Ebay'er shipping cost too high?

I recently won a record that is coming from Georgia up here to Toronto. The item closed at $33.99 USD and the seller informed me that it is going to be $17.00 USD to ship this item to me. I know that this is a very unrealistic because it really should cost about $5.00 USD to get it here. This is a single lp. I feel kinda miffed about this but I don't know what to do.
If I e-mail back the seller and suggest that U.S. Mail would be cheaper by far and let's use other examples to show him that $17 is a little much and he tells me to go fly a kite, do I:

a) pay this extortionate amount (I only have 12 feedbacks) and bitch and moan forever about how I was taken or:
b) tell the guy that this figure is way too much and I don't feel like paying it.

What should I do boys and girls?

 

Did the auction list what shipping would be? I agree it's way to high even if he's adding a bit for having to buy a box. Personally I always charge actual shipping costs for stuff I sell to buyers out of the US.

 

Syd, I would try the email route with a link to the USPS site showing the real cost of shipping regular groundmail in a cardboard well-padded box. You can guess the approx. weight to be around 1 lb. for simplicity's sake. If he's unreasonable your only options are to either pay what he wants to avoid negative feedback or tell him to forget it. When he posts a negative in your feedback you can do the same explaining why.

 

This is why you need to be VERY careful to check what the seller states about shipping. Look for either a fixed shipping cost or something equivalent to "actual shipping cost charged." No way does an LP cost $17.00 to ship. Even if you use a good mailer ($1.00). A GENEROUS way to estimate shipping is $1.00 for mailer and shipping on TWO pounds. (It shouldn't weight two pounds, but it surely won't weigh more than two pounds). Anything beyond that estimate is just profit for the seller.

Kwad

 

I charge a flat $7.00 to ship one LP to Canada via Air Mail delivery. This includes the nominal packaging (materials) cost. I make no added profit off shipping but I do charge for a new high-quality (secure) LP box. I do not ship surface mail as it takes a little longer than Air and there is a chance of rougher handling enroute to the buyer. Most records (e.g., one single LP, no double LPs) I ship weigh about 1 pound, 11 ounces including all the packaging (i.e., box, labels, foam peanuts, outer sleeve, tape). I own a postal scale which helps me get an accurate rate. Please ask the seller if they didn't mean to type in $7.00 instead of $17.00. Good luck.

 

Ok then, I stand corrected. 2 lbs. That must be some pretty heavy tunes you're listening to.

 

Shipping and payment details
Shipping and handling: Buyer pays for all shipping costs
See item description or contact seller for details
Shipping insurance: (Required)
Will ship worldwide

....................................................................................................................

That is what is stated. But come on! Gary, you and me both have sent and received records and whatnot from the U.S. But for a 1 lb package - what is the equivilent of $22.79 CDN?!!??! That's great for sending a package to Germany that is heavier! Not what is a 18 hr drive directly south of us...

I dunno. I am confused and my head hurts. I like Dave's suggestion though. I will look for a Federal post link and send that to him. Do you think the insurance is eating up all this cost?

Sorry to sound like griping but I feel that you all have good opinions and now I need to specifically solicit them,

Thank you all.

...now let's go soak our head with Die Beatles...

 

Hopefully it was a misprint as suggested above.
I also second Dave's idea of emailing a USPS quote.

This strikes a chord with me as I am not in favor of sellers profitting from shipping.
Make your money on the item whose value is more subjective.

I hope that some polite courteous emails can iron things out.

Good luck,
paul

 

If they don't quote a shipping rate or say "actual shipping cost" you gotta ask! Because many Ebayers are starting bids low and making it up with inflated shipping ... slimy but true.

 

A friend that sells on eBay told me when I was first getting into it, to not put a price for shipping, but for "shipping & handling". He said as long as you throw the handling in there, you can charge whatever you want.

I do say "shipping & handling" but charge actual shipping + a padded envelope. What he told me didn't sound very ethical.

 

$17 is reasonable for insured shipment of 2lbs to Canada using USPS.
That is airmail letter post $6.35 + $8 registered = $14.35 + $2.50 for a nice box. 14"x14"x4"

If you do not want to pay that much. Ask the seller if he will ship it uninsured for $8 less. the auction states insurance required.

Fedex will ship 2lbs from CA to Calgary ground 14"x14"x4" insured for $10.85.
He may not have a fedex world wide shipping point around there and drugstores mark up fedex ~30%.

I am shipping a 40lb 36"x18"x18" $400 insured Tandberg world radio to Canada for $40.

Pay it and be happy.
I will never bid on an open ended shipping item again. Once was enough $34 for a little amp across the US. My C20 only cost $16 across the country.

 

Here is a usps screen print.
Post to Canada:

Itemized Service Summary Service Item Price
Airmail Letter Post $6.35
Registered $50.00 indemnity $8.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL CHARGES $14.35

 

Here is a fedex screen print. ca to calgary
All packages are being shipped from 95070, U.S.A. to T2C 2P6, Canada (Zone 51) on March 02, 2004.

Service
Transit time
Rate (US$)


FedEx International Ground®
Delivery in 6 business days
10.85


Currency Converter









Package weight
Package type
Package measurements
Declared value (US$)

1.
2.0 lbs
Your Packaging
14.0 x 14.0 x 4.0 in
50.00

 

This reminds me of a seller on eBay who says that he will not offer a reduced shipping rate on multiple items won due to the low starting prices on all of his auctions ($0.99). What the heck does the low starting price have to do with anything? Sure, if it starts low, there's a chance that it will end low, so the guy figures he'll make up for it by charging a bit more on shipping (on multiple items). Give me a break! I wrote the guy a couple of weeks ago saying that it's the winning bid that matters, not the starting bid, and that a good seller offers reduced shipping costs. He never wrote me back, and I won't go near his auctions. n: n:

 

Ok now I feel stupid as opposed to being stupid.

So what people are saying is - the cost is reasonable. I dunno. I have never spent that much in North America for this. Let's end this thread now on account of me feeling kinda embarassed.

Over and out...

Paul