Shipping/Handling? Aren't they one set cost or are the separate?

Question

My husband is an eBay buyer/seller. With all of his great reviews he just got one bad one. We always thought shipping and handling were the same--a cost that was added together.

[For example: Shipping and Handling: $8.00 NOT Shipping: $4.00 Handling: $4.00]

He was going to purchase a magazine for what he thought was $1.00 w/ no shipping [the main reason he was going to buy it] but later found in small writing the eBay Seller was going to charge him $5.00 in handling. I guess we just don't understand.

Would someone please explain this to me. I just don't understand because I just don't have knowledge in postal services. Thanks!

Answer 1

shipping - the cost to actually mail the item.

handling - the cost to package the item, box, peanuts, envelope, bubble wrap, tape, time, effort, energy.

Answer 2

Shipping has separate costs. packaging, postage, that kind of thing, Handling is sort of open, maybe the cost to get it wrapped, storing it for a month before selling it, gas to post office. But on every catalog i have bought from there is both s & h. You should go bavck andf undo any negative mark you gave that seller. Some things we are just expected to know from lliving.

Answer 3

I am sorry that i had to post this in one of your questions but I do not wish to enable my e-mail. I read your question and you mentioned if I knew what it was like to get dirty looks because of being a young mother. My answer to that is YES I do!!! I was 19 when I got pregnant and delivered my little boy and I as well have a good education and am also leading a fabulous lifestyle. I do not get any kind of government assistance I pay for everything I own, myself. I am married as well and love the life I have and wouldn't trade it for the world. If you would have better understood my question, it was directed at the young girls that are intentionally getting pregnant to either trap their boyfriends, or to use the kid as some kind of accessory. I was not referring to the young mothers who are stable enough to take care of a child. Before you jump to conclusions and assume I do not know what it is like to be a young mother that intentionally wanted a child as well but for all of the right reasons because we were ready for a child and financially stable ASK first!!!!! I mean this was not an attack to young mothers who are ready to handle and raise a child it was merely a statement that I think needs to be brought to a lot more people's attention, because I think if the parenting was better for some of these young misguided teens then there wouldn't be as many teen-aged pregnancies that our tax dollars are going to support. I am now 21 years old and was trying for another baby but we decided to take a break for a while so this was not brought up because I can't have kids or what not, it is something I feel needs to be said. Take care and in the future don't jump to conclusions and think the worst of someones question unless you are sure what they are trying to say. Good luck to you and I wish you all the best. Take care

Answer 4

Shipping and handling are arbitrary amounts determined by the seller. In theory, the shipping fee is supposed to cover exactly that: the cost of the shipping, while the handling fee is supposed to cover other expenses.

Answer 5

IT's a great way for companies to tack extra onto the price. Shippin gis the postal expense. Handling is the cost to the company to deal with the item, store it, get it ready for shipment, etc. So they are basically charging you for their employees time so they can make more profit on the item.

Answer 6

Shipping is the cost that covers postal services. Handling is the cost of packing items, paperwork, cost of a middle man, labor, etc.

Answer 7

they can be both. There is no law or regulation to tell a company what to charge it is up to the company . as to what they charge and how they charge .