Question
Was looking for a software game. Went on eBay. More than 30 listings. Most are between $3 to $6. Problem is outrageous shipping for a sleeved CD. They want $5.95 and up to ship. Total cost was higher then buying it from an Amazon seller for $3 plus $3.49 shipping.
Was preparing to check out when I noticed software available as part of a family pack. Older software so it was bundled in with others. Did a quick google search and found it in 2 minutes for under $6 shipped. So I end up with the lowest price + several other games.
eBay was just not competitive.
Answer
I'm not surprised.
Ebay allows 'handling charges' to be hidden in with ship charges displayed in their optional shipping calculator.
Competition is such that many sellers are adding an unreasonably large handling charge so that their 'price' can remain competitive with others while hiding the real price. Sometimes a way-too-big charge.
We also charge a reasonable handling charge ourselves and clearly disclose it along with shipping by each available means in our in-ad shipping comparison calculator of our own design. This way we don't get "how much is the shipping" emails from prospective buyers and we never get complaints about our non-excessive handling charge, either.
We charge a reasonable handling charge to reflect a part of the considerable extra costs of selling on Ebay versus selling at our own website, which is much cheaper. This way we can show the same asking price at each venue (Ebay does not allow selling cheaper at your own site than you do at Ebay).
Answer
"(Ebay does not allow selling cheaper at your own site than you do at Ebay)."
Actually that's not quite correct - eBay has no control over your prices anywhere you choose to list or sell your items.
eBay's rule is you cannot link to your commercial website on your ME page IF your prices are the same or lower on your website. You can only link to your website if you price higher at your website than eBay.
Link here
Answer
I agree totally with the OP. Every single time I set out looking for a CD or DVD I end up finding a better price anywhere besides ebay. I can't believe how many sellers will charge $5 - $6 for mailing of a single disk! Or like $10 for a double! And many of these boneheads don't even seem to realize that it is cheaper to use first class mail than it is to use Media Mail for the 1-2 disk packages, so they toss it in a used ten cent envelope and mail it media...never again!
I was on overstock.com auctions recently and found the same crap, only worse. Charging $10 to mail a single disk.
OTOH, however, I can understand that it would be much more difficult for the small seller to compete with these websites that offer free shipping AND an excellent price so it is a shame that the little guy gets aced out but the ones charging outrageous shipping are making many people not want to consider buying from ebay anymore.