ebay shipping policy

[honky50]

Does ebay policy stipulate that items must be shipped priority mail with insurance and tracking? or do sellers have the option to send first class? Buying an item for $10. and spending $30 on shipping seems excessive to say the least

[femmefan1946 · Accepted solution]

No, but eBay and Paypal do demand that if the buyer claims that he has not received his item, he must be able to Confirm Delivery.

Now, in the USA this costs a seller about a quarter. But if he sells to Canada (or Macedonia for that matter) it will cost him at least $20 for a service that includes Delivery Confirmation.

If the item is valuable/rare, or if he is used to using DC on all his domestic shipping, he may decide that it is necessary - or even more necessary - for foreigners.

Before bidding, ask the seller if he will ship First Class International. If he says no, move on. Many have not really thought the policy through. Before bidding is also the time to confirm that the seller does sell to Canada and uses USPS/Canada Post and not a courier like UPS, which is another can of worms.

[oskye · Accepted solution]

Mail to Canada does NOT have to be Priority.  This confusion is being caused by eBay's calculator function and by USPS's calculator website.  

The USPS site preferentially shows the Express and Priority Flat Rate boxes as the options of choice.  Only if you look, will you find the envelope and package options, plus First Class prices.  Many sellers don't know to look.

Also - postage costs to Canada from the US are far less than International from the US.  Many sellers do not realise this and are quoting a flat International rate.

If you are interested in an item, look up a price estimate on the USPS site.  Be ready to advise the seller on this price - politely. As noted in the previous answer - ask the seller nicely if they will send regular First Class parcel.  If no - move on. They don't want (and don't deserve) your business.