posted on June 22, 2001 01:49:02 AM new
In our "Item Shipped" e-mail, we include a link for the feedback page with most of the information autofilled for the buyer:
posted on June 22, 2001 03:25:52 AM new
I thuthfully figured everyone bookmarked their bidders page at eBay. All my recent buys and curent bids are 1 click away.
posted on June 22, 2001 03:28:42 AM new
I found a really cheap place to get 2000 business cards printed up for under $40, and both my email addresses & my user id are on them. I write a simple thank you on the back and slip it into the plastic bag that most of my items are shipped in. Gives the USPS my address if needed, and gives the buyer my info. It also gives them a card to keep handy in a rolodex or card file for future reference. I've gotten lots of repeat business from this.
Also, one thing I've been doing for a couple of years now is taping over every address on the box or usually tyvek envelope, ever since one box was returned to me after it had gotten wet, and the address was obliterated. This came in handy last week, when the Houston post office was flooded and several of my outgoing packages ended up a flooded area. Nothing was lost, and since I usually use tyvek bags and tape all the ends, very little actually got wet except the outside of the package.
[ edited by radodge on Jun 22, 2001 03:29 AM ]
[ edited by radodge on Jun 22, 2001 03:29 AM ]
posted on June 22, 2001 03:39:38 AM new
We have always sent an invoice with thank -you to our buyers. Can't say that it realy helps with getting feedback though.(Buyers deserve a receipt of some kind.) I've never gotten anything from a catalogue and wrote back right away with comments. Or made a special trip back to a store just to fill out a customer service card. A real problem transaction might be different - we're talking a simple, smooth transaction.
Leaving feedback is just a time, courtesy, sit down and do it thing. There are probably a lot of good intentions out there that just never happen. Or when the buyer remembers it, feels it's too late.
It's good business though to pump up your customer a bit by leaving feedback for them. Whether or not they leave it for you, many will get into receiving it and seeing their little number grow.
Have you ever used vistaprint.com? You get 500 color business cards for FREE! You get a little advertisement of the company in the back, but you can fill in all your details. I love them!
> taping over every address on the box
I print an invoice which folds up half and into thirds to slide into a "Invoice Enclosed" see through slip to show my return address and delivery address. You provide the buyer an invoice and waterproofed at the same time!
posted on June 22, 2001 01:04:39 PM new
ya know the new feedback feature ebay has put in place has prompted me to leave feedback quicker than before, but i tend to do so every week or so....
every 20 seconds in america a woman is giving birth:SHE MUST BE FOUND AND STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.................................................................
posted on June 22, 2001 05:36:16 PM new
Good Topic. I have only bought one item on Ebay and have sold over 200. I used to include a thank you but got out of the habit when I started accepting Paypal. Many people pay within 24- 48 hours of EOA and I am scrambling to match emails and pack and send emails stating I am on my way to the post office.
That Said However I have received two mail payments in the last two weeks with no information, just a check. It takes a while to match up, sooo
I will start including a note with the auction number and my ebay name. Never want anyone to be confused.
I leave feedback once I know the package is in the hands of the buyer and they are happy which has been 100 % so far. The transaction is not done until they have the goods and can see that yes the item does match the description and that it wasn't lost in the mail, etc, etc..
posted on June 22, 2001 06:10:37 PM new
I leave feedback & ship the same day the funds arrive. I mention that fact in my auctions, and in my EOA email. I never send an invoice unless one is requested.
Considering where I live, and my eBay user ID, and I can't imagine anyone is confused where the item came from.
posted on June 22, 2001 08:21:38 PM new
Since I use Quickbooks to keep track of my business accounting, it's easy to print an invoice from it that doubles as an address label. Like Sun818, I just fold it up and stick it in an Invoice Enclosed thing.
I include my name and eBay name on the invoice, the item numbers, price, etc.
On more expensive items, I include a second copy of the invoice inside...I don't know how those invoice windows could come unstuck but I figure for the trouble and ink costs, it's a good idea.
As a buyer, I bet I've gotten receipts or invoices on about 20 percent of the total items. I print a copy of the item description pages to use as a receipt for my taxes just in case I don't get one with the item.
posted on June 22, 2001 08:31:45 PM new
On the packing slip issue: I can not believe no one mentioned the packing slip offered by auctionwatch. We're all here. We ALL have access to it! How much easier could it get???
And as far as what I personally do: I print out the AW slip, include it with a "thanks for your business. Enjoy!" note handwritten. And I also write the auction number on the lower left hand corner of the box. (That way I can record what the exact cost of the postage was, to compare to what I charged and my own costs.)
On the feedback issue: I used to leave feedback for everyone when I received payment, but I agree that it leaves you open for buyers who make obnoxious demands, which change your entire feeling about the quality of him/her. I know someone who had a buyer say that the new, in the box coffee maker arrived "dusty", so she wanted a refund because the seller "should have washed it first." (WhAT?!) There are truly nutsos out there, and with ebay allowing only ONE feedback per person to count, it is our responsibility to MAKE IT COUNT!
[ edited by fruitsandveggies on Jun 22, 2001 08:34 PM ]
