How much does it cost to mail a single CD via regular United States Postal Service mail?
I wonder because on eBay, when looking for used CDs, I invariably come across CDs that cost >$1 or >$2 to buy, but <$5 (in addition) to ship.
It doesn’t seem like shipping would really cost that much, unless the bubble mailers have become insanely expensive since I last bought one (I re-use them so I haven’t actually bought one in a long time).
eBay or site driven, I charge $1.50 “shipping and handling”. Usually use 3 stamps, and I bought a huge amount of bubble mailers a while ago, so don’t know what they are costing now.
Many of those shipping and handling fees (which I’m sure you know) are fee avoidance measures. You pay for the final auction selling price, but not the shipping and handling. It’s not kosher, but unless people report, it happens.
Missy
Is it actually against the rules? What gets done if it’s reported?
Before you go reporting it, make sure they’re charging a truly unreasonable amount. You might try checking shipping charges from a larger company that sells CDs. Consider, too, that small sellers may have higher costs because they’re small–they can’t “batch” things as easily as a larger seller can.
The last CD I received in a bubble mailer had $1.23 postage. On top of that, you have to add labor and other costs.
Facility: Portion of computer used for tracking shipment, printing address label, accounting, etc. Portion of building used for storage and shipping activities, accounting. Vehicle used for transportation to and from post office (initial cost, gasoline, insurance, repairs, etc.). Utilities (you can’t run the computer without electricity!)
Personnel: Office Assistant time devoted to unpacking shipment from supplier, storage, & inventory. Time spent processing your order and your payment, including locating CD, packaging it, typing up address label, weighing it and affixing postage. Time spent driving to the post office to mail it, which, depending on the season, could result in a 30-minute wait in line PLUS the drive time. Also include a portion of Worker’s Compensation costs, Social Security, benefits such as medical insurance, breaks, paid vacation, etc.
Other: Banking fees, credit card fees (the seller has to pay a percentage of the cost to the credit card company–it’s not free to them). Accountant fees. Lawyer fees.
It’s often easy to think that people in business for themselves don’t have to pay themselves, but they do. Their “time” isn’t free–it’s work time. Just as you’d expect an employer to incur expenses and to pay you to do all the above, you have to expect a small seller to incur expenses and pay themselves.
Considering what’s involved, it’s a wonder they aren’t charging you more!