Sold an item (clothes) for $2.99 my cost was 35 cents. According to my scale (weighs 5oz ), I told the buyer shipping would be $1.60.
The buyer didn't even send me the $1.60 oversight on her part....it worked out she sent me .90 for shipping.
When I received payment I weighed the package again and it was 4 oz, I looked up rate again and it said $1.35.....so I emailed buyer what happened and said don't worry about the .45 cents I will eat it.
Now I go to post office and their scale says 8 oz and the postage is $2.35 minimum. So I am out $1.45 on profit which is already very low....and I can't repackage it to make it lighter.
This has been happening alot lately where I miscalculate the shipping usually by 1 pound (priority) and haven't said anything...but it is adding up and she already was short on the shipping...
I am seriously thinking about charging a .50 to 1.00 handling charge to cover these mistakes, which I know are mine mostly, but it is a hassle to box everything up including filler to weigh it before I list it, I usually weigh the item then add 1 pound for the box and figure out the shipping that way.....
posted on March 16, 2001 11:50:53 AM new
First - get a better scale. Mine has never been off by so much as to cost me a cent. I have lost a few dollars with careless estimates.
Second - let this one go.
Third - do not add handling charges, as a buyer I resent them and will not bid on anything with handling unless I know exactly how much it is and will be getting a really great deal. Somehow, handling always just seems like gouging to me. As a seller I have never used handling charges.
posted on March 16, 2001 11:52:46 AM new
There are two issues here: your quote was wrong and the buyer did not send the postage that you did quote.
Once I quote postage I feel bound to stick to that quote even if I am wrong (which happens almost never). In this case, you quoted $1.60 and that is all the buyer should be expected to pay.
posted on March 16, 2001 11:55:56 AM new
When was the last time you calibrated your scale? Unless you removed something from the package there's no way it should have lost 1 oz between the two readings you did. That says right there, that there's something wrong with your scale. And then, to top it off you've been having a problem with packages weighing more at the PO? That really says to calibrate or buy a new scale.
Sorry, but to me its obvious. Now, because of this, you want to charge customers extra for your mistakes? *True, her underpaying is her mistake, but you allowed it to slip by when you accepted it* I don't think charging a handling fee to make up for your own mistakes is a right thing to do.. IMO.... especially when there's a very easy answer right around the corner..*calibrate or get a new scale*
posted on March 16, 2001 02:01:19 PM new
I was just talking to my Postal workers and I was told that for Priority mail, once you hit 13.5 ounces, you get charged for 1 pound. I had several parcels I mailed that were only 14-15 oz. and I was charged 1 pound rate. When I asked them why, they said they didn;t know, it was just the way the sclaes were set. I would like to know if this just happens here, or what. I find it very interesting...
posted on March 16, 2001 02:07:30 PM new
1) Did you weigh the item before packing it - I always weigh the item in the packaging and round up to the next ounce (for tape, labels, and scale error).
2) If you quote a fee, whatever it is, and buyer didn't send it, I'd expect buyer to pay what you told them to prior to shipping...
posted on March 16, 2001 02:18:20 PM new
Sorry I misspoke, I meant I wanted to send First class, and the weight changes over at 13.5 to Priority, not at 1 lb. like it should.
posted on March 16, 2001 02:50:56 PM new
Lorndav:
That is the way it has always been for first class packages. When you reach a certain weight it automatically jumps to priority mail.
posted on March 16, 2001 03:33:48 PM new
I realize that when you go over a certain weight it goes to Priority. However, Priority starts at 16oz., but if you send First Class you can only go to 13.5 oz. before you have to pay Priority prices. Even my postal workers do not understand that or think it is fair. It is just my observation that if Priority starts at 1 pound, then you should be able to mail 1st class up to 1 pound.
posted on March 16, 2001 04:01:18 PM new
When you received the payment and you saw it was not for the price you quoted, you should have contacted her and asked for her to send the difference. (could you just see what would happen if all your buyers short changed you?) They are one buyer but there are many buyers on your end.
If you made a mistake in the original quote well you need to eat that mistake. But if she dosen't send you the right amount for shipping you don't eat that.
When you give a shipping charge to a buyer and you don't actually know what the cost would be, but instead you guess, you make your own problem.
What I do if I am not sure of the ship. cost I pack the item just like it was being shipped then put it on the scale, By doing it that way if your scale is correct you should have not problem in giving the right quote.
Now, What to Do!.....Eat the mistake and move on, and try not to make the same mistake.
I have had this happen to me many times, and why because I was tired and didn't want to pack the item and I took a guess, a low one at that. But no more guessing, I ship to many items and I don't want to make the mistakes I did before, They are costly mistakes.
Under the new rate structute, anything over 13 ounces doesn't qualify for first class, but must go Priority. I don't know what's with the 13.5 ounces at your post office, since rates are not based on the half-ounce.
No, it isn't fair. If you calculate what it would have cost to send a 15 ounce item by first class, it is less than the priority rate. But the purpose of a rate increase is to increase rates, and that's exactly what they did when they put in a cutoff at 13 ounces.
posted on March 16, 2001 05:41:39 PM new
Honey, just chalk it up to "tuition" for your ebay-selling continuing-ed class!
When I first started selling, I regularly underestimated the postage costs. Then I got smart (see some of the messages above for really good advice).
I don't have a fabulous scale, and sometimes I notice I'm off more than I thought I'd be. Now I'm trying to figure some sort of formula for what the item weighs bare nekkid (the item, not me!) extrapolating up to what it may weigh fully packed. I'll bet someone has the formula out there and just won't share with us. Boo.
I always eat the cost if I'm wrong on it. Tastes better with grey poupon mustard. And I reimbursed a buyer once a couple of dollars because I'd overestimated. I think it's just the right thing to do. --Adele
posted on March 16, 2001 05:52:47 PM new
Just want to point out that packages which are greater than 13oz don't HAVE to go priority.
They can go Parcel Post. Granted, at less than 1 lb, there's only a few pennies difference between Priority & Parcel. But, over 1 lb & the gap widens with Parcel Post cheaper.
