posted on January 3, 2003 06:09:35 AM new
I know I am going to be crucified for bringing up handling fees again, but I have a small moral dilemma that I need some opinions on. I am a very small seller, sort of part time. I sell very low priced items. I charge a handling fee for international sales to cover the box and supplies I purchase and my time to fill out all the fun forms. However when I stated international with a $2 handling fee in my auctions I got a bunch of jokers sending me $2 for international shipping. I have changed my tos to state for international rates contact me for quotes. Well, that worked well for about 6 months. Now I have someone who refuses to pay the $2 handling fee because I do not state there is one in the tos. He also did not bother to get a quote before bidding. Maybe I am right, maybe I am wrong, but here is my question. Do I let the handling fee go on this one to please this guy, or do I stick to my guns and tell him he should have requested a quote first. Out of about 50 transactions since I changed my tos he is only the 2nd person to complain, so I had thought that it was acceptable. Advice, please?
posted on January 3, 2003 07:36:48 AM new
If the buyer is whining over two bucks send the the stuff suck up the 2 bucks and move on.
Why not change your TOS is just say S&H X dollars and cents or add a buck to the starting price of your thingies and another buck to the shipping costs.
posted on January 3, 2003 08:15:08 AM new
I wish it were that easy and it is a wonderful idea but I dont charge a handling fee for Priority Mail since the supplies are free. I dont think it would be fair for someone to be charged for supplies in the asking price if they are going to use Priority. I would love to set a standard shipping fee but what I sell is all different weights. Thanks for the help though.
posted on January 3, 2003 08:42:31 AM newsince the supplies are free
Hmm. Yeah, I guess they are free, but it's an expenditure of your time to go to the USPS web site and order them...or get them at the local post office.
I'm not going to tell you how to pursue your hobby, though. You do what works for you, as long as it's fun.
posted on January 3, 2003 09:12:37 AM new
If he does not want to pay the additional handlong fee, do this. On the customs form state the value of the item as $500.00 & let him pay the customs tax on that
posted on January 3, 2003 09:22:57 AM new
Bear, thanks that would be a great idea. I just really dont have the guts for anything like that. Anyways, the problem has fixed itself. After 4 emails explaining my charges, I was just going to give in and skip the whole handling fee thing, when low and behold he paid me the whole amount. He said he checked my feedback and saw that I ship very well and decided to just let it go. Cool. Also, to fluffy, I wish ebay were just a fun hobby to me but even though I am not a big time seller it is a lot of hard work sometimes. However, I really dont think I would want to go back to my day job. Thanks everyone for your comments.
posted on January 3, 2003 09:33:37 AM new
lilacflair: That puts a different spin on it. You have to start acting like a business, which means many things, but primarily this: Reduce your costs to the bare bone and recoup them whenever possible.
You only have 24 hours in a day, just like the rest of us, so your time is worth something.
You may want to eliminate international shipping. It doesn't work well for everyone. With the time and hassle of int'l, are you still making money when all is said and done?
posted on January 3, 2003 04:50:41 PM new
Hell, you call THAT bare bones Fluffy the know -it- all? Put this "SPIN" on it..... next you'll be telling lilac to leave the thing ( whatever it is) on her ( I'm assuming "her" with such a pretty name, but you never know) front steps and tell the high bidder they have to come and pick it up! Don't even put it in a box! I mean your time is soo soo very important, why should you BOTHER shipping anything to anyone at anytime? hmmmmmm.....Yes, I sell to international bidders all of the time, they are some of my best customers. They buy mostly high end costume jewelry and pay alot for it..... which, after being lovingly wrapped in a little bit of bubble wrap, slips effortlessly into a USPS Global Priority envelope and ships for between $4.00- $9.00.
A great effort on my part? I don't think so.
I get my Priority postal supplies delivered to my door.
A great profit? most definately! Lilac, you have a good and fair policy requesting that each winner contact you for a shipping quote BEFORE they bid. Your present winner in just a troll. Stick to your guns, there is no "gamble" in retining your integrity. Good Luck!
