Nope. Technically it's a marginally higher discount percentage (21% instead of 20%), but it does require you to spend more overall.No $15 of $75....
As an eBay seller, if a customer wants to return the item for no other reason then they don’t want it, you can’t charge them a restocking / shipping fee if you put free shipping.I always hate when sellers list shipping separate. I don't understand why they don't just build it into the cost of the item. It has no effect on their fees because seller fees are paid on the total amount paid for the order, less sales tax. All it does is hurt buyers and help eBay.
Rant over.
In addition to what usflegend, listing the shipping separately also allows the seller to list multiple shipping options that gives buyers a preference for how they would like the item shipped. It also benefits the buyer if the seller is calculating exact shipping cost based on location, which would save the buyer some money instead of padding the shipping cost into the item for potential buyers in more expensive to ship to locations.I always hate when sellers list shipping separate. I don't understand why they don't just build it into the cost of the item. It has no effect on their fees because seller fees are paid on the total amount paid for the order, less sales tax. All it does is hurt buyers and help eBay.
Rant over.
eBay bucks too, but that's only cents. All of the items I buy are video games that can be shipped First Class Parcel for the same price to anywhere in the US. That doesn't impact any of the things I purchase. I don't purchase large or bulky items - everything is less than 13 oz.In addition to what usflegend, listing the shipping separately also allows the seller to list multiple shipping options that gives buyers a preference for how they would like the item shipped. It also benefits the buyer if the seller is calculating exact shipping cost based on location, which would save the buyer some money instead of padding the shipping cost into the item for potential buyers in more expensive to ship to locations.
Only way it really hurts the buyers is for Ebay coupons, which most sellers do not factor in.
For many of the things I buy, the sellers don't allow discretionary returns. But that makes sense if they do allow it, especially for larger items.As an eBay seller, if a customer wants to return the item for no other reason then they don’t want it, you can’t charge them a restocking / shipping fee if you put free shipping.
Had a guy order something and I put shipping free for a $1200 sale. Item cost me $70 to ship and when he got it he decided he didn’t want it anymore and PayPal forced me to accept the refund. I asked about shipping compensation but they said since I charged $0 that I can’t.
"No Returns" or "Seller Does Not Accept Returns" is just fluff. If a buyer wants to return an item, eBay will make the seller accept it, regardless of the seller's listed policy, an overwhelming majority of the time. I always put "No Returns" in my listings, but I still get return requests and my options are to provide a full refund or a return shipping label. You can only contest the claim by calling eBay, and even then their standards for siding with the seller are very favorable to the buyer. I was unaware of the return shipping component usflegend mentioned, but it makes sense to me.eBay bucks too, but that's only cents. All of the items I buy are video games that can be shipped First Class Parcel for the same price to anywhere in the US. That doesn't impact any of the things I purchase. I don't purchase large or bulky items - everything is less than 13 oz.
For many of the things I buy, the sellers don't allow discretionary returns. But that makes sense if they do allow it, especially for larger items.
Case in point. Flat fee shipping and no returns. Who does this breakdown benefit? This is what I'm referring to.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Mario-Galaxy-2-Nintendo-Wii-2010-DISC-ONLY-SCRATCH-FREE/323306781886?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
I ship first class free, but anyone who lists priority free is nuts. Get lucky and your buyer is close or on the same coast, nice. Ship all the way to the other side of the continent... screwed!I always hate when sellers list shipping separate. I don't understand why they don't just build it into the cost of the item. It has no effect on their fees because seller fees are paid on the total amount paid for the order, less sales tax. All it does is hurt buyers and help eBay.
Rant over.
