Is this too much for shipping?

erinleighh · 11-13-2008, 05:47 AM

I won four separate 99 cent auctions from the same seller today (yes, bad Erin, Ebay addict in the making) and each individual pony was priced at $6 for shipping. I figured that winning more than one pony would justify the cost, and I'd understand if the shipping price bumped up just a little. However, the combined shipping rate is $10 for priority shipping, and I think that's pretty high for only four G3s, two of which are babies.

The shipping is from Florida to Arizona so no out of country fees or anything... I had 20 ponies shipped to me for $10, so this definitely seems high to me. I went ahead and paid promptly (to keep my 'lightning fast' buyer reputation~) but I think that when I get my ponies and see the price difference for shipping, it will be a big difference.

So, I have a few questions:

Is $10 priority shipping for Hidden Treasure, Minty w/x-mas socks, Baby Bellaluna, and Baby Honolu-loo excessive?

When I receive the package and compare the actual shipping to the charged shipping, how much "slack" should I give for the packaging materials?

If it's ultimately an excessive charge, how do I go about asking her to refund the difference? Should I even ask? ((I generally base my G3 purchases to where the total purchase including shipping equals to $2.50 per pony or less, I don't buy if it's more.))

horseymom · 11-13-2008, 08:52 AM

If I remember right, the charge for the flat rate Priority box from USPS is $9 so if they use that, they are charging $1 over actual shipping.

chachallama · 11-13-2008, 11:33 AM

Actually, for priority mail that sounds about right. I suppose it depends on how they ship it, though. But for me, whenever I shipped ponies out priority mail, it cost over $5 (with order tracking) to ship just one. And that didn't include the price of packing materials or anything. So I would say $10 to ship four of them is probably a fair price for priority mail. Priority is just expensive. x_x

EnchantedDaisy · 11-13-2008, 11:47 AM

I usually ask the seller to estimate combined shipping before auctions end. The one's who just say some thing like, "I do combine shipping." put me off a bit because they aren't actually committing to give you a reduced rate for combined shipping and they could also just charge you $1 less. I actually had that happen to me once. Never again. It's so much easier to ask what their policy is on combined shipping. My favorites are ones who state in the auction "highest ship + $1.50 ea. additional" or something to that effect.

FantasticFirefly · 11-13-2008, 11:55 AM

I ask, "Hello, I was wondering if you charge actual shipping? Do you pack multiple items won together?"

That way I get more of a straight answer.

erinleighh · 11-13-2008, 10:38 PM

I'll ask about combined shipping from here on out... I usually do, but this was a last minute bid.

If it makes any difference, the priority shipping from those four auctions ($10) gives an estimated delivery date of 5-6 days after shipping. I just won another auction for the Apple Delight family (mom, dad, and baby) and the priority shipping is $4.80 with an estimated delivery date of 2-3 days after shipping.

EnchantedDaisy · 11-14-2008, 09:00 AM

Re: the priority shipping- Is that what the seller listed as the shipping time? USPS Priority mail is 2-3 business days. That is a USPS standard

I just did a shipping quote on USPS.co and If I shipped a 3 lb.package from NC to GA (my mom's zip...the only one I could think of right off) via Priority, it would take 2 days and $6.75 for a regular Priority box or $9.80 for a flat rate box.

erinleighh · 11-16-2008, 02:17 AM

Not really sure but this is what it says in the auction:

US $6.00 | United States | US Postal Service Priority Mail (Estimated delivery 5-6 days*)

MY LITTLE PONY - eBay (item 260311494868 end time Nov-12-08 16:25:14 PST) <-one of the auction links

The other auction with 2-3 days: MLP Vintage My Little Pony APPLE DELIGHT FAMILY - eBay (item 300271682343 end time Nov-13-08 18:10:17 PST)