posted on September 29, 2000 09:50:06 PM newsoldbyj --
I never said, or implied, that you mislead or overcharge your customers, so do not put words in my mouth. I have made it clear, several times (though maybe not clear enough for you?), that there is a difference between the "seller" who is the topic of this thread, and a seller who charges a modest amount for packing supplies. I would suggest you are taking this far too personally.
As for your comparison of a shopping mall to ebay...apples and oranges. For instance, many sellers require MOs only, and don't accept personal checks, thereby causing the buyer to incur an extra expense. Can you cite one chain store which does the same?
posted on September 29, 2000 09:51:44 PM new
The aguments about shipping/handling charges on these threads always breaks down to people who own businesses in one group, and people who sell on ebay as a pastime into another group.
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I've had another business for nearly 30 years, and I well understand how to generate a profit. I don't sell full-time on eBay, but I've made a profit from the day I sold my first item.
If you need to charge for handling or packing, at least be up-front about it so buyers can discern the truth. If you're going to send something by camel but charge $10 for "handling," at least SAY SO. Don't mislead by charging $3.20 for "postage" when you spend 33 cents because you know many (if not most) buyers are going to think they're getting priority mail.
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"excessive handling charges", schmexcessive handling charges. Seems to me that if YOU (whoever YOU is) is going to take it upon yorself to decide a handling or shipping charge is excessive, YOU can also take it upon yourself to pass that auction right on by.
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But that's part of the problem! Some sellers deliberately disguise their "handling charge" to make it look like actual postage, when it isn't. So you think you're getting something sent priority, when you're not...and you don't know until you get it.
Again, if this is so fine and great, then at least be honest about what you're doing. If your terms state that you send items first class and charge $5.00 handling, then buyers have no excuse for not understanding and bidding anyway.
This also applies to sellers who deal in fragile items and charge for handling...and send the stuff so poorly wrapped that it doesn't survive the trip. Sure, the buyer should buy insurance. But the seller should do his or her job right to begin with.
If you buy from a mail order catalog, at least you know exactly what you're paying for shipping and handling...and you usually can even pick your method and pay accordingly. There are no big secrets. And it's a given at most mail-order places that wrapping is appropriate and either the seller or the shipping agency will be responsible for damage. The buyer, to a certain degree, does NOT have to beware of being ripped off WRT shipping and breakage.
posted on September 29, 2000 09:59:59 PM newSonsie --
Great points.
What I am noticing is that it is no longer called "shipping" ...now it is called "however the seller get's the item to you."
Granted, the seller could charge you $5, and toss your item on to your front lawn like the paper delivery boy, at 5am...but at least the seller "got the item to you."
posted on September 30, 2000 08:30:52 AM new
got my responce to my e-mailthis morning.
Seller did justify (almost) shipping charges, broke it down to the cost of the envelope, the tape they used to tape the envelope closed, the charge stamps.com chrges for their servie, the labels the stamps are printed on etc..
She then goes on to say that she did include "a little something extra" and it WAS shipped priority mail on 7/22. It's the 30th..and guess what...no shipment.
Now, she has quoted me 3 seperate shipping dates for 2 items. she has quoted me 9/8/00 for the 1st/.
9/20/00 for the replacment.
and now 9/22/00?
I realize I agreed to shipping chrges, and that's really not what I started this thread about. yes, I think it's a little high, but oh well..I paid it.
But come on...what does this seller think, I am a moron? It appears that she is trying to coddle me now. "I did ship priorty mail, on 7/22/00...it should be there any day now..."
