Article: Some eBay sellers frustrated with rule changes

Discussion in 'Marketplace Discussions' started by KeithH, Aug 20, 2008.

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  1. magick28

    magick28 New Member

    And this is called?That is right its called fee avoidence.Which is against the rules of ebay.
     
  2. quicksrt

    quicksrt Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    No you can't. You need Delivery Confomation on the package. This is a MUST HAVE. So you need to stand in line and get that added at the window.

    Plus if you are using paypal to print labels you have to pay more fees for that. It is not free. I guess you have not sold on ebay.
     
  3. quicksrt

    quicksrt Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Start thinking about the best deal you can get on the total value, rather than the way someone chooses to do their business.

    You just went from shipping 10 different sales, to gas, to boxes, to bulk purchases, and then later to fee avoidence in your next post.

    Just go for the best deal you can get on total cost, and let the sellers do the business the way they choose to. Avoid sellers that do not offer good service and price.

    If you stick with the lowest priced item, and absolute lowest shipping costs, you are going to get what you paid for brother.
     
  4. quicksrt

    quicksrt Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    What funds should the seller use to pay these costs? Where should they come from? :confused:
     
  5. quicksrt

    quicksrt Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles

    Shipping and HANDLING is always paid for by the buyer. This is stated up front and is no mystery.

    I like to give free insurance to big spenders, and I also combine shipping to save costs for the buyer. So you take care of the buyers the best you can and try and save them money. But you never pay shipping and handling out of your own profits. Because you had to buy the item you are selling. So what looks like profit is not profit really once you subtract cost of item.

    What is the point of selling if you aou do is break even and pay ebay fees?

    But I can see that most here in this thread have not done much selling.
     
  6. Jay F

    Jay F New Member

    Location:
    Pittsburgh, PA
    I pay the same amount to mail a CD when I buy the label online at PayPal as I would pay at the Post Office. But Delivery Confirmation is cheaper, and it is automatic.

    Today, I bought a mailing label at PayPal, and sent a 10 oz. package first class for $2.70, the same it would have cost at the USPS, and I got automatic Delivery Confirmation for .18. I think DC costs .65 or .75 if you go to the Post Office and buy the green sticker.

    Same goes for a two-ounce package I mailed today as well. (I just checked, btw.)

    So, I save a little money and I don't have to wait on line at the Post Office. I don't have to go to the Post Office at all, in most instances, if all I'm mailing are CDs (anything under either a pound or 13 oz., I can't remember which, can just be dropped in any mailbox). Obviously, you still have to go to the post office if you're mailing LPs. But I can still print out the postage and drop a package containing LPs in a mail chute without standing on line.
     
  7. Jay F

    Jay F New Member

    Location:
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Confused? Or just playing disingenuous?

    It comes out of what you make for selling whatever item it is you're selling. Obviously, you don't agree with that.
     
  8. quicksrt

    quicksrt Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    All catalog sales have a shipping/handling charge added to the items. Like the Sears catalog, Columbia House Records Club or whatever. And sometimes they are a bit on the high side. But they are always above the regular UPS rate. They always have handling in there too. It was just they way I saw things growing up every time I ever ordered anything.

    If you go into a bar and order a drink, you are paying to have the glasses washed, as well as the rent and electric bill. But one would never question that as a business practice. You are paying for more than a shot of vodka and 8 oz. of OJ. They do not mark up that 15 or 20%. They mark it up 500%. It is the way businesses stay open.

    If you eat all the shipping materials, and you never consider that you had to buy those CDs, then fine, 3 bucks profit is 3 bucks profit you never had. But if I paid $8.99 for that CD in the used bin 15 years ago, and it is now out of print, I need that money back, plus a bit of profit. If it sells for $19.00 (might be unlikely), then once you consider inflation, you really need to hold onto that small amount profit, or else you are breaking even, and ebay and the post office are the only ones making any money.

    So all the extra costs must be paid by the buyer. The only thing I would eat is the hours labor of listing on ebay. The buyer is free to try and find that Japanese only issued CD w/obi eleswhere. But damn if I am handing items over just to break even, while ebay, paypal and the post office clean up.
     
  9. quicksrt

    quicksrt Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    You may be correct about costs paypal vs. standing in line. But I still do not trust that the PO will scan my item in like they do when you stand in line.

