E-bay Just Ryobi Parts

[Rslaugh]

So what you're freely admitting to is you intentionally cheat eBay by putting half the cost in the shipping fee. And if that's not good enough you'll be happy to sell around eBay.

[Stytooner]

If you are replying to my posts, my reply is No. I don't do that. I acknowledge that it is being done and I understand why. My shipping quotes are always on par with the shipping costs.
On my website, shipping is included in the price. I find this works okay. I sometimes loose a few bucks, but the next order gets me a few. Everyone pays the same price, and shipping charges are averaged. Shipping costs are always stated on anything I have sold on Ebay.
I do NOT do what is going on at Ebay, but I understand why the sellers are doing it.
One should never bid on anything without knowing what the shipping costs are. Most of the sale items have the shipping listed. Most good larger items are pick up only. Buyer must beware and actually read the listings before bidding.
The final cost of anything I sell is obvious. I get guys all the time asking, "so how much for shipping?" This tells me they don't read the website.

[Stytooner]

Guys, I think you are looking at it the wrong way. The consumer pays the full price regardless of who gets what on the other end. Sellers are inflating shipping costs to receive a bigger percentage of the final sale price. They, like Ebay are trying to get the biggest profit margin that is allowed by rules. Ebay's rules.
I think it is wrong that they have to do this, but in the same sentence, it's wrong for Ebay to take a percentage and not a set fee. Everyone is getting what they can in the current pricing structure. The only part mentioned that I think wrong is inflated costs after the sale. Not being up front with shipping costs is wrong and amounts to thievery IMO when done after the sale. A seller knows what the shipping costs will be. Far too easy to figure that out.

[Cochese]

Guys, I think you are looking at it the wrong way. The consumer pays the full price regardless of who gets what on the other end. Sellers are inflating shipping costs to receive a bigger percentage of the final sale price. They, like Ebay are trying to get the biggest profit margin that is allowed by rules. Ebay's rules.
I think it is wrong that they have to do this, but in the same sentence, it's wrong for Ebay to take a percentage and not a set fee. Everyone is getting what they can in the current pricing structure. The only part mentioned that I think wrong is inflated costs after the sale. Not being up front with shipping costs is wrong and amounts to thievery IMO when done after the sale. A seller knows what the shipping costs will be. Far too easy to figure that out.

Except that eBay specifically prohibits inflating shipping fees to circumvent paying eBay the fees. They aren't following eBay's rules at all.

[LinuxRandal]

In a forum I am a member of, that was started when Ebay started accepting ONLY Paypal (Postal money orders had protection guys), Ebay responded to a member and they posted, to RAISE their shipping and handling fee's, to cover insurance. (when the sellers could no longer offer it separate)

Now Paypal isn't the ONLY acceptable method, but they expect you to otherwise have a merchant account.

[LCHIEN]

I'll be in the minority and take a stab at defending eBay. Devil's advovcate.

It's still the greatest way to put buyers and sellers together in a reasonably safe environment. Without eBay it would be difficult to find some of the eclectic things I do find; sellers of odd items of limited general interest would have a very difficult time getting together with an interested buyer. Feedback's not perfect but it generally keeps sellers honest.

In the old days of eBay you used to not know the price of shipping until after the committment to buy. Now they have made it much better and you almost always know the full price including shipping when you bid. Either fixed cost or shipping calculator links are provided. As for low cost/inflated high shipping-handling vs. real cost/real shipping, its the rules, you know up front, it's buyer beware. If I don't have an idea on the shipping costs, I won't bid.
Many sellers offer fixed rate, or even free shipping. I often buy two or three if the price is $0.99 and the flat shipping is $5, like on cables and stuff.

If we did not have eBay, then all we'd have is craig's list, which is a real free for all with free listings. I'm really wary of CL sales. The ads are much more exaggerated and not to be trusted compared to eBay.

So I think eBay has its merits. Lots of people use it. You still have to be smart. eBay and stupid bidder are not a good combination, except for the seller and eBay, I guess.

[conwaygolfer]

I'm With Lchien

on Ebay. I use their services several times each month. Mostly golf clubs. Where else can you buy new clubs at a lower price and try them out and if they don't suit you - resell them. Often at a small profit. Can't beat it.

The cost to advertize and sell nationwide (world wide) is much lower here than a weekend ad in most major papers that are only seen by a small audience. Plus you don't have to deal with phone calls and people trying to offer you less than you are asking.

As for rip off sellers, I have never experienced any after almost 10 years of being an Ebay customer.

2 years ago someone hit my wifes car and the insurance company totaled it. I bought it back and needed a tail light assembly. The dealer wanted $175.00 for a new one. I found one at the junk yard for $100.00.. I tell you this because I hit a deer last weekend and pretty much ruined my entire front end of my truck. The insurance will cover all the damages, but on a hunch, I did an Ebay search for all the parts I would need in case the insurance would not cover it. The new prices were much much lower than the dealer would charge.
Sorry for the long post, but just saying - I like and use Ebay and have had no problems.

Conwaygolfer