posted on March 30, 2001 12:17:57 PM
I can't belive it! Today, I received a payment from a buyer. Auction amount is in a check, even though the auction and eoa email plainly stated MONEY ORDER, and the shipping which was clearly stated in the auction was $6.00, Enclosed is 3 $2.00 stamps.Can you pay for ins. at the USPS with stamps? can you exchange them for cash? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
posted on March 30, 2001 01:03:46 PM
Is this a newbie buyer? Could they possibly think that they are supposed to send postage in the stated shipping amount??
I received a .33 cent stamp once, when the buyer had purchased their money order, and realized it was .30 cents short. They sent the stamp to make up for the difference, rather than put coins in the envelope.
I would clearly email this buyer and tell them you'll be sending the check and the stamps back, and that you need a MO in the full amount for the item.
posted on March 30, 2001 01:10:09 PM
Yes, you can use the stamps on your package. Insurance fees are really just part of your overall postage and using your own stamps on your package is just as good as the PO putting on one of their PVI strips.
As a general rule, PO's do not accept returned stamps unless they were damaged and unusable, in which case they will exchange them for other stamps. I say in general, because as you know, each PO tends to do things differently. Exchanging for cash would definitely not be the norm.
I realize your customer did everything wrong and you certainly have a right to be peeved, but I've had customers send me stamps a few times and it's fine with me. I know I'm going to use them on something!
posted on March 30, 2001 03:01:49 PM
Perhaps the buyer felt 6.00 for postage/insurance was too high and figured if they sent the stamps you would use them on the package and they would then have their money's worth of postage, even if it was too much......
posted on March 30, 2001 03:09:05 PM
I agree with toollady...
Your buyer is probably sick and tired of getting gouged on postage and handling fees, so he decided to send exactly what the EOA notice stated. $6.00 postage.
posted on March 30, 2001 03:30:44 PM
I had a whole bunch of old stamps with outdated postage, and my PO happily exchanged all of them (about $10 worth) for new stamps. They wouldn't give me cash, but there was NO hassle about exchanging them for stamps I could use.
However, IMO send the check & stamps back to your bidder with a coupon for Lenscrafters so he can get some glasses to READ YOUR TOS!!!!!!
posted on March 30, 2001 03:38:30 PM
It is irrelevant as to whether the shipping charges were too high, they were clearly stated in the auction , and by bidding the terms were accepted.
I love the comment about the lenscrafters coupon, Great Idea
posted on March 30, 2001 04:03:46 PM
U.S. Postage stamps issued after the civil war are always good for postage. Only ones designed for bulk mail or charitable organizations may present problem at time of use. All other stamps, just use them on your mailing.
Not sure what the big fuss is. Unless you have trouble using up $6 in postage, it should be at most a minor inconvenience (if even that) to use up the stamps.
Also, I refund my customers with stamps whenever they send me too much in cash. I do not want to send coins back to them and it is a pain to write a check for less than a $1. With my foreign buyers (who often send cash), stamps are often used to make change.
I personally would perfer to be send $6 in stamps than to receive $6 in loose pennies.
posted on March 30, 2001 06:35:48 PM
I have gotten stamps as payment a few times and it is just fine with me...I agree with the last post..it is better than a deadbeat anyday...
posted on March 30, 2001 07:49:24 PM
I LOVE getting stamps! Would rather get stamps than a check. Stamps don't bounce.
As far as why he would do it, I agree, that buyer is probably SICK of paying $6.00 for "shipping" and getting a package with a 2.97 first class payment stuck on it.
posted on March 30, 2001 08:23:44 PM
mayer, It seems to me that you really can't complain unless you are charging too much for shipping. If the shipping is really $6.00 then just put the stamps on the package and mail it out.
posted on March 30, 2001 08:48:30 PM
If you mail items that are only a couple of ounces, here is a tip that can save you a little money. If you go to a stamp show (you know, the kind for collectors), you can often find stamps selling for 80% or so of their face value. These are new stamps, still with glue, ready to stick on your envelope or package. The only drawback is you will usually only find smaller (3¢, 4¢, 6¢, 8¢) denominations.