    But the real issue here is that I do not do CDs generally. It was all LPs, and the odd R2R tape. So you packages were larger. Plus Insurance was added, as well as Registered Mail for big ticket items going overseas. I have heard horror stories about Italy and South America. Because they do not ship out a lot of packages, their post offices have little income. Yet they have to delivery all that incoming mail. This equals a lot of work, and low cash flow for their mail system. And that equals a lot of msiing packages. So one must Register all big ticket items, or you are risking a loss.

    So for insurance and registered mail, paypal will not cut it.
     
  10. Jay F

    Jay F New Member

    Location:
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Maybe I should be selling the way you sell. But I don't necessarily sell things to make a profit. If I do get more out of something than I paid for it, that's good, but it's not really my motivation. It's not a business. For me, it's a matter of recycling things I bought that I don't like. I'm constantly editing my possessions, including CDs.

    I haven't sold any on eBay, however, in a few years. After a number of unbelievably bad deals on records, I shun the place. It gives me the creeps.

    How do you explain your Buyer Pays Everything manifesto in your auction copy? Do you have an auction running right now I could look at?
     
  11. quicksrt

    quicksrt Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Well, I can agree with you on a few things. I bought on ebay first for a year before selling. And got so many LPs that were stated as Mint or Near Mint that were VG, that I also got very fed up. I began buying only still sealed, or Mint with shrink still on jacket. That way there was a chance it was played once or so only.

    I also have not sold in 14 months. I may be finished for good, I am not sure.

    But the way to state "Buyer Pays Everything" is just state that you use real LP mailers with extra cardboard packed really well. State that you add delivery conf. to every package, and are willing to combine shipping. Let them know also that you ship LPs outside of their covers, but inside of a poly liner. The LP is inside of a rice paper sleeve vefore the poly liner.

    So once you go on about all this, and list $5.50 as the shipping charge for media and $6.50 for priority, it really does not sound so bad. They know they are getting those brand new poly and rice paper liners and sleeves. They feel good about you. Then they look at the feedback, and see glowing reviews about minty items, and super sturdy packing, wonderful person to work with, nice guy, fast shipping...and on.

    The shipping cost might have been a buck higher than average, but the buyer felt good about accurate graded LPs. I also had still sealed items to sell. So I think buyers felt it was worth an extra buck to sleep well at night.

    Sometimes high priced really means nicer items. If your items really are super clean, and you answer questions quickly, and feeback is very good, you can fly as a better dealer. I billed myself as high end.

    below is my about me page which has not been updated in several years.
    -------------------------------------------------------

    60s 70s 80s VINTAGE RECORDS

    Thanks for taking a look at my about me page. As you may have seen, I am constantly adding new listings of some very very fine Rock, Jazz, Soul/R&B, and Country LPs and 45s for the collector, and the average music listener alike.

    Many of the items are very hard to find, or very hard to find in the Near Mint condition I am offering them in. I do not sell any records that are in poor condition. I prefer to sell items that I would listen to myself, and be happy with having in my own collection. I am a very tough grader of condition, and I also enjoy selling really great music for music lovers as well as collectors.

    Often I have original US, UK, German, and Japanese pressings for the music collectors that must have only the finest sounding issues ever made. I also list records that are not the high priced collectables, but simply very fine and enjoyable recordings that should be in everyone's collection. Regardless of the vintage of the item, the condition will always be better than the average for both record and the cover.

    Rarity or common LP, vintage or style of music, condition is major consideration for me to decide if the item is worth listing for sale.


    Packing and shipping is always a number one concern for me. So I use only real LP Record Mailers and cardboard. I include the LP outside of the jacket but both LP and Cover in a poly sleeve to prevent seam splits as all professional record sellers should do.

    Also, I love to save the buyer a lot of money in shipping costs. Each LP added to the package can cost an additional $1.50, but sometimes I am known to give free shipping to buyers who consistantly buy from me, or have spent considerable amounts on LPs.

    Because I think it is important that buyers receive the item quickly and in the condition I sent it in, sometimes I require the buyer to buy/pay for Registered Mail when they are located outside of the US, and the item is sold for more than $50.00. The cost of Registered Mail is an additional $8.00 per package. This is a way for me to have some peace of mind when sending something very valuable to International locations. I've never had a customer refuse this extra insurance for those pricy collectables.


