posted on December 3, 2003 10:35:31 AM new
PLEASE enclose an invoice with your shipment...
I have over 100 wins in just the last 30 days, and leaving feedback has become a real problem. I've received a quite a number of shipments with no invoice, and — believe it or not — several with no return address. As I often buy multiple items of the same type, sorting out who some of these came from becomes a real challenge.
With only a couple exceptions, all have been great merchandise, well packed and quickly shipped. I would LOVE to leave positive feedback for ALL good sellers, but have no way of knowing to whom I should leave it for non-invoicing/non-return address sellers. The only solution to the problem is to stop buying, clear out all the feedbacks that I KNOW have arrived, then sort out the remaining sellers/items for which I've left no feedback.
Stop buying? I doubt it! Hence, quite a few sellers will get no feedback from me. Unfortunately, after a reasonable period of time has passed, sellers who have not been checked off my list will get a follow-up "Where's My Item?" e-mail.
As I usually pay through PayPal, and PayPal has a 'Print Invoice' option on the details page, why do so many sellers not utilize that feature?
posted on December 3, 2003 11:03:36 AM new
I don't know
My auction program (SAPro) automatically prints an invoice, once I click off 'payment cleared' gives bid amount, shipping, total, how paid, my return address, the buyers shipping address etc.
I put it in every package that goes out.
I've never looked at PayPals or other ones.
Wanna Take a Ride? Art Bell is Back! Weekends on C2C-www.coasttocoastam.com
posted on December 3, 2003 11:12:41 AM new
70% of all ebay transactions are through Paypal and they have a print invoice option that should be used by all sellers that take PP. If the buyer pays through Snail Mail with a check or money order I place their envelope and letter/note in the package as an invoice so they know where it came from and if the package gets lost in the mails.
I think there is a postal reg that says a return address must be on all packages. The clerks firmly enforce that rule.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on December 3, 2003 11:21:35 AM new
Pat- I agree with you!! I have tried using "feedback left" in MY EBAY as a way of making certain that I have received all purchases. I would say only about 10% of the sellers take the time to include eBay # or item title with the shipment!
Ace: I cant use the PP invoice because the weight puts me over to the next oz but I do copy and paste the PP info on my own packing slip and include with all packages.
I wish PP would redesign their packing slip..a full sheet of paper is overkill!
posted on December 3, 2003 11:21:46 AM new
i enclose the printed invoice from vendio in all of my packages. that makes for extra insurance if the package would get damaged in transit, the address is still available to the PO.
posted on December 3, 2003 12:18:45 PM new
If the payment is by P/P. print an invoice & put in the box. Other ones I I have form set up to make an invoice. Its a real cheap program "Forms Maker" by Cosmi. I think I bought it a Office Max for $9.95. Has many forms in it. Easy to use.
posted on December 3, 2003 12:28:17 PM new
I've never included an invoice or receipt in any package (over 500). I always follow up with the buyer on feedback and to make sure they have their item okay.
As a buyer, I have no problem remembering each item and using the Feedback system on ebay to see a list of everyone I still owe feedback to.
When people send me invoices, it's fine, but it's always been just another piece of paper to toss.
------ "Bend over backward for the customer. Don't bend forward."
posted on December 3, 2003 12:32:19 PM new
Keep you My Ebay page updated. It will prompt you on who to leave feedback for.
I don't enclose an invoice, but keep accurate records.
Buyers can keep records too.
posted on December 3, 2003 12:33:04 PM new
About 95% of my stuff is shipped by Media Rate. It is a no-no to include any kind of paperwork in a Media Rate package.
Edited to add: You "My eBay" includes a section on the stuff you won. Unless you are buying a whole lot of duplicate items, that should suffice to let you know who your package is from & their eBay ID so you can leave feedback.
Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
[ edited by bunnicula on Dec 3, 2003 12:34 PM ]
posted on December 3, 2003 12:34:35 PM new
We always include an invoice. I believe it is more professional. We use Vendio and it is a half sheet. You can customize it, also. It includes your email address, auction title, auction number and other information. Works great!
posted on December 3, 2003 01:32:37 PM new
I guess the problem is that I am buying lots of the same sort of thing..postcard lots from many different sellers..I never know WHICH lot I've gotten! In the past month I've won 50 lots..left only 6 FB ...and if the sellers are sending media mail that's a NO NO from the get go! I guess I am going to have to keep records by location of the seller if I am ever to know what I have and have not received - that shouldn't be necessary!
posted on December 3, 2003 01:39:55 PM new
I always include an invoice, I use filemaker pro - It also is great for keeping track of records as well, using a database program that doubles as an invoice. I think it is unprofessional to not include an invoice. Plus, I direct people to my website with my invoice, and even make a solicitation to purchase items from them! It has paid off big time too, I made a very large used video collection purchase that had some great titles for resell
posted on December 3, 2003 01:50:45 PM new
Peiklk:
If you have time to follow up on all your buyers, you must not be listing a large quantity of fast-selling items.
