Professional Seller FBM Postal Rates
I just converted from Individual to Professional seller of books. As a result, I changed all my shipping rates from $3.99 to $0.00 and raised all my prices by $4.00 to cover my shipping costs. It works out when the shipping rate from USPS is about $3.80 to $4.00, but occasionally I am hit with higher postage rates (up to $8.00 from UPS) because Amazon says it is fulfilling a delivery promise. I only see the rate after I put in the dimensions and weight of the book. When I was an Individual, I was never subjected to those high fees. How are others dealing with this situation? Are you just paying the high postage and absorbing the financial hit?
Professional Seller FBM Postal Rates
I just converted from Individual to Professional seller of books. As a result, I changed all my shipping rates from $3.99 to $0.00 and raised all my prices by $4.00 to cover my shipping costs. It works out when the shipping rate from USPS is about $3.80 to $4.00, but occasionally I am hit with higher postage rates (up to $8.00 from UPS) because Amazon says it is fulfilling a delivery promise. I only see the rate after I put in the dimensions and weight of the book. When I was an Individual, I was never subjected to those high fees. How are others dealing with this situation? Are you just paying the high postage and absorbing the financial hit?
0 replies
Seller_rGcQW1yb6ZWbC
True - some books cost more to ship and some books less. At the end of the day, I don't look at the postage amounts for individual books. If the total cost for postage for the day (week, month) is close to the compensation I received, then I know I have calculated properly. If I'm ahead - good for me. If I am under - bad for me. If I find myself under on a consistent basis, then I know I have to adjust pricing again.
I do see more and more books needing to go UPS as opposed to USPS BPM or MM.
Sometimes if you mess with the shipping date, it will give you more options. Sometimes, when I buy shipping on Saturday, I don't see USPS as as option, but if I change it to Monday, BPM and MM are often there. Go figure!
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
"How are others dealing with this situation? Are you just paying the high postage and absorbing the financial hit?"
I simply do not use Amazon Buy Shipping. I use Stamps/Dazzle/Endicia for all my shipping on here as well as the other sites I sell on. That way all my expenses are in one location at the end of the year.
As to late delivery? I take my chances since MOST of my items are not books.
For books in general more and more people are moving to other more friendly sites such as eBay that understand that NOT beating sellers to death is a better policy.
Seller_ITSm6TMeixAhB
@ Mind_s_Eye_47
I switched to the professional plan (Jan 23) rather than stay on the individual .. but that was because I wanted Amazon's version of a "storefront" for buyers to more easily source other titles I sell (I mostly sell very vintage romances).
I only sell books and I have never used Amazon's shipping. When I went to the professional plan I set my pricing @ $5 per order, however I also set shipping pricing @ various $ amounts .. so for example if there is a title that is $100 .. my fee is $20 for shipping .. this covers USPS Priority Mail and in person signature confirmation.
For the most part this has worked .. once in a while I get hit with Amazon saying they have suppressed what my shipping fee is to a buyer .. so be it .. I just raised the price "here" on the book (priced @ approx $250) by the $25 it would cost me to ship out. I tend to cross list high end or one of a kind collectible titles here and at the Bay (I don't do returns at the Bay) and I always note in descriptions on either site that I am shipping X title via USPS Priority with actual insurance and in person signature confirmation. So far .. so good.
It is pretty clear that Postal rates are going to continue to increase and I have no faith that media mail will be "protected" going forward .. it won't surprise me if it goes away altogether .. so I'd rather control what I can .. where I can. Best of luck .. KJ @Seller_ITSm6TMeixAhB
Seller_HeYYMdvdHcKv9
Amazon tends to want sellers to "ship for free" so that it matches their Prime side. Trying to raise your price by that 4 or 5 dollars in the item's cost with a free ship frequently will get your listing made inactive for high price errors so really, they just want you to eat it.
I'll also add, for the sake of the readers who are not pro accounts, Amazon hasn't raised your allowed shipping cost (that 4.99 for most categories) in over 20 years. This used to be fine, but it probably makes your profit margin that much more razor thin. Under Pro you can set it per ASIN or in total for whatever you need it to be.
Seller_cCIQHugJ5yL2v
I have been using another shipper when Amazon forces me to use priority. Sometimes this is only hours after an order was sent and first class is not available. Just use another service (I use pay-pal) and paste the tracking number in when you click "confirm shipping". No problems so far.
I can not raise prices and offer free shipping, because customers who order multiple items will get charged too much. Instead there is a set price per order, plus a small increase per item. It works usually and saves my customers on larger orders.
Good luck.
