posted on February 18, 2002 07:52:10 AM new
My bid is based on the total cost of the auction. I need to know the shipping amount so I can properly calculate my bid.
If an item is only worth $20 to me and the shipping is listed at $5, then my maximum bid will be $15. It doesn't matter how much actual shipping will be as long as the combined total of the shipping charge and my bid stay within my value range.
If you don't disclose shipping I can't calculate my maximum bid.
Thank you for your interest regarding my rare ancient item.
I was planing on charging you $25.00 for shipping, $8.00 for insurance and finally a small $10.00 packing fee.
10% discount on shipping for powersellers only.
All my items are packed with only the best materials available on todays market. A smelly box from the local store dumpster wrapped with newspaper for added security.
Note: please snipe with confidence!
Regards,
Seller
[ edited by slabholder on Feb 18, 2002 08:41 AM ]
posted on February 18, 2002 08:54:35 AM new
quickdraw29 - what's a "ditwit"? Possibly a nitwit?
I have 500+ feedbacks as a seller. I ALWAYS answer the bidders' questions. If you are trying to sell an item there is no such thing as a stupid question from someone interested in purchasing that item. As in all businesses there is a small thing called customer service and full disclosure. In my auctions I describe the item to the best of my ability-state all shipping fees, insurance fees and any handling charge. I usually find that the sellers who do not state shipping charges and refuse to answer emails quoting at least a ballpark figure are usually going to rip me off. With the feedback you say you have it's obvious that you are not taking advantage of buyers. However, think of all the possible bids you could receive by simply being polite and answering a potential bidders question.
With your attitude, ie: "nazis", I find it hard to believe that you have amassed the amount of feedback you state that you have.
Being courteous and helpful has never killed anyone!!!!
posted on February 18, 2002 10:33:56 AM new
I hardly think it is a "generalization" as to a seller's behavior if communication is given begrudgingly. At least no more than someone wanting to know how much something costs before buying is a "problem".
posted on February 18, 2002 12:10:33 PM new
sonsie, I like when bidders blacklist themselves from my auctions. That's why I don't mind a few negatives in myt feedback to scare the weak away.
twinsoft, you're welcome to draw upon your experience, just as I am entitled to.
alwaysbroke, I hate fiction. Just tell me tales based on true stories. Sellers who charged an outrageous amount wouldn't last long, and probably wouldn't find a buyer who would mail the payment to him with that kind of shipping charge. Besides, 99% of buers are undercharged for shipping ($1 handling fee? hahahahaha. Sellers are scammed by buyers!!)
By the way I show my shipping in the majority of my auctions. However, I have done hundreds of listings without listing the shipping fee to test the results, and bidding is much better.
So much for the idle promises of those who won't bid unless the seller responds. That is B.S. I know from experience, people don't bid even if seller does respond. But, it doesn't hurt my profits even one little bit.
kasue, any questions about how I list you can ask me direct. I respond honestly. Honestly, if I was a buyer looking at an auction like mine I would probably pass on bidding. Reason is, I'm not the type of buyer I market to. Just like tv and radio ads don't market to me, they market to idiots. I don't watch a commercial that says "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom" and run out and buy it. I spend over a year researchng what car I want to buy. But really you must understand, I test everything. I just don't act on stubborn beliefs. I know the odds of every action I take. I don't leave things to chance.
I actually think it is wise to know your total cost before bidding, but what I am saying is that it is mathematically not in your best interest because the time you waste will surpass the amount you will ever save. If your time is worth nothing, so be it. My time is valuable and I play the odds to my favor. I know most people can't understand this basic concept, which is perfect for me because it's just like the stock market- you need more losers in order to have winners. If everyone knew the exact odds of them winning, no one could win because there'd be no losers.
posted on February 18, 2002 12:19:37 PM new
I agree that sellers should be responsive. But the flip side of the coin is that once a bid is placed, the bidder is responsible for payment. I don't know how many times I've gotten emails after the auction stating, "I need this item by Tuesday." Often these bidders fail to send payment at all.
posted on February 18, 2002 12:35:14 PM new
"With your attitude, ie: "nazis", I find it hard to believe that you have amassed the amount of feedback you state that you have."
"nazis" were people who were blindly led down a slippery slope. I did not imply it to mean anything else. I can amass so many great feedback because I don't allow my personal side intefere with my professional side, the only exception is when I get a rude buyer who I end up voiding their sale.
posted on February 18, 2002 02:30:26 PM new
QUICKDRAW29, you're welcome to do business your way, but just don't try to tell everybody it is "the" way to do it, or that "nobody" ever bids after emailing about shipping, etc. What is true for you is NOT true for everybody.
I always write to inquire about shipping if it isn't stated in the auction. It probably takes me less than one minute to write the email and send it. Likewise, I will answer any question a buyer asks. That might take a bit longer, but since I get so few, I don't mind. As I said, I answer 99% of buyers' questions in the listing itself, so I get few inquiries. Frankly, scaring away "weak" bidders isn't part of my game plan, and neither is collecting negatives as some sort of proof of my superior business sense.
