My first problem w/ ebay came up... needs your advices

From: John Foust <jfoust_at_threedee.com>
Date: Tue Apr 24 10:57:55 2001

At 10:23 AM 4/24/01 -0400, Lawrence Walker wrote:
> One of my big beefs are the guys that ask a big shipping and handling
>charge. I sometimes wonder if that is how they really make their money.
> I've passed on many desired things due to that rip-off.

As far as I've learned, one of the great secrets of any mail order
business is that you should cover your wholesale cost of goods in the
shipping and handling charge, and that the price paid is the
gravy that makes the business possible and profitable.

Unfortunately, some mail order businesses are giving away this
secret when they do stupid things like run ads that offer
a free three-month supply of depilatory - if you pay the
three S/H charges.

In eBay transactions, unless the item fits in an envelope,
the cost of shipping and handling *should* be worth considering
and charging for. Good boxes aren't free. Good packing material
isn't free. Arranging shipping isn't free. What's your time
worth? If someone doesn't want to pay S/H, wish them luck
finding the same item at a neighborhood garage sale. You must
reasonably expect to pay for something to be shipped if you
buy it online.

- John
Received on Tue Apr 24 2001 - 10:57:55 BST