Search
Close
  1. Home
  2. Forum
  3. Postcards
  4. postal charges
Forum list Post list

postal charges

  • soccacard
    soccacard 95% (726x)

    28 messages

    United Kingdom

    is it just me or do other collectors feel that some post / packing charges are expensive?in some cases the post is more than the card..i feel that it puts off buying a card so both dealer and collector lose out.anyone have a sensible solution to this??i know a lot of dealers try to keep it to the minimum,as now most times i have to pay paypal charges as well,no i dont mind as profit has to be made and i feel secure in payment.i just think dealers should be aware of this postage issue..on a note i feel that some italian dealers on ebay charge very high on postage is italian post service so expensive?
  • xtf70
    xtf70 99% (9308x)
    free

    1490 messages

    United Kingdom

    is it just me or do other collectors feel that some post / packing charges are expensive?in some cases the post is more than the card..i feel that it puts off buying a card so both dealer and collector lose out.anyone have a sensible solution to this??i know a lot of dealers try to keep it to the minimum,as now most times i have to pay paypal charges as well,no i dont mind as profit has to be made and i feel secure in payment.i just think dealers should be aware of this postage issue..on a note i feel that some italian dealers on ebay charge very high on postage is italian post service so expensive?
    • Created on Oct 4, 2012 at 9:06 AM
    • #410696
    I have to agree with you, some sellers seem to make excessive profit out of postal charges, but bear in mind if a card is on offer at 50p (unlikely, I know) there's no way postage could be less than that cost

    Like many other sellers, I base postage on the actual cost plus a fixed amount, but with the PIP scheme it's almost impossible to predict how much two or more cards will actually cost until they're parcelled up

    When buying cards, the combined cost is always one of the factors I take into account, as inexpensive postage may be offset by the laughable amount being asked for a card, and vice-versa

    Remember though, sellers don't pay FVF on postage or other costs, so it may work to their advantage to sell card cheap but charge extra for postage...
  • BobUK
    BobUK --% (6488x)
    free

    113 messages

    United Kingdom

    I have to agree with you, some sellers seem to make excessive profit out of postal charges, but bear in mind if a card is on offer at 50p (unlikely, I know) there's no way postage could be less than that cost

    Like many other sellers, I base postage on the actual cost plus a fixed amount, but with the PIP scheme it's almost impossible to predict how much two or more cards will actually cost until they're parcelled up

    When buying cards, the combined cost is always one of the factors I take into account, as inexpensive postage may be offset by the laughable amount being asked for a card, and vice-versa

    Remember though, sellers don't pay FVF on postage or other costs, so it may work to their advantage to sell card cheap but charge extra for postage...
    • Created on Oct 4, 2012 at 10:01 AM
    • #410715
    unfortunatly both paypal and skrill charge fees on the total cost of both the item and the cost of postage together, not on just the item, reading elsewhere i see postage from Italy to the UK for a holidaymaker sending a postcard is 1.60 Euro and a Birthday card was 2.40 Euro, so there postage there is far from cheap
  • xtf70
    xtf70 99% (9308x)
    free

    1490 messages

    United Kingdom

    unfortunatly both paypal and skrill charge fees on the total cost of both the item and the cost of postage together, not on just the item, reading elsewhere i see postage from Italy to the UK for a holidaymaker sending a postcard is 1.60 Euro and a Birthday card was 2.40 Euro, so there postage there is far from cheap
    • Created on Oct 4, 2012 at 10:41 AM
    • #410722
    Yes, it's like the double-whammy you get at auctions where you pay 10, 12 or 15% buyer's premium then get hit with VAT on the buyer's premium...
  • soccacard
    soccacard 95% (726x)

    28 messages

    United Kingdom

    I have to agree with you, some sellers seem to make excessive profit out of postal charges, but bear in mind if a card is on offer at 50p (unlikely, I know) there's no way postage could be less than that cost

    Like many other sellers, I base postage on the actual cost plus a fixed amount, but with the PIP scheme it's almost impossible to predict how much two or more cards will actually cost until they're parcelled up

    When buying cards, the combined cost is always one of the factors I take into account, as inexpensive postage may be offset by the laughable amount being asked for a card, and vice-versa

