Common practice?

[u/Responsible_Tax_6769]

So the order for the bags was around $128 and shipping was listed at $5.99 but when I went to checkout it was literally $64.49 for shipping plus tax I was over $200 for the order. I messaged the seller because I really wanted to place the order but $65 for shipping? I couldn’t!

I attached the response of the seller and I was caught off guard by the response I didn’t even reply but why do that instead of just listing it for the price you want to sell them for???

I’ve since purchased from a different seller and it was $130 with free shipping and I’m glad it worked out this way but was wondering what you all thought of this.

[u/Resting_Fox_Face]

I think it's commonly done the other way...you offer free or reduced shipping but that cost is built into the item price. Reducing the price of the item and increasing the shipping seems strange but low cost may just be the way they get eyes on their shop. They probably have a ton of abandoned carts though.

[u/grafikat → u/Resting_Fox_Face]

Yup. Etsy will decrease your visibility if you charge more than $5.99 on flat rate shipping. Then Etsy recommends if your actual shipping is higher, to add it to the cost of the product.

Your seller should be offering calculated shipping if the shipping is that much higher.

[u/modernheirloom → u/grafikat]

They say this, but I dont believe this. I actually increased my shipping price this summer from under $6 to well over (while still eating some shipping costs) and my sales increased

[u/strikeuhpose → u/grafikat]

Wait, they actually do that? Where does it say that ?

[u/chronicmisschris]

Their explanation doesn't make sense. I would ask for a custom listing for the quantity you want with an accurate shipping charge based on the weight of the package.

[u/chillz632]

It’s because they are being produced by a print on demand site which increases shipping by each additional item. Their shipping is insane!! And sadly not meant for a bulk buy

[u/Inside_Flounder3967]

Always read the fine print. A good seller would take into consideration that you're buying in bulk, and figure shipping based on actual weight, not per item. Best to avoid that trap. You did right buying from someone else.

[u/Attorneyatlau → u/Inside_Flounder3967]

Yeah I ask customers to contact me before buying in bulk. No one has lol but the option is there.

[u/Its-a-write-off]

Etsy only allows limited ways to calculate shipping. This is one way that a vendor can keep the per item shipping cost correct, but also have the total cost correct even if someone buys a lot of items. Otherwise they would have to make the price too high, so that a single item price is correct, that it penalizes those that buy in bulk. This seller feels what this method gets the pricing correct for the majority of their sales.

I am not saying this is the best method or defending their method. I am only explaining the reason it's done.

[u/pbizzle]

As a seller there's a load of considerations to take into account the buyer doesn't always think about. Its better to just accept the price as presented and decide whether you are willing to pay it or not.

[u/CoupleFancy1433]

Good for you not buying from them. This is weird as heck. I do increase my shipping so when it reaches a certain amount, I can upgrade the shipping and customer are more comfortable ordering large amount with tracking.

But this... nah... lol

[u/18_bees_18]

That answer doesn't make sense. They show that the sale price is only reduced by .99.

If a buyer contacts me about purchasing a quantity, I ask for their shipping address, weight the package with the amount required and get a shipping rate from my shipping company. I then quote that amount to my buyer.

[u/Themaxswoles6614]

That’s insane.

[u/Seekshadow]

Yeah, I was looking at the original price. This seller has done the reverse of recommended. The item cost is actually over 5$ and they put it into shipping not into the original price. It did what you wanted give you a fantastic "cheap" deal but then they hit you with shipping fees. "is it a too good to be true" no you are getting a fantastic deal either way. Go to an expenisive vendor locally and find them at 10$ a piece.

[u/RaccoonCrafts]

I would inquire if it is possible to have a custom listing with the exact quantity you need so the shipping is only $5.99. As a seller I would be more than happy to do this if it were my product.

[u/thelittleflowerpot]

The seller prob has a $5.99 flat rate shipping listed and Etsy calculates it as per item. Did you buy 10 of something? 🤔

[u/chickadee-stitchery → u/thelittleflowerpot]

They're trying to buy 40 of the item.

[u/Gullible_Bank1030]

Just contact support if you think its a bit off. They can help

[u/Gullible_Bank1030 → u/Gullible_Bank1030]

Lots of downvotes here, but support can explain what is going on to the OP and if the shop is doing something wrong, they can deal with the shop.

Not sure why the hate

[u/[deleted]]

[u/Responsible_Tax_6769 → u/[deleted]]

Exactly and guess what I didn’t buy lol I just started buying from Etsy and was wondering if it’s common practice. You should take the pole out of there it’s starting to show symptoms darling

[u/LessFish777 → u/[deleted]]

Lol this is so unhinged 😂