posted on June 17, 2001 08:51:23 AM new
I realize that most of you don't agree with what I did, not that I asked if you did, I just asked for an answer to the question, and again, I will state:
I welcome feedback on my sales. If my items were not selling, I would want to know why. Why is someone else's selling for $8, and mine is only selling for $1? Which was the case here. Although I haven't checked the auctions today. I was not trying to change his TOS I was not trying to make him angry or defensive. If my pictures were crappy I would want someone to tell me. If my TOS were difficult to understand, I would want to know. If my shipping was ridiculous to some people, I would like to know, so I could at least re-evaluate it. I might or might not change it, but i would at least take into consideration what a potential buyer told me.
The buyers are what keeps me in business, and to treat them like scum, like they are ignorant and or out to get me doesn't do my business any good at all.
Some sellers choose to take offense to anything buyers tell them. I don't.
My shipping supplies are free (priority mail) so I cannot, in good conscience charge anyone double to ship anything, in fact, I charge what the post office charges me. I am sorry that I do not agree with doubling shipping costs. And I am sorry if I offended anyone. That was not my intent.
posted on June 17, 2001 09:11:58 AM new
Maybe some people like to bid on auctions that charge handling and not just actual shipping. To them, it means the seller is packing more careful, using bubble wrap or peanuts and doing a good job and not just throwing the item in a "free" box.
Just a thought.
posted on June 17, 2001 09:16:43 AM newI am sorry that I do not agree with doubling shipping costs. And I am sorry if I offended anyone. That was not my intent.
You certainly didn't offend me. You're entitled to your opinion just as I am mine, and I respect it as I hope you do mine.
I don't charge double actual postage cost to ship a CD. I charge roughly 4 times the actual postage cost to ship a CD and I pretty much break even on the shipping. My actual shipping charges (for me at least) tend to run about 4 times the amount of the postage paid to the Post Office.
posted on June 17, 2001 09:21:55 AM new
As his name indicates the BuisnessMan has "costed-out" everything that goes into providing that aspect of the transaction.
To be proud that one is losing $$ on each transaction seems stupid to me, but I guess that the loss on each is made up in volume.
posted on June 17, 2001 05:55:00 PM newI was not trying to change his TOS
If the intent was not to change his shipping charges, then why mention it to him?
IMO, when someone is giving another "advice" they have the intent of getting the other guy to "correct" his "incorrect" behavior.
You felt the seller was charging to much and that was why he didn't have a bid...so you inform him of why he has no bids. Your doing it to "help" him...and that comes down to your assumption that you know what he is doing "wrong" and if he would only listen to you he would no longer be doing it "wrong"
Sorry, you DID mean to try and get him to change his TOS on ALL subsequent listings. You wanted to change his business practices.
If you want to charge "postage only" that is wonderful. But be aware that you DO have other costs in that shipping...your time, your gas, your car upkeep, general office supplies like pens etc...and those items get deducted from your gross profits to come up with your net profit. Charging actual postage only means you are making less profit than you would if you covered those expenses in the shipping.
But it IS your choice to make, just as it was that seller's choice.
Maybe HE should email all the sellers who charge actual postage only and advise them (and you) about how they (and you) are throwing away your hard earned profits
I think I explained my motives in my previous post. But I will explain my motives again. Despite what you think, (and you DO NOT know my mind) I DO NOT care if he changes his terms of service. It is his business and he can do as he chooses. All I know is that I chose not to bid on his auction. If someone has a reason to not bid on my auctions, then I would want to know, so I could consider whether or not to change whatever it was that kept them from bidding. As I stated earlier, I care about my customers, and value their opinions. If I ma doing something that is causing buyers to bypass my auctions, I would want to know. I am open to suggestions about how my business is run. I am not perfect, and I know that I have room for improvement.
That is why I frequented these boards, to learn what buyers prefer, and how sellers run their business. I have learned, so far, that some sellers don't care what buyers think. And some get quite offended.
posted on June 17, 2001 08:15:48 PM new
When I bid on an auction I do my comparing of prices on the final figure.I really don't care who starts it at what or how much they charge on shipping and handling,whether I'm going to receive it in a gold plated box or strapped to some birds hind end,I'm just concerned about the total amount of what I'm paying and it the item worth that amount to me.
posted on June 17, 2001 08:33:51 PM newthat some sellers don't care what buyers think
And you can't know that some sellers don't care what buyers think. Despite what you think, you can't know those sellers minds (anymore than you insist I can't know yours)
