Originally Posted by
Picchio Special
DHL used to be really cheap, but I believe they're no longer operating domestically.
As an ebay seller, I think it puts out good vibes to ship as cheaply as possible. I figure I may take a small hit on shipping costs, but this is more than compensated for by the bidder goodwill and even trust that it generates. I also routinely refund excess shipping.
I agree that about $80 is the most I will pay to have a bike shipped, unless it's coming from overseas, or unless the shipping cost is obviously holding the bidding down and I'm gaining on the swings what I'm losing on the roundabout.
+1
I always advertise that only actual shipping will be charged based upon the buyer's location. The last, actually the only complete bicycle I sold on ebay, I shipped via FedEx. Ebay does not include FedEx in its default shipping options so I listed the shipment's dimensions and set a high flat shipping fee with the provisio that if the actual shipping was less than the flat fee the balance would be refunded. I think it encouraged people to bid (and bid higher) that might not have other wise done so. I ended up refunding approximately $24, but made a profit of $200 on the sale and sent out the good vibes as well. Win-win in my book.
I suppose I could have charged for the tape, the $2 in foam tubing, and my time to pack the bicycle, but what the h€ll, I don't flip for a living, only enough to support this terribly expensive habit, I mean hobby.
YMMV
stan