So if they always side with the buyer, how would it make any difference whether shipping is separate or included? The buyer would still get the full refund in your scenario."No Returns" or "Seller Does Not Accept Returns" is just fluff. If a buyer wants to return an item, eBay will make the seller accept it, regardless of the seller's listed policy, an overwhelming majority of the time. I always put "No Returns" in my listings, but I still get return requests and my options are to provide a full refund or a return shipping label. You can only contest the claim by calling eBay, and even then their standards for siding with the seller are very favorable to the buyer. I was unaware of the return shipping component usflegend mentioned, but it makes sense to me.
I rarely sell on eBay any more because of the fees and general hassle it constitutes, but as a buyer you're extremely well protected,
You must have missed my next post which stated "All of the items I buy are video games that can be shipped First Class Parcel for the same price to anywhere in the US. That doesn't impact any of the things I purchase. I don't purchase large or bulky items - everything is less than 13 oz."I ship first class free, but anyone who lists priority free is nuts. Get lucky and your buyer is close or on the same coast, nice. Ship all the way to the other side of the continent... screwed!
I'd rather list something with shipping calculated and wait longer to sell it to someone geographically closer to be honest.
You don't seem to be understanding though. eBay doesn't let sellers refuse returns outside of extreme circumstances. The buyer doesn't have to lie. They can say I want to return because I changed my mind and no matter what policy you've listed, eBay makes you take it back. Happens all the time. However in cases where they return it with no issue, they do allow you to not refund shipping (and make the buyer pay return shipping).So if they always side with the buyer, how would it make any difference whether shipping is separate or included? The buyer would still get the full refund in your scenario.
I was referencing discretionary returns, which is what "no returns" means in a listing. I stated that in the prior paragraph. Anything can be returned if the buyer is dishonest or if the item truly doesn't work. Again, the buyer would be entitled to a full refund in that scenario regardless of how shipping is charged.
You must have missed my next post which stated "All of the items I buy are video games that can be shipped First Class Parcel for the same price to anywhere in the US. That doesn't impact any of the things I purchase. I don't purchase large or bulky items - everything is less than 13 oz."
That sucks. That's never happened to me. One time a buyer tried something like that and they refunded the buyer but didn't take any money from me. Amazon is where I have had the most problems with buyers. Buyers there tend to be more demanding and full of sh*t, compared to eBay buyers, in my experience.You don't seem to be understanding though. eBay doesn't let sellers refuse returns outside of extreme circumstances. The buyer doesn't have to lie. They can say I want to return because I changed my mind and no matter what policy you've listed, eBay makes you take it back. Happens all the time. However in cases where they return it with no issue, they do allow you to not refund shipping (and make the buyer pay return shipping).
Unfortunately on eBay people can return anything if it's "not as described". When i sell I go out of my way to be specific about any problems or irregularities with the item. Naturally we get returns anyway. I think that listing with "no returns" is a good idea if you want to send the message that you aren't tolerant of returns. I mean, you still have to take a return in the case of "not as described" but it might turn away your more wishy-washy buyer.eBay bucks too, but that's only cents. All of the items I buy are video games that can be shipped First Class Parcel for the same price to anywhere in the US. That doesn't impact any of the things I purchase. I don't purchase large or bulky items - everything is less than 13 oz.
For many of the things I buy, the sellers don't allow discretionary returns. But that makes sense if they do allow it, especially for larger items.
Case in point. Flat fee shipping and no returns. Who does this breakdown benefit? This is what I'm referring to.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Mario-Galaxy-2-Nintendo-Wii-2010-DISC-ONLY-SCRATCH-FREE/323306781886?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
I can't claim a full understanding, but I believe free shipping only improves your listing rank if it's "fast n free", meaning you have a record of shipping fast and set a low handling time.If any other sellers understand the eBay formula I'd be interested in knowing.
I am an eBay seller as well. However, doing this will not work now because most(some) buyers will put down damage item/product to avoid the return shipping. If they do that, PayPal will not give you any compensation for it as well.. so yeaAs an eBay seller, if a customer wants to return the item for no other reason then they don’t want it, you can’t charge them a restocking / shipping fee if you put free shipping.
