Simple delivery postage charges

[cartermk]

Previously I had used In-Post to deliver most of my items - it's a relatively expensive option but very convenient. I used to charge £5.60 at cost for a large package 2-5kg. Simple delivery forces me to charge £7.27 for using one of their much less convenient options. How is that helping anyone ?

[cartermk]

I cannot even offer free shipping to get around it - ebay wants either the seller or the buyer to pay its exorbitant postage costs,

[lizzynew]

I have been using simple delivery as  I could still select the P&P cost I charged, adding the 25-30p cost of  packaging.  Now it seems I cannot decide on the amount - Ebay decides and I lose on every sale because there is no mechanism for me to alter that amount - I can't add my packaging cost.  Am I missing something in the process?

.

[brainuk]

To be honest, I found it a lot easier and profitable from a selling point of view to offer free postage. 95% of my items are in a Small Parcel size and I know this will be £3.38 through Simple Delivery. I include this in the purchase prices as well as approx 50 pence for packing costs. Buyers don't appreciate us sellers have extra costs like packing, fuel to Post Office etc

[lizzynew]

Thank you, that sounds useful. I will give it a try - see if it affects my
sales. Mainly I am frustrated that, as a 'hobby' seller, decisions
regarding how I manage my listings are being dictated. My items are
generally low price, including 'free' postage will virually double the
cost. So it's a risky move for small sellers like me.

[brainuk]

Remember, it's just how buyers see it. You can sell an item for £5.00 plus £3.38 postage or you can sell it for £8.90 with Free postage. It's swings and roundabouts but people always like something free.

[lizzynew]

I get it. But is the seller really fooled? (It doesn't work for me when I'm
the buyer, as I know the postage costs). Suppose either way so long as it
works. I'll test it. Thanks .

[brainuk]

Oddly enough, it wouldn't hurt to actually put a little paragraph in each description, saying that your price INCLUDES postage and packing. This way, apart from the DREADFUL Buyer Protection Fee, the buyer knows there are no other additions when checking out.

[lizzynew]

I noticed a downturn in sales when the Buyer Protection charge began.
It's slow to build back up too. I was happy to see the end of seller fees
but switching costs to the buyer hasn't done anything to increase sales.
Luckily for me it's always been a pastime, my finances don't depend on it -
I don't think HMRC are ever going to bother me. But I do feel for the
dedicated sellers trying to make a living. Thanks for the tips, appreciate
it.

[fotherbale]

All this only works if you only do Buy-it-Now listings.

There is no way to cater for packaging or any other additional cost with an auction listing - even if you make the packaging cost the start price, bidders are still only going to bid to the same amount they would anyway. 

[lizzynew]

Good point. Thanks