posted on December 15, 2006 09:00:52 AM new
The issue is not just finding free boxes,but willing to find free boxes and having the room to store all these boxes of different size.
Not all sellers live in houses,some live in small apts.
(most of these boxes harbor cockroach eggs)
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Lets all stopwhining!
[ edited by hwahwa on Dec 15, 2006 09:01 AM ]
posted on December 15, 2006 09:30:24 AM new
On the subject of finding free boxes vs. buying them and/or sending things in priority boxes for higher shipping: So much depends on where you live and how handy free boxes are to find.
The center of our small mountain-resort town is 2 miles from our home, and we have to go there every day for our mail at the p.o. Looking for free boxes entails no extra driving around! The hardware store has a large bin of small sturdy boxes, and I raid it about every two or three months. These are great boxes for smaller items. The Radio Shack nearby has air pillows they're throwing away. The pharmacy has nice boxes they've just emptied and stacked near their front door. The grocery store has good boxes. All these shops are from 30 feet to a block from each other.
If I lived in a big city, as we did before moving here, finding good sources of boxes nearby would involve a lot of time and gas.
posted on December 15, 2006 11:10:28 AM new
A note to those who send paper items in regular envelopes - please do not use corrugated cardboard as a stiffener! It jams the post office machines and mangles the contents.
posted on December 19, 2006 12:45:29 PM new
Those things were small enough to be packaged in another box and should have been I will give you that. But we do currently have some boomboxes that are in very nice hard boxes, yes the factory sealed boxes, but we do not put these in another box. They weigh too much and the box would have to be enormous to fit them. I do think there are circumstances where another shipping box is not possible or would add too much to the shipping charges and then we all know the complaints we would get then!
posted on December 19, 2006 12:48:49 PM new
roadsmith I am not sure what your town offers but I live in a large city myself and have found a wonderful resource for boxes. There is a yahoo group called freecycle and people are constantly giving away boxes. Not only that it is a great way to find packing materials.
posted on December 19, 2006 02:27:31 PM new
I have made about 10 purchases this month ON eBay -- that is more than I have made all together in past several years.
My experiences has taught me a lot.
I do handling business different than most.
NOT ONE - although all were paid instantly ever emailed me personally. None informed my item was shipped. I did receive a couple generic (mean nothing ) notes like you won , or that thingy from Paypal saying label printed. etc.
Also , I send everything the next business after paid . Some of the items ended a week ago, paid instantly& as far as I know may be still be waiting to be sent.
Hey, I do ship about 100 packages a week . I PERSONALLY TYPE a thank you email to ALL paying customer. I also email each when it is sent.
No help on packing or listing, just lil ole moi
O'well , I guess CS is Gone With The Wind
___________________________________________
[ edited by deur1 on Dec 20, 2006 04:27 AM ]
I also notify buyers when I've received their payment, and send them a tracking number when I've shipped. I think that is good business. However, to think that not sending a PERSONAL note to each and every one of them is the death of customer service seems a bit over the top.
I'm not looking for friends on eBay. When I buy, I want to get what I paid for quickly and efficiently. When I sell, I try to give people what I'm looking for in an eBay transaction.
For those repeat customers who have become friends (or perhaps more accurately, friendly) over time, I will include a note. I would not expect a note from Amazon, and it doesn't bother be a bit that I don't get one.
posted on December 19, 2006 02:54:33 PM new
I'm not looking for friends on eBay. When I buy, I want to get what I paid for quickly and efficiently. When I sell, I try to give people what I'm looking for in an eBay transaction.
????????????????????????????????????????
Heck , I am NOT LOOKING FOR AMIGOS EITHER __
I simply thank my customers
It takes me a few minutes a day.
I do not keep up a correspondence with my customers.
I thank them , I let them know items are shipped. I ship the next business day after they pay.
Perhaps you can understand why I assumed that you were looking for something other than an information transfer, since you made such a point that you PERSONALLY TYPE the emails or that people didn't email you personally. I have those emails systemically generated; do they meet your criteria for adequate customer service
posted on December 19, 2006 04:07:06 PM new
Deur,
you said you bought 10 items off Ebay.yet you described these items like they are auction items??
Were you bidding on some auction sites?
