I have just got 'Top Rated Seller' status but right away my shipping and handling charges are flagged and I am at risk of losing my TRS I on

[tu-ee]

I have just got 'Top Rated Seller' status but right away my shipping and handling charges are flagged and I am at risk of losing my hard earned status because of the shipping costs charged by Canada post---I only charge what Canada post charges me plus $2.00 for handling. If the shipping is less when I print out the shipping label I always refund the extra to the buyer--- So why am I being penalised already by eBay for something I cannot help--I have to use Canada Post which I agree has horrendous shipping costs compared to USA  shipping etc---Plus the fact that USA sellers get free boxes to mail their items in also labels and tape if they are registered with the US post Office as a seller. Surely eBay must know that Canada Post has high shipping costs---It is not fair to penalise us honest sellers because our Post Office is greedy! Can anyone help? have any suggestions? I tried adding extra to the selling price and lowering the shipping cost but it was useless I just did not sell---I also tried the free shipping and added the cost to the item but same thing no sales! help please.

[nonstopchatter · Accepted solution]

Its not fair.  There is no doubt about it.

You may find that you have to simply bite the bullet and eat some of the cost of shipping in order to continue.  Its anything but fair.  But sadly, that's the reality for many Canadian sellers. 

I used to charge a $1 handling fee which didn't cover my expenses.  Then I charged no handling fee at all and covered all the cost of packaging supplies.  Now, I pay part of the shipping costs as well.  My shipping costs DSRs have also taken a hit. 

In order to cut costs, I get used boxes and recycle packing materials as well. 

[scifan57 · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately there are buyers out there who don't seem to understand the realities of shipping costs and will give low shipping cost DSR ratings based on what they think an item should ship for, which often bears no reality to the real cost. You can do everything you can think of to reduce shipping costs to the lowest possible but you won't be able to please everybody.

[reallynicestamps · Accepted solution]

Since you are at the moment in danger of losing your TRS status and that juicy 20% fee discount, might I suggest Free Shipping?

Just to be clear, this means you add the cost of shipping to your asking price.

Then you use Free Shipping within Canada (and possibly to the USA). Obviously, this calls for a little tweaking and massaging of your asking price. Fortunately, you are sellling in a niche without competition from Asia.

Free Shipping gives you an automatic Five Stars for Shipping Cost.

Another suggestion is that you go to Returns Accepted within 14 Days. This is another tweak that will give you more Visibility in Search.

Not only does your present statement turn off buyers by being negative, but it will not stand up to a Paypal Dispute. PP insists that the buyer gets a full refund of her entire payment.  My first read was that you only would refund the selling price. (You don't and for others here is your Returns Policy:

I will consider a return only if I have made a mistake & the item is definetly not as described and shown in the photographs in my listing description-------The buyer pays for the return shipping-----If you are unhappy you must contact me within two days of receiving your package------In some cases I will give a refund on the item cost if you still wish to keep it.)

That last sentence is an invitation to fraud, in my opinion.  Consider changing it to "Contact me with questions. Returns accepted within 14 days."

Actually I don't like this much either:

PLEASE DO NOT PAY TILL YOU RECEIVE MY INVOICE---I EXAGGERATE THE PACKED WEIGHT AND THE SIZE OF THE BOX SO THAT I CAN SPEND MY TIME LISTING AND NOT WASTE MY TIME MEASURING ITEMS AND WEIGHING BOXES ETC.----9 TIMES OUT OF 10 YOUR ACTUAL SHIPPING COST WILL BE LESS THAN THE CALCULATOR TELLS YOU.--IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO WAIT FOR MY INVOICE

Caps are shouting. And most of that is none of your buyer's business. The buyer wants to be sure of her cost. In spite of what you say, some customers would think that the 10th time the S&H would be higher.  Personally, I would let the Calculator do its thing and then refund the difference. Does anyone dislike an unexpected refund?