libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 07:25:01 AM new
I had an auction end, sent EOA and the party responded wanting to know my method of shipping. I told them it was 1st Class and they balked and demanded Priority Mail. It is in my TOS regarding shipping. He accused me of being a thief and just sent me an email quoting "I am not willing to pay. You see I
though you will shipped it prority. I will not pay under these obligation."
What do I do? Neg him and wait for him to retaliate? I'm not shipping Priority Mail. It was not in my TOS that I ship Priority, I ship everything 1st class, packaged well and I dont profit off of shipping.
Advice? Please? Quick?
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jayadiaz
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posted on February 28, 2001 07:28:52 AM new
I think I'd like a few more details; wt of the item, what the shipping charge is for first class, and was the first class stated in your TOS next to the shipping charge.
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libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 07:31:28 AM new
It's a video tape, it will cost $2.50 to ship it at the post office 1st class in a mailer (in which I have to buy after the $2.50) secured in bubble wrap (in which I ALSO have to buy on top of the $2.50 AND the mailer). Costs of mailer and bubble wrap added in I make nothing. I do not state First Class OR Priority in my ads (well I do now, I went to my preferences and changed it) but shouldn't he have emailed me first with questions?
[ edited by libbyparsons on Feb 28, 2001 08:06 AM ]
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tomwiii
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posted on February 28, 2001 07:34:37 AM new
GOOD REASON for stating METHOD of SHIPPING in the AUCTION AD! But then, I'm a whiney troll 
[ edited by tomwiii on Feb 28, 2001 07:35 AM ]
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libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 07:35:57 AM new
Well it will be in there in the future as I just added it but should he have NOT emailed me instead of just assuming?
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jadejim
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posted on February 28, 2001 07:36:50 AM new
That kind of flake is exactly why I do fixed rate shipping and state postal class in every ad. I have had one of these psycho bidders and I never want another one. I suspect that these are the folks who would complain if they were hung with a new rope.
For now, the best you can do is refer him to your ad and then offer to upgrade to priority for an additional x amount. Save all emails because you will probably need them if he gets abusive--and he probably will. Contact SafeHarbor if he threatens you in any way or interferes with your auctions.
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libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 07:38:52 AM new
How can I "upgrade" to Priority Mail? Then I'm giving him what he wants and after he's acted like this I dont want to do that (I know that sounds horrible).
I'm having one of those "Why do I do eBay" days. 
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jayadiaz
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posted on February 28, 2001 07:42:17 AM new
If the shipping quote was 2.50 which sounds reasonable to me anyway. Maybe offer to do priority for 4.00 or whatever it comes out to be, he cannot assume 2.50 is priority as there is no such priority rate. I'd say give him some choices according to your cost for that padded envelope and give him a media mail, first class, and priority rate and let him choose. I wouldn't go through all this if I had to go all over town hunting for the right size box, but since your packaging will work for them all, maybe it'll keep the peace, then again maybe not.
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libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 07:44:56 AM new
My shipping quote in my auctions is $4.00 Shipping/Handling. By the time I pay the post office and pay for materials to package and ship safely there is no money left. There are times when I end up eating costs of shipping because I didn't charge enough. If I were going to ship Priority Mail I would say $4.00 Priority Mail but I do not. My ad's will now say $4.00 S/H. I do NOT shipping Priority Mail unless otherwise specified.
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justbijou
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posted on February 28, 2001 07:52:34 AM new
Sounds like you are making $1.50 "handling" off each video tape. You get $4.00, your cost to ship is $2.50 and you have $1.50 left over. Your comment of "It's a video tape, it will cost $2.50 to ship it in a mailer secured in bubble wrap. Costs of mailer and bubble wrap added in I make nothing." led me to believe that you don't charge for the packaging so what is the additional $1.50 for? Slap a priority sticker on the package and learn from this. It will cost $3.50 to send a video priority and you will still make a 50 cent handling fee, keep the customer happy and change the wording in your TOS.
There are numerous other threads/replies on the fact that sellers charge $4.00 to make it look like the item is going priority since it is so close in price but then they actually send the item first class or media at a much less shipping charge.
