posted on August 26, 2002 08:49:35 AM new
I don't know anymore. I thought I had it down, by putting in a 'fixed' shipping in EACH auction. I sometimes got it right, sometimes I did eat a quarter or two on shipping. I have refunded when its lower.
Now I put up these lot of old magazines... This was MY MISTAKE.. but I put in each one $3.85 to ship. No problems in the last couple weeks, they never went for much money at all. Problem, I wasn't prepared to package these, and the shipping would come to sometimes over $5. (Priority) to the east coast. Ok, last batch and I send the EOA with the $3.85 shipping. I have the buyer write back a rather sarcastic email back stating, 'the shipping is rather steep, and actual postage is $1.45'. This is a buyer with 2 feedback (sure this could be her 2nd 'buying' ID) but it really threw me.
I understand that I could do media mail..... if I ever do media mail I GET complaints, on how long it takes! You can't win.
I feel a neg coming, for some reason with this one.
I have to now agree with JACKSWEBB as I do think that we NEED the zip codes at the end of auction. I think ebay could supply then with the end of auction emails they send you.
I also got a 'checkout' email from ebay, when I sent the buyer my own EOA about 3 days ago...... I have moved within the last 2 months, my registration shows my NEW address, but in this checkout email, it is showing my OLD address. So I write to the buyer with my NEW address (again) another thing, I really no nothing about Checkout, and never used it... or have any buyers use it on my auctions.
6 years at this..and I probably shouldn't be doing it any more..... checked out UPS Fed EX, I don't like the huge rate hike with Priority, but I have been paying Endicia for leasing their postage system, going fine till this new increase..
If its stated in your auction that the shipping is $3.85, shouldn't it BE $3.85????
(I know the answer just venting! )
thanks!
posted on August 26, 2002 09:06:05 AM new"I do think that we NEED the zip codes at the end of auction"
As I mentioned before, the ideal place for them would be in the 'Items I've Sold' section, where eBay is now giving us the user ID...which really doesn't help us at all...doesn't even have feedback numbers. (If not the complete mailing address, then at least the email address, and ideally they could put the email address and the ZIP code in that particular place.
That way, we would have the auction number, title, amount, email address and ZIP code all in one place, immediately at the end of the auction. As it is now, we still have to go to the auction page for email address, and obtain the ZIP code by some other means.
posted on August 26, 2002 09:40:19 AM new
Hi NearTheSea,
Today,I just completed the largest auction I have ever done. Dealing with the zones is a PIA. I feel for those of you who do this full time.
I have been burned on the shipping for magazines several times. They are always much heavier than any one percieves. $3.85 is very reasonable as well as it is the stated amount in the auction. Stick to your guns nicely and if this is a reasonable individual the transaction should go well.
Also, Magazines do not qualify for media/book rate because they contain advertisements. Check with the PO but that is what I have been told.
posted on August 26, 2002 09:57:08 AM new
gc2, that would be great, but way too easy for ebay to do
throughhiker-I do a lot (to me ) of auctions, but not as a regular job (thank God, though I admire the ones that do! )
Yes, I thought $3.85 was VERY reasonable, and I've heard that about Media, that sometime they won't take magazine because of the ads, etc.
But then I see sellers everyday put in their ads, that they can ship some collectable item (glass, pottery whatever) through Media mail, which is wrong IMO, I don't know how they get away with it, and I won't even attempt anything like that. Parcel post, used to be, not much cheaper than Priority, though I have not checked those rates lately.
I did hear that the P.O. holds back Parcel post, so its slower, and takes the Priority first... if thats true, I don't know.
The whole thing is messed up. I think the P.O. went about this the wrong way, they DO have competitors (UPS, Fed Ex, Airborne) and should be competing for rates, rather than thinking they are the only game in town... just my most humblest opinion
posted on August 26, 2002 11:32:07 AM new
Magazines can go as printed matter, BUT, if the address gets screwed up, the PO won't return to sender. That is the bad side of it. I would keep doing as you are. You are doing it right by being up front with shipping costs. don't let a neg worry you, just put in your response & foget it. I have 6 negs, 4 from one bidder because I refused to ship to Singapore. My TOS states USA only. I don't think it has hurt one bit & I have over 350 positives. I jusat closed 16 auctions last night with 14 sales.
posted on August 26, 2002 11:59:56 AM new
THANKS, I JUST WANT TO REFRESH AS TO MY THINKING ON THE ZIP CODE. IT BELONGS ON THE SELLERS FEED BACK PAGE ALONG WITH THE "STATE" THEY ARE IN. UNITED STATES IS WAY TOO BROAD TO NARROW ANYONE DOWN.I STILL WANT TO SEE WHERE A BUYER IS AS FAR AS ME SAYING THE NO SHIPPING THING TOO.
