posted on September 6, 2000 09:50:31 AM
SHIP THE ITEM THE WAY THE BUYER REQUESTS?
I RECENTLY SOLD AN ITEM FOR APPROX $21.00 A LAMP. I DOUBLED BOXED IT FOR SAFETY & AFTERWARDS REALIZED IT WILL BE OVERSIZED FOR USPS PRIORITY ($38.00) IN AUCTION, SHPG WAS STATED BUYER TO PAY ACTUAL SHPG. THINKING I AM DOING BUYER FAVOR, I QUOTE HER $19.53 UPS GROUND RATE (2 DAY SVC). SHE THINKS I AM OVERCHARGING HER & REQUESTS MY ZIP & DIMENSIONS, ETC. THEN SHE REVERTS IT WILL COST $38.00 & SHE WILL SEND THAT AMT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT FEDEX GROUND IS ONLY $9.00 (2 DAY SVC) & TRACKING RELIABLE (I HAVE GOTTEN SOME GOOD FEEDBACK FOR FEDEX, NEGATIVE FOR UPS GROUND). IT KILLS ME THAT THE POST OFFICE WILL MAKE MORE MONEY ON THIS ITEM THAN I DID! (LAMP PROBABLY WORTH $125.00.) FEDEX GROUND PRICE INCLUDES $100 INSURANCE, PRIORITY PRICE OF $38 DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY INSURANCE. HELP! DO I ACCEPT HER PAYMENT & GO WITH FEDEX & KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED? OR JUST GO WITH POST OFFICE??
posted on September 6, 2000 09:59:04 AM
I'm not really sure I follow your whole message, but if your bidder is paying $38.00 for shipping, then you need to ship it via the method you told her would cost $38.00, or discuss additional options with her.
You could email her and tell her what you've just learned about Fedex, and give her the option of choosing them. If she has sent you $38.00 already, enclose the difference in the package when you send it.
If you ship differently and safely you can always refund an overpayment.
The problem here is not shipping. You are the seller and need to make your own decisions as to appropriate shipping method and determine the costs involved. It's one thing for a buyer to request something, but it's up to you quote the price and take charge of the situation.
There's a line between helpful seller accommodation to a buyer's request and another where the buyer begins dictating the terms.
Get this cleared up with your buyer and don't let someone bamboozle you next time around.
posted on September 6, 2000 10:16:49 AM
Before you jump with joy over FedEx Ground as I did, let it be known that they used to be, and are still run as, RPS. I just went through a 2 month ordeal where they mis-shipped a package insured for $500.00, then returned the item to me without any packaging, damaged and told me it was MY problem. If it gets there in 2 days, fine- if it's lost or damaged get ready for countless weeks of unreturned phone calls and e-mails, total abdication of responsibility and passing the buck. I finally settled the claim the day before I was to file a lawsuit. If it the rate sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Good luck.
