posted on December 18, 2000 11:11:53 PM new
imabrit said: "We ship over 100 items a week and currently have to spend an hour in line at the PO.I have just about everything automated but its still a lot time is involved. "
For goodness sake, get a postage meter ($15/month from Stamps.com) and have the post office come get your shipments ($8/pickup).
Alternatively you could get a UPS account or a Fed-x Ground account.
Shipping 100+ packages per week by standing in line at the post office is not cost effective.
posted on December 18, 2000 11:17:39 PM newDeedeals, if you can't follow rules that you agree to when you use eBay's services, the answer is not to encourage others to cheat along with you. What you are talking about is "honor among thieves" and it doesn't work.
Either everyone abides by the rules, or no one does. In my opinion, cheaters can't compete honestly. Framing this as "it's us against eBay" doesn't excuse their actions.
posted on December 18, 2000 11:59:01 PM new
pick up fee for the post office is going up to 10.25 we did it once and it was a huge pain in the butt they were suppose to be there at 10:00 and they didn't make it until after 4:00. we've tried 3 postage meter services the best is neopost simply postage, only 9.99 a month and no fee to recharge your meter.
we ship over 200 priority packages a week through the post office, the easiest way we have found is to slap stamps on the packages, we actually do enough volume to get free delivery confirmation, and reduced insurance through the post office, but you have to use software from a third party at about 350.00 a month, yes a month. As I said we just slap the stamps on the boxes insure with U-Pic, go to the back door of the post office load everything in a hamper and that's it, NO LINES!!! they actually like it better because it takes me out of the lobby and they can process them when they are slow.
Also if you get into running a volume of packages you can get some extras form the them like special size boxes, your name printed on the boxes, scales, bubble mailers, and more. you really have to keep asking but every little bit helps to get it boxed and shipped faster.
posted on December 19, 2000 12:40:46 AM new
I believe some people out here have some serious issues with regards to competition. I won't address anyone in particular, but I would like to know what is the real incentive to turning in people with minor infractions within the auction description? I see everyone skirting the issue, but no one is honest enough to admit their true incentive. I believe it is pure jealousy and a fear of direct competition.
You better face it that sellers are dropping like flies on Ebay. Two major competitors of my brother-in-law (A powerseller on Ebay) have quit completely and one changed to another product.
MrJim nailed it on the head. He found a loophole in the system and is profiting from it. He will be one of the few left standing, while the rest of the sellers go back to their 9 to 5 grind of a job. I believe the moral of the story is to be proactive rather than reactive.
TWINSOFT: Why do you consider what MrJim does to be cheating? Is making a sale outside of Ebay illegal? Why do people put links in their auction listing anyways? Is having items on your site for sale that you never list on Ebay against the rules? The only rule that I found was that the item had to be higher priced than what you normally sell it for on Ebay. For example, make your Ebay price $10.00 and your storefront price $10.25 and you are safe. If you follow this rule, Ebay nor people like you can ever stop the extra sales.
posted on December 19, 2000 12:42:52 AM new
Airguy,
There are software packages that will do the delivery confirmation electronic option, manifest and all, for as low as $100. Two that are on the top of my head are laser substrates and harvey software (www.harveysoft.com). Laser Substrates even has these nice labels that print both delivery confirmation and address on one and will feed right through the laser printer.
Also, at 200 packages a week, you can get a Priority Mail bulk account. No discount on postage, but you just use the permit imprint on your shipping label and no need to print postage one label at a time. I mean, that instant-stamp thing is great, but the printer is still slow
posted on December 19, 2000 01:07:15 AM new
think I wasn't really clear, I just buy stamps from the post office, until the price change you just had to slap a 3.20 stamp on it, then 2 .55 self stick stamps per pound more up to 5 lbs., I can process about 100 packages in about 15 minutes. I just box everything and put it in a pile, then I go through and put the postage on it.
if you manifest you don't need an indicia strip. I'll look into those thanks, the biggest problem is the ones that will do what I want, inventory management, one entry stuff the best has been 350.00 a month. if you do over 250,000 a year in postage you can get discounts on your postage, long way to go to get there though.
posted on December 19, 2000 04:25:02 AM new
Dee, I don't want to make this a personal issue. You're right, everyone violates eBay's rules unintentionally once in a while. It boils down to a person's intent and I don't want to stand here preaching. It's no different than any other minor infraction. Personally I like to let eBay set the rules, though often I don't agree with them. To address your question, yes it's a matter of personal comfort zone. No thing but a chicken wing.
posted on December 19, 2000 04:44:05 AM new
Most of our items are pre-stamped to speed up the time at the PO as we just drop them in the slot.However we do a lot of international and thats what takes the time at the PO.
Plus I sell some expensive items I want a tracking number for
Besides the wait is due to the holiday season right know.It was over an hour wait yesterday.
posted on December 19, 2000 05:39:47 AM new
Beginning as an antiques & collectibles site, eBay flourished. <p>
The internet nature required eBay management to reach out into uncharted waters...no need to rehash that.<p>
The shakeout may begin in 2001. Quick money, lack of business ethics and business insights will choke a percentage of eBay sellers.<p>
Like others, I attend many, many live auctions. I'm continually astounded by the $ people pay.
eBay, like any other business, requires planning, building an infrastructure, organization, and an open-to-buy plan.<p>
Quick money is gone. Yard sale merchandise (new or old) will sell at yard sale $.<p>
Now, we'll get down to business. So too will eBay. There are a number of large - well financed internet operations - who could easily begin a site for the antiques and collectibles (not yard sale) market.<p>
Meanwhile, its the brick n' mortar axiom, buy smart, don't be greedy, and service the customer.
