"Shipping not specified" in Ebay listings.

[awynb4]

Apparently this problem has been occurring since 2013 and is still not fixed.  This problem occurs on both the Ebay.ca and Ebay.com site.

I'm a Canadian seller and I offer Free Shipping.  I sell only to the U.S. and Canada. 

Not only have I specifically checked the box for "Free Shipping" in my shipping policy, but I have stated it in the ad itself.  Yet Ebay continues to state "Shipping not specified" for all my Ebay items when first listed.

When the viewer sees the listing on Ebay as "Shipping not specified", they don't bother clicking on the auction because they'll assume the seller won't disclose the shipping cost.  This results in less viewers and less sales.

Thanks a lot, Ebay, for not fixing what seems to be a technical glitch, which has not been addressed for at least FOUR YEARS or more.

[femmefan1946 · Accepted solution]

 And yes, I know I'm losing money charging so little and absorbing the postage costs; I'd hoped it would attract more viewers ...--the visibility factor.

Oh Dear GHU! The "do it for the exposure" argument.

A lot of my friends are writers, artists, musicians or photographers.

And they have very strong opinions about that.

http://www.mariebilodeau.com/?p=225

http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2017/05/11/artist-challenges-ottawa-2017s-decision-to-offer-expo...

There is another, in my opinion more potent, argument.

People appreciate the things they pay for.

And the more they pay, the greater their appreciation.

It's why brands work hard to keep their name in front of the public. Using a given brand is 'aspirational'.

Is an Eileen Fisher dress than a George? Or Green Giant better than NoName canned corn?

Perhaps. Perhaps not. The price doesn't tell you.

But the higher prices mean the company makes more money on each item sold. And the buyer is able to boast to friends about the brand, which is also exposure and the kind that says  -- you have to pay for this! Not the kind of exposure that says-- the work is not worth paying for.

</rant>

[awynb4 · Accepted solution]

This is a separate issue from the one I originally posted but one that's often discussed. I agree in principle but had recently succumbed to momentary loss of confidence due to lack of viewers. Problem is, taste in fashion or art (as well as canned corn) is subjective; economic circumstance of buyers may also be a contributing factor. Guess my lightbulb moment came when a fellow artist bought, then resold one of my mini art pieces for three times what I sold it to them for. It forces you to think outside the box! For example, not put all your eggs in one basket (don't sell just on Ebay); and diversify (sell something other than just original art). (I've gotten vintage Vogue dress patterns like you're selling for $12.99 Cdn at my local church thrift shop for 10 cents. What kept me from re-selling these type items (as well as the many, many books I'd like to downsize off to new owners) is the cost of postage. A simple, light-weight trinket in a little box going to the States might cost me $11 to send, and why would a buyer want to pay, say $17 (including shipping) for the same exact book they can find on Ebay from a US seller for $3.99 and free shipping? My preference is to find a product (to sell) that's not currently being offered, or if so, to create something similar but unique where viewers arrive by word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied buyers. This worked quite well in a former business where there was a ton of competition. The best strategy might be to define/locate (or create) the niche you are gearing your product towards. A great theory, but not applicable in every situation. What works on one platform (location location location) might bomb on another. I have an idea for several type products and am having fun researching possibilities, observing other sellers' products as well as buyer response in general (to particular items). The business part of it (especially self marketing) is the least favorite part. But thank you for reminding me of the importance of perception (on the buyer's part) and that writers., artists, & buskers, etc. deserve adequate recompense. In the case of the linked articles, what begat change (for the Ontario artists and performers) was collective action on the part of the artists (refusal to accept the situation) and publicly shaming the PWB. Organizations pay for good PR; an eruption of bad PR before a major opening threatens a successful outcome. Doesn't always turn out this way but even the tiniest unexpected reminder can serve as a pep talk for future endeavors. Yay Ontario artists and performers. Good on you. Thanks, femmefan

[reallynicestamps · Accepted solution]

Thanks for reminding me to go to the weekly church rummage sale tomorrow!
That $12.99 includes shipping and I can do it because I don't bother tracking. I can buy them from 25c to $1CDN. (Usually I list those at $9.99USD on dotCOM) and shipping is about 30% of my selling price.

No fast sellers, but steady sales. And they don't take up much room.
Hard to do that with 'trinkets' though since once we go over 2cm in thickness we are into tracked parcel rates.

We have to look at what we really lose financially if something 'is not delivered' (note cynical quote marks) and how often it happens in Real Life. Which is not particularly often because most people are honest and the postal system really is good at their job.

Marie Bilodeau is a horror writer as well as a storyteller. She has a book out just now in the Hellmaw series about a head on a spine (no body) who longs to be a fashion model. She also hates squirrels and loves hats.