why does Ebay take a fee on postage?

[lauren.skye001-7]

Why does Ebay charge a fee on postage costs? We do not profit from this. I charge the exact fee it costs to send an item domestically, this is to be fair to the buyer. And this is also automated by Ebay as it makes uploading process easier. Ive just discovered that on the final postage fee of $8.50 (for example) Ebay take 93 cents? What purpose does this serve other than ripping off the seller? With both paypal and ebay fees on top of this i am out of pocket. Its already a struggle to sell on ebay. Literally ill sell my items somwhere else. 

[beswick.to.you]

Although I have been selling on eBay for years, I have just got stung with the usual % fees on an international postage cost for which I have now lost money and an international fee 1%.

I have now delisted all my items as there is no way I can make a return on the items I am listing as I am not going to add 12% to my shipping costs to break even.

Complete rip off.

[imastawka]

A more simple solution might be to not sell internationally.

[4channel]

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@beswick.to.you wrote:

Although I have been selling on eBay for years, I have just got stung with the usual % fees on an international postage cost for which I have now lost money and an international fee 1%.

I have now delisted all my items as there is no way I can make a return on the items I am listing as I am not going to add 12% to my shipping costs to break even.

Complete rip off.

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Hey, I hear what you say. It sure doesn't seem right. Well it isn't and you are right!

Seller below had the same issue.

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How can ebay still morally and ethically charge commissions for shipping fees?!?!?

genetics1982 

Community member

on ‎25-08-2021 01:18 PM

In 2021, i'm still amazed that ebay continue to charge seller fees for postage. How can this still be the case?

We can choose a specific Australia Post cost based on the item size and weight, so eBay know this is a fixed cost, not a profit, so why is ebay still charging commissions on shipping fees?

Its a disgrace and if not addressed soon, i'll raise it with the ACCC and Ombudsmen. And leave eBay permanently after that.

https://community.ebay.com.au/t5/Selling/How-can-ebay-still-morally-and-ethically-charge-commissions...

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Certainly makes it hard for some sellers.

[repentatleisure1952]

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Certainly makes it hard for some sellers.

Not for savvy sellers who understand that profits are made at time of buying & making sure that buyers pay the fees.

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[4channel]

Regardless of what it is or appears to be in the mind of someone who views it as an OK thing, it is a skim and it is a hindrance to new and average sellers as per the recent multiple complaints we've seen recently.

Well passing it on to the buyer isn't always a moral thing amigo.

[padi*0409]

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@4channel wrote:

Regardless of what it is or appears to be in the mind of someone who views it as an OK thing, it is a skim and it is a hindrance to new and average sellers as per the recent multiple complaints we've seen recently.

Not really 4channel, when a member signs up to sell they agree to the T&C's that eBay have in place. Complaining that certain policies are unfair is fruitless, they are part of the agreement to sell that all sellers have said they have read and understood.

Well passing it on to the buyer isn't always a moral thing amigo.

Any seller whether they are operating online or in a B&M store have to pass on expenses like postage, fees etc to the customer, otherwise they might as well give their product away or chuck it down the local tip.

Business 101...................... 

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[repentatleisure1952]

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@4channel wrote:

Well passing it on to the buyer isn't always a moral thing amigo.

Make sure you tell any retailer you buy from.

Sometimes I think you just don't want to understand how business works...smh

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[k1ooo-slr-sales]

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@4channel wrote:

Regardless of what it is or appears to be in the mind of someone who views it as an OK thing, it is a skim and it is a hindrance to new and average sellers as per the recent multiple complaints we've seen recently.

Well passing it on to the buyer isn't always a moral thing amigo.

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there are many sellers who have always paid fees on postage . . . those that offered "free postage" on their items long before ebay formalised it.

Think about it . . . postage is never free.  "Postage included" is a more accurate expression . . . and buy-now items without postage added on has always paid a fee on the postage paid by a seller.

It is one of the reasons given by eBay for charging a fee on postage.

A more accurate description would be that "eBay charges a fee on the transaction total".  If they had done this from the very start we wouldn't get these whinging threads popping up with non-seller responses akin to "its not fair".

[southpaw1883]

Whinging? BS There is no reason to give discounts on postage and then turn around a take percentage from it. This is a scam by EBay. All eBay’s doing is screwing over the seller yet again. It’s like allowing buyers 4 days to make payment. What business in the world allows this? Can you go to a Starbucks order a coffee and tell them thanks I’ll pay you in 4 days? NO you can’t. eBay has been screwing sellers for some time now because of their monopoly over auction sites. They honestly should be investigated for their questionable practices. 

[repentatleisure1952]

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@southpaw1883 wrote:

Whinging? BS There is no reason to give discounts on postage and then turn around a take percentage from it. This is a scam by EBay. All eBay’s doing is screwing over the seller yet again. It’s like allowing buyers 4 days to make payment. What business in the world allows this? Can you go to a Starbucks order a coffee and tell them thanks I’ll pay you in 4 days? NO you can’t. eBay has been screwing sellers for some time now because of their monopoly over auction sites. They honestly should be investigated for their questionable practices. 

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Your lack of knowledge about how business works is breathtaking.

Any savvy seller makes sure that buyers pay all fees & costs.

Millions of business transactions  are conducted with extended payment. terms.

eBay is not an auction site.

Sellers who leave false positive feedback "should be investigated for their questionable practices".

How's things in the US?