This may explain why CS is so poor,most of these auctions dont get much traffic,the seller could be out to lunch,a long lunch!
posted on December 19, 2006 04:21:44 PM new
You said you bought 10 items off Ebay.yet you described these items like they are auction items??
Were you bidding on some auction sites?
This may explain why CS is so poor,most of these auctions dont get much traffic,the seller could be out to lunch,a long lunch-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hwahwa
All purchases were bid on eBay on regular 5 or 7 day auctions, not store items
ON eBay
I purchased on the site found at www.ebay.com
I do not know if the sellers have been for a long lunch , I was simply stating my experience
Have a great evening
-----------------
[ edited by deur1 on Dec 20, 2006 04:30 AM ]
posted on December 19, 2006 04:22:07 PM new
Deur - just curious...what do you say in your email that differs from a "generic" one?
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posted on December 19, 2006 04:35:07 PM new
I'm definitely not a big-time seller; at most I mail about 30 packages a week. I personalize the first sentences of an EOA cut-and-paste message I send to all my buyers. In those two sentences, I congratulate them on their win and tell them what their total is, breaking it down by end price and shipping.
The rest asks them to reply within 3 days, assures them I leave feedback for all successful transactions, and, if they're new, urges them to ask any questions they may wish to ask.
It's astonishing to me how many tell me they appreciate the friendliness of my messages. And I get fascinating stories back from my buyers telling me why they bought that particular item.
I just DO NOT LIKE the cold EOA message I could be sending through Ebay's invoicing. As long as I have time to do what I'm doing, I'll continue doing it.
I know that I wouldn't be able to do this personalized message on a large scale, though, and congratulate all of you who are big-time sellers.
[ edited by roadsmith on Dec 19, 2006 04:37 PM ]
posted on December 19, 2006 04:35:28 PM new
just curious...what do you say in your email that differs from a "generic" one?
It says I care enuff to take time to thank my customers.
I have almost 90% return customers and over half email thanking me for taking time to thank them
It says -- I care
Most folks still appreciate a Thank You .
We have been in business here locally since 1970. We have always treated ALL customers as important.
Discussion over for moi , I was only relating my experience being the customer
posted on December 19, 2006 04:37:16 PM new
Actually, deur1 purchased ON eBay -- not OFF. Although it's a pretty common error. Sort of like Ice Tea.
I do agree that 9 purchases out of 10, nothing is heard from the seller. No payment received, no shipping notice (well, I did get one that said my purchase was shipped by (blank space) on (blank space) with tracking number (another blank).
I send an email when payment is received noting how and when it will be shipped (especially if I'm out of town and won't ship for a few days). Nothing terribly personal, but not the disjointed eBay EOA one either. Then they get tracking number or DC number through PP or FedEx.
posted on December 19, 2006 04:58:29 PM new
Many Ebay sellers are 'weekend warriors' who hold a full time job from 8-5 ,as long as the items are shipped promptly and arrived shortly,how much handholding do you need?
Dont we all get too many emails already??
posted on December 19, 2006 05:20:54 PM new
I use automated notices for the most part - and they advise and thank the buyer every step of the way (ie: thanks for your purchase, thanks for your payment, I have shipped your item, it is a pleasure doing business with you etc....) and refer particularly to the item(s) by item name and number. I don't see how hand typing a notice makes me appear to be any more thankful than these friendly and efficient automated notices?
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posted on December 19, 2006 05:50:43 PM new
Neglus: Where do you get these automated messages, and how do you automate them? I don't use any Vendio bells and whistles, ditto for eBay, so maybe they're there all along and I just didn't know it?!
posted on December 19, 2006 06:00:33 PM new
The Vendio notices are in the "Post Sale" management so if you don't use the bells and whistles, you probably don't have them. You can select which ones you send and can customize them.
I only use the ebay EOA notice and I think that comes free with Selling Manager when you have a store. Those are customizable too and much better than the old PayPal EOA notices.
I send the following notices:
1) EOA - auto ebay
2) invoice - manually through ebay (you can set up Vendio to do this but I don't use checkout so I don't use it)
3) Payment received notice - Vendio automated to be sent when buyer pays through PP
5) Shipment notificiation - manually sent through Vendio (but is generated with a check mark in bulk)
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posted on December 19, 2006 06:27:53 PM new
Same here...I stopped by the Post Office to get the mail...Wife ordered a new LCD monitor for my birthday...Mailing label slapped on the monitors box.
