[Closed] I don't get it ???

I have sold both here and on ebay and I don't know where you have arrived at a figure of about $10 to ship an item. Most of our models weigh about 4-5 lbs. Priority mail normally runs about $20-25 depending on where you live in the US. Insurance on the model depends on the value but this adds another $1-10 to the shipping costs. Even if you send the model FEDEX ground it's still close to $20. So if a seller is offering shipping below these he/she is doing it at a loss. If you question what I have relayed go to the USPS website and use the shipping calculator. The average size model box is 16x10x9. You will find that what I have relayed is pretty close.

David with all due respect, I could care less if the seller takes a loss. I've sold hundreds of ...

..items on eBay AND ALWAYS calculate "the margins." I inflate shipping a bit to cover eBay's percentage and list at prices to ensure I cover Paypal's percentage. If I can't make money (whether $1.00 or $5,000) why bother?

On the other hand, I've purchased 100s of 1/18s from eBay and RARELY pay more than $10 for shipping (including a 1/18 Precision Miniatures I bought this morning @ $9.90 S/H). PERIOD.

Rand's point was why is there such a large discrepancy on eBay S/H pricing. An accurate answer would exceed the scope of this forum (I could type for hours).

The short answer (and my answer) to him would be look elsewhere (other sellers) for lower S/H pricing. You may wait a bit longer but you'll find it.

I don't get it

Thanks Chris...seems your in the know. Like you, I have had some expensive models from Exoto, Minichamps, CMC etal sent to me with EXCELLENT packaging and under $12 postage from within the U.S. to Chicago. I've seen $35 -$50 shipping charges on $20 items. Best to be careful who you deal with. Have had GREAT luck with REPLICAZ and AMERICAN EXCELLENCE that charge a flat $9.95 or $14.00 for model in the $150-$250 range.

Great answer Chris.

I dont care who you are or what you sell, shipping cost is the same whether its a $20.00 car or a $100.00 (UPS/Fed insure to $100.00). Its all how the auction is presented. I just sold off 6 cars, all the same with FREE SHIPPING..... whoo hoo.... what a deal. NO... not close. I did buy the cars at a huge discount so when I advertised them at X amount my calculations included cost, PP/eBay fees (13%) and I assumed $15.00 discounted Fed EX, through eBay, shipping cost. Mind you non of this includes the new box and the new 7/8th inch bubblewrap. In the end I lost money on 3 and made money on 3, on the shipping....... I made money on all the cars. So it was a wash, was it free, NO but the customer bought because of it.

So when you buy that $250.00 car for $9.99 S/H your paying for it..... its coming from somewhere or the company your buying from would not be able to stay in business.

I just looked at my numbers for a 6 convertible conversions I shipped yesterday. I charge $16.50 UPS insured... of the 6, my cost on 2 were $16.38, 2 were $17.20 and one was $21.13 and lastly $14.70 on the 6th. Again.... the loss comes directly out of the profit on the model. While you could care less, we as business owners do care. We (business owners not eBay private resellers) all try to offer reasonable S/H because people actually look at it. Its NEVER $9.99 to ship a 4# model...... even in state even if its is advertised.

Case in point, I sold a case of AA Corvettes 6 months ago (new releases), all the same car as others, but I would go in see what others charge with shipping then undercut it in my listing by a total of $1.00... yep a buck. I sold out in couple days, why ??? I would bet its because I showed the least shipping cost ($6.99) and total combined shipping. A buck is a buck right ?

Not saying your wrong for trying to find the most inexpensive shipping but also remember to some that means tossing it in a box and slapping a label on it. Others take the time to make sure its packed right if its going across town or out of the country.

Just my two cents, if I offended anyone please delete.

Christopher..."with all due respect" Perhaps I interpreted his question wrong but

I believed he was asking how one seller could charge $1 and another $30 to ship the same item. I tried to explain that the costs were the same for everyone but it appears you misinterpreted what I meant.

* * * FREE SHIPPING * * * Is my #1 Main Filter ... just my 2 cents

Now this post I totally agree

Buy a die cast car for $40 and have to pay $20 shipping?

But yet ... as you just mentioned .... $150.00 resin shipped for $10 to $15

AND

The packing is better

* * * FLIP SIDE * * *

Postage Rates are extremely higher

US PACK 'N Ship .... NO WAY !!!

