Ebay--DSRs--FREE SHIPPING ???

ebayhateluv · #1 05-28-2008

Hey folks:
Anyone been trying/testing Free Shipping, to get the dsrs up?
Ive tried this on one of my user ids, and it doesnt seem to matter for me,,

>> I mean really--how in the world can you be averaging 4.7 ,,when S+H id=s absolutely FREE??

Im thinking buyers are just giving out 1's for kicks??
Any thoughts??

Ive written to my PS acct mgr- she says its all about ebay rules/policies,,something she doesnt always agree with-but must abide by.??

Heres a text from a chat with another long time ebayer...
Ebay is trying to get sellers to include the shipping and handling into the cost of the auction. The problem is that the sellers will bear more of the risk. Economically, the more risk that the seller takes the more reward he will need to cover the additional liability. That means that the buyer's overall cost will go up.

I suppose that the buying "experience" get's better. However, you pay for it.

.....you do understand that this is a 0 sum game that only eBay wins by collecting additional fees at the buyers ultimate expense.

**aspkin** · #2 05-28-2008

As a buyer I would love free shipping... it's just one less thing to worry about.

As a seller, that just means you have to move the cost somewhere else. It's the way the world works. Pass the cost in other ways…

GreenBean · #3 05-28-2008

Just how far do you go to improve the dsr's? You can offset the cost of free shipping but
where does it end? Here in Oz, we still have CODs and they are a headache. Major headaches. Where does it end?

jscan · #4 05-28-2008

On certain low cost/weight items i include the shipping price in the item price, therefore offer free shipping. My shipping DSR is always up and down, its at a current 4.7, few days ago it was at 4.5.

Doesnt make sense when you undercharge on postage costs, ship the item out the same day as payment clears and when you do offer free shipping on certain items.

GreenBean · #5 05-28-2008

jscan, I really really think that anyone could deliver the item to the buyer's front door, take them Krispy Kreme doughnuts and the buyer would still be dissatisfied.

jscan · #6 05-29-2008

i guess thats just the way it is, better start making some more accounts to keep in reserve just it case.

GreenBean · #7 05-29-2008

LOL. I am nearly 'gardening' full time at the moment. A lot of babies
are being made.

imjustme · #8 05-29-2008

I have a 4.2 on an account where I offer free shipping and a 4.8 on an account where I charge $12 ...for the exact same thing.

jscan · #9 05-29-2008

That shows how much the DSR system flawed and useless.

Rosanna · #10 05-29-2008

I also believe ebay wants the sellers to incorporate the shipping into the total cost so they can make more money on the fvf.

thelizardking · #11 05-29-2008

Yeah ive tried many different things for Shipping Price and Shipping Time, nothing works im stuck at 4.5 on both...Free Shipping didn't help, also I usually ship within an hour after payment during the day w/ Priority...you can't get much faster...and I still have 4.5

imjustme · #12 05-29-2008

I love it how they require PowerSellers to keep a 4.5 shipping score. How is someone from outside the United States supposed to deliver to the United States (which is the main eBay market) and get a score above 4.5? Nearly everyone will give a 4.0 score, not a 5.0, because it always takes 2-3 weeks for delivery.

Lisa B · #13 05-29-2008

I'm glad I didn't waste my time offering auctions with free shipping.

No matter what I do my DSR's suck, 4.9 4.9 4.8 4.7
Should be 5.0 across the board. Period.

mantisinc · #14 05-29-2008

Yes the DSR with shipping annoys me. I never overcharge on postage, (all items I send cost around £5.05 or more, never less), and I charge £4.89 for shipping. I was on 5.0 for shipping cost, and then some faggot brings me down to 4.9.

It's really annoying though when you know you are being penalised for something that definitely wasn't a negative thing.

Lisa B · #15 05-29-2008

I feel you. I don't overcharge on shipping and the few times I have were accidents and I refuded the Buyers the difference. And yet, my shipping DSR is a lowly 4.7

Lisa B · #16 05-29-2008

I have so many customers giving me feedback: "honest seller, great communication, fast shipping, well packed" and my DSR's still stink.

Ok, I'm done venting.

twdell · #17 05-30-2008

that is what this whole DSR thing is all about. it's not about making sure the buyers walk away with a good experience. it's ebay making sure sellers don't charge more on the shipping end to work around ebay fees. i sell dvds, and most sellers who sell the same type of dvds will charge $.99 for the dvd, and $7.99 for shipping. ebay can only get me for the $.99.

i also sell other items, and i get this alert from ebay when i relist items. it's in big red letters, and lets me know that my shipping price is not compareable to other sellers shipping price in the same category. it's ridiculous. they say you could be suspended for this.

lets say i was selling some speakers. a set of 12" subwoofers. they're pretty heavy so i have to get a lot for shipping. how can they compare that to some other guy selling a set of tweeters?

imjustme · #18 05-30-2008

eBay is warning me that my shipping is too high when I ship something that weighs 500 grams (half a kilo) and I charge $7 to ship from Japan to the United States. I think their entire system is based on United States to United States shipping, because there is no post office in the United States either that will ship a package of half a kilo to Japan for $7.

dakrei · #19 05-30-2008

I even make a note at the bottom of my listing stating that all shipping costs are up ( i spend over 2K in bubble wrap a year) aaasking for understanding in shipping charges and still I get the 4.5

The_Cynic · #20 05-30-2008

Twdell and Rosanna hit the nail on the head. the whole best match thing is to force shipping fees into the price, thereby increasing the FVF's.

---Ebay could give two squats about their buyer experience, just look at their customer service. Oh Ebay ......... I hate to break the news to you, but canned email autoresponders are NOT customer service.

The DSRs and best match are having the anticipated effect of increasing the ebay bottom line, but that is temporary. More and More of the sellers are coming to realize that Ebay is not a community, it is ruthless corporation out to profit at their expense.

ebayhateluv · #21 05-30-2008

Just an FYI=-- On Amazon.com, THEy charge the shipping and then give you, the seller a shipping credit..
i.e. 3.99, (to ship a priority flat rate--which costs you 5.25 with deliv conf)---

Jonas · #22 05-30-2008

On eBay, as long as shipping is clearly stated, buyers only hurt themselves by dinging sellers who gouge shipping. I buy from sellers who gouge shipping if overall it is a good deal because I know that if the seller is saving on eBay fees that I also know some of that savings is passed onto me.

ebayhateluv, does Amazon still charge the buyer the full amount for first class ?