Needless to say...I WAS surprised, She just hates it when she can't surprise me with anything, She really thought this would be one. NOT!
posted on December 19, 2006 06:37:02 PM new
I win an auction about every other day on eBay, mainly inventory for my business (which BTW are not coffeepots). On average, the emails I receive are as follows:
1) Winning email from eBay,
2) Winning email from seller,
3) I-received-your-payment email from seller,
4) I-shipped-the-item email from seller.
In addition, I occasionally receive the UPS/PayPal/USPS email (which usually doesn’t identify the item shipped) and the subsequent Did-you-get-the-item email? (If I didn’t, you would be the FIRST to know.) This last email is usually combined with Please-leave-me-feedback. Now if I don’t leave feedback according to seller’s timeline, some will even follow up with an email solely requesting Please-leave-me-feedback-ASAP.
It’s unreal at times how many emails I’ve receive on a single purchase.
On another note… According to Fluffy, “Doesn't all just come down to Ya Get What Ya Pay For? If your expectations aren't being met, don't whine about it. Shop off eBay instead.”
So in other words, “I’m a less-than-mediocre seller who sold you a not-as-described item but since you got such a good deal, you have NO basis to complain! Get over it!”
Unfortunately I've been dealing lately with too many sellers with such an attitude as yours.
posted on December 19, 2006 09:48:11 PM new
myoldtoy---wrote Irked:
you said:
"NOT once have I ever bought a box to ship in, I routinely go around to collect boxes at places like Dollar General and Walmart is a treasure trove of empty boxes late at night after midnight."
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if you insist on d/diving after midnight, pls be at least smart enuff to carry your .357.
------------------------------------
LOL, I only go in daytime never to dumpsters. Most people know me at the DG and always have boxes in back of store and let me go in and get what I want... Then there is Walmart they stock store between 11PM on to early AM and that is only place I go at night and I walk up and down the isles picking up the most glorious boxes with great weight capacity that I am amazed anyone would pay for a box. Just another story on what the sides may say if it is not labeled much on outside I just cover writing with marker or scrap stick on labels if needed. BUT most boxes are very easy to take apart at glued seam and re glue it to have inside of box on outside. I consider that no trouble to have a nice box and not have printing on it. I also glue my flaps shut to add support to the item inside as the box is made sturdier with glued flaps.
I got off track I just day before yesterday got a huge sack of Styrofoam and bubble wrap that Wallyworld was just going to throw away so I snatched that up right in the middle of the day. Of course Christmas time has made for getting lots of packing materials for free.
I also have 2 brother-in-laws in business that keep me supplied with the best boxes and peanuts ya ever did see.
I have a huge garage plus a large room inside garage that I keep overflowing with boxes and packing materials plus a huge shop in back of my property that I keep my ebay items in along with more shipping supplies from USPS all this is detached from my home, but if it wasn't for that I know I would have to get supplies more often than I do now which is about 3 times a year if then that I get my supplies up on possible boxes I may need.
Also have friends that call saying they have such and such do I need it and the company I work for is a good source also.
Guess I am very lucky so far I have only had to buy peanuts once and then they lasted 2-3 months until I got my supply stocked back up with freebies.
In keeping with the thread on not using a shipping box that is just a definite no no. I have many times built my own box to fit what ever needed shipping when it was an odd size or shape. I take all this into account when I am fixing to list an item and state shipping terms if an unusual shipping should be needed.
I get- very often- comments on my extremely well packaged items. I always package how I expect and want my items to arrive, though I hold a high standard I know my items will arrive how that other seller wants to ship them. I have also been know to email and request how they ship before I bid and if I can request a shipping upgrade. LOL yep they say then ship how they want I found out. Also paid for insured and didn't get that either on many items guess they don't think I look to see if insured.
**************
Check it out
[ edited by irked on Dec 19, 2006 09:52 PM ]
posted on December 19, 2006 10:08:33 PM new
Neglus, thanks for the list! Appreciate it.
