Why do people think they are saving money on ebay?

Question

If you add the horrendous postal charges to your goods it would be cheaper to go to the shops

Answer 1

Yes, but if you live in a remote area as I do (the Highlands of Scotland) the postage costs are cheaper than the fuel to drive into the nearest town - in my case - Inverness.

Answer 2

It depends on the person/shop you're buying from on EBay. There are dodgy people who over-inflate the postage cost - this is because the final valuation fee, which is a percentage, doesn't apply to the postage cost.

Also, you must bear in mind that an individual selling something isn't going to have much flexibility in choosing a cheap form of postage to ship a heavier item (anything over 2kg in postal terms). A courier would charge the earth, and the Royal Mail isn't cheap either.

Answer 3

Some things cost more, some are a bargain. You have to know the price of new items in the stores before you go on EBAY. After you add the horrendous gas charges to go shopping, plus figure out what your personal time is worth, then you know if you are getting a bargain.

Answer 4

I think that it depends on what you are buying.

I buy a lot of sci-fi stuff, most of which you cannot buy from normal shops anymore. It is actually a lot cheaper on e-bay than going to a specialised shop, who may put a horrendous mark up on the item.

Postage is an issue - I think that you need to find out the postage charge BEFORE you bid and factor that into how much you want to spend.

Answer 5

I don't put my cost into shipping, even offer free most of the time. I ask a price and if the want to offer be another, I might just be willing to take it. With gas prices what they are, I have had to re-think a lot of offers, because people are not weighing in the fact they are getting free shipping with their purchase. I do however agree, as a buyer, that people choose outrageous shipping prices. One lady was charging $20 for 2 used sweaters, and $25 shipping. That is outrageous! I never charge more than $5 an item. NEVER!

Answer 6

Not necessarily. It depends on what type of items you're buying. Some of the collectible items on ebay are reasonably priced, and assuming that you're buying something that doesn't weigh a zillion pounds, it doesn't cost all that much to ship. Also, ebay's marketplace has a unique inventory of items that frequently can't be found in many areas of the country. I'm from a big metro area, but bear in mind, there are people who are a hundred miles from a decent mall or diversified shopping. I think ebay definitely serves a purpose for many people, regardless of the shipping issues.

Answer 7

Just 1 example i bought season 6 of the Sopranos 1 month ago,perfect copy.Price £9.99 including postage,beat that price off Amazon,Play.Com etc.I don't think you will.So you can get some bargains.Dont forget if you buy from outside of UK you have to pay import charges and import VAT,you only allowed to buy goods up tp the value of £18 before you pay pay im port duty etc,that is why they put the price on postage to try and save you money,you can not be charged on the postage.

Answer 8

Bought some tactical boots from American ebay and even with shipping costs they worked out a quarter of the UK price. But I agree some things on ebay can work out more than shop prices but if you do your homework before hand you can find bargains on ebay. You can also find items that are no longer available in shops...such as discontinued car spares etc

Answer 9

There's always good & bad times on E-Bay.

If the postage is high, don't bid - simple as that!!!

What you also need to remember is that if we are looking for something specific that I need, it is easier to look on e-bay as it saves on petrol, parking, walking and coming across other things that I don't really need, but I might as well buy while I'm out.

Also, if you pay 99p for a t-shirt & £3.00 postage - in all the t-shirt is costing £3.99 which is still a good buy. Some people put huge postage on as it you are charged by the start price rather than postage. They are rtying to keep their costs down.

Hope that makes sense!?!?!?

Answer 10

well i can't speak for everyone but I've saved loads of money by buying things off eBay for example:
a game for my Nintendo DS costs £19.99 in shops i paid £10.99 for it that includes the P+P (brand new and sealed)
a digital camera that costs £59.99 in shops for £25.00 price includes P+P
When i place a bid i take into account the P+P prices and then i check other websites and then i decide how much i am willing to pay for the item.

PS: you obviously do not know how to get the best out of eBay