Had a guy order something and I put shipping free for a $1200 sale. Item cost me $70 to ship and when he got it he decided he didn’t want it anymore and PayPal forced me to accept the refund. I asked about shipping compensation but they said since I charged $0 that I can’t.
Recently, Amazon is forcing sellers to use FBA. If you don't, Amazon will force you to refund buyers regardless if they sent the item back or for any reasons.. I enjoy doing businsess on eBay.. not that much rules/regulation.That sucks. That's never happened to me. One time a buyer tried something like that and they refunded the buyer but didn't take any money from me. Amazon is where I have had the most problems with buyers. Buyers there tend to be more demanding and full of sh*t, compared to eBay buyers, in my experience.
That must be a newer thing. I had a problem with a buyer last year who lied about it being defective, then wanted to keep the item and get a refund from me. Amazon refunded him but didn't take any money from me because they said I didn't do anything wrong. That has happened a few times to me over the years.Recently, Amazon is forcing sellers to use FBA. If you don't, Amazon will force you to refund buyers regardless if they sent the item back or for any reasons.. I enjoy doing businsess on eBay.. not that much rules/regulation.
Is that a recent change? Back in the day eBay used to have less fees associated with shipping costs, so I always attached a $4 shipping fee to whatever I sold (more for larger items of course).I ship first class free, but anyone who lists priority free is nuts. Get lucky and your buyer is close or on the same coast, nice. Ship all the way to the other side of the continent... screwed!
I'd rather list something with shipping calculated and wait longer to sell it to someone geographically closer to be honest.
You answered your own question. Back when sellers were making shipping costs higher, ebay was getting a lesser rake in seller fees as a percentage of the total sale. Now ebay gets a bigger cut as a percentage of the total. Also they want to encourage free shipping listings as they are trying to compete with amazon and their free prime shippingIs that a recent change? Back in the day eBay used to have less fees associated with shipping costs, so I always attached a $4 shipping fee to whatever I sold (more for larger items of course).
Hell sometimes you'd see items with shipping costs far more than the cost of the item itself for that very reason.
Wow. Why would you sell something so expensive on eBay? You're just asking to get ed over with eBay's retarded policies. I've got lots of stuff worth over $200 and I don't list any of them on eBay because I won't take that risk. I'll just keep holding on to it until something better comes along. You would have paid at least $100 to eBay in FVF if the guy didn't return the item, correct? Why bother?As an eBay seller, if a customer wants to return the item for no other reason then they don’t want it, you can’t charge them a restocking / shipping fee if you put free shipping.
Had a guy order something and I put shipping free for a $1200 sale. Item cost me $70 to ship and when he got it he decided he didn’t want it anymore and PayPal forced me to accept the refund. I asked about shipping compensation but they said since I charged $0 that I can’t.
Yeah, eBay at least caught on to padded shipping rates, as they charge a percentage of even the shipping cost now. If you sell enough though, your discounted shipping labels through eBay usually cover that fee that they charge on the shipping cost.Is that a recent change? Back in the day eBay used to have less fees associated with shipping costs, so I always attached a $4 shipping fee to whatever I sold (more for larger items of course).
Hell sometimes you'd see items with shipping costs far more than the cost of the item itself for that very reason.
There's a simple, very good reason to offer free shipping as well - no need to prepack items. For the vast majority of items, shipping costs fall into a pretty small range, so it's useful to just increase the price and pack up upon sale.There's a simple, very good reason not to offer free shipping - it can kill your profit on an item. You don't have to gouge the buyer, just charge actual cost of materials+shipping+gas. It's not so simple to just pad the item with that cost and do free shipping because 1) Other sellers seem unphased by offering the item at super cheap prices with free shipping (because they are massive sellers that basically run their entire business via eBay), or 2) It's better to auction the item, and there's no guarantee you'll make what you intend (unless you want to pay eBay a pretty penny for letting you hold your item lest it sells at the price you want).