Maybe having some sort of Company Corp shipping account is the answer .... But hey .... I'm Just speaking out loud

John .... I agree 100 percent ... I go back to

I always search for free shipping

Sounds silly ... I know

I always do my comparisons with the other listings of same like item

Sometimes I may have to pay for the shipping

because

The total price is lower

#1 on my list ... Free Shipping

#2 on my list ... Broken / Missing Parts

I buy and sell as we all do

Shipping costs are ... Bubble wrap, proper size box, packing tape, labels, travel time to post office, listing fees Final Value fee, paypal fees .... all of those are shipping costs

As a very small man that enjoys the die cast car hobby ....

I factor many variables.

Bottom line is this ....

I always list free shipping

It is a mental physic thing that almost any body feels they are getting something for free

Hopefully we are selling the item they want - that would be the bait for them to look at our listing

* * * FREE SHIPPING * * *

The word FREE sets the hook ....

And then ....

If you R E A L Y want that widget bad enough .... you 'll pay whatever just to have your name on winning bidders list

What a great feeling to know ... YOU WON

Keep your focus on the bigger things

Don't get caught up the small fry details - you'll stress yourself out, you'll burn out and then you'll fade away from the hobby because you got up on some detail

Remember ....

This is about the die cast cars and adding more and more to the walls and ceiling of our homes and bathrooms,

I want people to view and admire my die cast cars ... not my shipping fee receipts.

This is just my small personal view point

I once was caught up in the shipping fee thing

But I let it go and moved on ... especially when I started selling die cast cars and got caught up in all that work related to packing, labeling and shipping - That takes time - It's a lot of work.

But I knew My die cast car was going to a new owner and he was going to smile from ear to ear when he unpacked it and placed it on his table for viewing.

And when I got his email thanking me for doing a great wrapping on such a wonderful car ....

Then I knew it was all worth it

Well....no, not really. I cleary understood what was posted and we could split hairs over semantics ...but the word "costs" is what prompted my reply. When you mention "costs" I believe you really mean "charge(s)."

I'll qualify my statement. Postal "charges" are more or less equal among shippers (USPO, UPS, Fed-Ex, etc...) and YES, as you noted, sellers will be "charged" the same (more or less) pricing assuming all other variables are equal.

Seller's "costs" to ship are (as I eluded to in my initial post) an entirely different & lengthy discussion altogether. For instance, (...and I have shipped under ALL these scenarios) a seller's "cost" (price actually paid to ship an item) might be substantially lower do to a "bulk discount."

Or perhaps the "costs" are irrelevant because an item that sells for, say, $150 might be pure profit because it was a gift or donation.

Or a seller could ship from their work place; having their company (or the company they work for) absorb all shipping fees.

The point is that while shipping "charges" are competitive, seller's "costs" can vary widely and thus an eBay $9.90 shipping price may NOT always mean the seller is taking a loss. Naturally as a buyer, I'll always seek out, or try to seek out, $10 or less shipping.

Why pay more?

Of course you care about shipping charges John, so do I....when I'm the seller. But as I buyer...

...as noted, I could care less. Furthermore, as I just posted, "charges" & "costs" are two different things.

For a host of reasons a seller's "costs" to ship could be very low or even zero. While "charges" (shipper's pricing..USPO, UPS, Fed-Ex, etc..) are more or less competitive.

Therefore.... CERTAINLY as a seller I care about my shipping costs and MINIMIZE them by any means possible. Period. As a buyer, however, I could care less how a seller is able to offer "low" shipping prices. My point is that those "low prices" (say $10 or less) are out there.

Why pay more?

PS John,
Yes, I've had a few jackasses "slap a label on it and toss it in a box" but when it arrives all smashed up I simply file an eBay claim for a full refund. ?.then I fixed it or buy another.

I go that route with big box stores: Lowes, Target, K-Mart, etc... Why pay for shipping?

Interesting conversation, gents. Isn't the bottom line, total paid the most important thing?

What difference does the breakdown make it the total paid is in line with the market? Will I pass on a $50 model that typically sells for $100 if the seller is charging $25 shipping? Is free shipping a better deal on the same model if the seller wants $150?

Obviously John your augment is sound but I think the real question here is this....

Why does one seller, for example, charge $25 to ship a $129.99 1/18 replica, yet, another seller, with the same model at the same price, charges $9.50 to ship the same distance?

As you can see John...the theories, facts and opinions concerning this topic have ignited a somewhat "sparky" debate; oh, I mean discussion.

-Chris