eBay

dmnhours · ‎04-03-2016

Hey there,

I'm trying to profit off some video games I got in my collection in the $20-40 range, and noticed the shipping for a single item via standard package and expedited package is too much that it cuts deep into the profits.

I was thinking of shipping these video games (ps 1-4, xbox,dvds) via lettermail through Canada Post. I was told that its a flat rate, however they do not offer any insurance protection on the package.

Has anyone shipped video games using eBay.ca before? and if so, how did you do it? did you use another shipping company? or Canada Post?

xeposter · ‎04-03-2016

I don't live in Canada, so I can't really help you...but...you might find this recent thread helpful: http://community.ebay.ca/t5/Seller-Central/Mail-price/m-p/332712.

Alex

This is my POSTING id.

femmefan1946 · ‎04-03-2016

Canada Post is going to be the cheapest.

Now come over here and sit by me while I tell you about Cookie Jar Insurance.

Basically, this is self-insurance.

On each shipping charge (or asking price) of every listing you add a few cents (rarely more than a dime) which you put into a virtual Cookie Jar.

If you have a non-delivery or a not as described claim, you pay out from the Cookie Jar using Paypal's Send Money service.

EBay doesn't get involved. It doesn't matter whether the buyer is truthful or not. You don't get a defect.

You do ask the unhappy buyer to return the refund when the purchase arrives. Since most people are honest, he probably will.

Doesn't matter in any case. The user of Cookie Jar Insurance is usually ahead on premiums recieved over payouts in the long run.

You are going to be selling in a high fraud category, so think about what you can afford to lose, emotionally as well as financially.

If you make a multiple sale, the problem does not arise because most parcel services are tracked and some are insured.

Earlier today another poster mentioned a company that insures shipments relatively cheaply, I think it was $2 for up to $100 per item. I wasn't really paying attention to the name. You may find them useful as you establish yourself, and then when you gain traction and confidence, you could consider moving to the Cookie Jar.

tobyshitzu · ‎04-03-2016

everyone uses lettermail. Buying insurance would just guarantee losing more

hlmacdon · ‎04-03-2016

@femmefan1946 wrote:
Canada Post is going to be the cheapest.

Earlier today another poster mentioned a company that insures shipments relatively cheaply, I think it was $2 for up to $100 per item. I wasn't really paying attention to the name. You may find them useful as you establish yourself, and then when you gain traction and confidence, you could consider moving to the Cookie Jar.

The third party insurers I've used won't insure lettermail shipments unfortunately. Seems a bit odd as light packet is fairly equivalent and those are insurable.

In high fraud categories like these, it makes sense to ship more expensive items via parcel and the cheaper ones via lettermail.

tobyshitzu · ‎04-03-2016

There is no game that would ever make sense to ship parcel and pay an $8+ premium for "protection"

hlmacdon · ‎04-03-2016

@toby**bleep**zu wrote:
There is no game that would ever make sense to ship parcel and pay an $8+ premium for "protection"

That's complete a matter of opinion given the extremely wide range of prices games can sell for, particularly rare/classic games. If anything I would be extremely insulted as a buyer if a seller shipped an expensive game in a bubble mailer.

xeposter · ‎04-03-2016

@hlmacdon wrote:
toby**bleep**zu wrote:
There is no game that would ever make sense to ship parcel and pay an $8+ premium for "protection"
That's complete a matter of opinion given the extremely wide range of prices games can sell for, particularly rare/classic games. If anything I would be extremely insulted as a buyer if a seller shipped an expensive game in a bubble mailer.

"toby**bleep**zu?" Do you mean "toby**bleep**zu?" Somehow, it must replace the sh** word with **bleep**?

Alex

EDIT: Really? It must replace the s word with **bleep!** I never knew it could do that! Awesome!!

This is my POSTING id.