Irked: I too have friends who call and ask if I want peanuts and other packing supplies. All I have to buy these days is bubble envelopes for books and of course I have a huge roll of bubble wrap, which I buy maybe every 4 years. The bubble wrap isn't reliable enough here to depend on getting it free, although I do find lots of it here and there.
Friends have a gift shop with an enormous bin of styrofoam peanuts, which they use when packing a purchase to ship "home" or as a gift. They call me occasionally to ask if I need any peanuts because their bin is full (from the shipments they get in), and usually they have to just throw the extra peanuts in the recycle bin at the transfer station. A big waste!
I really cultivate my sources, and as I've said elsewhere, it's no trouble in this tiny town--there's no real driving around looking for supplies.
posted on December 20, 2006 07:17:27 AM newOn another note… According to Fluffy, “Doesn't all just come down to Ya Get What Ya Pay For? If your expectations aren't being met, don't whine about it. Shop off eBay instead.”
Why, thank you! You get your usual lump of coal for quoting me.
So in other words, “I’m a less-than-mediocre seller who sold you a not-as-described item but since you got such a good deal, you have NO basis to complain! Get over it!”
Unfortunately for you, dixielou (and oh how that ought to be a song), this isn't the first, second or third time you've complained about a seller sending you just what they said they would, though less than you had hoped.
Unfortunately I've been dealing lately with too many sellers with such an attitude as yours.
I hear there are professionals who can help with a learning disability.
Sweetie is sitting here reading this and says "YCFS". But he's hardhearted and meanspirited, unlike me.
Or, as he also likes to say...
Insanity is doing something over and over and expecting a different result.
fLufF
in an air-conditioned (thank the gods) Internet cafe, Willemstad, Curacao
--
posted on December 20, 2006 07:36:23 AM new
We ship the next day some times the same day. We send information such as tracking to all of our customers. I am dealing with several auctions and store items ending a day. I have had up to 80 packages to ship in one day I dont have the time to sit and type a personal message to each individual person. That would be ludacrist not to mention extremely time consuming. Our customer service is one of the best I have seen and I have been known to go out of my way to accomodate a customer, but like other people, we are a business not a friends network!
posted on December 20, 2006 09:48:42 AM new
Replying to the original thread subject- putting items in a proper box to ship.
I think it should have been put into a box.
I would never think of mailing an item in the manner you said yours' arrived.
However, there is no HOLY GRAIL STANDARDS for sellers.It is up to each to do as they want to do.
It is true though , some care, some don't.
Some people are more particular than others. I simply do not believe in doing things sloppy or in a half-buttocks manner.
Like many of the others here, I never buy a box. Shipping USPS Priority ONLY - boxes are free.
I do have to have other boxes on hand. I ship International almost daily usually ship Parcel Post and also need them to send large items domestically.
I get them free from local merchants.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Never argue with an idiot.They will drag you down to their level and beat you to death with experience!
________
[ edited by deur1 on Dec 20, 2006 09:52 AM ]
posted on December 20, 2006 09:58:18 AM new
Fluffy: "Insanity is doing something over and over and expecting a different result."
In this case, insanity would be buying over and over __from the same seller__, right? I think most of us have experienced sellers (one-time sellers to us) who don't package properly, and Dixie had a good point here.
We could argue all day about what constitutes good customer service, and it usually boils down to the big sellers like you and others here vs. us part-timers.
We all have different ways of treating people who are giving us money for something they want.
But the bottom line for good customer service is promptness and good communication, and we're all interpreting that in our own ways.
posted on December 20, 2006 06:38:00 PM new
Hi
elwooddbeauchamp wrote...
..I stopped by the Post Office to get the mail...Wife ordered a new LCD monitor for my birthday...Mailing label slapped on the monitors box.
When I ordered the LCD for my daughters Xmas present on the web site they said...THIS ITEM IS BEING SHIPPED IN ITS ORIGINAL BOX, NO OUTER BOX........so I can decide do I still want it or not..............natually I bought it, and got lucky it came when she wasn't home.
As a seller when I know what I'm selling is going to ship in the original box I state that in the auction, "this item is shipping in the original box NO OUTER box......now the bidder could request an outer box but it would change the shipping cost. Even items coming from JC Penny's & Toys R Us, Walmart and others they also ship lots of there items with the postage right on the original box. This is not something just ebay sellers do at times.
