posted on June 8, 2003 12:33:47 PM new
Why don't we just make Canada the 51st state of the USA and then we won't have to worry about those annoying customs tags.
posted on June 8, 2003 12:37:39 PM new
::However in light of the current state of world affairs, the USPS will ship without it but it may never make it out of customs in the destination country unless the form is filled out regardless of weight.::
Please tell this to my UK customer that just recieved her package in 5 days from California with no customs paperwork. I'm sure she would like to ammend her feedback since there is apparently no way she actually recieved it according to your assertation.
posted on June 8, 2003 01:10:42 PM new
kraftdinner,
Since it is a quoted rate, I don't see the problem. I find things all the time online and in person that are too expensive, and I choose not to buy. I could see the complaint if the seller tried to sneak in extra fees after the auction (like trying to make you pay for them accepting paypal) but as long as they are upfront, I don't see the problem. Just choose not to buy! There is no $1 rate to Canada, 2 ounces is 85 cents, 3 ounces is $1.10 - So for it to cost a dollar, the entire package had to be under 3 ounces. You should have known immediately that if they want to charge $6 for a 3 ounce item, then they are most likely going to be making the profit in the shipping, not in the final price of the item.
posted on June 8, 2003 02:12:19 PM new
The problem with that ahc3, is there are different rates from different states. If someone states an item will cost $6.00 to ship to Canada, I have no way of knowing that it doesn't cost that much until it arrives. Should I ask sellers how much is actual shipping and how much is 'extra' in advance?
Yes, while I'm agreeing to the seller's terms of $6.00 postage, I disagree with being overcharged $5.00, when a seller makes no reference to any handling or added fee charges anywhere in the auction or emails. If they stated they charge a $xx.00 added amount for handling, or for shipping to Canada, or just because, that's different, but not many sellers are upfront about all their fees in advance.
posted on June 8, 2003 02:18:30 PM new
Never mind Just read your new post Kraft and it sounds like your seller said you were just being charged "shipping" - then I think you have a valid beef! It's not honest to toss a "handling" charge in an auction after it closes!!
[ edited by neglus on Jun 8, 2003 02:20 PM ]
posted on June 8, 2003 02:22:33 PM new
Shipping to Canada actually does not vary from state to state, you can send a package from Miami to Vancouver (well over 3000 miles) or send a package from Detroit to Windsor (1 mile) and the cost is the same.
You are also incorrect because you should know that it does not cost $6 to send a 3 ounce or less package. It could I suppose if they do special handling, and that might be appropriate for higher priced items that need to be tracked. You never mentioned how much the item cost that you purchased. What was the shipping for US addresses in this auction?
You certainly can ask, who knows, maybe the seller will negotiate a different rate (especially if they really don't know how much it costs to send to Canada)
A seller is not obligated to break down the shipping and handling costs for you in the auction. The fact that they list the entire fee is enough. From there, it is up to you to bid, not bid, or ask.
posted on June 8, 2003 02:37:58 PM new
Since 9-11 my local post office requires a customs slip on everything except a regular letter. No exceptions.
If a seller sells only music CDs or something with a known weight it wouldn't be so bad to ship international. But if a sellers sells items that very in weight then you get a ton of questions about how much s/h to here and most of them never bid anyway. It takes a lot of time to weigh the item with packaging and look up the rates on the USPS website. Then most of them do not bid anyway. Many are merely curious or what to see if another dealer is gouging them.
posted on June 8, 2003 02:57:47 PM new
kraftdinner
I've sold several things to Canada and have never had a problem with a Canadian sale. In fact, some have been my best customers. Feel free to bid on my stuff without being ripped off on shipping charges.
Cheryl
My religion is simple, my religion is kindness.
--Dalai Llama
posted on June 8, 2003 03:20:52 PM newWhy don't we just make Canada the 51st state of the USA and then we won't have to worry about those annoying customs tags.
Sounds reasonable, ebayauctionguy, but please consider:
With Canada we get....French-Canadians.