[ edited by justbijou on Feb 28, 2001 07:53 AM ]
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pcalton
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posted on February 28, 2001 07:57:52 AM new
I might email back saying something like...
Hello,
Sorry this transaction is not working out well and that you feel upset with me. I would like to work things out so you will not give me negative feedback.
I work very hard to keep my customers satisfied and do what I can within reason to keep my excellent feedback. I would be happy to upgrade the shipping to priority mail for an additional $1.50. That way you can get your package delivered by priority and I do not take a loss on shipping. Let me know if this plan is ok for you. Have a nice day. Thanks
(of course, this is what I would say if I was in a calm state of mind and not what I would really like to tell the jerk)
pcalton
Perry Calton
[email protected]
http://www.pcalton.com
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HJW
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:00:25 AM new
I believe that you should make an exception
occasionally. Generally, you won't have
customers who will quibble over your shipping
policy.
When they do, it's easier just to send it
their way and forget it.
If I see a threatening TOS, I don't bid. For
example, the "NOT" in your ad would indicate
to me, that you are a difficult seller to deal with and I would not bid.
Helen
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libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:02:19 AM new
I DONT make money off of "handling"
IT's $2.50 at the post office. Envelopes are almost .90 cents AND add in the cost of bubblewrap on top of that, in which I wrap EVERYTHING in. Comes out to almost $4.00 to me. Is your addition off?
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RB
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:07:49 AM new
Hi libbyparsons ... if you are charging $2.50 to mail a video tape (priority or otherwise), you are one of the "good guys" 
It's honest video tape sellers like you that make me wish I could still buy video tapes from eBay. I would be delighted to have to pay the 'real' costs only to have a tape mailed to me.
Keep it up
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borgt
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:10:35 AM new
I DONT make money off of "handling"
IT's $2.50 at the post office. Envelopes are almost .90 cents AND add in the cost of bubblewrap on top of that, in which I wrap EVERYTHING in. Comes out to almost $4.00 to me. Is your addition off?
My suggestion is to find a better source for supplies. 90 cents for an envelope is ridiculous, and bubble-wrap is cheap. I hope you aren't buying your supplies at the post office.
Or... why not use the free Priority supplies? Then you can charge $3.50 or $4.00 and the customer will feel they are getting what they paid for.
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libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:11:44 AM new
Agh I dont know if I am making myself clear.
My TOS states $4.00 S/H
It usually costs $2.50 at the post office. That is what the PO CHARGES. That is the Shipping. The Handling is MY fee's. Envelopes and Bubblewrap and maybe a nickel or dime for my time. It comes out to pretty dang close $4.00.
I've changed my TOS to $4.00 S/H securely packaged 1st class mail.
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ibuypaper
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:13:08 AM new
Order some FREE Priority Mail VIDEO mailers and use those for Priority shipping.
That saves you 90 cents (which his terribly expensive for a bubble mailer). Then, you can charge $4.00 for Pri mail and not loose money.
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libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:14:21 AM new
Because the priority supplies are shoddy, particularly for what I sell. I also don't like that you mail something Priority and 3 weeks later the item still has not arrived. I shipped ONLY Priority Mail until the rates went up. For the type of service that is given through Priority vs First Class I'd rather stick with First Class, package my own items securely and know I've taken the care of doing so.
I dont have anywhere in my area to buy bulk items of envelopes, wrap, etc. I have to buy them at the local business supply store.
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marlenedz
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:15:50 AM new
I find $4 s/h misleading as well. To make it clearer simply say $4 s/h for first class so that the customer knows what he is getting and it eliminates problems.
I sell alot of videos and I simply state $4 for priority, $3 for first class or $2 for media mail.
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libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:17:39 AM new
So if I charge someone $2.00 for Media Mail I'm to just eat the costs of the packaging? I cannot afford to do that.
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jayadiaz
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:18:15 AM new
Libby, I understand what you're saying quite clearly. I do understand that you're not making any money on the handling.
