Although Bricklink is moving towards an automated checkout, in the meantime sellers continue to be burdened with the task of creating shipping terms for their buyers in order to describe expected shipping charges for buyers.
When choosing a shipping fee structure on Bricklink, you have many options. Deciding how much of a handling fee (if any) can be a bit of a challenge. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Consider that sometimes two or more ideas can be combined together.
Flat Rate Shipping
A set shipping charge regardless of weight or value of the order.
Example: A seller charges flat rate shipping of $4.
Shipping Cap
Shipping price is capped at a maximum value based upon the number of items ordered or the total value of the order.
Example: If a buyer purchases $100 worth of product or more, the seller caps shipping at $4.
Handling Fee Waved Above a Certain Order Value
A handling fee is imposed for low value orders and waved if the order exceeds a certain value.
Example: A seller charges a $2 handling rate for order up to $49.99, but waves the handling fee for orders over $50.
Flat Rate Handling Fee
A seller charges the exact shipping price for the item plus a flat rate handing fee.
Example: If the seller’s flat rate handling fee is $1 and the exact shipping price comes to $1.93, then shipping and handling totals $2.93.
Shipping Rate Chart
A seller posts a shipping describing the shipping and handling charges.
Example 1:
1-3 ounces $3.00 shipping
4-6 ounces $4.00 shipping
7-10 ounces $4.50 shipping
Sometimes shipping rates shown in charts are the exact shipping price. Other times the shipping rates include a handling fee. Occasionally a seller may create a shipping chart based upon the value of the order, rather than the more common shipping rate chart.
Example 2:
$0.01-$9.99 order $3.50 shipping
$10-$29.99 order $4.50 shipping
$30-$49.99 order $5.50 shipping
Free Shipping Offer
Some sellers will offer free shipping if the order is over a certain value.
Example: Seller offers free shipping on orders over $100.
Exact Shipping
Exact shipping is when the buyer pays the exact cost of the postage for the item.
Example: The item costs $1.93 in postage so the buyer pays the seller $1.93 for shipping.
Displaying the exact shipping charges in the form of a Shipping Rate Chart can provide further clarity for buyers.
Handling Fee Percentage
A seller may add a handling fee in the form of a percentage.
Example: Exact shipping costs $1.93. The seller charges a 4% handling fee and the order is $100. Then the handling fee will be $4 (if the seller charges the 4% based upon the item value before shipping). If the seller charges the handling fee to the value of shipping as well, then the total handling fee would be $4.08.
Paypal Fee Percentage
A Paypal fee percentage is similar to the handling fee percentage except that the Paypal percentage applies only to Paypal payments. United States sellers are NOT allowed to charge a Paypal fee to buyers. Of course, in reality, some sellers do pass on the Paypal fees to buyers–they simply call the fee a handling fee instead. Some European sellers charge a Paypal fee percentage because European laws allow sellers to pass the fees to buyers.
Example: A seller charges a 5% fee on the order total plus shipping. The order is $92 and shipping is $8 for a total of $100. Add the 5% Paypal fee and the grand total for the order is $105.
Whichever shipping rate structure you select, remember to keep everything as simple and clear as possible. The clearer and more transparent your shipping policy is, the happier your buyers will be. Nobody likes paying more than they’re expecting.
If a buyer places an order in Store 1 that clearly describes a 5% fee in the store terms, then by clicking the “Place Order” button the buyer is acknowledging the 5% fee and agreeing to pay it. Do NOT make a buyer feel like a fee was hidden and popped up unexpectedly. If the same buyer places an order from Store 2 with vague or even no shipping terms at all and the seller charges a 5% handling fee in the invoice, then the buyer will likely (and rightly) become upset.
How would you feel if an unexpected 5% fee popped up in your order? Chances are you’d feel upset and maybe even a bit duped. Handling fees are fine, just make sure your buyers know what to expect.