sjl1017
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posted on April 10, 2001 01:28:50 PM
I actually had a buyer email me today because she couldn't understand why the stamp on her package was for 97 cents and I had charged her $1.20 for shipping. A whopping 23 cent difference and she's threatening to leave me negative feedback. Yes, I round up slightly, never more than a quarter, to make life simpler, cover scale inaccuracies, cost of packing material, etc. It's not like I charged $4 and slapped it in a bubble envelope with a 55 cent stamp.
I guess I just need to vent a little but now I'm wondering if I'm nuts or she is. I've sent out hundreds of packages and have never had anyone complain about the few cents difference.
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Meya
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posted on April 10, 2001 01:37:15 PM
You could tell her that you tried to mail the widget with just the stamp stuck on it, but that the PO insisted you use an envelope, so that cost you .23 cents.
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misscandle
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posted on April 10, 2001 02:04:21 PM
What does she suggest you do? Spend 34 cents to mail a 23 cent refund to her? Will she take your check, or do you have to spend 75 cents to get a money order for the 23 cents? Goodness gracious!
Seriously, though, I'd be interested to know what she is demanding you do about this.
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jwoodcrafts
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posted on April 10, 2001 03:08:45 PM
Good grief!
http://www.geocities.com/sandcastless/crafts.html
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flynn
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posted on April 10, 2001 03:34:45 PM
You know I've never had a complaint myself about this problem, BUT I've never had a bidder email and ask me if I'd like them to send the difference if I didn't charge them enough!
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mikeselis
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posted on April 10, 2001 07:34:37 PM
You know what, assuming she doesn't already have a paypal account and you have a premier or business paypal account, send her it back using paypal. When they sign up for paypal you will get your $5 bonus...
Plus if they never claim it in 30 days you can say "I tried to send it back but you wouldn't accept." Then if they neg you you can reply
"Actual ship cost .97, charged 1.20, buyer upset over trying to cover shipping overhead costs, in fairness I sent by paypal .23 back, refused payment"...
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amy
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posted on April 10, 2001 07:43:26 PM
Your customer is probably a lurker here at AW. She has read all the threads about the shipping rip-offs and wasn't going to put up with you overcharging her for shipping...good ebay sellers only charge for the postage on the package, slip any overcharge into the package so the customer hasn't been ripped off, and gladly see the cost of supplies as a "cost of doing business" (anyway...they get to deduct it on theri income tax so it is cheating to charge the customer for it)
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tomwiii
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posted on April 10, 2001 07:46:07 PM
Oh no! Amy, is your tongue stuck in your cheek? lol! 
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mballai
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posted on April 10, 2001 07:59:15 PM
Tell her to make an appointment to pick up the change. 
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DMRick
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posted on April 10, 2001 08:34:59 PM
(anyway...they get to deduct it on theri income tax so it is cheating to charge the customer for it)
----
In actuality, when I deduct it from my income taxes, I don't have to pay income taxes on the amount the bubble bag cost me. So if I'm in the 15% tax bracket and the bubble bag cost me a dollar..I get to not pay .15 tax..not "deduct" the cost of the entire bag.
I really find it interesting, that some people think others don't have the right (not you per se..just "others" to charge shipping, if they so desire. It's stated in my TOS, and if someone disagrees with it, the answer for them, would be to move on to another auction.
I recently saw something on sale on line at Target. I brought the ad to the store to see if they would match it (some stores, like Staples for instance do). They said they would match it, but would have to ad in the s & h charges, since that is part of the on-line price.
Many, many stores on line charge way more s & h than most Ebay sellers. But even if they didn't, and Ebayer sellers wanted to, they have the right. I charge .50 over the shipping price (and I never let my clients pay for insurance..if the item doesn't make it in great condition, I send a new one), and feel absolutely no guilt about it. I pack very well..I don't have to worry that my bubble wrap costs .25, and the peanuts .20..I can be generous with the use, since the cost is being covered.
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amy
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posted on April 10, 2001 08:54:31 PM
Oh my goodness Tomwiii!! So THAT is what was making my cheek puff out so much!
BAD TONGUE!!!!
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brighid868
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posted on April 10, 2001 10:47:06 PM
Sellers have the right to charge handling.
I have the right to criticize them for it.
We are told to pass on the auction if we feel shipping is excessive. I do so. However, this doesn't mean I can't also criticize when I see an auction with terms that are likely to be misleading to a newbie (who may be MY buyer next--I don't want to hear ANY more stories from my buyers about feeling like leaving ebay because some seller raged at him for asking if a handling fee could possibly be reduced to something smaller than the average movie ticket).
To be honest, I've stopped bothering to reason with the 'charge for the toilet paper and soap' sellers. I now just try to convince sellers to PLEASE disclose how they ship WITHIN the auction (priority or first class or book rate) as well as to break down mailing & handling clearly in advance, without being asked, so that people don't feel ripped off when they pay 3.95 'shipping' and get a bubble envelope with a 55 cent stamp on it.
It's in my best interest to help buyers feel like they get a value out of Ebay, not that they're being circled by vultures who want to charge them to drive to the post office.
