[meteorite-list] Ebay shipping charges???

From: Michael L Blood <mlblood_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:29:50 2004
Message-ID: <BB7CCF63.A4A2%mlblood_at_cox.net>

Hi Tom and all,
        Most meteorite dealers I know charge EXACTLY the cost of shipping.
Some use 3rd class mail - others 1st class - others priority. Some
include the cost of shipping - most pay for shipping on orders over
$1,000. But I know of NO meteorite dealers who charge "handling"
fees - which are nothing less than, "I got you and there isn't anything
you can do about it" - it ticks me off no end.
    If a dealer INCLUDES shipping, you can be SURE you are paying for it in
the price - he can't stay in business without covering costs - that is as
fundamental as it gets.
    However, I got the impression your gripe was mostly with non-meteorite
dealers - and I'm with you, charging a "handling fee" is charging you
for buying from them ON TOP of the item cost and shipping costs.
    Now, a "packaging fee" is different, and in SOME instances can be
warranted - when the BOX the item requires for safety COSTS the seller
he has to cover it- with a fee or in the price - one way or the other.
Ironically, this is most significant the cheaper the item, as it represents
a much larger percentage of the cost. SOMETIMES "handling" is to
cover such things, but mostly it is a total rip off.
        Like I said, I know of no meteorite dealer that charges more than
actual cost of shipping and insurance and most cover those for purchases
over $1,000.
        Best wishes, Michael


 

on 9/4/03 7:03 AM, Tom aka James Knudson at knudson911_at_frontiernet.net
wrote:

> Hello List, Are we missing something? Mike farmer must be the worst, with
> his one dollar shipping!!!! Others charge two, three, four, some even five
> and six dollars.
> I was looking for a computer mouse for my daughter and almost fell of my
> chair seeing the shipping costs on these auctions! Six dollars was low for
> a computer mouse, nine, ten, twelve were normal and fifteen on the high
> side.
> One guy had eighteen ($18) shipping and a note saying if you don't like
> the shipping amount don't bid and don't ask me for to come down on the
> charge! All of these S&H charges were for a single mouse.
> I am not talking about a few of the auctions, I am talking just about
> every one of them! Are we undercharging on our shipping or are they all
> trying to rip people off?
>
>
> Thanks, Tom
> Peregrineflier <><
> The proudest member of the IMCA 6168
>
>
>
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Received on Thu 04 Sep 2003 02:15:47 PM PDT