    Thanks for looking, and feel free to contact me about any questions concerning my records, and other ebay items I have for sale. Check out my feedback while you are at it.
    ---------------------------------------------
    Oh, and just to add:

    User:rustywillis( 616) Date:Jan-12-08 04:21:24 PST
    Praise: Excellent communication & shipping. Would not hesitate to buy again. A+ ebayer.


    User:meure020( 379) Date:Jan-07-08 12:36:51 PST
    Praise: Great Item,Many Thanks


    User:kennethr5933( 480) Date:Jan-05-08 16:43:55 PST
    Praise: nice item, well packed, fast service, thank you


    User:pukisgirl( 120) Date:Dec-25-07 20:00:01 PST
    Praise: sent the CDs priority so I'd have them in thime for Christmas. Super! Thanks! A+
    I shipped her CDs Priority Mail even with the fact that she paid Media rate, because there was a Christmas CD in there, and I wanted her to enjoy it before Christmas.


    User:jaytea( 116) Date:Dec-25-07 18:03:37 PST
    Praise: Item as described, fast shipping..thanks!


    User:contardo4207( 81) Date:Dec-19-07 07:41:10 PST
    Praise: outstanding seller aimed to please


    User:jimsreddy( 3922) Date:Dec-08-07 14:48:52 PST
    Praise: Thanks much!


    User:natxete1972( 117) Date:Dec-07-07 09:59:15 PST
    Praise: esta bien, desearia en dvd, pero me gusta


    User:savagmr( 203) Date:Nov-30-07 22:03:08 PST
    Praise: Packed well. Prompt shipping.


    User:savagmr( 203) Date:Nov-30-07 22:00:06 PST
    Praise: As described. Packed well. Prompt shipping. Thanks!


    User:steveray2( 613) Date:Nov-28-07 20:48:39 PST
    Praise: Item as described and arrived safely. Thanks.


    User:stocknumber850( 631) Date:Nov-24-07 13:18:05 PST
    Praise: Item as promised......Thank You!! AAA+++


    User:sunshinesway( 162) Date:Nov-18-07 09:58:27 PST
    Praise: EXCELLENT SELLER!!! FAST SHIPPING. GREAT PACKAGING. PERFECT MERCHANDISE.


    User:plancher120( 160) Date:Nov-05-07 06:01:53 PST
    Praise: Thanks. As advertised. Well packaged. A++++from a to Z
     
  12. ubsman

    ubsman Active Member

    Location:
    Utah
    That's against the rules at the post office I go to. Anything over 13 oz. can't be put in there.
     
  13. quicksrt

    quicksrt Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    And that last comment thanking me for the extra (below at bottom). I do not recall what the extra was this time. But previously I had included a Jimi Hendrix Gloria 7" single for a buyer who bought the US Band of Gypsys album from me. It was only VG+ condition and had slight ring wear, not quite NM, but a green label original, and had gone a bit higher than it might have. So I put in that 7" in PS. It made me feel good and buyer was happy.

    So I'm not out to scam anyone on shipping. I just want my profit to be mine at the end of the day.
    --------------------------------