Few of my sellers have time to spend on extra e-mails and follow up. If I receive a friendly note, I will respond, but do not presume to take up their valuable time with chit-chat.
Neglus:
Thanks for sharing — and understanding — my predicament. Numerous same-type buys (and I do keep careful records of those purchases) arriving without invoices, or even a few without return addresses, leaves a lot to be desired when closing out those arrivals/accounts.
Just a note: I HAVE received invoices in the books I've purchased over the years, and most are shipped Media Mail. I did ask at the PO some time ago, when considering selling off some of my older collector books, if a note or invoice could be included. My gal at the PO said notes were NOT OK, but an invoice was. She also suggested including the recipient's address on the invoice, inside the package, just in case the outer packaging was damaged or destroyed. Perhaps this policy has changed. I never sold the books, so I don't know...
posted on December 3, 2003 02:11:23 PM new
What I have done for years is just use MS Word and set up the format like you would to print out a full page of business cards. I get 10 little invoices on each page of paper. Each one is pre-printed with all common information and I just quickly hand write the amount, ebay number, item description and THANKS! on each one. They are small enough to go into the postcard sleeves behind the card stiffners and when I sell larger items I just tape the little invoices to the time or bubble wrap around the item. Standard information on each invoice:
Thank you for the purchase of
eBay Item # _______________________
Positive Feedback has been left for you
please consider returning the favor.
XXXXX on eBay
Shop my Web Store www.XXXXX.com
Huge Selection Vintage Postcards & MORE
Email: [email protected]
posted on December 3, 2003 03:44:28 PM new
I know it must be confusing - I get really confused as a seller when I have a good week.
I use Vendio shipping label if the winner fills it out - otherwise I go to PP but don't really like them and you must print them out one by one.
But in every shippment I enclose a letter with my email and ID on it. It request confirmation of receipt which usually gets good FB. I sell antique and collectibles so I guess it's easy for the winner to remember the item.
Doesn't Vendio offer tracking for buyer's - if not maybe they are missing a good market?????
posted on December 3, 2003 04:20:57 PM new
intl buyers often do not want seller to include invoice and we all know why??
i have never include invoice in my shipment,domestic or foreign for ebay sales.
ebay is a flea market,does the flea market seller give you an invoice??he wont even give you a bag to put your purchase??
use my ebay or just bookmark your own bidding to keep track of who sold what??
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
posted on December 3, 2003 07:04:11 PM new
pat1959: [i]If you have time to follow up on all your buyers, you must not be listing a large quantity of fast-selling items.
Few of my sellers have time to spend on extra e-mails and follow up. If I receive a friendly note, I will respond, but do not presume to take up their valuable time with chit-chat. [/i]
You misunderstood.
No, I've only sold 500 or so items. But I've used Vendio for the past couple of years and use it for followup emails. I always verify the item has arrived (via USPS tracking) and the send a feedback reminder. No chit-chat, but it is nice when the customer offers a friendly comment.
------ "Bend over backward for the customer. Don't bend forward."
posted on December 4, 2003 01:54:30 AM new
I use Vendio for all of my post sale management. The invoice has the buyers name, address, item number and title, price paid, shipping amount and total. very easy to print and drop in the package before sealing.
I never have and would never send out a feedback reminder. I have customized the shipping notification email to say "Please let me know when your package arrives. I leave feedback just as soon as I know you have received it safely." They usually let me know by leaving positive feedback. If there are problems, I have opened the door for them to let me know that.
posted on December 4, 2003 04:09:42 AM newAbout 95% of my stuff is shipped by Media Rate. It is a no-no to include any kind of paperwork in a Media Rate package
Is this true. I have always sent a printed letter with all of my packages including media mail. I thought it was just advertisement you couldn't put in media mail. I hope someone can set me straight. The reason I put it in because it has my address in the letter incase the book comes out of the box. Many times the buyer doesn't tell me what they purchased but I don't have a big business so I can tell by the name.
posted on December 4, 2003 05:02:27 AM newI never have and would never send out a feedback reminder.
Ah, but I'm tricky.
My feedback reminder is actually my shipping followup. Only I sneak in the "please let us know it arrived so we can place feedback" (and you can too) comment.
I only place feedback when the transaction is complete (not when they pay), so this allows us both to do it. It results in feedback 95% of the time and I've never had a complaint.
As Martha Stewart might say "It's a very good thing."
------ "Bend over backward for the customer. Don't bend forward."
posted on December 4, 2003 05:08:14 AM new
Hi Pat.