Spending one or two minutes once a day asking about shipping is hardly wasting my time. Even if I charged $100 an hour, that still amounts to less than $2 to find out important information on what could be a purchase of several hundred dollars. Good insurance, I say. You can call it whatever you want...and I'm sure you will continue to call it dumb.
posted on February 18, 2002 03:13:24 PM new
Now we are time wasters, stubborn, unable to understand basic concepts, and losers because some of us do things differently?
Again I say, You can respect another person's differing opinion without disparaging their mental capacities.
1) You asked your self a question:” Is it worth it to figure s/h in advance, or would it be more economical to do it all at the end?” That’s an excellent, sound, business question to ask. It shows good business sense.
2) You ran tests by offering some auctions with s/h, and some without. A very scientific and intelligent thing to do.
3) You altered some of your business practices based on the new conclusions drawn from the tests. Again, logical and good.
I may not change my methods after reviewing yours, but I understand why you came to your conclusions. I don’t have to agree to respect you.
But everyone on this forum has valuable advise to share that, like yours, is based on tests, experience, and experimentation. I would like to believe everyone can enter a free forum like this one, give advise, opinions, and ask questions in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
posted on February 18, 2002 05:54:56 PM new
quickdraw-I find it hard to believe you sell more when you dont post the shipping.I have never bid on anything that didnt have the shipping it.For instance if i win a cd for 5.00 and the shipping is listed $2-3(which is normal),whats to prevent someone who sells the same cd for $5 and when i win the auction he emails me and say the shipping will be $10? Id be pretty pissed
posted on February 18, 2002 05:54:58 PM new
quickdraw-I find it hard to believe you sell more when you dont post the shipping.I have never bid on anything that didnt have the shipping it.For instance if i win a cd for 5.00 and the shipping is listed $2-3(which is normal),whats to prevent someone who sells the same cd for $5 and when i win the auction he emails me and say the shipping will be $10? Id be pretty pissed
posted on February 19, 2002 11:19:07 AM new
If they don't give you information, don't bid. How simple can you get.
I have to agree though with the response from a previous statement in this thread that "people who ask shipping cost" are the real pain in the a... later. However, before you take offense, my charges are right up front in the ad, and they still ask!
In fact, I have stopped selling to Canada because they do not send the proper amount (must be the socialist ideals where you are to have everyone else support you). Even when it is up front in the Ad they argue, and then send less than is stated in the ad any way.
posted on February 19, 2002 02:53:56 PM new
Would you answer these questions directly?
1. Did you get my check (or Paypal, BillPoint)?
2. How long will it take to get here?
3. Do you have a tracking number?
4. Can you send it right away? My client is waiting for it...
I only have two hours to pack after I get home from work before the post office closes. I rather be packing than answering questions!
posted on February 19, 2002 03:55:53 PM new
I have been packing things as I list them so I have the shipping price to include in the auction. It has worked out really great for me. People often pay me while I am still cranking out my end of auction emails. Then I just close the box, tape it shut and put it in the bin to go to the post office. I answer questions whenever they are asked. I agree that no one here is a loser, I have learned many important lessons here!
posted on February 19, 2002 04:56:07 PM new
Would you answer these questions directly?
1. Did you get my check or MO?
Well, if you would include your name in this email I could tell you. By the way, not including your email address or auction id number with your payment, not only can I not answer if I have received your check or MO, I don't know what you bought either. If you paid by Paypal, check your account to see if the transaction was completed, and while you're there, make sure you paid the correct email address. I can not mystically connect an email address to a username to a name, or connect your name to an auction, please be sure to include all three in all correspondence, that way I can find out what you bought, and connect you and your purchase to the name on the check/MO. I try to serve my customers like they are the only person in the world, but you're not and without the necessary information, I can't connect you to anything in this world. DO ANY OF YOU OTHER SELLERS RECEIVE CHECKS/MO WITH NOTHING ELSE ? DO YOU CRINGE WHEN YOU OPEN THE ENVELOPE AND FIND ONLY A CHECK OR MO WITH NO OTHER INFO? OR AN EMAIL THAT ASKS IF YOU RECEIVED THE CHECK/MO AND IT IS SIGNED "THANKS" JOE, OR SUE, AND NO OTHER INFORMATION? HOW ABOUT BUYERS AND SELLERS THAT HAVE ONE EMAIL ADDRESS WITH EBAY, BUT SOME OF THEIR CORRESPONDENCE IS FROM A DIFFERENT EMAIL ADDRESS AND WHEN YOU TRY TO IDENTIFY THE TRANSACTION HISTORY BY EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR RECORDS YOU COME UP WITH NOTHING?
2. How long will it take to get here?
That's out of my hands once I give it to the shipper, from my experience a good range is 2 to 60 days, and it depends on where it is shipped to. As example, Canada takes from 4 to 18 days, Europe 5 to 22, the U.S. 2 to 16, S. America 8 to 35, Asia 5 to 25. Why these ranges ? I don't know. When will your item arrive ? I don't know. Why don't I estimate it for you ? Because it could lead to unnecessary disappointment and more questions.
3. Do you have a tracking number?
No, especially since you opted not to pay for tracking.
4. Can you send it right away? My client is waiting for it...
Did you pay for it right away ? I ship next business day for MOs and Paypal- but if you pay for overnight shipping with a check, guess what happens? But again, once the shipper has the package..... see question 2.
