Search
Close
  1. Home
  2. Forum
  3. Philately
  4. Platform fees
Forum list Post list

Platform fees

  • spineaston
    spineaston 100% (5912x)

    2 messages

    United States

    I think the minimum charge of .30 Euros is entirely unreasonable for small purchases. As an example I wanted to purchase about a dozen stamps selling for about .10 or .15 Euros each. After adding the platform fees the total purchase price is 4 or 5 times what the stamps are worth. Consequently I would not buy. I lose out and the seller too as he loses a sale. Delcampe should reconsider this.
  • jmajander
    jmajander 100% (12828x)
    standard

    55 messages

    Finland

    I think the minimum charge of .30 Euros is entirely unreasonable for small purchases. As an example I wanted to purchase about a dozen stamps selling for about .10 or .15 Euros each. After adding the platform fees the total purchase price is 4 or 5 times what the stamps are worth. Consequently I would not buy. I lose out and the seller too as he loses a sale. Delcampe should reconsider this.
    • Created on Jan 12, 2025 at 10:06 AM
    • #1851870
    Due to excessive platform fees, it really doesn't make sense to buy multiple low-value items from a seller anymore. On the other hand, due to rising postage costs, it doesn't make sense to buy just single items. I believe this will drive many collectors away from Delcampe. As a buyer, I miss the old Delcampe, it was really good compared to what it is now.
  • moonstone
    moonstone 100% (54857x)
    advanced

    1025 messages

    United Kingdom

    I think the minimum charge of .30 Euros is entirely unreasonable for small purchases. As an example I wanted to purchase about a dozen stamps selling for about .10 or .15 Euros each. After adding the platform fees the total purchase price is 4 or 5 times what the stamps are worth. Consequently I would not buy. I lose out and the seller too as he loses a sale. Delcampe should reconsider this.
    • Created on Jan 12, 2025 at 10:06 AM
    • #1851870
    Essentially Delcampe would prefer that there were no 10 or 15 cents items on the site for sale, their recent actions including adding the 30c charge is evidence of that.
    What they DO want is another matter entirely, I don’t know, many others don’t know, and I’m not sure Delcampe does either, presumably much more expensive items where the 10% platform fee is more useful for them.
    Problem is that this is not what Delcampe is known for, they are known as a source of decent cheap stamps and I think they will find it very hard to break that perception amongst buyers.
  • jmajander
    jmajander 100% (12828x)
    standard

    55 messages

    Finland

    The catalogue price of the majority of ordinary stamps is low and therefore their selling prices are also low, usually some fraction of the catalogue price. In general, the 10% platform fee is fair, and even the 30c fixed platform fee does not matter for more expensive stamps, but it makes a big difference when buying multiple cheap stamps.

    If sellers are forced to combine low-value stamps into lots of several stamps, then they will probably sell less. Buyers avoid them if they don't need all the stamps in the lot.

    Because sellers have to pay to run their stores at Delcampe, it shouldn't matter whether the items they choose to offer are cheap or more expensive. The subscription price should cover the storage costs. In every case, the subscription price depends on the size of the shop.
  • jmajander
    jmajander 100% (12828x)
    standard

    55 messages

    Finland

    I just bought 56 low-value stamps from one (US) seller and 75 low-value stamps from another (Canadian) seller. The first seller did not charge anything extra, the second seller charged 5c extra (postage) for each stamp purchased, which is fair. It goes without saying that I was not shopping at Delcampe...
  • stevehillstamps
    stevehillstamps 100% (14594x)
    PRO standard

    223 messages

    United Kingdom

    Essentially Delcampe would prefer that there were no 10 or 15 cents items on the site for sale, their recent actions including adding the 30c charge is evidence of that.
    What they DO want is another matter entirely, I don’t know, many others don’t know, and I’m not sure Delcampe does either, presumably much more expensive items where the 10% platform fee is more useful for them.
    Problem is that this is not what Delcampe is known for, they are known as a source of decent cheap stamps and I think they will find it very hard to break that perception amongst buyers.
    • Created on Jan 12, 2025 at 11:23 AM
    • #1851984
    The problem of course is what this site becomes if Delcampe get their wish.

    Last year you could pretty much guarantee you could find any sub 2GBP set/single for sale in the condition you needed (MH/Used/FDC etc) at a reasonable price. There are now starting to be holes as there is little point in listing due to low sale rates. If buyers cant find the stamps they want it will lead to even fewer visits and the death spiral continues.

    For higher cost items eBay gets you a lot better sell through rate for a similar selling cost if it sells fairly quickly.

