posted on April 8, 2004 12:02:13 PM
I have a situation at present where an Italian bidder has won 2 of my auctions. One offered International shipping, one didn't.
Obviously she didn't read all the second listing, and just assumed International was also available. It's a very large vintage jewelry lot weighing over 6lbs. To ship jewelry to Italy , it must go insured airmail, and as it's so heavy, it must go parcel post. This will cost over $20.00
The WBN ( I looked at what she was sent) gave a zero in the parcel post box. That's because in the description, and shippng directions box, I said "to be CALCULATED ".
The other auction WBN, for which International was offered gives the USPS shipping charge, $6.00.
naturally, above all this is a big honking Papal button-"pay now" etc. Which she did!
(In my auction listing, I state "U.S. shipping $XXXX, and have a section stating that International costs will be calculated after auction.)
My point is, if this is the notification a bidder receives after the auction, can this bidder say that I am changing my shipping terms? The bids totalled nearly $200.00, but I'm darned if I'm going to foot over $30.00 shipping!
Question: Does Vendio have a way of us editing their first WBN to ask international bidders to wait for a second e-mail with the international costs? I can't find it in "preferences".
I've never had an International bidder do this before. They all either read well, or naturally understand that their costs will be different, and they wait, or contact for Int. costs.
Also, this bidder has given a different name, and e-mail address to Vendio than to Paypal! The shipping address is the same 'tho. They haven't responded to my e-mails explaining this, after 3 days, either.
I think the best way to deal with this is to edit your default WBN text to include a note right at the top of the page that clearly states if the winning bidder is not in the USA, they *must* wait for a second/revised WBN to use for the checkout process.
You can edit your default messages for the WBN via the My Account tab, under the Post Sale Mgmt Options link.
posted on April 10, 2004 02:08:49 PM
Many thanks, Christopher.
I was searching in the wrong preferences section.
I noticed that in the second default setting, when the bidder enters Vendio, I do request that International bidders contact me for their shipping costs! She must have had that itchy Paypal finger, and gone there first, or just not paid attention!
She still has not contacted me, despite 4 e-mails.....ggggrr!
