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13 comments

Do you think this is an excessive shipping charge?

Posted Nov-21-06 19:50:49 PST

Hi everyone!

I was perusing the Necklace/Pendants: Strands/Strings subcategory, which is where I primarily sell, just checking out all the new items, pricing trends, etc., when I noticed an absolutely gorgeous saltwater pearl necklace.  Just stunning.

So I click on the listing and read on with interest, and come across a boast about having the lowest shipping charges for jewelry.  A little later it says something about $2 combined shipping.  I thought, hey, that sounds great, and scrolled back to see the shipping charge.

$40

Shall I say that again?

$40

OK, yes, the necklace is coming from Hong Kong, but I can ship a necklace to Hong Kong via USPS Airmail Letter (insured, etc.) for less than $10.

Does anyone else here think that $40 is a bit excessive?  Or can people shipping from Hong Kong to here not get competitive rates?  Am I missing something?

Besides bragging about having the lowest shipping rates, this seller is also extremely proud of its Titanium eBay status.  What is going on here?

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Comments
auctionhouseannie
Yes, and I would never buy from Hong Kong or China
Nov-21-06 19:52:59 PST Report this comment
nurse-fairy
thats wayyy too high.
Nov-21-06 19:53:14 PST Report this comment
freedomforhealth
msndrew, how come?
Nov-21-06 19:53:35 PST Report this comment
dealus-maximus
Been discussed by a lot of PowerSellers recently. This is very unbalanced for eBay's Trust and Safety gang. They've been cracking down on US sellers who charge anything north of $6-7 for small items, and sometimes even $5 is slapped by them. Meantime, HK sellers are allowed to continue to NAIL buyers with fee avoidance to eBay in the form of inflated shipping. It creates a very unbalanced market and a POOR buyer experience.

Chet Ranger
dealus-maximus
Nov-21-06 19:57:05 PST Report this comment
fpica
People seem to forget that other countries have higher prices for govt services like mail and higher taxes than the US, it looks high but I wouldn't go around calling them liars or reporting them without solid knowledge of that particular country's shipping rates!

When I was over in Europe it cost me $25.00 to airmail a small uninsured package to MD US, no lie! Another example of how different mail rates can be in different countries, a simple 39 cent letter, costs 45 cents in Belgium, that is a difference of 2.34% for a SIMPLE 2 page letter (YES 2 PAGES, 3 pages will cost 75cents etc etc) Not all countries are as cheap as the good ol' US of A!!!
Nov-21-06 19:59:31 PST Report this comment
angie2046
Let's all buy from U.S. sellers like us!
Nov-21-06 19:59:40 PST Report this comment
cccottage
The way I understand it is they do not even have to pay a listing fee.
Nov-21-06 20:01:07 PST Report this comment
fpica
Oh I forgot to mention that a similar package going the other way, from MD to Europe only cost me $15.00
Nov-21-06 20:01:45 PST Report this comment
hippie_haven
Yes that is outrageous. I sell handcrafted jewelry and my shipping is 2.00 for US and 5.00 for International ... and FREE for additional. The reason I do 5.00 for international is the higher costs and I have to take these to the post office and do customs forms for. I do know that shipping to Italy is outrageous ... so therefore, I do not ship there. But yes ... 40.00 ... c'mon! :) Deanna
Nov-21-06 20:04:18 PST Report this comment
hippie_haven
cccottage ... how can they not pay a listing fee?? If this is true I AM closing my store today and moving to Hong Kong :)
Nov-21-06 20:05:36 PST Report this comment
cccottage
I heard that on the news I think CNBC when they were raising fees here.
Nov-21-06 20:11:32 PST Report this comment

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