    Remember though, sellers don't pay FVF on postage or other costs, so it may work to their advantage to sell card cheap but charge extra for postage...
    • Created on Oct 4, 2012 at 10:01 AM
    • #410715
    thanks for comments on postage.i feel that collector and seller are in a no win situation.ok when buying an expensive card you dont mind postage,but is this the end of cheap cards?so how do we get the interest of new collectors?so maybe delcampe can start a new section for only cheap and cheerfull??what are your comments DELCAMPE ??????:fight2:
  • xtf70
    xtf70 99% (9308x)
    free

    1490 messages

    United Kingdom

    thanks for comments on postage.i feel that collector and seller are in a no win situation.ok when buying an expensive card you dont mind postage,but is this the end of cheap cards?so how do we get the interest of new collectors?so maybe delcampe can start a new section for only cheap and cheerfull??what are your comments DELCAMPE ??????:fight2:
    • Created on Oct 4, 2012 at 2:00 PM
    • #410761
    Earlier this year I ran a 'clear-out' sale with all cards starting at just 10p, and my old mate Mainlypostcards ran a similar campaign later - perhaps this is the way to generate a bit of interest?
  • mainlypostcards
    Closed account
    free

    3540 messages

    United Kingdom

    thanks for comments on postage.i feel that collector and seller are in a no win situation.ok when buying an expensive card you dont mind postage,but is this the end of cheap cards?so how do we get the interest of new collectors?so maybe delcampe can start a new section for only cheap and cheerfull??what are your comments DELCAMPE ??????:fight2:
    • Created on Oct 4, 2012 at 2:00 PM
    • #410761
    Like Xtf, my p&p is the cost of the stamps + a fixed amount.
    Apart from embossed, lift the flap or silk cards, I can manage to send 5 cards for my basic postage rate within the UK.
    Unfortunately, whether it's a cheap and cheerful card or a more expensive one, makes no difference to the weight/size of the packet.

    I think you're mostly a buyer, rather than a seller. Perhaps you could try and find several cards of interest from the same seller to bring the pro-rata postage cost down.
  • soccacard
    soccacard 95% (726x)

    28 messages

    United Kingdom

    Like Xtf, my p&p is the cost of the stamps + a fixed amount.
    Apart from embossed, lift the flap or silk cards, I can manage to send 5 cards for my basic postage rate within the UK.
    Unfortunately, whether it's a cheap and cheerful card or a more expensive one, makes no difference to the weight/size of the packet.

    I think you're mostly a buyer, rather than a seller. Perhaps you could try and find several cards of interest from the same seller to bring the pro-rata postage cost down.
    • Created on Oct 4, 2012 at 3:41 PM
    • #410797
    thanks to all for comments on postal,as i said sellers and buyers are in a no win situation re single cheaper cards,unless the ebay and delcampe type sites can help with fees,which i dont see happening !!thanks to all sellers who try to keep the cost down..
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    Portugal

    thanks to all for comments on postal,as i said sellers and buyers are in a no win situation re single cheaper cards,unless the ebay and delcampe type sites can help with fees,which i dont see happening !!thanks to all sellers who try to keep the cost down..
    • Created on Oct 5, 2012 at 8:47 AM
    • #410940
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • xtf70
    xtf70 99% (9308x)
    free

    1490 messages

    United Kingdom

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on Oct 5, 2012 at 9:00 AM
    • #410946
    I was clearing out some old stock that had been hanging around for a while - I'd already made a good profit on selling other cards from the same auction lots so wasn't too worried about making huge profits

    Anyway, since the PP charge is only 5p (I use Micropayments) that was more than covered by the final selling prices in most cases
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    Portugal

    I was clearing out some old stock that had been hanging around for a while - I'd already made a good profit on selling other cards from the same auction lots so wasn't too worried about making huge profits

    Anyway, since the PP charge is only 5p (I use Micropayments) that was more than covered by the final selling prices in most cases
    • Created on Oct 5, 2012 at 9:05 AM
    • #410948
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • xtf70
    xtf70 99% (9308x)
    free

    1490 messages

    United Kingdom

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on Oct 5, 2012 at 9:12 AM
    • #410954
    Here's the link, make of it what you may:

    Link (https)
  • soccacard
    soccacard 95% (726x)

    28 messages

    United Kingdom

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on Oct 5, 2012 at 9:00 AM
    • #410946
    sorry on cheap cards i was classing as around the £1 mark,i realise anything less is a big problem,my point being that for a buyer to purchase a card at such a low price then be asked to pay a high postage would not make it an attractive offer,so seller loses sale and buyer loses card for collection.no slur is intended on sellers who do try,i was just trying to see if there was a solution for all.
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    United Kingdom

    Here's the link, make of it what you may:

    Link (https)
    • Created on Oct 5, 2012 at 9:34 AM
    • #410964
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • mainlypostcards
    Closed account
    free

    3540 messages

    United Kingdom

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on Oct 5, 2012 at 10:25 AM
    • #410978
    Once you set up for micropayments, it works in exactly the same way as the normal system.

