UPDATE
On Our Flat Shipping Rate
After May 14th 2007, when the USPS changed the shipping rates, changed package size rules, and added zone charges, we had to figure out how to handle the increase and changes!
Additionally eBay changed the shipping fields where we could not 'bulk edit' our shipping charges! I had to go in and manually change almost 3,000 individual listings!
That is when we decided to do a 'Flat Rate' shipping charge, which is a 'field' that can be bulk edited when we have to change shipping charges again! Which unfortunately looks like the beginning of 2008 at this time!
Just a few minutes ago I received an email from an eBayer on the East Coast. Please bear in mind we are on the West Coast and that 99% of our sales are comic books, which are either shipped in a bubble wrap envelope with ridgid cardboard insert, or priority mail envelope with ridgid cardboard insert, or in a priority box with protection.
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Here is the eBayer's email question:
"Why is shipping so much for this item? I've gotten many comics on ebay before and the shipping cost on this item seems very high, more like what you'd see on a pair of shoes or something heavier. Please explain. I'm in zip 19---, if you can discount the shipping & include shipping insurance I'll bid on it."
Here is my reply:
Thanks for your interest in our listing!
We do not see where the shipping is more than our major competition who are comic book dealers on eBay or their own web site. The majority of those are at $3.95 to $5.99 for shipping. Additionally our $4.99 is for unlimited shipping to USA addresses for unslabbed comics. (CGC and magazines Not included in the unlimited rate.)
Of course the more a buyer purchases, the more cost effective it is for the buyer. We ship multiple purchases to buyers in the USA who pay us $4.99 flat rate, and we end up shipping in a priority flat rate box for $9.25!
We have almost 3,000 comics listed at any one time in our eBay Store. If you only see the one you want now, then it would probably be better for you to find a seller that will ship the one comic to you for less.
However I did notice that you have bought a comic that was shipped 'media mail' by the eBay seller. Comics contain advertising and are NOT to be shipped media mail per USPS rules.
We have already been warned by the USPS in DC, and our local Postmaster NOT to ship via media mail, and all the postal counter clerks are aware of what we ship.
May 14th, 2007 was the latest change at the USPS. All of our bubble wrap envelopes with rigid cardboard inserts went from First Class to First Class Parcel, a hefty increase in cost to us.
Additionally the USPS went to a 'Zone' charge system. Which meant that shipping from coast to coast now costs more than one state away.
Thus the reason we went to a Flat Rate shipping charge of $4.99 for any quantity of unslabbed comics (no CGC and no magazines).
Thanks again for your interest and email!
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At that point I ran out of space to explain further! eBay's e-mail system only allows so many character for reply!
I didn't have enough room to include that we ship one to about three comics, depending on weight, in a bubble wrap envelope with cardboard insert, for the $4.99 flat rate. At about 3-4 comics we have to go to Priority Envelope per the USPS because of the weight.
It is at that point we use the Flat Rate Priority Envelope with cardboard insert for protection. We still charge only $4.99 yet pay the USPS $5.25 for the postage and the delivery confirmation. We include delivery confirmation receipts with ALL of our packages, as it is protection for both the buyer and the seller. Additionally we have to pay for supplies that are not provided by the USPS when shipping.
The above e-mail and our reply plus addendum is posted here for reading, because we want our potential buyers to understand what we are doing to adjust to the new USPS rate and shipping size changes of May 14th 2007! We want to keep the shipping & handling charge reasonable and feel that we are doing so!
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Here are some of our recent feedbacks that pertain to our shipping charges since the May 14th 2007 rate and zone changes by the USPS:
"Fast shipping. Great combined rates. Thank you!"
"Superb service. 9 books exactly as described. Very reasonable S+H. Fast ship."
"Awesome Seller! Super-Fast Shipping, Carefully Packaged, Great Service! Thanks!"
"THANK YOU FOR GREAT BOOK , HIGH GRADE, SUPER SHIPPING-->FAST,LOW COST, AAA++++"
"Beautiful books. As described. Quick and super-safe shipping! A +++++++++++++++!"
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But enough of the praise! We want to earn your first time business and repeat business. We do truly want to 'Make It So For You'!!
So thanks to those that have read this far in the blog post. This blog post will be referred to in the future for those that e-mail us regarding our shipping charge.
Thanks for reading this popular culture - comics - comic books blog post and feel free to comment below.
Michael
caffeinated
d'oh
spacey
