Postage Overcharge?

[BostonPaperCompany]

I recently purchased an item from another Etsy seller and had paid $4.95 in shipping charges. When the box arrived I noticed the postage paid was $2.30.

I am very happy with the item, and it did arrive quickly and in good condition, but I feel more than a little cheated on the postage. I know that it can be difficult to estimate the postage and sellers don't want to lose money on it - but this feels like a big difference to me. Because the product quality was good, something like this wouldn't make me leave negative feedback, but it would certainly stop me from ordering from her shop again.

I've been stewing on this for a few days, and it bugs me but I don't know what to do about it. Take a deep breath and let it go?

[Former_Member]

I personally would send a message to the seller. Without feedback sellers have no idea what's turning buyers off. If I were in your shoes, I would also feel a little cheated. (Just a thought.)

[Former_Member]

The seller may add in for the box and any packaging (tape, tissue, bubble wrap). When I ship internationally I purchase new boxes to ship in and this is figured into my shipping charges. I usually still come out .10-.20 behind. When shipping in the US I use the free priority boxes and would refund any overages. Even with those though you still have the cost of tape and tissue. Just a few things that the seller you dealt with may be charging for.

[AnneLondezGlass]

I too tend to include the cost of packaging in the shipping costs. I always think of it as Shipping & Handling !

[Former_Member]

I know it's frustrating to see a lower amount on the shipping than what you were charged, but I don't think it's cause for negative feedback.
Consider contacting the seller and letting her know that it turned you off.

Personally, I try to keep my shipping costs below the amount shown on the package for that reason.

[elainesgems]

When I shipped a package to someone in another country I noticed that I overcharged her 72 cents. I refunded it through Paypal. I don't know how I would do it through a DC though.

[zyzanna]

I also include packaging costs in my shipping costs. But if you want to feel happy (which you should do :)) just convo the seller!

[aLilBiteOfCute]

If I pay a dollar or so over the actual shipping price, it doesn't bother me at all. Because I know that packaging, bubble wrap, tape, and gas to drive to the post office costs the seller money. More than about a dollar overcharge does kind of irritate me though. I would probably just let it go though, and still give her a positive since I was happy with the product and how fast she shipped.

[BostonPaperCompany]

Thanks to all for feedback. Dani and Anne, you bring up a good point about the cost of shipping boxes, etc. This perspective makes me feel much better about it, and I'm so glad I brought it up instead of stewing!

I use the USPS free priority shipping boxes for my products. I think of tissue/wrapping/notes materials as part of preparing the product, and reserve the shipping charge is exclusively for postage.

As I said, I am happy with the product so will leave my feedback based on that - not on the shipping experience.

[KthysKreations]

I state in my listings that anything over $1.50 of what it costs me to package and mail will be refunded to their Paypal account. I consider the $1.50 to cover the cost of the envelope, bubble wrap, tissue paper and ribbon. Since we can only list one shipping rate for the whole country, I determine mine on the farthest destination and refund whatever is more than $1.50.

I've had very nice comments about this policy. :)

[LoveJewelryByJ]

I also consider small overage charges to be for my padded envelopes, boxes, ribbon, etc. Helps a lot with keeping the actual product prices and profit separate from the shipping.

[DecalInnovations]

I also include packaging costs in my shipping cost. Mine includes tissue paper, ribbon, etc. + mileage + time for me to drive to the post office to ship. I print my shipping online but I live in an apt complex and there is no where to drop packages for pickup so I make trips to the post office every other day pretty much.

[Former_Member]

Great perspectives everyone! I agree as well. I factor a lot of various costs into my shipping while still trying to keep it as low as possible. There are the following factors:

- actual shipping label
- cost of a box
- cost of tape
- cost of packing supplies, like peanuts and/or tissue
- labor to carefully package a piece and time to do accounting and printing the label
- gas and time to drive it to the post office

Only a small small percentage of time spent in a business is making the actual piece. There is so much additional time and labor that goes into the sending of one package.

[Winterwomandesigns]

I too factor in all the costs of packaging, time & gas into the postage. I include a business card, a little printed note on the how to care for the item and a thank you note. All of that has got to be factored in there somewhere. So when you buy something you are either paying for it in the price of the item or in the postage.
It took me a long time to be comfortable with making sure that my time and expense was being covered. I love making my items, it truly makes me happy, but I can't pay for gas with happiness, or wear happiness!

