EBAY'S NEW MAXIMUM SHIPPING POLICY

The $4.00 shipping cap is on books not collectibles - at least for now.

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The $4.00 shipping cap is on books not collectibles - at least for now.

Correct...and it should also be noted, this is also for flat rate shipping. According to the FAQs policy link, eBay will be "Monitoring" those calculated shipping listings in Media, which are for unusual large, heavy, or bundles."

If postage for your item realistically costs more than the quoted maximum in the media category, it is advised to use the calculated shipping option on your listing form, along with a little common sense--Keep it honest. (In other words, they won't be allowing any one cent paperback book listings, with $6.99 shipping charges anymore. That has always been considered "fee avoidance" now eBay is enforcing that policy...at least in media.

If eBay sends the "poundage police" after you, you could likely appeal. Can they prove what weight your books actually are? Six mass market paperback books can probably be shipped for $6, however, this is not likely, if there are six encylopedia volumes. Or a large lot of magazines.

Hope that helps decipher the new "maximum" rule.

LDC

Ebay is setting these maximums and also doing everything they can to encourage sellers offering free shipping. (such as making your listing appear higher on the list of results and offering double FVF discounts to powersellers).

Its simple. when we have free shipping or have a max shipping charge, of course we will either set the fixed price listing at a higher cost, or in auctions they will end at a higher price. And all this means is more $$ for ebay through the FVFee. So its all about the money.

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Ebay is setting these maximums and also doing everything they can to encourage sellers offering free shipping. (such as making your listing appear higher on the list of results and offering double FVF discounts to powersellers).

There are likely many motivators aside from increased FVF fees for these new policies. There is speculation that the idea is to move to a business model like Amazon, where the host venue dictates the allowed shipping fees charged in all categories.

At a internet sellers meeting last night, a colleague stated that Griff himself suggested that sellers who are legitmately using the shipping calculator to charge actual shipping by weight would do well to post the actual poundage in your listing form.

This comment seems to validate my previous assumption that there is going to be some eBay employees acting as "poundage police." Scanning these media listings for compliance with the new allowed maximum policy. Taking this information into consideration...The advice still stands...it would seem a sellers best defense to protect their bottom line is...Keep it honest.

LDC

I am glad to know the shipping calculator is still allowed. I have sold many heavy books for my dad, old huge things, and the $4 would simply not cut it.