    I'm now paying GBP4 a month for listing here, and have not had a single sale off my 7k listings in 3 weeks. How much longer I can continue to list is under review now.

    Its fairly obvious to me that the buyer fee has been set defensively so that they cannot lose money on a single item transaction within Mangopay (just because we are not paying the fees any more, Delcampe will be internally). A permanent discount on the second and subsequent buyer fixed fee could then be applied, An even better solution would be charging the seller for the Mangopay fixed fee and discounting all buyer fixed fees accordingly (I do not think we will get rid of buyer fees unfortunately - Delcampe seem unable to admit they made a mistake).

    Its such a shame as the reason I have stuck with Delcampe for this long was their record on compliance with UK/EU laws (Distance selling, Import VAT, etc) that other Hipper venues skirt around or ignore entirely.
  • moonstone
    moonstone 100% (54857x)
    advanced

    1025 messages

    United Kingdom

    The problem of course is what this site becomes if Delcampe get their wish.

    Last year you could pretty much guarantee you could find any sub 2GBP set/single for sale in the condition you needed (MH/Used/FDC etc) at a reasonable price. There are now starting to be holes as there is little point in listing due to low sale rates. If buyers cant find the stamps they want it will lead to even fewer visits and the death spiral continues.

    For higher cost items eBay gets you a lot better sell through rate for a similar selling cost if it sells fairly quickly.

    I'm now paying GBP4 a month for listing here, and have not had a single sale off my 7k listings in 3 weeks. How much longer I can continue to list is under review now.

    Its fairly obvious to me that the buyer fee has been set defensively so that they cannot lose money on a single item transaction within Mangopay (just because we are not paying the fees any more, Delcampe will be internally). A permanent discount on the second and subsequent buyer fixed fee could then be applied, An even better solution would be charging the seller for the Mangopay fixed fee and discounting all buyer fixed fees accordingly (I do not think we will get rid of buyer fees unfortunately - Delcampe seem unable to admit they made a mistake).

    Its such a shame as the reason I have stuck with Delcampe for this long was their record on compliance with UK/EU laws (Distance selling, Import VAT, etc) that other Hipper venues skirt around or ignore entirely.
    • Created on Jan 13, 2025 at 7:55 AM
    • #1852353
    'The problem of course is what this site becomes if Delcampe get their wish. '

    My point exactly - what do Delampe actually want? Nothing is clear to me and I doubt if it is clear to them either - they are going to 'trial', I assume, this 14 day offer of a reduction in the item fee, so presumably we can only wait and see what transpires. If it doesn't lead to an immediate increse in sales, which I am sceptical about but would be happy to be proved wrong, then what?
    To me, it's too short a time. I have numerous buyers who buy once a month - presumably people who have a certain amount to spend on their hobby, and when that is done, then that's it! Will that coincide with Delcampe's offer? we'll wait and see.

    I believe that unless there is a clear plan in the near future, then many sellers, such as yourself when you say your listing is under review, and myself as well, will just give up in frustration. They have had 9 months now since they introduced these changes, how much longer will it be to get an answer?
  • Karina63
    Karina63 100% (4160x)
    standard

    307 messages

    France

    'The problem of course is what this site becomes if Delcampe get their wish. '

    My point exactly - what do Delampe actually want? Nothing is clear to me and I doubt if it is clear to them either - they are going to 'trial', I assume, this 14 day offer of a reduction in the item fee, so presumably we can only wait and see what transpires. If it doesn't lead to an immediate increse in sales, which I am sceptical about but would be happy to be proved wrong, then what?
    To me, it's too short a time. I have numerous buyers who buy once a month - presumably people who have a certain amount to spend on their hobby, and when that is done, then that's it! Will that coincide with Delcampe's offer? we'll wait and see.

    I believe that unless there is a clear plan in the near future, then many sellers, such as yourself when you say your listing is under review, and myself as well, will just give up in frustration. They have had 9 months now since they introduced these changes, how much longer will it be to get an answer?
    • Created on Jan 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM
    • #1852440
    I recognise many of us have issues, both sellers and buyers alike... Can imagine for DC this too has proven to a very tempting few months... the main problem, no matter how one twists or turns, for many people, sellers and buyers alike ; the 30 cents per item is a true finisher.
    No one lies awake about 10 %, as this is a very fair balance whatever the price when buying on a platform... But 30 cents per item extra... that is really saying to all those small price buyers and sellers to get lost...
    Which is a damn shame as the sum of many small items also make a great cipher...
    Small prices, nice people, good deals... this was the signboard of Delcampe and I really hope we can find
    a way to continue this path.
    As you, me too ask myself , but is this what S. Delcampe still wishes for his firm or does he wish to move towards a complete different direction; more auction houses, more pro's , more business less pleasure, different class of goods, more high priced items...?
    Today however I am truly very grateful Delcampe decided to organize 'discount' days on the fixed platform fee as these 30 cents , for hundreds of buyers and sellers has really proven to be an obstacle.
    I 'd say keep the 10 % for buyers, cut the 30 cents completely and ask a contribution of 2 - 3 % of the sales to the sellers. Free subscription till 100 items, not 1000 , all above pay 2 - 3 % contribution... and then with some luck, we'll be on a roll again... :yes:
    Or maybe we just need to wait and hear what S. Delcampe has to say on his interview tomorrow... ;) Link (https)
  • moonstone
    moonstone 100% (54857x)
    advanced