    What you can't do, is to have 2 accounts linked to your e-wallet, so you'd have to consider if it works out better for you on balance over all your transactions.
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    United Kingdom

    Once you set up for micropayments, it works in exactly the same way as the normal system.

    What you can't do, is to have 2 accounts linked to your e-wallet, so you'd have to consider if it works out better for you on balance over all your transactions.
    • Created on Oct 5, 2012 at 10:36 AM
    • #410980
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • mainlypostcards
    Closed account
    free

    3540 messages

    United Kingdom

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on Oct 5, 2012 at 12:17 PM
    • #411019
    I meant 2 different Paypal accounts.
  • Account deleted
    Account deleted

    0 messages

    United Kingdom

    I meant 2 different Paypal accounts.
    • Created on Oct 5, 2012 at 12:22 PM
    • #411025
    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
  • edwardx
    Closed account
    free

    55 messages

    United Kingdom

    This information is no longer available because the user’s account has been deleted (GDPR)
    • Created on Oct 5, 2012 at 12:44 PM
    • #411043
    Yes, this is a tricky area.

    I keep it simple. For 1-9 cards:
    UK: £0.90
    Europe: £1.40
    Rest of world: £1.90

    For 10+ cards, FREE shipping worldwide.

    So, sometimes I do make a small notional profit, other times nothing and many times a loss.

    All my items are fixed price and buyers know in advance exactly what they will have to pay (no fees for Skrill, Paypal, etc)
  • battlestamps
    battlestamps 100% (11959x)
    advanced

    98 messages

    United States

    Yes, this is a tricky area.

    I keep it simple. For 1-9 cards:
    UK: £0.90
    Europe: £1.40
    Rest of world: £1.90

    For 10+ cards, FREE shipping worldwide.

    So, sometimes I do make a small notional profit, other times nothing and many times a loss.

    All my items are fixed price and buyers know in advance exactly what they will have to pay (no fees for Skrill, Paypal, etc)
    • Created on Dec 2, 2012 at 3:18 PM
    • #422153
    Hey All,
    I try to keep things simple as well and only charge what the post office charges. However, the USPS didn't make things easy back on January 27th when it raised rates. The letter rates went up a little, but the international package rates more than doubled in most cases on the 4oz and heavier items. Luckily, I can mail 1-3 postcards for 2oz. and usally 6-8 additional postcards for each additional ounce. It's actually cheaper to mail two 3.5 ounce shipments at letter rate overseas to say the UK or France than one 4oz. package. USPS did make it more difficult to sell overseas for large orders. Still even at letter rate, one postcard with cardboard protection at the 2oz. rate is still $2.25 to mail to Europe, $1.30 to Canada and 86 cents within U.S. Some folks might be turned off, but nothing I can do about it. Still cheaper than spending the gas money to go out and find it at an antique store or show.
  • cockney123
    cockney123 --% (140x)

    62 messages

    United Kingdom

    is it just me or do other collectors feel that some post / packing charges are expensive?in some cases the post is more than the card..i feel that it puts off buying a card so both dealer and collector lose out.anyone have a sensible solution to this??i know a lot of dealers try to keep it to the minimum,as now most times i have to pay paypal charges as well,no i dont mind as profit has to be made and i feel secure in payment.i just think dealers should be aware of this postage issue..on a note i feel that some italian dealers on ebay charge very high on postage is italian post service so expensive?
    • Created on Oct 4, 2012 at 9:06 AM
    • #410696
    Well, it's all relative to how much you want that item isn't it folks? Do you suffer the high charges for that elusive gem or not? - Yer pays yer money and takes yer choice .........

    In my opinion, those sellers that overcharge on postage + add extra charges for paypal etc. are short-lived:

    Vote with your feedback!

    To regain buyer confidence Delcampe can make a difference and outlaw these sharp seller practices - if it really cares about it's customers.

Join the collectors community

Register Login