[Former_Member]

You are seriously upset over $2.65?

[BostonPaperCompany]

@Danielle - It 's not about being upset over a few dollars.It is about feeling like the shop was padding their revenue by overcharging for shipping. After hearing all the great perspectives how others incorporate the 'handling' portion into the shipping cost instead of the product cost I'm not upset at all. That is clearly how the shop had approached it as well!

I personally factor the cost of shipping materials, packaging, tissue paper, labels, my cards, etc into the cost of the item, not into the shipping cost. Everyone must decide the best way to account for those expenses in their own shop! However, I am glad my customers won't have the same feeling of confusion that I did when they receive a box from me in the mail.

[WintergreenDesign]

I wish that Etsy would make it "Shipping and Handling" costs as opposed to just shipping... then all the things listed above could be included (boxes, wrap, labels, printing, etc).

I usually refund for shipping if it is over $2.00 but not under. Usually I have it pretty right on though for both national/international/ and overseas. That being said I think when I purchase something I am agreeing to the terms of the price to ship... if I didn't think it was reasonable I either wouldn't purchase (most likely) or I would question the seller before hand...

[AtHomeWithLolly]

I factor in shipping + materials, plus, if the item cannot fit in my home mailbox, I must drive 12 miles to the PO.

After I became a seller on Etsy, I started to understand and appreciate shipping a bit more. You have the option of printing your labels without the postage amount appearing and I like that. I don't get caught up in shipping prices that way.

Another point for me is when comparatively shopping on Etsy ( or anywhere else) I compare items likeness and quality as best as you can from a photo and then look at shipping. Most folks are within a dollar of each other. If there is a huge variance I shy away from that shop as that is a no no on Etsy. You cannot profit from shipping. Rememer it works in reverse also...when you see FREE SHIPPING it is written into the cost of the item, and you have no idea how much they are really charging you.

You have to use your judgement as best you can ~

[Former_Member]

I also factor my shipping supplies cost into the price of the item, that way the customer knows that the shipping fee is strictly for shipping. But I've come to see that I'm in a minority with that method, and most factor handling into shipping. It sounds like that's what the OP's situation is.

If the actual shipping turns out to be $1.00+ less than what was paid, I refund the difference the same day I ship the item and send the tracking number to the buyer. I've had many grateful convos and emails from buyers about this, especially that they get a little refund before they even get the item. It's always lovely when customers thank me for my business integrity.

[Former_Member]

This is all really interesting as I am still trying to figure out the best ways of dealing with shipping in my shop. I think if we all write out of policies carefully about shipping and handling this should cover confusion. I am glad that others are including handling charges into their shipping. Maybe Etsy will one day rename it as shipping and handling.

Thanks everyone for your perspectives!

[HappyDappyBits]

My shipping charges include the cost to ship, packaging materials and sometimes gas for international orders since it requires a trip to the PO. I don't see the purpose of including shipping material cost in the price of the item. Personally I would not complain to the seller, as you did agree to the shipping charges when you purchased the item. Also, many Etsy shops charge less for shipping then some of the bigger chains, I think sometimes people can forget that.

[Former_Member]

I also include packaging in my shipping costs as well. Packaging can get quite expensive! I think if you contact the seller he or she would be more than willing to explain the shipping policy to you and/or give you a refund for the amount he/she exceeded.

[Beaderbeads]

My S&H fees are Shipping And I add a handling fee. For my store you won't see a handling fee on the postage. I have set S&H fee which my sellers see upfront.

[RebeccasSoapDeli]

I am told refunding overpayments of postage on a regular basis can have your paypal account put under review. My postage costs include shipping and handling.

Not on etsy - because it doesn't let me offer shipping this way - but on my main shop, shipping is capped at $6 no matter how much you buy. I find that because of this my orders are much larger on my main website. Though prior to the flat rate $6 I do offer a sliding scale starting at $3, then $4.50, then $6.

[MyPrettyBabi]

I try to keep my shipping rates as low as possible however I do consider package (envelope, ribbon, etc) and trips to Post Office when calculating my shipping prices.
Awhile ago I'd realized that I was losing money and having to pay shipping cost out of my pockets so I have to raise my shipping prices.
If you don't input the extra in your shipping rates, you have to input it in your products' prices.
I never had a complain about my shipping prices... so I am guessing that people that had bought from me understand that there is more to shipping rates than PO rates. :-)