    1025 messages

    United Kingdom

    I recognise many of us have issues, both sellers and buyers alike... Can imagine for DC this too has proven to a very tempting few months... the main problem, no matter how one twists or turns, for many people, sellers and buyers alike ; the 30 cents per item is a true finisher.
    No one lies awake about 10 %, as this is a very fair balance whatever the price when buying on a platform... But 30 cents per item extra... that is really saying to all those small price buyers and sellers to get lost...
    Which is a damn shame as the sum of many small items also make a great cipher...
    Small prices, nice people, good deals... this was the signboard of Delcampe and I really hope we can find
    a way to continue this path.
    As you, me too ask myself , but is this what S. Delcampe still wishes for his firm or does he wish to move towards a complete different direction; more auction houses, more pro's , more business less pleasure, different class of goods, more high priced items...?
    Today however I am truly very grateful Delcampe decided to organize 'discount' days on the fixed platform fee as these 30 cents , for hundreds of buyers and sellers has really proven to be an obstacle.
    I 'd say keep the 10 % for buyers, cut the 30 cents completely and ask a contribution of 2 - 3 % of the sales to the sellers. Free subscription till 100 items, not 1000 , all above pay 2 - 3 % contribution... and then with some luck, we'll be on a roll again... :yes:
    Or maybe we just need to wait and hear what S. Delcampe has to say on his interview tomorrow... ;) Link (https)
    • Created on Jan 13, 2025 at 2:48 PM
    • #1852623
    Your ideas seem basically very good to me and similar to my own and others thoughts.

    Thanks for the tip off that Sebastien is being interviewed tomorrow, I was totally unaware of it, but it appears once again that if you are not French speaking, you are very much an afterthought in Delcampe’s view. I understand it is not the 1st language of Delcampe but perhaps some communication with the non francophone community would be appreciated.
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    Sweden

    I recognise many of us have issues, both sellers and buyers alike... Can imagine for DC this too has proven to a very tempting few months... the main problem, no matter how one twists or turns, for many people, sellers and buyers alike ; the 30 cents per item is a true finisher.
    No one lies awake about 10 %, as this is a very fair balance whatever the price when buying on a platform... But 30 cents per item extra... that is really saying to all those small price buyers and sellers to get lost...
    Which is a damn shame as the sum of many small items also make a great cipher...
    Small prices, nice people, good deals... this was the signboard of Delcampe and I really hope we can find
    a way to continue this path.
    As you, me too ask myself , but is this what S. Delcampe still wishes for his firm or does he wish to move towards a complete different direction; more auction houses, more pro's , more business less pleasure, different class of goods, more high priced items...?
    Today however I am truly very grateful Delcampe decided to organize 'discount' days on the fixed platform fee as these 30 cents , for hundreds of buyers and sellers has really proven to be an obstacle.
    I 'd say keep the 10 % for buyers, cut the 30 cents completely and ask a contribution of 2 - 3 % of the sales to the sellers. Free subscription till 100 items, not 1000 , all above pay 2 - 3 % contribution... and then with some luck, we'll be on a roll again... :yes:
    Or maybe we just need to wait and hear what S. Delcampe has to say on his interview tomorrow... ;) Link (https)
    • Created on Jan 13, 2025 at 2:48 PM
    • #1852623
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    Sweden

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on Jan 15, 2025 at 1:42 PM
    • #1853634
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • moonstone
    moonstone 100% (54857x)
    advanced

    1025 messages

    United Kingdom

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on Jan 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
    • #1853661
    There is a substantial change in how lower offers are to be dealt with including, as I understood it, an option not to accept lower offers
  • Karina63
    Karina63 100% (4160x)
    standard

