Power Sellers Unite

lindajean · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 444

No, the people buying craft patterns usually don't buy records and the people buying lobby cards usually just browse lobby cards, posters and magazines.

I've been selling on Ebay for 10 years.

But, the people buying lobby cards usually buy 2 or 3 at a time. Records are usually single purchases and craft pattern buyers load up on several books at once.

So, I was hoping they could just easily checkout when through.

I'll just tell them I will refund any extra shipping and get back to listing with a flat rate charge the way I started out doing.

With lobby cards, as an example, they will take priority mail to keep them safe. But, up to 8 can be shipped at the 1 pound rate. That really helps with my multi item sales.

zpz50 · Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 590

Hi,lindajean, why don't you just post a note in FAQ or on the title page that you combine shipping at a reduced rate for multiple purchases, and to email you before paying for the adjusted total.

lindajean · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 444

I will do that but everyone keeps telling me I will lose sales if people cannot just complete checkout when they are through shopping.

I know I never mind requesting an invoice to save money on shipping but apparently some do. And, adding $5 to each item would make it too expensive for multi purchase buyers.

If they had a coupon system I could handle it that way with discounts for additional purchases.

I'll stick with the note as you suggested for now. I have the same problem at other sites. Only BISI is set up to handle the multi item shipping but they make it way to complicated to list IMO.

zpz50 · Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 590

I know what you mean. unfortunately with Ecrater you don't get the bells and whistles but you can't beat the price, and you do get traffic and some sales. Good Luck and don't give up.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

Linda,

You can request that buyers wait to pay, until you'd had a chance to adjust the invoice, but let's be honest, buyers don't always read the complete listing to begin with.

So many buyers will simply pay you without the shipping being added. Then you have three basic choices.

1. Invoice the buyer for the additional shipping.

2. Refund the buyer's purchase price, then send an adjusted invoice and hope that they pay for it a second time.

3. Eat the cost of shipping.

Which leads to a possible suggestion. Why not simply add the cost of shipping to the item cost and list everything as FREE shipping?

Granted, there will be times when the buyer overpays, but a simple refund of excess shipping takes care of that. You could even call it a "Good Buyer Rebate". I have yet to find a customer who minded getting some money back.

lindajean · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 444

That will work for some things, but paying $5 or $6 for a lobby card that is used and not in excellent condition vs $24 for a nm one is a much easier sell than $10 for a used one.

$5 is a bargain because none are less than vg condition. And, if they buy 5 instead of 1 it is even better and they only pay the one shipping.

It makes for a better looking deal for multiple item purchases.

Maybe I'll try it on a few and see how it goes.

I guess trial and error is the best way to test it. But, with several thousand of these I don't want to have to go in and revise them once done.

kelin · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

put the 5 items together (by photoshop or note in the name that is for 5) and give them a total price is ok,haha,it's so easy
this is a good forum,i'll come back to chat with you.i opened an E store .i'm selling electronic products and items for fun,welcome to my store:http://bargain2008.ecrater.com/category.php lowest price and fastest shipping

lindajean · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 444

No, can't combine. People like to choose their own 5. I found lots do NOT do well on this type collectible. Only ones buying them that way are resellers and they want all 5 for $5.

SneekerIsOnline · Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 263 Location: Blackpool

Quote from lindajean

No, the people buying craft patterns usually don't buy records and the people buying lobby cards usually just browse lobby cards, posters and magazines.

I've been selling on Ebay for 10 years.

But, the people buying lobby cards usually buy 2 or 3 at a time. Records are usually single purchases and craft pattern buyers load up on several books at once.

So, I was hoping they could just easily checkout when through.

I'll just tell them I will refund any extra shipping and get back to listing with a flat rate charge the way I started out doing.

With lobby cards, as an example, they will take priority mail to keep them safe. But, up to 8 can be shipped at the 1 pound rate. That really helps with my multi item sales.

Do you sell on etsy for craft items?

pjrcoffee · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 634

Why not have more than one store? One for each type of item. In the description you can advertise your other stores so there will be some crossover.

zeldafitzg · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 609

I have tried Free Shipping (not on eBay, as I don't sell there now), but the problem that I encountered is that in a Search sometimes the item will come up in a comparison list, with the prices shown. It was making my prices look high---especially on vintage magazines (great birthday gifts), which ship for more than a pound, with the acid free sleeve and backing board, as well as the super stiff cardboard mailer, adding weight. Sometimes they are even pushing up to the two pound limit. And they don't qualify for Media Mail. And the Life and Look magazines I sell will not fit into a flat rate envelope. :cry:

I'm not sure that the ordinary shopper---who might not buy online much---realizes what a bargain they are getting with Free Shipping, and to them the item price just looks high, even when I prominently advertise Free Shipping.

Finally, in my stores I just use a flat rate appropriate for the item, and then make a note that I will combine and e-mail me for a quote for the combined shipping. I guess it might work better if I just say I'll refund the extra. Many buyers may not want to slow down to take the time to e-mail me for a combined shipping quote, etc.

In the past, if I inadvertently overcharged a significant amount for shipping, I would just include the refund in cash with the shipment. However, now I refund through whichever method they used---PayPal or Google Checkout---as these include shipping in figuring their commission, as does eBay and iOffer. :twisted:

I recently refunded a customer for part of the shipping on an iOffer sale, and then reported this to iOffer Support, assuming they'd re-figure their commission. They said that choosing to refund part of the customer payment was my problem, and that the only way they'd refigure their commission was if the transaction was totally cancelled. (Of course, the transaction was already completed, and I couldn't cancel and re-do the figures for the customer in a new listing.) Not long after, I closed my iOffer store, as it was driving me crazy with its glitches anyway, especially not always removing an item from my inventory after I sold it. :roll:

Warmest Regards--and Best Wishes for Great Sales-----

Donna :type:

JVS Exclusives · Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 59

Lindajean will a flat rate shipping method work for you? This is where you determine a price based on the dollar amount
$1.00 to $10.00 = 3.50
$11.00 to $20.00 = $5.00

something like this. I sell a lot of SKU numbers that are basically close to the same weight and use a formula like this. I had my grandson figure out the formula and he is engineer and has done this for others as well. If you think this will work for you just PM me and I will send along some info on my system and the logistics of it. Jeff