JUST LAST WEEK, A SUPER HUGE AND HEAVY THING. 3 TIMES IN THE ADD. NO SHIPPING! STILL WE LIVE IN NEW YORK HOW MUCH IS SHIPPING. THEY READ NOTHING. THIS CASKET BUYER BETTER BE CLOSE! HAHAHAHA. BUT, I DID GIVE THE OPTION TO SHIP THAT,,,,FOR AN ARM AND A LEG OF COURSE. OOPS,PARDON THE PUN.
AND OH.....DON'T LET THE ZIP CODE THING JUST GO AWAY,,,,,E MAIL E BAY AT [email protected] THEY REPLY TO ME LIKE ZAP!!! BUT MORE PEOPLE NEED TO POUND ON THAT DOOR AND "YELL" AT THEM AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS,,,,,,I DO. WE WANT A PRE ZIP CODE!! WE WANT A PRE ZIP CODE!!! MATTER OF FACT I AM GOING THERE RIGHT NOW AND YELL AT THEM AGAIN. GOOD DAY.
posted on August 26, 2002 12:19:18 PM new
As a Canadian seller who sells Internationally, I have always asked the buyer for their address so that I can tell them the postage because it not only varies from country to country, but from state to state in the U.S., and even province to province in Canada. I know it is nice to be able to put the postage right on the listing, but for me it is impossible, and if someone wants to know before they bid, they just email me and I can give them the accurate amount.I have never had a problem, and in over 3,500 transactions, only one person has mentioned that postage was a bit high.
posted on August 27, 2002 10:42:38 PM new
"If its stated in your auction that the shipping is $3.85, shouldn't it BE $3.85????"
Hi there, yes you're exactly right. I just had someone win an auction for a coffee mug. I sold it for $1.99 (pretty cheap, huh?) and I stated in my auction that my s/h is $5 priority for this auction. Today this person emails me to tell me that they think that $5 shipping is too much to pay for an item that only costs $1.99. How much are they expecting to pay? A $1? I told them exactly what they needed to do. They bid on this item and my T&C state exactly that if they don't agree with the amount of my s/h then they shouldn't bid. And that once they bid, then they agree to my terms & conditions of this auction.
posted on August 27, 2002 10:50:41 PM new
One can see by the tone of this thread that the new postal rates and conditions are very burdensome on low value auction items.
I wonder how many auction items have a higher shipping cost than actual selling price? The ratio must have really jumped after 6/30.
posted on August 28, 2002 01:32:43 AM new
Watch it Jack. Calling your fellow AW message users idiots will get you suspended from these boards very fast if reported.
posted on August 28, 2002 03:05:39 AM new
Hey Tooltimes,
I hope you don't get too worn out jumping to conclusions. If you are not familuar with our buddy JACK, he is refering to the oddles of buyers that are CLASSIC NON READING IDIOTS who charge about eBay willy nilly bidding without reading the TOS.
posted on August 28, 2002 04:23:56 AM new
I am sure there are a lot of sellers who have gotten burned with the shipping thing. I am on the east coast and since the new shipping hike, I have never seen such prices. Just to send a pillow was 5.00(priority mail). So I have started asking for zip codes and giving them the choice of shipping method. Whether it be priority or parcal post. Either way there is insurance and it may take a little longer to get to the destination but it doesn't cost as much.
posted on August 28, 2002 08:27:03 AM new
THROUGH,,THANKS FOR MAKING THAT CLEAR TO TOOLS. I WOULD NEVER,,CALL A ANOTHER FELLOW AW MEMBER AN IDIOT, UNLESS........HAHAHAHA.
posted on August 28, 2002 08:35:54 AM new
Hey JACKSWEBB I understood totally what you meant! I know, buyers/bidders, of the majority (looks like these days ) DO NOT read the descriptions or any TOS in an auction, they like to look at the pictures and then bid, then b*tch later about what WAS the shipping in the ad.
BUT THANK YOU JACKSWEBB, as I read on another thread, that we are going to get the zip codes!
UmIman-I know exactly what you mean! This woman saw in pretty large font the $3.85 in the auction ad, just makes me wonder....
primsrspecial-I too, have gotten burned with shipping costs, I'm in the farthwest NW here, and of course most of my buyers are on the east coast..... this zip code thing is just what we did need!
As for the item selling for LESS than the shipping cost,if the buyer or potential buyer would read the ad, they would know, they may be paying more in shipping for that low priced item.
I used to do $1 no reserve for the longest time, and did very well, now? I can't, IF they do read the shipping, of which I usually put in $5.50 on a 1-2 pound item, I believe it may turn them off, but that $5.50 can easily turn into $6-$7+ once I find out where the buyer is...... I try to set rates at somewhere in between zone 7-8 and I am now calling it 'shipping and handling' something I NEVER did before. Sometimes its less, and YES I do refund them the difference, most times its more, and well, I just eat it....
just venting! )
