ebay advice - selling

[DW SD]

Guys,
I buy occassionally on ebay, rarely sell. Today I sold some left-over parts from a boat I sold a few years back. 1 alternator and 1 starter motor.

Each were brand new, never used, even in their originally packing boxes. I described in each listing that the item would be shipped for $25, which includes insurance.

Well........each item sold for $15 and $22, far below their new cost (maybe $200 each). With shipping, each item would be about $40 to $50.

The same buyer bought both items!

Here's my question:
Am I obligated to reduce the shipping cost since he bought both and they can be shipped together? I made no mention of combining shipping in either ad. I'd feel more generous if the items sold for closer to their cost to me. In the end, I'd hate to lose my 100% rating over a few bucks.

Thank you,

Doug

[Zeke]

Separate auctions. You can combine if you wish, however you have no obligation to do so. I don't understand the 100% feedback thing. Nothing is perfect and I could give a rat if someone wanted to make a fool of himself towards me. I'll buy from you all day long if you become a 99%er!

[DW SD]

Thanks, Milt!
$80 + / - is still a great deal for the brand new parts. I was expecting maybe $.50 on the dollar.

Doug

[mossguy]

Imagine! Extra space, less clutter, and you got money besides! A good deal for all.

Best,

Tom

[Tidybuoy]

I usually combine shipping and give the buyer a better deal on shipping.

However, in your case, you already lost money on the sale and are in no-way obligated to combine shipping and give the guy a deal.

If the buyer asks you to combine shipping and reduce his cost, simply send him a polite message that you cannot give a discount on shipping as your "fixed" shipping quoted is already lower than actual shipping and handling (you can blame this on recent shipping industry increases). I suspect that the buyer will be ok with that. Besides, thost items are heavy.

Vern

[kycarguy 935]

He really should have asked you for combined shipping first. Since you didn't post that you would combine shipping I think your fair in charging for both.

[dad911]

If it was something simple, like a VHS tape or CDs or books, where it is just as easy to through 2 in a small box, then I would combine shipping.

An Alternator and a Starter? $25 each for shipping in CONUS is not unreasonable.

[Rusty Heap]

Figure shipping via USPS you'll only be out $10 for a flat rate shipping box for each with LOTS of padding as they'll get banged around a bit. So if you're wanting $25 each, that could be called gouging (if I was the buyer I call it that) as you're charging $50 for $20 shipping along with free boxes.

I've cancelled ebay purchases because they wouldn't combine shipping on AA ni-mh rechargable batteries. I wanted 4 sets of double AA's, they wanted $10 each pair for shipping.......I told them where they could stick their AA's.

[DW SD]

Invoice for $82.78 (of which $50 was shipping and insurance) to the door for a brand new alternator and marine starter SENT!

Thanks for the advice, fellas.

Doug

[ruf-porsche]

Put them in separate boxes but ship them at the same time. UPS consider that as one item.