    It's a pleasure to receive exactly wht iwant and wht was described. Many thanks.. Buyer: alfiste58 ( 41) May-12-07 07:27
    -- (#140111746823) --
    A FIVE STAR RECORD SELLER ALL THE WAY!!!JUST PERFECT!!!!A++++++++++ Buyer: records10672 ( 3288) May-11-07 14:04
    -- (#140111724329) --
    A FIVE STAR RECORD SELLER ALL THE WAY!!!JUST PERFECT!!!!A++++++++++ Buyer: records10672 ( 3288) May-11-07 14:04
    -- (#140110808970) --
    A FIVE STAR RECORD SELLER ALL THE WAY!!!JUST PERFECT!!!!A++++++++++ Buyer: records10672 ( 3288) May-11-07 14:04
    -- (#140110801993) --
    A FIVE STAR RECORD SELLER ALL THE WAY!!!JUST PERFECT!!!!A++++++++++ Buyer: records10672 ( 3288) May-11-07 14:03
    -- (#140110788317) --
    superb seller, item as described Buyer: pmastro1973 ( 2341) May-10-07 20:58
    -- (#140110772984) --
    Great seller, fast shipment, would recommend. Buyer: goldsedan ( 86) May-09-07 10:05
    -- (#140110799362) --
    xcellent transaction, received lp immediately and in condition stated a+++++++++ Buyer: ericale64 ( 217) May-07-07 13:28
    -- (#140111739423) --
    Disque en excellent état, très bonne transaction, je suis très satisfait : merci Buyer: snubmontaor ( 276) May-06-07 03:42
    -- (#140089364411) --
    Disque en excellent état, très bonne transaction, je suis très satisfait : merci Buyer: snubmontaor ( 276) May-06-07 03:41
    -- (#140090374696) --
    Disque en excellent état, très bonne transaction, je suis très satisfait : merci Buyer: snubmontaor ( 276) May-06-07 03:40
    -- (#140089360556) --
    terrific seller. thanks for taking care of the issues. great packing too!! Buyer: nickdanger777 ( 2122) May-05-07 06:16
    -- (#140095772805) --
    Great item, quick and fair. Thanks. Buyer: pope-of-dreams ( 232) May-04-07 10:28
    -- (#140110781009) --
    item as described thanks Buyer: foryourlove64 ( 212) Apr-26-07 02:34
    -- (#140089355070) --
    AAAA++++ seller, and fantastic record Buyer: poitti ( 520) Apr-23-07 08:33
    -- (#140095097309) --
    GREAT ALBUMS AND ULTRA GREAT SERVICE AND PACKING!!!! Buyer: nickdanger777 ( 2122) Apr-14-07 20:28
    -- (#140095768529) --
    GREAT ALBUMS AND ULTRA GREAT SERVICE AND PACKING!!!! Buyer: nickdanger777 ( 2122) Apr-14-07 20:28
    -- (#140095767697) --
    GREAT ALBUMS AND ULTRA GREAT SERVICE AND PACKING!!!! Buyer: nickdanger777 ( 2122) Apr-14-07 20:28
    -- (#140095763812) --
    TERRIFIC ALBUM... YOU ARE ONE OF EBAYS FINEST. THANKS FOR THE GREAT PACKING!!! Buyer: nickdanger777 ( 2122) Apr-14-07 20:12
    -- (#140095761814) --
    Excellent packaging, A pro to deal with- Would recommend this Five Star Seller Buyer: 1961surf ( 446) Apr-14-07 12:34
    -- (#140095769912) --
    very fast shipping!great vinyl!great seller!! thank you Buyer: otelloc2005 ( 902) Apr-13-07 10:22
    -- (#140095765749) --
    Great seller! Thanks! Buyer: littleblackcrow ( 1200) Apr-13-07 06:20
    -- (#140095756295) --
    Great seller! Thanks! Buyer: littleblackcrow ( 1200) Apr-13-07 06:20
    -- (#140095745544) --
    2 good items from this seller--very smooth--thanks! Buyer: roger180761k7 ( 422) Apr-12-07 15:09
    -- (#140094187261) --
    thank you Buyer: shun6120 ( 486) Apr-10-07 02:53
    -- (#140094204677) --
    As Discribed!! killer album-- Quick Ship~~ AOK!! seller Buyer: mrdirtcheap ( 673) Apr-09-07 12:24
    -- (#140095771870) --
    finally someone who knows how to grade old records. an almost perfect lp. Buyer: yo_baby_sup ( 3075) Apr-05-07 22:00
    -- (#140095760545) --
    smooth transaction Seller: liquidmuzic ( 1264) Apr-05-07 09:49
    -- (#320093083736) --
    Absolutely perfect deal. Great stuff. Well packed and fast delivered. Buyer: vertigo234 ( 1038) Apr-04-07 04:23
    -- (#140095092999) --
    Absolutely perfect deal. Great stuff. Well packed and fast delivered. Buyer: vertigo234 ( 1038) Apr-04-07 04:23
    -- (#140095090264) --
    item as described, professional packing and fast shipping, thanks ! Buyer: micklem ( 1630) Apr-03-07 01:03
    -- (#140095087142) --
    Excellent.....Very Fast.......No Worries........ Buyer: gr.holmes ( 1070) Apr-02-07 18:20
    -- (#140094743718) --
    thanks for fast shipment. Buyer: gunnarwork ( 212) Mar-28-07 22:49
    -- (#140094241725) --
    Thanks A+++ Buyer: pete634 ( 145) Mar-28-07 12:26
    -- (#140094225508) --
    great ebayer -everything done right Buyer: firstadva ( 165) Mar-28-07 09:25
    -- (#140095748715) --
    SUPER SELLER!! GREAT ITEM, PACKAGING, & QUICK! THANKS FOR THE EXTRA TOO!! Buyer: snagdit ( 2075) Mar-27-07 12:15
    -- (#140095752873)
     
  14. joefont

    joefont Senior Member

    It is true that anything over 13 ozs cannot go in the mail chute but you can just take your 13 oz+ items directly to the counter (no waiting in line) and they will take it and place it in the appropriate parcel bin.
     