    307 messages

    France

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on Jan 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
    • #1853661
    Hallo Baltija,
    Sorry for the late reply. Yes you found the video, and correctly there is a discount of 50 % on the fixed commission fee of 30 cents from today till 30 January ( the 10 % remains ) and there will an option available in due course to manage your discounts - promo's and/ or reductions in future or you can indicate you do not allow any reduction.
    Wishing you all a top sale ! :cool:
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    Sweden

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • sammlerkalle
    Closed account
    PRO free

    881 messages

    Germany

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on Jan 16, 2025 at 7:28 AM
    • #1854024
    This new feature saves sellers work, but it doesn't bring customers back. I sell over 99 percent of items for less than 1.40 euros, which means that this issue doesn't affect me even now. But like all other sellers, I've also seen a drop in purchases of 50 percent or more. But if I have nothing to do with underbidding, the reasons for the drop must lie elsewhere, and nothing is clearly going to change about these things.
  • tris_nerima
    tris_nerima 96% (58219x)
    advanced

    454 messages

    Canada

    Once the horses leave the barn,it's very hard to get them back with a rotten apple.
  • worldphila
    worldphila 100% (1850x)
    standard

    370 messages

    Israel

    I think the minimum charge of .30 Euros is entirely unreasonable for small purchases. As an example I wanted to purchase about a dozen stamps selling for about .10 or .15 Euros each. After adding the platform fees the total purchase price is 4 or 5 times what the stamps are worth. Consequently I would not buy. I lose out and the seller too as he loses a sale. Delcampe should reconsider this.
    • Created on Jan 12, 2025 at 10:06 AM
    • #1851870
    You can send to the seller a question.
    Tell him that you like to purchase about 10 or more stamps from his list. Than ask him to offer these as a new one item.
    Delcampe gets 0.30 +10% on this new item.
    Some more work for sellers , but it's a better idea.
  • moonstone
    moonstone 100% (54857x)
    advanced

    1025 messages

    United Kingdom

    You can send to the seller a question.
    Tell him that you like to purchase about 10 or more stamps from his list. Than ask him to offer these as a new one item.
    Delcampe gets 0.30 +10% on this new item.
    Some more work for sellers , but it's a better idea.
    • Created on Jan 17, 2025 at 12:49 PM
    • #1854768
    Yes, and some buyers have already adopted that approach - a bit more work for sellers but if it gets a sale, then not a problem ( for me anyway!)
  • sammlerkalle
    Closed account
    PRO free

    881 messages

    Germany

    You can send to the seller a question.
    Tell him that you like to purchase about 10 or more stamps from his list. Than ask him to offer these as a new one item.
    Delcampe gets 0.30 +10% on this new item.
    Some more work for sellers , but it's a better idea.
    • Created on Jan 17, 2025 at 12:49 PM
    • #1854768
    If you have not done business with the interested buyer before, you cannot communicate with them directly. This is one of the many "improvements" coming to Delcampe in 2024. The only option then is to ask the question publicly (visible to everyone), but of course not everyone wants that.
  • worldphila
    worldphila 100% (1850x)
    standard

    370 messages

    Israel

    If you have not done business with the interested buyer before, you cannot communicate with them directly. This is one of the many "improvements" coming to Delcampe in 2024. The only option then is to ask the question publicly (visible to everyone), but of course not everyone wants that.
    • Created on Jan 18, 2025 at 5:15 AM
    • #1854921
    I see no problem with a publicly question, I like it.
    In the past you could find the member's interested, bought, items.
    Now I cann't see even from a buyer of my own items.
    On other big site you can see it.
    My main reason of watching it: I would like to add additional free present (according to his interest, if I can)
  • grantferinga1
    grantferinga1 100% (993x)

    10 messages

    Australia

    I think the minimum charge of .30 Euros is entirely unreasonable for small purchases. As an example I wanted to purchase about a dozen stamps selling for about .10 or .15 Euros each. After adding the platform fees the total purchase price is 4 or 5 times what the stamps are worth. Consequently I would not buy. I lose out and the seller too as he loses a sale. Delcampe should reconsider this.
    • Created on Jan 12, 2025 at 10:06 AM
    • #1851870
    Delcampe's recent fee change expecting buyers to pay the sellers selling commission plus a listing fee is a disaster for several reasons:
    1. Sellers do not reduce reserves when they list items so now everything costs more. This makes items more expensive and can ONLY result in less items selling, which defeats the whole purpose of having a marketplace like Delcampe.
    2. On top of postage fees buyers now have a listing fee and the sellers selling commission to pay, a total of THREE fees. These three fees are all dead money to buyers and having THREE fees that buyers must pay is a massive disincentive to not bid and to look elsewhere (ebay etc) where the going is much easier for buyers. I personally hate bidding at Delcampe now, it feels oppressive knowing that you are going to get hit with all these buying fees.
    3. I have never seen an auction site where buyers pay all the fees and sellers no fees. This clearly shows that Delcampe does not value buyers when it should be the other way round.

