths), then weigh yourself again with the box in hand. This should get you a relatively close estimate as to the weight of the box. Then go to usps.com and get an estimate as to how much it would cost to mail the games using different mailing services. You could also do the flat rate box as earlier suggested.
It should also be noted that I've never had anything returned to me when shipping via media mail, except once, and it was a bunch of Atari 2600 instruction books. I took it to my post office and they agreed with me that it was indeed media mail and they refunded my postage, so I just sent it again. This is the Mullica Hill post office that I went to (although usually I go to Richwood). Pitman and Glassboro have sticks up their asses.
I always charge a bit more than what it'll actually cost me, but I just guesstimate. If I were shipping 20 SNES games I'd probably charge $19.99 to ship, and then ship it Media Mail which should cost you around $5 to ship anywhere in the US.
I also agree, flat rate box is an easy way to go. You know the exact cost and don't have to worry about weight. Another shipping note: anything under 13 oz. Ship first class mail. The cost difference is very very small and it gets to the buyer in about 3 days.
Bryan
when I do use Media Mail, I only put the word "cartridges" on the box exterior top, in bold letters, and have not had a problem yet.
If someone overcharge me for shipping i never leave possitive feedback.
I know, it's somewhat shady, many people don't like it, but I print out shipping labels from home and it doesn't say how much the postage label costs, so the customer will never know.
Q]If someone overcharge me for shipping i never leave possitive feedback.
Thats not fair. You know what the shipping charge is before you bid. Besides, feedback is based on alot more than shipping charges. Also, what a buyer charges for shipping includes alot more than just post office fees. YOu have boxes, tape, labels, gas, and most importantly time. I know my time is very valuable!
I will agree with NES King on the Paypal shipping. The only thing some people might not like is they require the purchase of delivery confirmation (is it around .15?) That adds up over time if you do enough mailings, but I think it is worth it to have a little peace of mind as well as a defense if someone claims they did not get the package.
I really don't mind how much people charge for shipping. The more they charge the less I am willing to bid on the item though. I ultimately decide how much I am willing to pay for the item and then will only bid up to the total price I am willing to pay (my bid plus shipping). If I am willing to pay $20 dollars for an item and they are charding $19 for shipping then I will only bid $1. If they are charging $5 shipping then I will bid up to $15.
I do the same thing.