topic Re: Excess postage costs? in Buying

Excess postage costs?

skyrider12-au — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 03:19:09 GMT

I have just asked a seller if $22.+cents was quoted correctly to post a book (a childs book and not very large, or heavy) from an Aussie adress to another Aussie address and the reply was that the seller was new to EB and that she had requested EB to advise her about how much she could quote. How does EB figure in the scheme of postage? The book retails around the $30 mark so ...... guess where I will be shopping.............again.

Re: Excess postage costs?

*sparklz* — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 03:21:39 GMT

It would depend on the size and weight and when from to where too, but if it will fit in either a 500gm satchel or 3kg satchel then that is an expensive cost

Re: Excess postage costs?

pentney97 — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 03:26:11 GMT

Perhaps a quick friendly message saying the quote was a bit over the top and suggest the use of satchels.

If a new seller doesnt know any better and rely on ebay it may not be an accurate quote.

Re: Excess postage costs?

the_pooze — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 03:29:36 GMT

Seems fairly steep.

Offsider of mine recently sold a lot of 6 books, sent in a 5kg regular satchel which is $16.70, plus some wrapping and etc.

Allowing for fees charged by eBay & PayPal on postage total actual cost excluding wrapping materials worked out at $18.92, postage was included in item price ("Free Postage" item, humbug) which was a total of only $40.00.

Re: Excess postage costs?

horizon1907 — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 04:47:57 GMT

Seems a bit steep. 😞 You can work it out roughly yourself. If you know Roughly the size and weight of the book, go into Austpost & calculate the postage there. It may give you a heads up on what it should be around.

Re: Excess postage costs?

javand1 — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 06:23:54 GMT

I pack my books in bubble wrap and post them in eBay scatchels Aust wide either 500gm or 3kg for $7.20 or $11.70 respectively. No handling or packaging fee.

Re: Excess postage costs?

character_parties_aus — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 06:28:21 GMT

Seems very expensive. Bear in mind if the seller is any good they will have to add on to any cost price packing, plus the 10% 'tax' that ebay levy on sellers ( they charge sellers fees on shipping and in many instances this is passed on to buyers).

So for example a quote of $12 for post may include $10 actual post cost $1 for bubble wrap / satchels etc and $1 to cover ebay / paypal fees levied on the freight.

None the less seems very steep.

Re: Excess postage costs?

lytec — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 09:54:39 GMT

what was the total with postage and cost of book? I have seen sellers who sell stuff for 99c and have $40 postage and then have the same item in their store for $40 plus free postage. Its all to do with the total cost.If its a 99c book and you add the postage its cheaper than the store.

Re: Excess postage costs?

demc18 — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:27:56 GMT

Yes, that would work lytec- problem is that the book is listed with a buy it now price of $30 - The auction has started at $1.99. and that is sure to gain a bit of ground untill closing time, so either way you look at it ..... when the postage is added it's just not practical ... is it?

Re: Excess postage costs?

demc18 — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:59:44 GMT

Thanks horizon - I have already bought a copy of this book, from a local retailer and gave it to a young member of my family. I know the dimensions, and the approx weight of the book. I now want to buy another one for another young member of the family who has indicated his desire to have his own copy. The retailer does not have any more in stock and consequently I browsed the book category on EB. It is my opinion that I could put 3 of these books in the one 500g satchel..... $7.20. The seller isn't responsive to any advice and I will now wait for the retailer to re-order more copies and purchase from him. One thing I've learned from visiting here is that it can be so much more enjoyable shopping where you can look the seller in the eye, know that what your saying is being understood and problems are, usually, resolved without having to search for, and open a report procedure. You know I might never get a star next to my name but I haven't got the problems that a lot of posters here on the discussion forum have.- (jumps up and clicks heels.)

Re: Excess postage costs?

demc18 — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:19:23 GMT

I have just realized that I have been using another member of the family account, the whole family share this pc and it,s happened before that somebody will forget to sign out and somebody else will sit in the chair and cause confusion.. I have done just that. To clear the matter up my EB name is skywalker12-au. Apologies to those who have been scratching their heads and wondering what's going on.

Re: Excess postage costs?

phorum_junkie* — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 23:21:08 GMT

I am sure nobody realised anything was going on, I certainly didn't give it a thought until you put up that last post.

Tje easiest way to avoid that happening is to each log on using a different browser then you can stay logged on without having to check in the mirror to see who you are