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posted on June 8, 2003 03:23:35 PM new
The funny thing about all those failed referendums in Quebec is that if they were held outside of Quebec, there is no doubt that the vote would be to just let them go!
Canada is too socialist for my taste, we don't need another 30 million wanting bigger government.
posted on June 8, 2003 03:24:23 PM new
I thought it might be helpful to post the USPS service page relevant to Canada, for those who are curious. I'll bet maybe 1 in 10000 eBay sellers who ship to Canada have actually ever read it, so you can be among the elite few.
(And no, I don't use tinyurl because I want to know where a link will take me.)
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posted on June 8, 2003 03:58:34 PM new
Sorry ahc3 but you're not correct. I've had postcards sent in a bubble envelope that cost $3.45, whereas I've also bought a cigarette case from California and it was $1.10. I swear it varies from day to day!
Don't forget fluffy, you already have your French-Canadians in New Orleans.
posted on June 8, 2003 04:09:53 PM new
I've seen people use easter seals to mail letters, but that does not mean it is free to send a letter! The international rate of the US Postal Service does not vary day to day. It does not matter what is sent, it matters how much it weighs, and how large the package is (to determine letter post or parcel post) Here is the link to mail from anywhere in the US to anywhere in Canada:
posted on June 8, 2003 04:16:20 PM new
"Don't forget fluffy, you already have your French-Canadians in New Orleans."
A wonderful place to visit and I'll never go back.
Our hotel room was robbed the first time, we were the targets of an attempted broad-daylight mugging in Jackson Square the second time, and the third time I was rudely ejected from Preservation Hall for no reason that I can comprehend to this day. Geez, it's not like I asked them to play "When the Saints Come Marching In" or anything.
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posted on June 8, 2003 05:53:09 PM new
"Being fair with shipping rates is all us buyers ask for"
The first thing that popped into my mind when I saw this was "Paying a fair price for an item is all we sellers ask for".
This particular subject has come up time and again. If the shipping is stated in the auction and you bid - don't complain about it later. If the shipping is *not* stated - and you don't ask before bidding - then don't complain about it later. Very simple.
posted on June 8, 2003 06:18:31 PM new
I agree with Barbarake!
If you thought it was a fair price until you saw what it really cost then why complain? You would rather the post office make $5.00 than an Ebay seller. I just don't understand some people!
Either way, you would pay $6.00. Why worry about it? You should have asked and if you did and didn't like the answer then shop elsewhere!
posted on June 8, 2003 06:29:49 PM new
From what I can gather with this post. There are French in Canada and New Orleans,
but if the TOS said shipping $2.00 with no mention of it being higher if shipped outside the good old USA then why should they be charged that outrageous charge. I think kraftdinner has a right to be upset, and a right to back out of the auction. I guess it all depends on how much you want that item. I will make a bet, well not really, that your seller will change her TOS.
posted on June 8, 2003 06:30:40 PM new
KD,I understand your frustration with paying $6 for something someone here could of had shipped to them for $2 but you didn't ask and personally I wouldn't refund a dime, I look at it as "beer" money.
All of my International winners have bought me a six pack of my favorite brew whether they knew it or not....
posted on June 8, 2003 08:57:11 PM new
You can bid on my auctions too, as I charge 25 cents to 50 cents more then the stated shipping charge in the auction.
Most all {99.9%} of my auctions have a stated S/H charge for USA bidders. I also ask that international bidders to email me for shipping quote.
For the ones that do not,,,They pay 25 cents to 50 cents more.
Not to get off topic, but it is funny how sellers complain when buyers do not read the listing ad, yet some of you here have not read what has been posted,{ by Kraft and each and every post on this topic} and repeat what has been said, ask questions when the answer was already posted??
I have noticed it in several other threads.Now if you want to jump on me for my spelling....Go ahead... I admit, I'm a bad one. I know it tho.
