sshayler
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posted on April 20, 2001 01:55:45 PM new
Hi:
I'm very clear in my TOS that says I only use Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation. Today I recieved an email from a potential buyer that wanted to know if I would ship first class for a small item. I was at work when she wrote the email and replied to her when I got home. Told her that I only shipped with priority and that I was sorry I could not accomodate her request.
Now, this is my choice to use priority and its strictly for my convenience and the fact that I don't have to buy the shipping supplies.
In the meantime the buyer snipes the auction and wins it at the last minute (for less than $3).
Now, I just got this back from her:
"Hello. I sent you a previous Email asking about this shipping cost. Since we are both within the same State, could you please just send this one item in an envelope for the first class or standard shipping rate? I cannot see for the life of me paying priority rates to ship an item from XXXX, Florida to the XXXX Area. It is just too much!! Please let us know your name and address for your payment. XXXXX, (my grand daughter) thanks you kindly in advance."
Now, should I feel intimidated into shipping this first class? I have no shipping supplies other than my priority supplies. I guess I could go out and buy the envelope and then charge her handling 
S
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dubyasdaman
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posted on April 20, 2001 02:02:38 PM new
You have every right to refuse her request. After all, she bid on your auction knowing in advance what your TOS says.
Having said that, if I were in your shoes, I would just send the darn thing first class and be done with it. IMO it isn't worth my time and energy sparring back and forth over a $3 item. I'm sure your time can be used more effectively working towards making the next sale.
A seller has the right to make the TOS of his/her choice. A seller also has the right to make exceptions in order to "move on" with as little hassle as possible.
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coonr
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posted on April 20, 2001 02:03:50 PM new
Tell the buyer, you will be happy to send it first class as soon as they send you a box and packing materiel.
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gjsi
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posted on April 20, 2001 02:25:46 PM new
Tell the buyer that to ship first class there will be a handling charge. Add the handling charge to the first class amount so that it comes out the same amount as you regular shipping cost
Greg
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figmente
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posted on April 20, 2001 02:31:57 PM new
You have the right to conduct your business as you see fit, but I would tend to agree with your bidder that insisting on priority with DC is ridiculous for an inexpensive item which would fit in an envelope.
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tonimar1
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posted on April 20, 2001 02:49:28 PM new
If I had a buyer that insisted on first class I would accommodate them. But in your case if you don't have an envelope tell her you will purchase one and she will have to pay for it, Plus whatever the first class cost is.
I would do this just to get it over with and go on making money, this transaction is not worth the amount of time you are putting into it.
She should have contacted you before she bid to check and see if first class would be all right, but since she didn't, try and keep the piece.
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danilynn71
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posted on April 20, 2001 02:51:22 PM new
I would simply explain to the buyer that I always ship with Priority Mail because Priority Shipping materials are free. I would tell them that I would be happy to accomodate their request. However, I will have to charge them an additional fee of $whatever to cover my additional costs. I don't think I'd call it a handling fee though. That just sounds petty while asking them to pay the added shipping costs seems more reasonable.
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tomyou
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posted on April 20, 2001 02:53:13 PM new
Simply tell her to include a self addressed stamped envelope of the correct size and you'll ship it. You do have the right not to but seems you are creating a $1000 headache over a $3.00 item.
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jwoodcrafts
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posted on April 20, 2001 02:54:47 PM new
I believe that, from the way I read this, the seller "did" tell the buyer that she only shipped Priority and the buyer bid anyway and now wants to change the TOS.
http://www.geocities.com/sandcastless/crafts.html
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anthro1966
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posted on April 20, 2001 03:02:01 PM new
You have my every sympathy as the same thing recently happened to me. I sell antique maps: I charge $4.25 s/h ($3.50 priority + .75 for tube to protect the map. Same is stated in my auction description.
Bidder wins auction and then emails with request for first class. I email back that I only ship priority (mainly convenience - at work or commuting from 7 am to 8 pm). I don't hear back for 2 weeks so I email him. He still wants first class. I quote him first class price (a whopping .30c cheaper). Never heard from him again. And this from a bidder with over 240 feedback (all positive). Go figure. All this for a 101 year old map that he won for $4.25. What a pain.
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katzname
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posted on April 20, 2001 03:11:51 PM new
I had requests like this all the time.......and for the longest time I stuck to my guns.......then the postage rates went up ~ so I decided I would offer first class shipping for a "flat rate" of $2.50 on items under 12 oz and put in my TOS that I would do that at the buyers request. I went out the first of the year and bought 3 big boxes of envelopes ~ I have not shipped 10 items that way in the 4 months I have offered it.
I like the suggestion of them sending you the self-addressed stamped envelope......let her do the leg work!
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Microbes
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posted on April 20, 2001 05:44:43 PM new
This is why I don't sell ANYTHING for less than $9.99. What ever litle tiny profit you might have had on a $3.00 sale is kaput because this buyer has wasted more of your time than that.
