7 replies to this topic

[Carlos W]

I'm after a bit of advice from TMF members, Royal Mails new pricing structure starts on Tuesday, and if I don't find a way around it I'm not going to make any money from Ebay!

Example,


This, with packaging weighs 300g, and I can post it to you today for £2.20 second class post, realistically I'd charge £3 P+P

On Tuesday however, because the item is bigger than 8cm in height it's going to cost £5.20!

Nobody is going to pay £5.50 to £6 P+P on an item that's probably not even worth that!

So what are my options? For heavier items I was considering www.collectplus.co.uk, it would still make sending the air duct above possibly prohibitively expensive, but may work on heavier, and more valuable items.

Does anyone have any views, advice or opinions?

One thing I should add, I'm selling on eBay to fund my mini, selling less than 20 items a week, and I'm out at work during the day so I don't think a courier is going to work (although I do use them for some heavy items currently)

[Carlos W]

http://www.royalmail...s_April2013.pdf

Here's a link to their new postage prices

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

That's outrageous, they're really taking the mick with these prices now. 5 years ago I could post a 1/43 Die-cast car first class, for £1.50, now its £3 SECOND class!. It's doubled!!!

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 27 March 2013 - 02:48 PM.

[littlemissmagic]

I've had this problem lately!
For heavy items/large items I always use online couriers now (parcel monkey is great and parcel2go)

On ebay with smaller items recently I found I was underestimating and losing money! Especially when things only sell for 99p...... This is why I have given up selling low value items now. Just not worth it.
I always send recorded as well as its too much hassle if things dont arrive / people lie and claim it hasnt been delivered.

Unfortunately the only way round this is to put postage up and explain higher royal mail costs in your description. Anyone who has sold on ebay will understand anyway and most people are fine provided its within reason.
Having an account with a courier may also work but its just so much hassle when you have 5+ small items to post!


Sad but to be honest thats really the only way around it because even couriers are expensive on smaller items.

[Nic]

I agree. For me anything over 2kg in weight it is now not cost effective to send it via royal mail, my usual courier is much cheaper plus I get £50 insurance as standard and next day delivery, and they come and collect it from me so I don't even have to take it anywhere. They are pricing themselves out of the market to be honest.

[Carlos W]

I think the other thing that people fail to understand is Paypal charge fees on the whole amount you are paid, including any money you're paid for P+P

For example, I sold something the other day for £7.50 with £3 P+P,

I received £9.94 after Paypal took their slice, so you have to add a bit to your postage costs for packaging and Paypal charges

[[email protected]]

Need to save link to this thread. Postage IS expensive!

[jonny95]

i use myhermes
https://www.myhermes.../Home/homepage/

i cannot reccomend them enough, you can have items collected while you aren't in you just specify the location that you will leave the parcel for them to take
alternatively they have parcel shops which work like post offices but you book and pay online then take the parcel to the parcel shop and leave it there, my local parcel shop is a petrol station about a mile from home

prices aren't too bad either (cheaper than royal mail)