Postage overcharging?

[Alex.S]

Hi

I Sell And Buy Soviet Badges And Medals On Ebay All The Time. I Always Have Flat Shipping Rate Which Is $5 Anywhere In United States. I Include In This Price Shipping, Box And My Time That I Spend At Post Office. So If You Buy Item For $1 Or $1000 Your Shipping Is $5.00. But I Had Some Angry Customers Who Bought 1 Badge For $3-5 Us And Complaining About Shipping. Well Look At My Policy Before You Buy It.

If I Buy Medal Or Order I Alwas Look At The Price For Shipping, And Than I Buy Multiple Items I Always Ask For Discount On Shiping

My Regards
Alex

[Nota Bene]

Alex,

I understand that every seller has a different shipping policy, but if you were your own customer wouldn't you agree, that $5 is way too much to pay for a $3 dollar badge? It costs me to ship a badge or a medal about $3-$3.50, which includes a padded bag, wrapping materials, postage, insurance for under $50 and delivery confirmation. As for the time I spend at the PO, it is included in my profit from the item sold. Just my IMHO.

Alexei

[rboomsma]

I once was prepared to buy from a large dealer in the states a medal that cost $40. Shipping within the USA was free. I asked so how much to Canada?
My answer was $30!!!!!!!!!!!! No exceptions.

I asked for what I was paying for? As I know it only really costs $2 plus packaging. I figured for non-registered $5 would be more than fair, Its what I usally pay. I was told it was for filling out customs docs, time spent in line etc.

Needless to say, I told him to keep his medal and will never buy from them.

Originally Posted by Art

Marc,

Good for you! People have to stand up to these unscrupulous businessmen, and I applaud your steadfastness. The "handling" fee is nothing but a way for the seller to pad his profit margin. Some people argue it's necessary because of all the "time and cost" spent packing and driving the package to the post office. Big Deal! My opinion is if you don't want to do it, then don't.

Another aggravation I have with dealing with these small time entrepreneurs on EBay are shipping times. I'll buy a DVD or something else small, pay priority shipping ( for those in U.S., priority is around 3 days ) then the lazy seller won't ship for 5 days. It's even more annoying when the guy emails you and says that he shipped the package, and when you receive it 5-10 days later, it is postmarked 2 days ago

[ekclete]

I know then when I am buying any item I check the shipping costs; if they are a profit making venture for the vendor I just pass on the item AND I just skip doing business with them in the future.

Anything I tend to buy off the E site is not a rare item anyway and then to get something for a couple dollars and then have to pay some 50% shipping fee is just something I will not do.

Of course there are times when I JUST HAVE TO HAVE AN ITEM!!! and I have to bite the bullet and take the beating.

Happy Hunting! Clete

[Tretov]

Gentlemen,

can someone who is familiar with the russian postal system determine how much postage that has been paid for this small package. It was sent from Russia to Sweden and the woman who sold the items inside charged 6 USD postage. It was two separate items at a total of 3.52 USD, but combining postage seemed impossible and I had to pay 6 USD postage. I got the letter today and I do not know how much value the stamps have - is it 17 rubles? And are there any other charges when shipping these kind of small letters from Russia? Customs fees? According to xe.com, 17 rubles is 0.65 USD. Robbery?

//Patrick

[new world]

Stamps add up to 17 Rubles.

[Lapa]

Patrik,

And there is no extra charge to ship from Russia to Sweden.

Marc

[Sergei]

Patrik,
It seems that in practice postal charges in Russian private enterprize go something like this: if postage of an item within Russia is about 15 roubles then postage to Blizhnee Zarubezhie (Near Foreign Lands?) for the same item will be around 60 roubles and then it goes up to 100 roubles for the Far Foreign Lands (or Dal'nee Zarubezhie). As usual, there is no correlation with the actual Post Office cost and moreover I am not sure if the shipping is recorded and/or insured. So a 6-fold increase relative to the postage stamp value looks like a norm. Beyond that may depend on the nature of the item.
Don't know if this helps.
Sergei

[willie777]

Looks like a package I got last july... Stamps were similiar. Same RUSSIAN POST envelope. Did the sender happen to be named Dan?

[Tretov]

Seller was Lyubov Bahnina.

Well, it is just annoying. 5.25 USD is not more than a medium quality lunch sandwich, but still it ... argh.