Lets see, we were talking about high priced shipping and handling.weren't we.
posted on June 8, 2003 10:38:15 PM new
Why is it only the Canadians that think they should get a free ride. My time is worth something as well. You must go to the PO to ship any international package. For all US shipped packages, I can get the postage ready and bring it to my local drug store which is a substation of the post office. Only problem is they are not cleared to do anything but basic shipping. Anything above that you must go to the PO. If I send a package to any other country besides Canada, the people there understand this. Only in Canada do the people think we work for free. I bet you ask for all of your packages be sent as gifts as well. Again, only a Canadian problem.
[ edited by stonecold613 on Jun 8, 2003 10:40 PM ]
posted on June 8, 2003 10:48:52 PM new
Canada and South Korea are the only countries that I ever got complaints about shipping from.
Shipping in NOT cheaper to Canada.
Comparing Priority mail to airmail letter post is not fair. (EMS is closer) Priority mail is a far superior service to airmail. Global priority is $4 for the small envelope and $7 for the big envelope. Normal priority mail envelope is $3.85 and had DELIVERY CONFIRMATION.
THe original complaint is because they charged $5 more than it cost. Do you think there would have been an email to the seller offereing to pay more if it said $12 on it? I don't think so.
So if the seller guesses high, they are expected to give back the difference but if they were to guess low it is just too bad?
posted on June 8, 2003 11:03:31 PM new
I don't think she is asking for a free ride, and for the record, I agree that charging $6 for an item that cost about $1 to ship seems like a lot. If I were the bidder, and I knew the seller was charging $6 for an item 3 ounces or less, I would have clicked on the back button and not bid. Since the buyer thinks there are different rates depending on the day or the state, my suggestion to avoid this in the future is to familiarize yourself with actual shipping costs of the US Postal Service. I've shipped probably about 500 packages to Canada over the years, and have had "issues" with only a couple. I personally have not found Canadians and better or worse to deal with that Americans.
posted on June 9, 2003 10:26:18 AM new
That Canada page is interesting reading.
You can, for example, send bees to Canada. (Observation #3) But don't expect to be able to insure them. That's smart - I suspect our bees would freeze. There's not much of a market for freeze-dried bees' knees. And you're forbidden to send "used or secondhand hives" at all. So basically, American postal policy is turning Canada into a giant shelter for homeless, frostbitten, highly allergenic stinging insects that lack insurance. No wonder you're a bit testy lately.
Fluffy is right about the jewelry ... which I didn't realize.
On the original question ... kraftdinner Did your seller actually send you the item yet? It may be that s/he didn't realize what the cheapest shipping method actually was. Sellers who never go to the post office tend to overestimate to avoid getting burned.
I also found that when I was first doing everything "the slow way" I didn't mind as much when I had to give a package special handling. The more of a routine I developed, the more resentful I got of breaks in the routine. I also found that if I had a little lead time (either being asked during the auction or from a bidder who let me know they would be patient) I tended to look around for the best shipping deal. If I got the feeling a bidder was impatient, I'd just go with Global Priority or something like that because it was the quickest, surest way to give a known cost.
[ edited by msincognito on Jun 9, 2003 10:29 AM ]
posted on June 9, 2003 11:11:21 AM new
"Hidden markup"? What happened to free enterprise? If the s/h is clearly stated, and the bidder bids, ya can't really whine about it after the fact. I can't tell you how many emails we get from people whining about s/h when it's clearly stated in the ad description (and why we charge what we charge). And, honestly, there's no law that requires you to indicate "why you charge what you charge"...is there? If a merchant wants to add a 40% markup...(have you bought gas lately? Now...who's the "thief?"...in America...there's no law that says they can't do it...if you don't like it..don't shop there....
BTW-what about the price of airline tickets? You don't think there's gouging going there?
Don't forget that the price of freedom (in America)begins and ends with your right (and others) to make a living how you see fit in a legal professional manner. Just because you don't agree with a seller's prices, doesn't give anyone the right to call them a "thief". Welcome to the USA....
posted on June 9, 2003 11:34:17 AM new
::BTW-what about the price of airline tickets? You don't think there's gouging going there? ::
Cnsidering that most airlines are lossing millions right now... no, not really.
