USPS just raised their rates again. What about eBay?

[Sandblaster]

USPS just raised their rates again!
How does these rate changes effect eBay sellers and buyers?
Not only did USPS raise their rates, they changed how some of the services work.
Why is this a big deal?
Well, for those of us stuck flogging our wares on the eBay/PayPal conglomerate (Known from here on as Feebay) it means that we need to change all our shipping methods that are related to those shipping methods.
Since Feebay wants sellers to offer free shipping and charges their fees based on the total price including shipping, sellers have to calculate what it will cost to sell parts at their furthest distance from their location to get the highest shipping amount and then add that to what they want for the item.
For example.
Let's say that as a seller you need to sell a item for 50.00 in order to stay in business.
In order to have people be able find your item while doing their search, you need to play the Feebay game.
You need to have money in their for free shipping and enough to cover a sale price.
Let's say that the item weight 8lb and will fit into a Medium Flat Rate box.
The cost of a Medium Flat Rate after the last increase is now 12.35 if you are mailing at the post office.
Also, you need to have enough money to cover a sale of lets say 25% Off.
Remember, you need 50 in your pocket so you need to take the total of the item and the shipping and add 25% to it.
But, that's not all, you need to also cover your Feebay fees which currently for larger store owners is running about 17.3%.
So that item needs to be listed for about 92 dollars so that you cover the shipping, sales price, and eBay fees.
Now let's say that you have 15,000 + items in your store and already had the old shipping rates figured in.
You will now need to re-figure all your new shipping rates and decide if you want to go through the hassle, time, and expense of editing all those ads.
If you really need 50 for that item, you have no choice.
Wonderful!

[81cr450]

I have a bit of stuff on ebay some rings & gaskets engine parts & stuff. With the ebay fee's & shipping costs most of what I have is a loss leader just to cover the monthly $70-$90 they stick you for to have some of my bigger items visible nationally. Its a damn joke I dont see how anyone can run a buisness off of their system where it's about making them rich & nobody else getting anything but the crumbs.
The feedback system is rigged against the seller with the whole 4 star system as well. People really dont give straight across 4 stars. They just dont , we're a society of whiner's & there always something that aint quite perfect. So with that rigged they can then charge you more to list because your not performing up to standards that are rigged from the get go.
& the 3 day shipping dings you on your listing costs too, even if you state clearly that it takes 5 days handling time , because its just a side "hobby" & you only ship once a week.
I dont envy anyone who has to try to eat using their service.

I have a few sideways sales I'll try just to avoid ebay .
Craigslist, A local tv station has a classified section that alot of people in my area use, Racing Junk, the FORUMS, but that can be a challenge in itself as most forum sales generally want LOW ball price , reminds me of a RMX crank .
Anyway I like the craigslist stuff cause it links through some of the great linking sites like bikefinds & yakaz. Its just a matter of the masses figuring out how to get to these alternative sites that give them a lower end cost & still make the time of listing worth while.

[Sandblaster]

I agree completely.
The fees are about double what they were when I started, and the rules have gone many times over that.
Everything is in PayBay's and the buyers favor.
As a seller, evem if you do everything perfect and the customer receives a perfect part overnight, they can still leave you negative feedback and there is nothing you can do about it.
I could go on and on about it but I won't bother you with the details.,
I am working at getting this site completed so I can sell on it rather then everything on PayBay.
We get a few local sales but it won't pay my kid's allowance...
So, it's time to move on and put on our big boy pants

[81cr450]

I know how it is , my side stuff is what pays for my extra's like riding & a little xtra for a chance to spoil the Wife or kids. I can appreciate what you do as a buisness man in the market your in. Hope you do well in venturing out to other area's for sale's, your customer service is sure gonna help.

It would be really easy to get on an ebay rant.
Thanks for some of the bike buying pointers you've given me over on KXRIDER's, it has helped the side ebay bike stuff. Where it's something you live off of it's like borrowing a professionals "tools" & I was quite surprised you were as free with that info.
Might make for a good section or article on here the buying of used bikes stuff anyway

[Sandblaster]

Good suggestion.
I'll have to think over how to do it.
I'll start the thread so I don't forget