posted on April 12, 2002 06:48:24 PM new
I need your advice!
In my ebay auctions I specify that the winning bidders must contact me for payment and shipping charges.
The winning bidder sees 0 UPS charge in Ebay.
When they checkout via auction watch they also see 0.00 shipping.
How can I refine my procedures so that the user understands that I have to calculate shipping and handling before they submit payment?
posted on April 12, 2002 06:50:02 PM new
Don't allow Auction Watch to automatically send a WBN. Uncheck that box. Then make your own initial email asking for their information so you can calculate. Once it is calculated, then send the Auction Watch WBN manually.
posted on April 12, 2002 09:44:15 PM new
Never ever use any automated WBN. Always send a personal e-mail at the end of the auction. Automated WBN, and it doesn't matter from which company, only confuses most buyers into making mistakes or scares them off. I have a personal e-mail saved as a word pad file and all I do is open it, copy and paste it into my e-mail, then fill in the auction information and any info that would be exclusive to that item. The automated WBNs cannot do that for you. It may be a little more work on your front end, but it will save you much more time on the back end and you will have many more satisfied customers.
bp
posted on April 12, 2002 10:31:05 PM new
barparts,
Is this your personal opinion when you state that automated WBN's scare and turn-off customers? Your copy and paste method is nothing more than a canned response, isn't it?
posted on April 12, 2002 11:04:34 PM new
Both points are valid . But I will definitely turn off automated. Then I can modiy the response to whatever i want inckluiding shipping charge. What does amaze me, is many people think that shipping should be free.
http://www.willselldealoftheday.com
posted on April 13, 2002 04:58:44 AM new
I used PayPal's WBN until buyers complained so I went back to my personal one, which is much better. I also state in the box provided by AW, that appears at the end of the auction in the check out box, "If you wish to pay instantly with PayPal click the logo at the end of the auction description. Remember to add the postage to it. Thanks"
I have had no problems.
posted on April 13, 2002 07:32:47 AM new
I use Channel Advisor's automatic WBN and out 6 months using it for approx 2500 auctions, I can count only 2 people who said they didn't like it and have had several people who said it was super easy! So I absolutely don't agree with barparts opinion. The way they are doing it is a nightmare if you run more than 50 auctions or so a week. I want to take that extra time I save to put on more auctions. I still answer questions / general emails from my customers. When they email me to say they received the item and are pleased, I reply with a nice pleasant response so they still get that one on one touch but no way would I ever go back to doing it manually... I have much better things to do with my time.
As far as calculating shipping. Why can't you calculate it before you list your auctions?? Is it heavy furniture, machines, etc? I personally won't even bid if the seller doesn't state shipping up front.
posted on April 13, 2002 10:59:56 AM new
I agree with sweetboo on the not bidding if there is no price for shipping. Except 1 case, IF I want it enough, I will email the seller with my zip code, city and state and ask how much to send.
I have heard too many people getting charged the difference between what the item was expected to sell for and what you got it for added to the shipping, so I am very cautious there. After all, my bid is my contract...
posted on April 15, 2002 11:06:55 AM new
I have never had a problem in using WBN. I sell mostly small items & can calculate the shipping charge by weighing the item & a box together. If it is something that weighs over 5 pounds then I don't use WBN & get the address & Zip Code from the buyer. In this case I always put in an explanation so bidders will understand why I don't list a shipping charge. I try not to overcharge on shipping. I would rather lose a dime than have a customer PO'd at me. I really get ticked when I am charged $10.00 shipping when it only cost $5.00 actual. This just happened to me this past week.
[ edited by sanmar on Apr 15, 2002 11:08 AM ]
posted on April 15, 2002 11:58:29 AM new
Checkout will be obsolete on July 1, when it becomes almost impossible to have standardized shipping costs over 16 ounces...