Just a little insight here from one seller. Most times I try to put a note in the package with my ebay name and all the other good stuff; but sometimes I am in a hurry to ship out and do not get to do it. Lately I've run out of black ink, and too havent gotten to buy some more right yet; so if I can, I will copy to a program and change ink color! lol...(talk about running on a shoestring)
It is probably 'my bad' (to use a quick hip phrase for lack of better wording) to think people know what they bought and from whom, especially if they use Paypal. I do put a return address on outer package (the PO here will tell you if you dont put one on it to put it on). I guess that puts the onus on the buyer somehow and maybe that isnt fair, but as a buyer myself I have never had a problem figuring out my purchases. Granted though, I dont buy as much as you do.
posted on December 4, 2003 08:44:16 AM new
You cannot put an invoice into Media Mail?
I don't use it. But I have received packages from half, Amazon and B&N -books via media mail, and they all had an invoice. I'm almost positive sellers I bought from at half.com put an invoice in, and I KNOW that Amazon or Barns and Noble do
Wanna Take a Ride? Art Bell is Back! Weekends on C2C-www.coasttocoastam.com
posted on December 4, 2003 10:33:24 AM new
Hi, All! And thanks for your input here. I should have realized I was dealing with the more 'professional' sellers on eBay. In fact, I suspect I've probably bought from some of you. Let me say "Thank You" right now for your professionalism in all of the areas we buyers 'grade' our sellers!
One seller from whom I received a package recently, actually had their eBay ID on their return address label! Now that's a sharp seller! (Yes, there was an invoice, too.)
However, I also buy from new sellers (low feedback ratings) and those are the ones I was hoping to reach when I initially opened this topic. Perhaps those newer sellers have not found AW/Vendio yet. Hopefully, they will. A lot of good insight here!
Twelvepole:
No, I'm not an eBay re-seller, and I don't buy large lots of merchandise. I do buy multiples in small groups (2 or 3 of a kind if one or two are a collectible I want) and individually (1 of a kind), and trade the extras to a couple of local antique dealers, put other extras in a consignment shop for re-sale, buy for my son who is an antique dealer in another state, and for friends who do not have internet access. Most of my buys are, however, for my own collections, and I do keep complete records of all my wins. This month was just a little overwhelming, however, as I was spending my Sept., Oct., and Nov. "buy budget" at one time. (Christmas, you know!)
When I pay through PayPal I do print off the detailed payment page, as well as making a 3x5 file card for each win (for inventory purposes) including the win bid and SHI, so I know what I have invested in the item (for insurance and trade/re-sale purposes).
"My eBay" and my sniping service also go a long way to keep my wins up to date. As eBay win records are not always accurate, I can use the snipe service for back-up reference when in doubt.
I leave feedback on all of my sellers. They deserve it! As I stated earlier, there will be only a few who will not get feedback until all of the items have cleared. When everything has arrived, those set aside without confirmation of the transaction completed will get their feedback. They will also get a friendly note from me stating why the feedback was late in coming.
posted on December 4, 2003 11:01:43 AM new
Sorry, but those of us who do not include unnecessary paperwork with our shipments are JUST as professional as those that do.
Shame on you for implying otherwise.
While it may give the "appearance" of professional to a few -- it truly has no bearing on the true competence, pride, and care of the seller. It's superficial at best.
------ "Bend over backward for the customer. Don't bend forward."
posted on December 4, 2003 11:33:12 AM new
Sorry, but I purchase something and don't receive a receipt or invoice, I consider it an amateur enterprise. When I order from a business, I expect an invoice that shows me what I purchased, how I can contact that company if there is a problem, or how I can order more items. From a buyer's perspective, this is not "unnecessary paperwork" and from a seller's perspective, it is a great way to get more sales, and show your operation is on the up and up. I've purchased from plenty of sellers who don't invoice, it is unlikely they get repeat business because I may have no idea how to reorder, or find them again on ebay.
posted on December 4, 2003 11:38:37 AM new
All I know is if I purchase lots of 50 postcards (no pictures) from different sellers and they have "SEND OUR TROOPS HOME" or "GOD BLESS THE USA" in the location spot on the auction, how the HECK am I supposed to know which lot I received??? Doesn't make a bit of difference whether I am buying for a collection or for resale, I am entitled to know what I am receiving!
posted on December 4, 2003 11:48:44 AM new
Agree to disagree.
I order from Amazon or ebay, it doesn't matter. *I KNOW WHAT I ORDERED*. I open the box and if it's there, I got it, if it's not, I didn't. I don't need a piece of paper to tell me otherwise.
Matter of perception, I suppose. Or just that I have a good memory.
------ "Bend over backward for the customer. Don't bend forward."
posted on December 4, 2003 12:05:10 PM new
Pieklk:
If you "know what you ordered", then you probably don't order very often. Obviously, you don't order duplicates from various buyers consistently. Were you a regular, and many-items, buyer on eBay, you would understand what the majority of the sellers/buyers are talking about here.
Perhaps one of the sellers I'll not be leaving feedback for is you? Hmmmmmm
And just a note on feedback: I dislike receiving "feedback reminders" from sellers. Sellers have access to my records, and a savvy seller will know I do leave feedback for all sellers, if they care enough to check. I don't need more e-mail filling my boxes than is necessary!
