Can We Change Shipping Appearance in Stores?

[deltadelta48]

My opinion, nothing is free. If a seller offers free shipping and the item is priced right, it just means they got the item cheap/free. Sorry, but that is reality of it. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Yes, and if a seller does this, they may not give the buyer the free shipping they would like. i.e. buyer wants fast, seller gives them a free slower service. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but is may happen.

To avoid problems, seller offering free shipping should be very specific about what the free offer includes?

Calling it different names "one price" does not change anything. Buyers will still look at the price and do the math. Most will know what postage is so they can easily figure out the price seller is asking for product. Then, like with any other item for sale, they will decide whether they are getting value for their money.

[astral276]

I must agree to disagree, Mel. The word Free will always catch a buyers eye over other listings, irregardless of whether the BIN is padded to cover costs. As the old saying goes: Free is good!!

You're not disagreeing with me at all. You are admitting that the term Free Shipping/Postage is a deception - which is exactly what I said.

[moonwitch]

Before making any such change, you might want to run an enquiry past the Advertising Standards Authority and Trading Standards.

I think you'll find the answer from both the ASA and TS will be that on a venue luike eBid (or any other similar online venue) the offical stance will be - "only if every user abides by the 'previously advertised for 30 days with shipping cost stated, and with no product price inflation when declaring free shipping' rule" otherwise they'll likely say "see you in court".

Also, this is an extremely emotive subject and personally I much prefer the existing declaration of shipping cost included. Please do not turn into a deceit-encouraging organisation like the dark side. You and your members have spent years building eBid as a clean and reliable alternative to American disingenuity, don't throw all that away - please.

Gaz

p.s. - no need to lie by using the word free - you could create a new listing classification, for example "ONE PRICE" for buy now items - then adorn the site with info banners that trumpets eBid's ONE PRICE listings mean the price you see is the total you pay for product and shipping - no extra charges are tagged on, etc.

Of course, it would need a little coding done - especially for cross border sellers and worldwide shippers - they'd need multiple fields to reflect the different shipping costs to different zones.

Alternatively, turn the entire site ONE PRICE for buy now items - let the sellers continue inputting product and zonal-shipping costs as per now, but auto-combine them per zone of buyer viewing the page or listing. Leave the separate shipping for auction format only and remove the buy now price from auctions .... but then you'll become too much like fleecebay.

I have just looked at the Play site and all of their items are advertised as having 'free shipping' not 'shipping included'...are they breaking the law?

[FBNeNotes]

It is FREE to the buyer... indeed yes it is.
Seller can start an auction at $0.49 and shipping for the seller will cost $2.00 and NUTTIN to the buyer.
That is the way it is. FREE is to the Buyers advantage, regardless of what anyone says, or wiggles the words or meanings around.

[iwiw60]

I have just looked at the Play site and all of their items are advertised as having 'free shipping' not 'shipping included'...are they breaking the law?

Exactly my point. Thanks, moonwitch!

[tjsprinting]

if I offer free shipping and also have in my p&p that collection in person is also the same price does that not make shipping free?

[gazlannathai]

It is FREE to the buyer... indeed yes it is.
Seller can start an auction at $0.49 and shipping for the seller will cost $2.00 and NUTTIN to the buyer.
That is the way it is. FREE is to the Buyers advantage, regardless of what anyone says, or wiggles the words or meanings around.

As previously said, you'll probably find that is different under UK & European law. On the east side of the pond, before you can state any product or service as having something free attached in the offer to sell, it must have been advertised for 28/30 days previously at the same price without the attached freebie.

If Play are launching new SKUs (as in never before advertised) onto their UK site with immediate free shipping, then they are contravening the literal meaning of the rules, and so are any of their 3rd party sellers who do the same.

It may be acceptable in the US, but it's not fully legal in the UK or EU.

Trading Standards may turn a blind eye to it when it's obviously a genuine offer ... until someone complains ... but that doesn't alter its position in law.

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edit to clarify new SKUs

[gazlannathai]

if I offer free shipping and also have in my p&p that collection in person is also the same price does that not make shipping free?

No - that just means you're a tight wad who doesn't discount when you don't have to deliver