A few thoughts....thanks...
posted on December 19, 2000 07:21:13 AM new
Stockticker, I meant UN-intentionally. Whoops, what I get for posting late at night. Going to edit that now.
posted on December 19, 2000 10:41:46 AM new
Ecom said
Can the moderator please delete jwpr's political spam?
I agree...completely inappropriate. And inaccurate.
+++++
Economies are like ecosystems, they expand and contract.
We have had expansion. Now we have contraction.
Some things die off, others bloom. Sheesh, now I sound like Chance the Gardener in Being There!!!!!
I am a small seller, and I can afford to taper off. I also am not seeing anything that I buy in other venues...nothing in the realm of ebay's depth.
We also have to remember that the retail end of the internet has matured considerably since the earlier days of ebay. I don't have to surf ebay to find that one item, because it probably is at someone elses storefront.
Maybe it is time for ebay to shake out the deadwood and focus more. I am sure that is what they are doing, they are just going in a more retailer direction. I did hear an ebay add on the radio....for Disney. Not for Joe Ebayer. They are publicly held and need to turn some major profit, so the days of low fees are gone. Disney probably kicks more to them per sale than I am for the same $/$ closing bid.
And Amy/Reddeer/HCQ are correct, if it's not selling, it's not what people want.
And you need to be darwinistic (a word??) if you want to stay in the game. Hard at times...I have donated items when the write-off would be higher than the profit margin.
posted on December 19, 2000 10:44:29 AM new
Just TOO much stuff on eBay. It's a saturated market. I see page after page of items going down with one bid and little more except for the more unusual.
Doing decent at Yahoo but I wouldn't want to place all my eggs in that basket either.
However, sales on eBay do tend to pick up after Xmas.
posted on December 19, 2000 08:02:15 PM newborillar - First and foremost I regret you are leaving ebay. However before you just pac it up and move totally to another site over free listings. Might I suggest this.
Continue to list on ebay. Relist on the other sites. That way you don't miss those minutes of opportunity when ebay experiences a buyer surge. And you build an equal to your ebay reputation on the other site.
twinsoft - Your comments to mrjim were shall I say very very skirting to AW rules. And found your my morals are higher than yours attitude rather revealing from a seller who won't leave feedback until the buyer leaves it first. But since ebay hasn't a written rule on the subject I guess that's your justification. Nice to know that ebay sets your moral standard.
mrjim - Face it some of these wackos here actually will cry to safeharbor that your practices are hurting their ebay sales. And guess what else from the time you posted until they find your ebay name they will be searching ebay looking for your auctions to be able to come back and brag about how they got your auctions shut down. For some strange reason it gives them a sense of pride.
deedeals That lipservice about ebay's rules. Well take it from an expert on ebay's rules. They use the we enforce what we want how we want system inregards to rules. With such an arbritary system in place why even bother to have them. But then again some people as you can see have structured their entire business model based on ebay rules and then cry when ebay does something they don't like. I am begining to suspect that ebay gives out skippy credits for snitching.
ebay is getting expensive because the market is getting tight. Let's face it everyone with a computer has something to sale.
posted on December 19, 2000 08:46:47 PM new
If so many so-called "sellers" can't recognize good eBay material from junk, then what's the problem? Let them go thier own way. Ebay requires a good business plan, just like any other.
posted on December 19, 2000 09:12:07 PM new
Networker67, for someone so clear on AW's rules, you also seem to cross the line several times. Your in-depth analysis based on an assumption that I would waste my time searching out MrJim's auctions has absolutely no basis in anything that I have posted.
The last thing I intend is to get into a shouting match about who did what first. I don't claim a moral standard higher than anyone else's. Although I object to MrJim's tactics, and they do violate eBay policy, I'm more concerned with the fact that he's encouraging others to violate eBay's rules. If you're going to post at AW, don't post advice that's liable to get another user booted from eBay!
My reaction to his comments was no different than my reaction to any other similar infraction, such as bottom-feeding or spamming eBay members. I said my piece and that's all. No soapbox, and I don't care to debate it.
Nice to know eBay sets your moral standard.
Not really. But eBay sets the rules and we all agree to those rules when we use the site. If you can't abide by the contract, you don't belong on eBay; and certainly not stealing my customers away. If you don't like eBay's rules, get off the site.
Naturally, cheaters will use any excuse to justify their actions. The rules aren't clear, the rules aren't fair, the rules don't apply. Really, I think I've heard it all. You can call me a snitch if you want. If I see a seller stealing my sales by using unfair practices, I will report them. Perhaps you are in a position to applaud anyone who cheats and gets away with it. Considering that you've been banned for life from eBay, I doubt your own opinion is unbiased.
posted on December 19, 2000 10:29:40 PM new
twinsoft, your above post should be good for at least 12 paragraphs of unitelligible ranting, raving, and drivel.
posted on December 20, 2000 11:08:18 AM new
I have been having GREAT sales this Christmas! I don't like being nickled and dimed to death with the fee's - but it would cost me MUCH more overhead to have a store front.
My little "cyber garage sale" here on ebay brings in a second income for my family. We are able to do things like going to dinner once a week, movies, video games, rewards for my children's major accomplishments (like a new skateboard for getting on the "B" honor roll).
I am glad my husband has the "steady" income - cause I would NEVER count on sales here on ebay! To have that as a FULL-TIME job and counting on that money to get by is silly in my opinion.
When I list an item - say I paid a $1.00 for it - I list it for $5.00! Then I know I made a little money. Most times that item sells for $15 dollars. With that kind of profit margin - I can afford a few cents here and there to do business and still have some money for my family.
Do people really do this for a living? I guess I have thought it was just a hobby for most. Hmmm... NOPE I will just stick with it as a hobby.
