Do you lose money on postage?

[moviepostercentral]

I can't understand how so many sellers appear to obviously lose money on postage. There are many listings for vintage magazines. Take Australasian Post magazines which measures approx 260 x 360 with an opening bid of 3.00. Quoted postage costs range from $2.00 - $4.85 and up.

I really can't see how these magazines can be sent in anything other than parcel post which costs a minimum of $6.60. (Do sellers know that the cost for parcel post has increased?). I guess there is a possibility that sellers may try and get the package through as a large letter but this would be asking for trouble from Australia Post.

Hopefully the magazine would be packed well between cardboard sheets to avoid damage. Professional sellers usually pay for packaging so this would add, say, another 1.00.

Maybe it would be wise to send the package by registered mail which is another few bucks.

If the seller is running a business, they would have to absorb GST on the postage cost making the overall cost well above 10.00.

So, how can a seller quote 2.00 for postage??

[putney32]

Aust post sell a prepaid envelope for $3.20 including postage, up to 500gr measures 353x250 - many magazines fit into that with a sheet of card, and still come in under 500gr / 20mm thick

[thesoulyearns]

Chances are they are able to send the magazines as large letters. Aslong as the item fits within the guidelines for a large letter (http://auspost.com.au/personal/standard-delivery.html), it's alright to post.

The maximum cost for stamps is $3, with the average being $1.80. Add $1.20 for a basic envelope with one sheet of cardboard and altogether it costs $3. It may also seem a little cheaper if the seller has taken, say, 50c off the postage and added it to the item price.

[dylan11235813]

I wonder how long it will be before Aus Post make it so that a large letter needs to be documents? Does anyone think this will happen?

[jfmgray]

If this happens it will be me out of business.

[putney32]

I wonder how long it will be before Aus Post make it so that a large letter needs to be documents? Does anyone think this will happen?

No

[davewil1964]

Me either. And books and magazines are made of paper, so I would argue that they are documents.

[centsis]

The sellers are not making money, just extra income. A magazine over 500 grams will cost over $10 in postage alone.

Sellers can source cheap postage the following ways:

• Buying big stamp collections at 80% or less face value.


• Reusing uncancelled stamps.


• Using counterfeit stamps.


• Bulk purchases of Australia Post satchels.


• Contract discount with Australia Post. Based on volume.

I don't sell heavy low value items as it is not worthwhile. Why would someone pay $10 for postage when the costs a few dollars.

[wilzencomp]

postage in Australia is a mine field of price and dimentions and weight being the factor as a rule if it's 500gs and under I send it by eBay bag (aust Post) $6.60. as I ship a lot of Laptops across  Australia I found that Australia post has a B4 Box which can hold up to 15kg for $15.30 these boxes can hold up to 3 laptops at anytime so I can offer my customers a better deal on posting with these boxes and my Favorite bag is the 3Kg Ebay bag for $10.80, and  the answer to the question do you lose money on postage is yes i still form time to time loose a few bucks but if the customer gets their Item safely and in working order it's worth losing a few bucks here and there I feel...

[dylan11235813]

hell yeah money is lost on postage!!!, I really hope they deliver my order yesterday