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jrb3
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posted on April 11, 2001 04:30:54 AM
brighid868 I can see my New TOS Service now with break down of costs.
High Bidder To Pay $2.50 S&H
$1.20 Actual Postage
$0.33 Padded Mailer
$0.27 Bubble Wrap
$0.04 Address Label
$0.02 Printer Ink
$0.50 Time To Pack
$0.14 Gas To PO
Sounds Like A Mastercard Commercial
Shipping materials are not cost of doing business that I should eat, it's a charge that should get passed to customers.
If a bidder criticized $0.23 I would refer them to my S&H policy clearly posted in my auctions.
Joe B
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redskinfan
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posted on April 11, 2001 04:52:38 AM
I bought a big lot of 100 ball cards and the guy charged $5.00 s/h. It only cost him 97 cents to mail and I will give $.25 to envelope (wasn't bubble, just plain brown). He handwrote address so no label. He didn't even secure the cards.
Was very weird. I have never seen anything like that. The cards were in danger of being totally trashed in the mail. I secure mine very well.
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brighid868
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posted on April 11, 2001 09:33:26 AM
I said 'break down mailing + handling'. *Two* columns or figures. So for your given example, that would be 1.20 mailing + 1.30 handling. What is your objection to this? I never suggested that sellers should take it to the extreme. Perhaps *you* would feel the need to do that, because otherwise your buyers might wonder why they are paying more for handling than for actual mailing, but that's up to you.
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sjl1017
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posted on April 11, 2001 09:56:16 AM
I agree that gouging is unethical and it infuriates me when I see the $4 SH people throwing the item in a bubble envelope with a 55 cent stamp and refusing to combine shipping charges but combining the shipment. But I'm talking about 23 cents that this woman is witching about. I'm still so angry with this person that I haven't responsded to her comment yet. I can't believe I'm being made to feel guilty or unethical over 23 cents. I think she needs to get a life.
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eventer
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posted on April 11, 2001 10:11:12 AM
sjl1017,,
You are allowing this person to control your emotions. Simply respond politely to her & tell her if she can find identical bubble envelopes anywhere for $.23 or less, you'll refund the difference.
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llama_lady
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posted on April 11, 2001 10:34:23 AM
I had a customer send me 5 cents too much and told me to slip the nickel in the box!!! I just considered the source, cut a small slip in the box and pushed it in. I bet she never found it in the packing.
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deby0
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posted on April 11, 2001 10:47:34 AM
Nervy of the bidder if you ask me to get all wierd over 23 cents...tell her to send you a self addressed stamped envelope and then you can put it 2 dimes an d 3 pennies...and then she will prob have to pay postage due on it since I am sure that will weigh more that way....just kidding tho, I hate that a bidder is being this way...
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BlondeSense
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posted on April 11, 2001 11:05:48 AM
sjl This is why, when I sell, I don't use the phrase "actual shipping". Cause I know if I do I will get a bidder like yours. 
Brighid I agree with you to a certain extent. But sometimes you can't break down your shipping vs. handling charges. For a larger items the cost will vary depending on the zip code. I personally would be happy if sellers simply stated how the item will be shipped. "Buyer pays $3.50 for priority shipping in box," or "Buyer pays $2.00 for 1st class shipping in bubble mailer".
I don't think either of us should hold our breath. 
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on April 11, 2001 11:41:45 AM
For all of you who are concerned about the intimate details of how your item will be packed & shipped and who get upset when the seller charges 25 cents more than the cost of the stamps on the package, here is the solution to your problem...
When the item description doesn't include all the packing/shipping information you feel is necessary, just make the assumption that the seller will send the item in the cheapest way imaginable, that it will be packed with the absolute minimum of care, and bid accordingly.
Most likely, you will never again be disappointed.
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sjl1017
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posted on April 11, 2001 12:31:40 PM
Blondesense...actually I don't say that the buyer pays actual shipping...I state that buyer pays $x.xx for first class shipping and handling.
She's just being a witch, and you guys are right, I'm letting her control my emotions.
I should just be happy with the hundreds of transactions that have gone smoothly.
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fdavidm
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posted on April 11, 2001 12:32:37 PM
I've had a few customers similar to this. I prepared a page and I send them the URL (although it is referenced in everyone of my auctions).
Basically, it says that there is the postage ($3.50) plus insurance, which is MANDATORY ($1.10)., plus the cost of the heavy duty container ($1.10), plus the cost of the tape, and the DO NOT BEND stickers.
They are usually satisifed with my explanation. How about explaining the situation to her and if she is still unsatisfied, tell her the best you can do is offer her a 23 cents credit toward any future purchases .
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BlondeSense
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posted on April 11, 2001 12:53:10 PM
sjl
In that case I don't blame ya, I'd feel the same way.
Sheesh!
(You're OK, she's the nut)
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corrdogg
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posted on April 11, 2001 01:30:22 PM
[ edited by corrdogg on Oct 25, 2001 08:24 PM ]
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lovetosell
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posted on April 11, 2001 01:32:33 PM
I like the idea about telling her to send you a SASE and you will return the stinking .23. Absolutely amazing what some people will find to whine about.
Teresa
[email protected]
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