In the early days of eBay, I can remember always feeling frustrated when I visited an auction that seemed to have a low bid value, bidding, and winning, only to find that the auction owner would charge some huge amount for shipping and handling. After one such experience, you quickly get in the mode of asking what the shipping and handling charges will be. Usually the auction owner responds quickly with information that tells you whether or not you want to pursue the bidding process.
Today, eBay has made it easy for EVERY auction owner to shortcut this process. By incorporating the Calculate Shipping Button, each visitor to your auction can quickly determine the exact cost of shipping and handling.
Recently my daughter’s digital camera quit transferring data via the USB cable. Olympus wanted over $150 to basically revamp the camera and make everything work again. Not so cool for a camera worth less than $100 to start with. As I was reviewing the camera manual, I happened upon an option called a Smartdisk, Flashpath Floppy Disk Adapter. Sounded perfect. As I looked around eBay for such a device I came across an auction that seemed to have just what I was looking for. Arg….. no shipping and handling listed. After reviewing the About Me Page of this new small business owner, I quickly sent an email requesting shipping and handling charges to my zip code. I received a quick reply of $8.25; a little steep, but assumed since drop shipping they were probably including handling charges. After successfully winning the auction, I receive a notice from the auction owner that my shipping and handling would be $9.25. At this point, I have two options: 1) Start a lengthy email process with the owner questioning why there is a $1 difference, risking a negative feedback on my eBay buyer account. 2) Pay the extra buck and get on with life.
The point here is it doesn’t have top be this tough on your auction bidders. eBay provides a calculate shipping button. All you have to know is the rough size of your package and its weight. I have a bathroom scale that I use to determine weight. I take the box I plan to ship the item in, place the item inside, read the scale and add ˝ pound to the total to account for any inaccuracies in the scale and a little stuffing to protect the item. I then enter the weight on the calculate shipping wizard, select the preferred methods of shipping, enter any handling charges, and now any bidder in the USA can calculate shipping and handling to their destination.
The nice thing here is that the handling charges are lumped in with the shipping charge; i.e. the bidder only sees a single price for shipping and handling. By providing this simple service to your bidders there are no unpleasant surprises, and you add a professional touch that many people simply overlook when they place their items up for bid.
To be able to calculate the shipping expenses, you must first enter your location. Item Location information is entered on eBay’s “Sell Your Item” page 3 (Pictures & Details):
Check the Item Location section to ensure a zip code is listed:
Your location information can be detailed, or somewhat generic as in the example above, however, your correct zip code must be entered in order for it to accurately calculate the shipping expenses. Use the “change” link to enter your information.