Thanks for the idea of getting the bidder's contact info for the city & state. I get the zip code from Zip Search on USPS.com and send "you owe this amount" e-mail to bidders.
Not being able to put a fixed shipping amount has done just what you said - put a big slow down in getting paid. I'm sitting, waiting and waiting for bidders to send their address.
Then I used your idea and all of a sudden they sent payment. Why wouldn't they send me their zip code? It would only take a second. I even have a zip code calculator on my ads. I got 2 e-mails that said "just tell me my total". Well.....I would if you would PLEASE send me your zip.
It takes extra time to pull the contact info and look up their zip, but at least I can push things along a little more.
Thanks for the tip.
ALSO.........
You were right about UPS. After the auction ended, I plugged in the bidders' zip and the amount was $3 more than their chart said. Even though I had figured in $1.50 fuel surcharge just to be safe, I had still undercharged the bidder $3 on shipping. Maybe "customer service counter" customers are charged more? I checked and UPS doesn't have a price chart for people who take their packages to a local customer service place. I guess I'll just offer Priority & Parcel Post - but what a pain to chase down boxes & tape.
posted on July 6, 2002 06:25:54 AM new
I agree that eBay needs to have everyone's zip code placed by their feedback info and seller's location. I see so many sellers place location names like "USA, Land of the Proud". That narrows it down to 50 states!
I believe that many buyers do not like to give their address to sellers because they give up something valuable if the decide to renege on the deal. The seller then knows their address and their paranoia takes over. At least half the the many buyers I've had at online auctions refuse to give me their mailing information over the years. They will say "I'm sending an address label with my payment" or simply ignore any request for a full address.
posted on July 6, 2002 08:29:30 AM new
I can see doing that. Mine says S.E Wisconsin I then could add 53140. Sounds like a good idea. I think I am going to change it to that. I don't buy much but if I do it will give the seller a head start. Now if ebay doesn't do anything maybe if enough of us do it it will catch on. Very good idea.
posted on July 6, 2002 10:44:29 AM new
Where is JACK? Hey, JACKSWEBB! I just said "you were right", and you're not gloating????? You must be out of town today, I KNOW you would say SOMETHING!
Maybe you're too busy e-mailing eBay to request that zip code addition?!!!!
posted on July 6, 2002 11:05:04 AM new
alwaysbroke: You say you get the Zip Code from USPS. What did you use as a source for that? Did you already have the city & state? If you take your pkgs. yo say Mail Boxes Etc. They add a service charge on top of the UPS charge & I think the minimum is $3.00. I am fortiunate that I have FedEx office less than a mile from me.
posted on July 6, 2002 11:12:42 AM new"You say you get the Zip Code from USPS. What did you use as a source for that?"
After the EOA, I request the Contact Information from eBay. It shows only the city and state. I copy that and paste it into the zip search feature at usps.com.
Thank you for the UPS counter info! It only makes sense they wouldn't do it for free.
posted on July 6, 2002 12:41:08 PM new
I just email the high bidder & request Zip code so that I may give them the shipping charges. Has worked good so far. To each his own I always say.
[ edited by sanmar on Jul 6, 2002 12:42 PM ]
posted on July 8, 2002 11:24:08 AM new HAHAHAHHA, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT,,,,,,,MY NAME IN LIGHTS! THANK YOU. WE NEED AN ADVANCE ZIP CODE FOLKS. WHEREEVER E BAY WANTS TO PUT IT I GUESS MATTERS NOT AS LONG AS WE DON'T HAVE TO DIG FOR IT. [email protected]. IT IS RIGHT THERE IN THE CONTACT BUT WHAT A PAIN. NOW,,,,OVER THE WEEKEND A GUY MENTIONED THE ZONE THING......8 ZONES NOW? I REALLY HAVE NOT CHECKED IT OUT BUT I GUESS THESE ZONES ARE BROADER BUT SOMEHOW ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE PERSON IS???? NEED SOME COMMENTS BACK ON THIS ONE.
ALWAYSBROKE,,,,,,YES THAT DOES SEEM TO BE THE CASE OF MOST OF US,,,,,HAHAHAHHAA. THANKS FOR THE THREAD. I HOPE MORE WILL PUT SOME IDEAS IN HERE AND I SURE HOPE SOMEONE AT E BAY IS READING THIS.
posted on July 9, 2002 12:18:41 AM new
CASE IN POINT,,,,,,NOW CHECK OUT THE "WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH THIS" THREAD.....REALITY. [email protected] TELL THEM!!!!!!
HAHAHAHHA, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT,,,,,,,MY NAME IN LIGHTS! THANK YOU. WE NEED AN ADVANCE ZIP CODE FOLKS. WHEREEVER E BAY WANTS TO PUT IT I GUESS MATTERS NOT AS LONG AS WE DON'T HAVE TO DIG FOR IT. 