Now, (although it's now of my business)what I don't understand is why not do it with priority charge the same shipping and make a quarter. You wouldn't have to buy the envelopes, the boxes get delivered to your door and you'll actually get to keep a little bit for your time. Most importantly, it would take away the perception that you're making money on the handling. The PERCEPTION is the key, if they believe you are in their mind no amount of justifying (which you shouldn't have to do) will change their mind.
It just seems your working too hard for your 10 cents.
Jay
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RB
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:18:53 AM new
I received 4 tapes in yesterday's mail, all individuals from 4 different States. These were not from an auction but from my trader friends. Each one was packed in a padded mailer, air mailed to me in Canada, and EACH ONE COST EXACTLY $2.35 US in postage.
I air mailed a single tape to France last night in a padded envelope - cost me $5.20 Canadian (around $3.40 US), and 2 in a cardboard mailer to Germany the day before for $8.50 Canadian (around $5.60 US).
What I am trying to say folks, if anyone wants $4.00 US to mail a single tape from the USA to Canada, they are ... (wait, I can't say crooks) ... asking for too much
PS - jayadiaz ... please explain why anyone should "make any money on the handling"??? This is EXACTLY the kind of attitude that pisses off buyers and leads to very long threads at AW
[ edited by RB on Feb 28, 2001 08:22 AM ]
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marlenedz
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:22:44 AM new
libbyparsons
It costs 1.30 postage and .30 for the bubble mailer plus less than .03 for labels.
How are you buying your supplies? I don't eat anything in postage.
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pcalton
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:24:23 AM new
IMHO, charge what works for you but let the buyer know how and when you ship.
$4 for 1st class or media is a little higher than what I would charge but what you charge is your business. I think the buyer should know up front how you are shipping at what price.
Perhaps you could spend some time behind some department stores looking in dumpsters for free boxes and packing materials. I have it has paid off well.
pcalton
Perry Calton
[email protected]
http://www.pcalton.com
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libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:27:38 AM new
I just mailed 14 video's yesterday and they all cost me between $2.20 and $2.50 to mail first class!!!
Perhaps I'll just shoot myself in the foot and just send everyone's items for free and NO ONE will complain!
I buy my supplies at a business supply store. There are no "bulk" stores in my area "Sam's", etc. Nothing.
I give up.
Maybe I could start harassing sellers about shipping. Damn those sellers for charging $5.00 S/H and mailing the item Media Mail. What is wrong with me for not complaining!
Grrr.
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:27:55 AM new
What I am trying to say folks, if anyone bids on an auction with a clearly stated shipping charge of $4.00 and refuses to pay, they are ... (wait, I can't say crooks) ... asking for too much.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander, I say.
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libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:28:37 AM new
Moderator you can lock this thread now
I've had my share of haggling for the day.
Now I get to go deal with an unruly and sick 6 year old.
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RB
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:31:28 AM new
Just before it gets locked, libby .. why not charge what it actually costs you? It would make your life a lot easier and result in happier customers. If you are making your profit on the tape (which is the general idea here), then why worry about trying to make a profit on your shipping and graft (oops, I mean, handling)
potatoguy ... RFO
[ edited by RB on Feb 28, 2001 08:32 AM ]
[ edited by RB on Feb 28, 2001 08:33 AM ]
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jayadiaz
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:35:00 AM new
Ok, let's try a more constructive vein here. I too live in a small town sort of rural and very expensive. I buy all my supplies online, tissue paper, bubblewrap, mailers etc. Most of it right on e-bay from other sellers. And for a fraction of the price locally and I mean like 25% of what I would have to pay at an office supply store. I don't think I can list the userid's here buy if you e-mail me I'll try to dig them up. Or you can search on ebay. Look around even within the sellers listings some shipping is better than others I bought something like 300 feet of bubblewrap for my mom who's moving for 20.00. At the office supply here they wanted 19.99 for one because it came with a dispenser box?
Jay
[email protected]
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libbyparsons
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posted on February 28, 2001 08:37:08 AM new
Thanks jayadiaz I will look into that.
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