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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Anyone who sells on eBay – this one’s for you

221 replies

SuzieBishop · 02/12/2020 11:22

So selling something on eBay and postage is set at £3.40 - buyer buys and messaged me asking if I will refund the difference of the postage as it is small and might go as a large letter so would only be £1.10.
I initially found this a bit cheeky as postage is normally set around £3.10 to £3.40-50 on most items on eBay. Yes I set it up £3.40 to make a bit of a profit.
I’ve sold a good few things and some have gone just £1.10 but no one has ever messaged me to ask for the money back. The postage is the postage and it says in your terms that there are no refunds. Is this person being cheeky? I can’t decide.
So my AIBU is should I refund it as they have the balls to ask (YABU) or say no and keep the profit (YANBU). Thanks!

OP posts:
SuzieBishop · 02/12/2020 12:33

@Happyheartlovelife thanks. I take it this has happened to you in the past as well! Sometimes I think selling on eBay just isn’t worth it!!

OP posts:
IrmaFayLear · 02/12/2020 12:35

If you are going to worry about 25p then I think ebay is not for you. It's not worth the aggro with buyers thinking you've overcharged them.

I agree that including p&p (and then making your starting price higher) is the best policy. High p&p charges stand out on listings, especially where there are a lot of things for sale. If everyone's postage is £3.10 and suddenly there's a £5.50 then no one is going to bid on that, or you'll attract some bright spark who's going to challenge you on the actual cost.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 02/12/2020 12:37

I get that the postage price is clearly listed, but I don't think the buyer is the cheeky one here. There are so many different postal charging structures now from all kinds of retailers/sellers, depending on volume, carrier, special deals etc., that it's no longer a simple thing to reconcile in your mind as to what it 'should' cost to send a particular item.

It's complicated further when some companies have a flat postage fee, on which they might make a profit if you don't order much (although still the same admin for them for a lower-price sale, of course) and/or they charge it based on order value - so you could end up paying less for some cheap hardback books than for several sheets of premium stickers.

I'm surprised at the responses here. Yes, you shouldn't profit, but the COST of posting isn't just the stamp. It's the packaging, the time to wrap it, the fuel to get to the post office (and maybe parking) and time to do so. It's 'postage and packing'. Yes, be reasonable, and don't charge £10 postage for something that costs £1 in stamps, but the cost should be more than you see on the postage label when it arrives.

I agree with this to an extent - it's postage AND packing; shipping AND handling, so you shouldn't be out of pocket - but equally, it isn't your buyer's issue if you live in a Highland village and have to pay for a taxi 15 miles to the post office and back again in order to post it.

People profiting on the postage has become a vicious circle, really, as eBay got wise to people selling something suspiciously cheaply but with an eye-watering postage charge, so as to reduce their eBay seller fees, so they then started to levy the seller fees on the total of the amount you ask the buyer to pay, including postage. This solved the issue and thwarted the high-postage profiteers, but also then meant that honest buyers have to charge extra postage to cover the cut that eBay takes or otherwise make a loss.

Realistically, I think separate postage costs are going to become a thing of the past. Rather than making your item look cheaper, it actually tends to make it look dearer, even if the total is still less than the all-in price that a competitor is charging for the same item with 'free' postage.

Now that online shopping is no longer a niche way of buying things you simply can't find at normal shops, but many people's automatic go-to method (accelerated even further with lockdown and other COVID restrictions), I believe that charging separately for postage is looking more and more anachronistic - heading the same way as the old fees that used to be routinely charged to customers paying for goods by card (sometimes even when there was literally no alternative method).

If I buy something in an actual bricks-and-mortar shop, I couldn't care less how much they need to make on the sale to cover all of their electricity/lighting/heating bills, banking/transaction fees, other overheads, staff costs and profit, not to mention the VAT that they have to collect on behalf of the government. Figuring all of that out is their job, as it's their business, not mine. I just want to be told an all-inclusive price that I can pay to them in exchange for becoming the new owner of the goods, and walking away with them, so that I can decide whether or not to make the purchase. As I can't collect most things bought online myself, they also need to figure in the cost of getting the item(s) to my door in the total price they quote me.

user127819 · 02/12/2020 12:48

From your £3.40 you're paying 34p in Ebay fees, a bit more in Paypal fees, plus packing materials and time spent actually posting it so it isn't outrageously expensive even if it does go as a large letter. However you shouldn't attempt to make a profit on postage costs. For the future, work out what something will actually cost to post plus all added costs and charge that. If you want to make more profit, increase the cost of the item.