On Easy - Breazy light wieght stuff, I charge a flat rate, and don't even mention how I will ship (unless I plan to use media mail, or bound printed material).
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tomwiii
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posted on April 20, 2001 06:00:12 PM new
This is why I have been offering TWO shipping options (P-mail & m-mail) for the past 8 mos!
I has reduced my P&M factor by 100%!
The rules I try to follow are:
1) KISS...&
2) Try to treat my buyers as me!
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sshayler
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posted on April 20, 2001 07:21:45 PM new
Thanks for all the support. I'll probably break down and send the damn thing first class but it just frosts my butt that she's making me change MY TOS when its stated very clearly what my shipping is.
Its not worth getting upset over a $3 item, but you can be darn sure I'm gonna charge her for the padded envelope.
Sue
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breinhold
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posted on April 20, 2001 07:34:31 PM new
what ever you do dont get into an email marathon. keep it firm and clear. a person like this can make your blood pressure go up for days. stick to your terms that the bidder read and understood. its a contract. this isnt a flea market. i have been through this and it is offensive to be pushed around when you know your right and are not doing anything wrong. (offering first class w/ shipping and handling in the future will make life easier) but for now your terms are fair and stated clearly. stand firm. good luck!!
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capotasto
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posted on April 20, 2001 08:07:04 PM new
Microbes -- I like your attitude. My limit is about $5 or $6 -- anything less I won't sell. Plus media of $2 min or priority of $3.50 min.
Vinnie
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granee
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posted on April 21, 2001 12:46:50 AM new
If the woman is in the SAME STATE you are, then you have to charge her SALES TAX on the purchase to turn in to your state comptroller's office.
If you send it first class in an envelope rather than boxed, be sure you make it clear to her that, without her paying for insurance, you aren't responsible for loss or damage that occurs in shipping.
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sshayler
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posted on April 21, 2001 06:42:30 AM new
Ok...here's what I sent the buyer:
I will go ahead and ship to you first class, however I will have to charge you an additional $2.00 for the envelope, since I have to go out and buy a package of them. Since first class does not use delivery confirmation, insurance will be up to you. I'm not responsible for mail once the post office has their hands on it.
In the future it might be a good idea to look at a person's terms of sales/service before bidding on an auction. I use priority mail for the simple fact that they provide the mailing materials and also my customers seem to like the fact that they get their packages in 2-3 days. That way I don't have to go out and buy supplies and pass the costs on to my customers.
Don't forget since you are in Florida also, you will have to send me 6% sales tax too.
Totals will be as follows for First Class mail:
Postage: 1.00
Supplies: 2.00
Item total: 2.93
6% Fla Sales tax: .17
GRAND TOTAL $6.10
If you decide you want to go with Priority mail instead:
Postage $3.90 (includes Delivery confirmation)
Item total 2.93
6% FL Sales tax : .17
GRAND TOTAL :$7.00
Please reply and let me know how you will be paying. Paypal is preferred.
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kerryann
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posted on April 21, 2001 09:56:10 AM new
The bidder was wrong for not asking before they bid and you were very nice to offer to accomodate their request.
However, if you never mentioned sales tax in your initial e-mail quoting Priority rate, that coupled with the line about having purchase a "package" of envelopes (they sell them loose, don't they?), don't be surprised if the buyer thinks you are being vindictive and leaves you a neg.
Again, they were wrong, but the tone of your e-mail (however justified) might ruffle them.
Not Kerryann on eBay
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brighid868
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posted on April 21, 2001 10:13:35 AM new
the buyer SHOULD have asked before bidding but your most recently posted email was rude too. I'd leave you a negative. 2.00 for a padded envelope? And suddenly I'm paying sales tax when you didn't mention it before? Why are you being so snotty? Better you should just flat out refuse than do it like a martyr.
Why don't you just INVEST in a 10 dollar package of the padded envelopes and this way you won't have to send every small item priority mail. Or I guess that's just too accomodating for your buyers?
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sshayler
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posted on April 21, 2001 11:26:38 AM new
Well, basically I was trying to get across the point that I did not want to do the first class route. Now some of you may think thats snotty and rude, but hey..thats the way I do it. I only do priority, if you don't care for it, then you are welcome to pass my auction by. I've never had trouble with this before, so it doesn't seem be a problem for 99% of my customers.
As far as the sales tax, my WBN notice does cover this, but she didn't give me a chance to get that out to her first before she wrote me the letter about first class, so I wanted to cover it in my reply.
At any rate, she's decided to go the priority route. She's paid me and her package is already in the mail.
'nuff said.
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misscandle
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posted on April 21, 2001 11:59:04 AM new
Actually, the buyer DID e-mail prior to bidding and was told that the Seller only ships via Priority Mail. The buyer chose to bid anyway. Then, the buyer tried to argue against Priority Mail after winning the auction.
I don't think the Seller deserves a neg for being firm about her TOS. The buyer had been warned. MHO.
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