  15. cooper16

    cooper16 Forum Resident

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Of course it is, and so is not paying the full amount you agreed to when you placed a bid. Both are wrong and both are inexcusable.
     
  16. Jay F

    Jay F New Member

    Location:
    Pittsburgh, PA
    When I sell an LP, I do all of these things. It's what I expect, and want, a seller to do. It's what I expect, and want, as a buyer.

    Years ago, before I knew about LP mailers, I sent them in flattened Priority Mail boxes, because that's what I usually received them in. Then a Miles Davis LP I particularly wanted arrived at my door in a flattened Priority Mail box that had literally been bent into the shape of an "L." The record was as L-shaped as the box. I'd never seen such a thing.

    The same week, or maybe a week later, a buyer complained that the same thing had happened to a record I'd sent him. I gave him a refund, and he told me about Bags Unlimited, and I've used their LP mailers ever since.

    It is much easier to mail CDs. I've never had many problems, except when people use unpadded mailers, two of which I received this week. Both cases were cracked. Both mailers were sheer envelopes without a bit of bubblewrap.

    I don't think cardboard is a better packaging material for CDs, or if a CD version of the LP mailer even exists. I have worse luck with BMG's cardboard mailers than with bubble mailers, so I've never sought out cardboard packaging for CDs. I keep empty jewel boxes in case of breakage, which seems not completely unavoidable when you're mailing plastic.

    Anyway, when I buy an LP online, from whatever source, I do want them to be sent in an LP mailer, for which I expect to pay more. So we're really not in as much disagreement as I thought.
     
  17. Jay F

    Jay F New Member

    Location:
    Pittsburgh, PA
    I'm sure you're right. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I sold an LP. It's been CDs for years for me.
     
  18. musicalbeds

    musicalbeds Strange but not a stranger

    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    And you base this theory on ...what, your personal experience? Can you show us some data/facts to back this up?

    Or is it just general mistrust of the post office?

    Either way it's a load of crap; dropped off parcels get scanned just like ones handed over the counter. There maybe the odd worker who doesn't do it, a lazy jerk, but don't malign all postal workers with your baseless accusations.
     
  19. joefont

    joefont Senior Member

    Actually you're both partially right. As a former Postal worker, I can tell you that dropped-off parcels DO NOT get scanned at your local Post Office. The first scan occurs at your regional processing center all the way thru to the carrier that delivers it. At least that's the way it works in the U.S.
     
  20. KennyG

    KennyG Forum Resident

    Location:
    Ireland
    That's going to kill their business from non-US shippers. There's no way you could, say, send an LP from Europe to US for $3.00 unless you want it to turn up in little pieces...
     
  21. musicalbeds

    musicalbeds Strange but not a stranger

    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    It does depend on the size of the population in a given area, but regardless, they are scanned upon their arrival at the appropriate depot.

    In Canada, if they are dropped off at the "red box", they are scanned at the regional processing center, but if they are dropped off at the nighttime drop connected to the local post office..if they have one and I imagine most do...then they are scanned right there the next day, the same as if they'd been accepted over the counter.
     
  22. quicksrt

    quicksrt Senior Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    So which is it, what crap are you trying to lay us? The counter or the depo center? Can't be both dude. Population means nothing in California, don't know about Canada.
     
  23. magick28

    magick28 New Member

  24. musicalbeds

    musicalbeds Strange but not a stranger

    Location:
    Ontario, Canada

    I'll try to answer your question, typing slowly so you can understand.

    If it's taken to a counter, it's scanned. But not all areas in America and Canada have a counter easily accessible....that's where area and population come into account.

    IF it isn't taken to a counter...it's just dropped off at a postal box...then it is picked up along with the other stuff in the box, and delivered to a depot on the end of the drivers route. There everything arriving needing to be scanned, is scanned.

    And that's how the post office can "be both".... dude. :laugh:..
     
  25. mark f.

    mark f. Senior Member

    They're not requiring you to ship internationally for $3.
     
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