posted on December 7, 2002 10:52:14 PM new
Pelorus--I'm with you on this one.
I was charged - only once! - $10 shipping for a small wallpocket. I was new at buying on ebay and didn't ask ahead of time. When I protested, the seller gave me this song and dance about what a victim she was and how bad she needed the money. That seller lists wallpockets all the time, and I never even LOOK at her stuff. She turned me off but good.
Probably the best idea is to build into the starting price what profits you need to make on the item, although I frequently don't do that myself. The game, for me, is selling nearly everything I list, and turning stuff no one wants into cold cash. When it's not a game any longer, I'll quit.
I worked in PR at a large hospital. Patients were complaining about bills for $10 aspirins, etc. The answer was to build profits into stuff people don't know the price of.
I was on the board of a new convention center; they were charging $5 - $10 for a pitcher of water on the table, and an enormous amount for a bowl of kool-aid-type punch. We advised the staff to get their profits elsewhere, because everyone knows what water and Kool-Aid cost.
posted on December 8, 2002 01:33:09 PM new
As a seller, I avoid problems and always state shipping charge AND shipping method (and I try to give the buyer a choice when possible).
As a buyer, I look for auctions where the seller does the same. I did feel dumb when a seller stated price is $3.85 USPS shipping (which of course implies that the item will be sent Priority) for an under 1 pound item, and it came to me First Class for 83 cents actual postage. I hope the seller realizes that he made an extra $3.02 profit from me, but that I will never buy from him again, nor would I refer any business his way. Dumb short-sightedness on the part of the seller, IMHO. I did give him positive feedback, as I do believe it was my responsibility to ask (though I shouldn't be that way, IMHO).
It occurs to me that many a seller who makes profit on shipping charges may use the "method" to dupe customers, quoting standard Priority Mail amounts such as $3.85, etc, especially for light items.
If a seller wants to make profit on shipping, that's fine (I'll even buy from him if the merchandise price is low enough), but please, sellers, do it upfront and honestly by clearly stating shipping method along with shipping cost.
Now, I always confirm shipping method via e-mail with the seller before bidding.
posted on December 8, 2002 02:32:45 PM new
Again, the question must be asked, why do you care if he charged $3.85 and shipped for .83? As long as the seller does not state that he is shipping priority mail it is ok. There is NO difference in delivery time for first class mail or priority mail, so that is not an issue. If he shipped for .83 then you know that this was a 3 ounce item, so the thought should cross your head that it could be shipped first class. You should contact the seller BEFORE the auction ends to ask any of these questions. What is the difference between the seller pocketing the extra $3 or the post office? The seller also has other expenses that are covered in the extra money, including listing fees, paypal, packing material, etc.
posted on December 8, 2002 03:34:06 PM newNEVER ASSUME ANYTHING ABOUT ANYTHING Ask before you bid...ASK A QUESTION, IF YOU DON'T GET AN ANSWER.....DON'T BID If the seller states shipping by USPS @ $3.85, don't assume it will be mailed Priority Mail. ASK
[ edited by bear1949 on Dec 8, 2002 03:36 PM ]
