I think we had another thread that was just like this not so long ago- I just want to say that I
do charge $6 more for a second dozen, because I ship in specially-cut foam that costs me a lot, and they can't be combined in one box, because they are cut for the 7x7x6 box. Taping the boxes together simply increases the velocity of the impacts the box takes during shipping, so they must be separate or I have to buy a box that fits 2 small priority boxes...and that's money and time spent re-working a system that I like just fine!
I don't sell on
ebay anymore, really (thank you, Nifty!), but when I do list there, I charge actual shipping + foam ($5.50 per dozen) and $1 for my other supplies (gas, tape, markers, etc.). I figure if someone doesn't want to pay it, they can shop elsewhere. My costs are disclosed up front. I choose to use the foam, and it decreases the eggs' shipping damage probability as well as the shipping weight (smaller carbon footprint!) and packing time. We all know how long it takes to pack in bubble wrap, and my time is worth something, so I choose to keep my time and pass those costs on using foam.
I love selling eggs, love my buyers, love chickens, but don't do this purely as a good deed. I will be profiting from my eggs less if I don't carefully manage my time and supplies. I don't feel badly about charging for it, either! No one should be made to feel guilty for making fee choices- who cares if it's up front and described as shipping and handling or whether it's tucked into a higher starting bid? The buyer should simply evaluate on the final cost and not make judgments on how a seller chooses to describe their proposed pricing. It's still the same, either way. The final price is what it is, and one should make choices regarding those costs PRIOR to bidding.
I'll admit I got mad about it before I was selling eggs...but I get it much more clearly now.
