California again. darn

[NJ Marty]

I just started selling again a few weeks back and have sold about 10 items. I always look at order details and say please no California and so far 7 have shipped to cali. I am in NJ and leave a flat rate shipping to all buyers to hopefully make a few extra $ if its a close state. California has a lot of bidders. LOL

 

[Beachkid23]

Most of my sales seem to go to ca or ny it seems like.

 

[inspectorgadget]

I find that when your auctions end at later times on the east coast like 11pm or midnight or 1am then you have a better chance of it going far out west! End your auctions at an earlier time & more will stay east or the mid west. That's my experience at least! Cali does have a lot of buyers tho that's for sure!

 

[creeper71]

my opionion is it's stupid to exclude any of the 48 states...
if it bugs you that much just use priorty s=flat rate then it don't matter how far it's going shippin is all the same

 

[diggummup]

Just make sure you use a flat shipping rate versus using the calculated postage by weight on ebay. That way you don't have to worry about it. Especially since ebay is taking 9% out of your shipping price anyway. Here is a link for all shipping rates via USPS- DMM Notice 123 Price List

 

[Fushek]

I've never had a problem using the calculated shipping. I simply weigh the item before hand, approximate the final weight and give shipping options (typically parcel post and priority). If I'm nervous it (or concerned about the 9% that eBay takes from it), I'll add a buck or two for shipping/handling fees.

I can't imagine limiting my number of buyers, especially considering how many bid from California, just to make an extra buck or two on shipping. Bidding wars are a wonderful thing and are much more likely the more people that I allow for my auctions.

Am I assuming that you won't ship internationally as well? Some of my best sales have been international customers.

 

[Tallone]

I'm in Florida so I know if my buyer is on the west coast, it will cost more to ship there than if my buyer is in Florida or Georgia. I prefer to list my items on ebay with the same rate for all buyers. I often go to the USPS web site postage calculator and use a west coast zip code to come up with my shipping cost. That way, if my buyer is on the west coast, I won't lose much, if any, money. If my buyer is closer to home, I might make a buck or two on shipping.

 

[NJ Marty]

I'm in Florida so I know if my buyer is on the west coast, it will cost more to ship there than if my buyer is in Florida or Georgia. I prefer to list my items on ebay with the same rate for all buyers. I often go to the USPS web site postage calculator and use a west coast zip code to come up with my shipping cost. That way, if my buyer is on the west coast, I won't lose much, if any, money. If my buyer is closer to home, I might make a buck or two on shipping.

Yes that's exactly what I do, I usually punch in 92101.

 

[NJ Marty]

my opionion is it's stupid to exclude any of the 48 states...
if it bugs you that much just use priorty s=flat rate then it don't matter how far it's going shippin is all the same

I would never exclude a state, was just sayin how many went to Cali. I also prefer flat rate and use them when I can. The longbow I sold at 70inches wouldn't fit flat rate box so I had to tube it and ship it to, of course 96003. I guess its the flat rate box non fitting pain in the but to pack items I am talking about.

 

[cyberdan]

I am in that dreaded state of CA and it seems most of my sales go to the east coast. I always make sure I am covered in the shipping area. I use calculated shipping, if a bidder does not want to pay the rate then he can buy closer to home. Still i ship a lot of heavy items to the Atlantic side of this country. Just shipped 10 blank VHS tapes cost $10 & shipping $19.02 to NC.

what I do is weigh the item, round the weight up to the next full pound and add a pound.

 

[cazisme]

I have a question regarding Ebay fees just got a bill for 10% fee on sold price and shipping. Was wondering if I was doing something wrong they gave me free listings for .99 auction start fees but still got charged final price and shipping fees? If I pay submission fees do I still get 10% final selling price fees? I am new to ebay so was sorta taken by suprise at the 10%cost I suppose I should of read all the instructions first. Oooh well I am learning its still a decent deal at 10%.

 

[cyberdan]

just got a bill for 10% fee on sold price and shipping.

Yes, that is how they make their billions.
they used to charge to submit an auction & then charged if it sold.

now you get 50 free listings (auction or BIN) and they only charge on total sell cost.

10% really is not that bad of a fee considering all the millions of people could see your item.

my fee last month was around $55 and this month around $45. it seems a lot but that means I sold $1000
===============================
OK, I have to stop being nice to ebay. it is making me ill.
don't get me started on all their silly rules.

 

[Old Bookaroo]

cyberdan:

When I started selling treasure hunting books by mail it was long before the Internets.

I'd spend time advertising in treasure hunting magazines and by direct mail to build a list; then typing up a catalog, printing it, mailing it out - and all that money was spent before I'd sold a single book! It was tough to get off the ground because it took so much time and the overhead was high.

Yes, 10% sounds like a lot. Until you carefully consider the alternative(s)!

Good luck to all,

~ The Old Bookaroo

 

[omga747]

Im here in Cali, and it does seem like a lot of my items get shipped just a few doors down! There have a been a few items that, if I had more time, I could have hand delivered on my bike and saved a few bucks shipping, haha

 

[WilliamBoyd]

Why confuse your customers?

 

[NJ Marty]

Im here in Cali, and it does seem like a lot of my items get shipped just a few doors down! There have a been a few items that, if I had more time, I could have hand delivered on my bike and saved a few bucks shipping, haha

Ive only had one Item I was able to deliver. It was in NJ 10 doors down from my friends house about 30 min away. Since I was going to see him soon after sale I dropped it off and it was one of the heaviest Items I have sold, 25 or 30 lbs I think it was. It was an old reel to reel projector with the heavy cast iron type outer case.

 

[cyberdan]

25 or 30 lbs I think it was. It was an old reel to reel projector with the heavy cast iron type outer case.

I hope you still charged delivery.

I have had two folks pick up at my office parking lot.
nothing heavy, but they were close.

then on the other hand I sold a big catalytic converter to someone less than 10 miles away and offered to let him pick it up. I never even got an answer from him.

 

[Tom Bigbee]

I don't mind losing a couple of bucks on shipping as long as I know I am still making a good profit. Back in the old days we called this a shipping discount. There will be other sales that I make a dollar or two on shipping so it all works out. Me living in MS. I know what you mean about CA. shipping rates.