I'm still trying to clear out my garage of parts I accumulated through the years. I finally sold a couple of items in the last few days . For some reason at least 80% of my parts sales go to CA. Especially if it's large parts it's always CA. I sold a old aluminum hurricane wheel.........to ship one 15x7 wheel from IL to Chico, CA (box side 16×16×8 @ 21lbs through the post office is $57.17 and UPS $47.19........( $200 to ship a set of wheels) Shipped that one UPS.... Now I sold some wagon rear window reveal moldings...... Larger box and a lightweight pallet( 66x19x7 @19 lbs)...Post Office $163......UPS $118.32. Shipping is way out of control on items.........I'm going to sound old but that's about twice the amount from 5 years ago and triple the amount from 10 years ago to ship. +Ebay wins +PayPal wins +Shippers win -SELLERS LOSE........
It's been coming for years. Brick and mortar stores have been closing by the thousands because businesses didn't want to employ people or maintain stock. Now that most people buy on line, shippers can charge more because there are fewer stores. The shippers give huge discounts to business customers. They don't care about the private individual. They prefer large companies that ship large quantities at one time. They can send one truck and pick up many pre labeled packages. Right now they can't blame increased shipping costs on fuel.
I hear that about the shipping costs Brian. Anything I bring in to the UK doubles the price. I got some valve cover clamps from the excellent Alan. Clamps = $49.95 Shipping = $67 Import charges probably about $45 I had the same for some weather seal I got from Steele Rubber, £35 import charges! License to print money!
About 10 years or so I sold a set of Keystone wheels to a guy in France...... It cost $435 dollars for shipping back then I thought that was nuts. I figured no way this person was going to pay $435 Shipping on wheels bought at $150. The person paid........ I couldn't imagine what that would cost now at this rate. They were from the late 60's with the aluminum center and real heavy
That would be a hard pill to swallow. I know some people must look at the shipping costs and say "no way" this guys nuts . Then on Ebay you lose 10% of that with the charges and 4% on Paypal charges. I made sure I sent pictures of the shipping labels / receipts today to show I'm not making money on this shipping. I actually lost on both since Ebay shipping calculator was wrong.
It's like anything - people are prepared to pay what they are prepared to pay. For me, those clamps are only made by Alan in the US and I am in the UK. It was that simple lol!
I just shipped something I purchased in 2016 still in same box with shipping tag on it. It was $4.00 more now than 3 years ago, same weight same state. I mentioned it to the person at the post office and he said parcels are going up again in January but not stamps...
I wish I didn't recycle some of the Old PVC tubes that had the shipping costs. Moldings that got shipped to me out of CA. I know the cost was under $20 now to ship a rocker molding would be over $100.......... It's crazy.
Don't get me going. Shipping costs for private individuals is ridiculous and out of control. I bought 2 wheels and tires for 100 bucks with free shipping. Tried to ship 2 wheels and costs more than what I paid for the two wheels. Wtf?
Well, that was a visual I didn't need to see, now I'd like to gouge out my eyes with a fork. Anyway; - try shipping anything to or from Canada. It seems to go by way of the Moon, because it takes so long and it costs that much. And, because of the lack of any brick-and-mortar businesses, they've got us by the short and curlies and there's nothing we can do about it except start up our own shipping company and try and compete. The worst thing is even the couriers use the post office, because in many cases they're the only ones who go to completely remote addresses and have an infrastructure in place. When it comes to tiny watch parts it costs me more to ship that crap than the parts are worth, but I always pay because I need it.
I sold a set of 1987 Buick service manuals on eBay last month. It weighed 31 lbs and the eBay shipping calculator showed $32. I started the listing at $25 and $25 shipping figuring that I would probably sell them for at least $50, hopefully more. They sold for $25, actual shipping was $43, $1 listing fee, $5 final value fee. I made $1 minus whatever the Pay Pal fee was. The eBay shipping calculator was way off!
Something like service manuals, you can always use Media Mail, probably would have been less than $20 for shipping.
When I was buying 1970 WG steel wheels a couple years ago it was $25 each shipping. If aluminums are costing that much to ship I guess I am outta the market on wheels!
Was exactly my deal with Fed-EX. Basically screwed. First they disconnected my "business" account during slow season which is November to Feb. Little to no parts sales then. Never contacted me to let me know of their "action". When finally reconnected, they uncoupled my primary credit card from the account at least twice. Did not inform me of that, either. A credit card I have had for over twenty five years. Towards the end, the counter person in the Las Cruces office acted stupid - giving me crazy quotes, while knowing I had a "business" account. Finally, they delivered an empty package to a customer, did not inform me of that, either. While they did refund, which will thank them for, am DONE.