    The people at the top making these crucial decisions about fees do not understand buying and selling. At present Delcampe is pushing massive numbers of buyers away and the overall item sell rate must have reduced markedly with their new fees for buyers. I think that Delcampe is on a death spiral, and they won't get out of the death spiral until all the bright sparks at the top making these disastrous decisions are pushed aside.
  • worldphila
    worldphila 100% (1850x)
    standard

    370 messages

    Israel

    Delcampe's recent fee change expecting buyers to pay the sellers selling commission plus a listing fee is a disaster for several reasons:
    1. Sellers do not reduce reserves when they list items so now everything costs more. This makes items more expensive and can ONLY result in less items selling, which defeats the whole purpose of having a marketplace like Delcampe.
    2. On top of postage fees buyers now have a listing fee and the sellers selling commission to pay, a total of THREE fees. These three fees are all dead money to buyers and having THREE fees that buyers must pay is a massive disincentive to not bid and to look elsewhere (ebay etc) where the going is much easier for buyers. I personally hate bidding at Delcampe now, it feels oppressive knowing that you are going to get hit with all these buying fees.
    3. I have never seen an auction site where buyers pay all the fees and sellers no fees. This clearly shows that Delcampe does not value buyers when it should be the other way round.

    The people at the top making these crucial decisions about fees do not understand buying and selling. At present Delcampe is pushing massive numbers of buyers away and the overall item sell rate must have reduced markedly with their new fees for buyers. I think that Delcampe is on a death spiral, and they won't get out of the death spiral until all the bright sparks at the top making these disastrous decisions are pushed aside.
    • Created on Jan 22, 2025 at 3:06 PM
    • #1856982
    You are wrong on 1 parameter.
    A seller has monthly payment to Delcampe.
    You can also ask for a lower price.
    Most of the time I accept a lower price.
    On other sites the seller calculate his expenses. And the price can be higher or lower.
    So a buyer has also to calculate his offers.
    Delcampe was a much better site. But everything in our world is changing.
  • martinezsmith
    martinezsmith 100% (42228x)
    advanced

    61 messages

    Spain

    @grantferinga1 - I absolutely loved your post, and I feel most of the comments are spot on.

    @worldphila - The imposed lower offers feature is a terrible decision that only creates frustration for both sellers and buyers. Fortunately, this unrequested feature will become optional in the near future.

    We recently received our annual sales report for 2024 (DAC7), which Delcampe is obligated to provide to sellers. The numbers speak for themselves: since the implementation of the new fee system, our sales have dropped significantly.

    The current state of the sites fee system feels like a disaster – comparable to the Great Fire of Rome, the sinking of the Titanic, or Coca-Cola’s launch of New Coke in 1985 trying to change their original formula.

    It’s hard to understand how the "Delcampe Insight Team" didn’t learn from the fee-related failures of other platforms, like Ruby Lane, and assumed it wouldn’t happen to them. Unfortunately, at this point, reversing these changes will be incredibly difficult, if not impossible. Many members – sellers and buyers alike – who have already left the platform will likely never return.
  • baifeiyun1
    baifeiyun1 100% (16207x)
    standard

    28 messages

    China

    You can send to the seller a question.
    Tell him that you like to purchase about 10 or more stamps from his list. Than ask him to offer these as a new one item.
    Delcampe gets 0.30 +10% on this new item.
    Some more work for sellers , but it's a better idea.
    • Created on Jan 17, 2025 at 12:49 PM
    • #1854768
    :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:
  • roberto210170
    roberto210170 100% (14463x)

    1 message

    Italy

    I think the minimum charge of .30 Euros is entirely unreasonable for small purchases. As an example I wanted to purchase about a dozen stamps selling for about .10 or .15 Euros each. After adding the platform fees the total purchase price is 4 or 5 times what the stamps are worth. Consequently I would not buy. I lose out and the seller too as he loses a sale. Delcampe should reconsider this.
    • Created on Jan 12, 2025 at 10:06 AM
    • #1851870
    exactly! i but many photos which costs less than 50cents ... the platform fee of 30c make them cost twice ... this is show-stopping since the most money should go to the seller not to the platform ... it's ok a percentage fee (10%) but for low cost items the fixed fee is a killer.
    the buyer stop buying, the seller stops selling ... and the platform is happy of that????
    shame on delcampe for doing this
    R

Join the collectors community

Register Login