81Byerley · 02/12/2020 12:52

You could just say the extra covers your own costs, buying packaging, etc..

Viviennemary · 02/12/2020 12:54

It's cheeky. If they're not happy with the cost of the postage they shouldn't bid.

GU24Mum · 02/12/2020 12:55

I must be a mug then as I would refund postage if it went much cheaper though I weigh things and look it up so it only happens when it's right on the cusp of a band or manages to go as large letter rather than small parcel. I'd post it via the method I wanted (I always send by signed for) and would take the Ebay fee into account.

I don' t agree really that buyers bid with that in mind - they bid with that postage as they assume it bears a reasonable link to the actual cost they'll see on the parcel when they receive it. Do people really use new packaging every time? I don't and I'd think that the cost of a bit of bubble wrap and me going to the post office should come out of my "profit".

TheTeenageYears · 02/12/2020 12:56

I try to be accurate when selecting which postage to charge but the large letter thickness can be a bugger so I've learned to air on the side of caution and if it's in anyway debatable set as small parcel. I also charge more than the amount which comes up for that service automatically to account for the 10% ebay fee charged on postage and the % charged by PayPal to receive that money. The reality is that you can find yourself going through the hassle of listing and packing an item for pence if you aren't careful. Setting higher starting prices often puts people off.

If you stick with a low starting price and a tshirt sells for 99p there is a 10% ebay fee on that, 10% ebay fee on the postage plus the 2.9% + 30p PayPal fee. If postage is set at £2.90 (second class small parcel online price- it's more expensive in the post office) then the costs are 80p so you've made 19p selling the t-shirt.

GreyishDays · 02/12/2020 12:57

Your whole point was that it would only be £1.10 Smile

might go as a large letter so would only be £1.10

I think you need to work out your postage costs properly.

cozycat1 · 02/12/2020 12:57

Well dont giver her back the price you paid to buy the large letter size envelope, if she's been that picky. Personally I always go for small parcel which is £3.10 as you get a receipt that gives you a number and can track when its delivered. It also covers you upto to compensation of £20 from Royal Mail, should the parcel go missing. I have managed to reclaim from Royal Mail in the past because I used this.

doublehalo · 02/12/2020 13:01

The charge is for postage and package not just postage.

Also bear in mind ebay take the same fee from the p&p charge as they do from the price of the item.

SebastianTheCrab · 02/12/2020 13:01

People who say "you should work out the postage properly" in a smarmy voice get on my tits. Until you've packaged and sealed the item and taken it to the post office to weight you have no idea how much final postage cost will be. Post Office are always changing sizes and prices so it's impossible to gauge and if you get it wrong youre left severely out of pocket.

I also send everything recorded and a second class recorded parcel is £4.10 - if I actually charged £4.10 I'd only get £3.90 once eBay and PayPal have both taken their cut, so for a 99p item I'm practically paying out of pocket to send it. At that point it would be easier to donate it to charity or free cycle.

SirVixofVixHall · 02/12/2020 13:01

If you want to also charge for the time it takes you, and the packaging, that should be included in the cost of the item. You are not supposed to add on profit to the postage.
I refund anyone who has overpaid for postage, and as a buyer i avoid people clearly overcharging as I find it sneaky and deceitful.

Whoopsmahoot · 02/12/2020 13:02

They knew what postage you were after before they bid. If it was a huge difference I maybe would but as previous messagers have said, its also packageing cost, time, fuel etc.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 02/12/2020 13:04

Just include your p+p in the purchase price. No issues with customers feeling cheated and your items get higher visibility. You are also quids in if you sell more than one item to the same customer because you won't do combined p+p.

Janesandian · 02/12/2020 13:04

No never refund! It is the cost of the parcel to send it in, the cost of driving to the post office, AND the cost of the actual price to send. FFS, plus a percentage is taken by both ebay and paypal. CF.

ChnandlerBong · 02/12/2020 13:04

YANBU - P&P includes envelope and postage. Plus ebay and paypal take their % of that as well.

As long as your postage was clearly stated then go with it - that's the contract they're signing up to.

silverbubbles · 02/12/2020 13:06

I am also surprised at the responses here. You stated the postage costs so that was part of the costs when the item was bid on. Your buyer is being unreasonable.
Also you get billed by ebay/paypal on your postage costs so you need to charge them up to even break even on ALL the costs associated with postage.

Wanderdust · 02/12/2020 13:07

People seem to think that packaging costs nothing, don't feel bad - it's to cover more than just the actual PO charge!