And BTW - when someone charges me $40 to ship an item that requires less than $10 in shipping is packed in a box that costs less than $1 and contains 2 handfulls of peanuts, I'm going to call them a theif. Then I'm going to leave and find a more reasonable competitor... oh wait... I arleady did that.
What irritates me beyond measure is when someone tries to rationalize why their handling charge is 5 or 10 dollars above shipping. I formerly ran a mail order company that utilized a large and well known order fulfillment company (one used by Columbia Pictures and Disney among others). I know exactly what the costs are. I know initial pick prices plus additional pieces, material costs, order entry, etc. It would take an order of NINE items to generate a fullfilment charge of $5.
I offered to put the seller mentioned above in touch with this company if their costs were indeed $30 to process a single item order so as to save them money.... Shockingly they had no interest.
Hmmmmm.... Maybe they were fibbing when they said that their handling charges were representative of their costs.
posted on June 9, 2003 11:52:42 AM new
Obviously you don't buy much from "real" companies. Everyone except office supply stores charge double or triple the actual shipping.
And, they base it on price. If I buy a $100 watch it will cost $9.95 to ship while a $10 watch will cost $5.95 to ship. Actual shipping is less than $4.00. I buy craft magazines from Annie's Attic. One item, 4 page leaflet, $4.95 shipping. Cost to ship...under $1.00.
But, I want the leaflet, I pay the price!
I still stick to my same position. Nothing will change this. Why a thief? You thought $6 was fine until you saw it only cost $1. It was OK for the PO to make $5 but not the Ebay seller? Strange rational.
I don't overcharge on shipping, but when I agree to pay xx dollars shipping I don't really care who makes the money...I have spent it and where it goes is irrelevant so I will defend these sellers every time!
posted on June 9, 2003 12:09:49 PM new
you cannot compare individual ebay sellers to some fullfillment company,many work from home,some are disabled,some live in rural area and ship once a week.some hire kids to pack and ship.
some pay for nice new packing supply and boxes,some use usps priority boxes,some go to dumpters looking for shipping supply.
something which may look simple and easy to you may not be so to others.i used to walk to post office now the closest one is 15 miles away.
best is to ask first before you bid,if you dont like the shipping fee,dont bid.
most sellers do not want to be lectured on how to ship and how much to charge.
posted on June 9, 2003 12:20:01 PM new
Stop - I used the fulfillment company as an example. They have built the coverring of wherehousing costs, manual labor, employment taxes and many more things into their pricing structure and still they are less than a number of the work from home ebays these days. That was what I was pointing out... the ridiculous nature of some of the handling charges.
But lets be real. These are not handling charges... most of the time these are profit guarantees. The person that adds a $30 handling charge to a $10 in actual shipping is not coveraging fulfillment charges... he's covering his ass in case of a low final selling price as are a vast majority of those with outrageous shipping charges.
posted on June 9, 2003 12:35:39 PM new
neonmania: You're not just comparing apples to oranges when you contrast eBay seller handling fees to those of fulfillment organizations, shoot, you're pitting kumquats against pineapples.
There's nothing remotely similar about the two situations except that some item ends up being conveyed from point A to point B.
Cataloguers (and you have to know this) have a huge markup on their products out of the gate. They have to. Their costs are staggering. Just the postage costs of mailing their book a couple times a year would cause most Vendio posters to drop their Cheerios in disbelief.
eBay sellers do not have that luxury. Once committed to selling, we have to -- let me repeat that, HAVE TO -- sell at whatever price the market sets and indeed, demands. That's why it's called an auction.
Oh, veteran mail order customers are hep to eBay, all right, and they want to squeeze every drop of value out of us sellers that they possibly can in retaliation for decades of overpriced crap purveyed by cataloguers.
So I'm all FOR those "profit guarantees". There's absolutely no reason why any eBay seller should go broke so that Aunt Susie can buy her friggin' Coldwater Creek duds at 10% of catalogue.
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Just read your new post Kraft and it sounds like your seller said you were just being charged "shipping" - then I think you have a valid beef! It's not honest to toss a "handling" charge in an auction after it closes!!
...in America...there's no law that says they can't do it...if you don't like it..don't shop there....