PoppyOppy · 02/12/2020 13:07

Post Office are always changing sizes and prices so it's impossible to gauge and if you get it wrong youre left severely out of pocket.

Firstly it's Royal Mail that sets the postage and it usually changes once a year. Hardly always. Hmm

The next change is on Jan 1st 2021.

The sizes are clearly defined on their website, on leaflets and when you buy postage online. Large Letter it has to be no more than 25mm deep and had been that way for a number of years.

Wanderdust · 02/12/2020 13:08

Also, yes, CF to bid then expect a refund later! If I think someone is taking the piss with postage, I don't bid on their item.

Kazzyhoward · 02/12/2020 13:11

@ReviewingTheSituation

I'm surprised at the responses here. Yes, you shouldn't profit, but the COST of posting isn't just the stamp. It's the packaging, the time to wrap it, the fuel to get to the post office (and maybe parking) and time to do so. It's 'postage and packing'. Yes, be reasonable, and don't charge £10 postage for something that costs £1 in stamps, but the cost should be more than you see on the postage label when it arrives.
But if it's slightly too big and costs £3.10, they're not getting that "extra" for packaging, time, fuel, etc,. are they? Can't have it both ways. If they want to charge £2 for the extras, then they should charge £5.10 and refund it to £3.10 if it fits the £1.10 instead of £3.10.
tommika · 02/12/2020 13:12

@SuzieBishop

So selling something on eBay and postage is set at £3.40 - buyer buys and messaged me asking if I will refund the difference of the postage as it is small and might go as a large letter so would only be £1.10. I initially found this a bit cheeky as postage is normally set around £3.10 to £3.40-50 on most items on eBay. Yes I set it up £3.40 to make a bit of a profit. I’ve sold a good few things and some have gone just £1.10 but no one has ever messaged me to ask for the money back. The postage is the postage and it says in your terms that there are no refunds. Is this person being cheeky? I can’t decide. So my AIBU is should I refund it as they have the balls to ask (YABU) or say no and keep the profit (YANBU). Thanks!
Make sure you are using suitable postage

The minimum price for large letter up to 100g is 88p second class and £1.15 first class
These do not include any tracking or proof of delivery
The absolute minimum on eBay as a seller is that you get it signed for.
On ‘Royal mail get a price’ that’s £2.45 first class and £2.18 second class

You are also paying eBay and PayPal fees on your postage rate.

So that’s £2.78 1st signed for and £2.47 2nd signed for
I would round them to £2.80 and £2.50

I’ve got a table in a spreadsheet as (without covid) I buy random things in auctions, and use it to guide what it’s going to cost to sell & post via eBay

I usually list postage as I can then offer local collection and pass on the saving, for some items I’ll offer free postage and cover that in my asking price

WhatWouldChristineCagneyDo · 02/12/2020 13:16

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius

Dh sells things on FB, and he always goes for the free postage option, and sets the start price to cover the minimum he wants for the item plus what he estimates the postage will be. This eliminates your problem, *@SuzieBishop*.

If I am bidding on something on ebay, I roll the postage cost into what I am prepared to pay - if I am happy that the item is a bargain when I've taken the postage into consideration, I'm happy. I don't think I've ever looked at the actual postage on an item I've received, and compared it to the postage cost given on the listing.

SDTG's husband probably has it right.

There are costs associated with P&P beyond the price of the stamp, but buyers seem to have moral objections to paying even the bare minimum. Bung the price of postage onto the item price and sell it as 'free postage' . Of course, postage isn't free, it never is. It's just 'inclusive'.

I experimented with this a while back and buyers were much more likely to pay £11.99 with free postage than £7.99 with £2 postage, even though it costs them two quid more! I've heard so many people say 'I only ever buy if it's free postage' but it's not worth arguingg, just smile and bump up your item price.

From your point of view it makes little difference, as eBay now take 10% of whatever you charge for postage, just like they do for the item price.

tommika · 02/12/2020 13:18

My formula to cover PayPal and eBay fees is to multiply the Royal Mail price by 1.134
(1.00 for Royal Mail, 0.10 for eBay fees and 0.034 for PayPal fees)
My rounding puts it to the next 10p, which theoretically covers wrapping but I wrap in abundance to make sure packages survive so that cost is coming from what I’ve made on the bid price

(Note that unless it’s a ‘maximum £1 fee’ day, then eBay take 10% plus 20p, and PayPal take 3.4%)
If it’s the £1 offer then eBay take £1 or 10% + 20p and PayPal still take 3.4%

Anyone who sells on eBay – this one’s for you
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