posted on August 21, 2001 07:43:14 AM new
Does this happen often? I'm very clear in my auctions about shipping. I had two close this week for old magazines-the very large ones. I stated shipping of $3.95 PM with DC in the auction. No option was given for media. I know some of you don't agree with this-but I did state the terms clearly. I don't have mailers that large and I knew to purchase a couple of them would cost me about two bucks each. So the cost wouldn't really have been much different.
These mags are old and fragile and I didn't want to send by media. Both emailed me after the auction and asked for media. I explained as I have here. One was very understanding and thanked me for taking care of the mags. The other, while civil, informed me that she would not be buying from me again. Told me I should cut up cardboard and protect it that way. Well, I'd still have to have something to put it in!
It's just frustrating. I didn't surprise them with the shipping-it was clearly stated. One even said she knew it said PM in the auction, BUT.......
posted on August 21, 2001 07:50:51 AM new
You are in the right for wanting to stick to your TOS. About the only break you could really give them is to go Parcel Post, which wouldn't be much of a break if your shipment is under 2 lbs.
Also, though a lot of people may not agree with this, my post office insists that magazines do not qualify for Media Mail.
posted on August 21, 2001 08:47:06 AM new
BJGrolle, your po might be right. I just looked at the descriptions for Media and Bound Printed Matter at the USPS website, and it looks like a magazine is more the latter. It's more expensive than Media, but less expensive than Priority, and it goes by zip code - what a hassle!
posted on August 21, 2001 10:02:26 AM new
After selling tons of magazines on eBay over the years, Bound Printed Matter is the correct USPS way to ship. As stated by mrlatenite it is because they contain advertisments.
I always offer BMP shipping and have found that the LP mailers I buy from http://www.bagsunlimited.com work great as mailers for the oversize magazines. Because I sell a lot of magazines and LPs this is pretty economical for me.
I cannot wait to list the 20-25 year old Rolling Stone magazines I bought at an estate sale last weekend. They are swweeettt!
posted on August 21, 2001 10:18:48 AM new
I know what you mean about not having boxes to ship certain items in. When this happens to me, I state in my TOS that "Due to packaging restrictions, this item will only be sent via Priority Mail". Never had anyone wish to change my TOS when it is worded this way.
posted on August 21, 2001 03:49:53 PM new
I have mailed very valuable comic books using
cardboard (2 pieces) and a cut up grocery
store paper bag. I've never had any problems
with that method. I prefer to use a box,
but sometimes you just can't find one the
right size. Since I use previously used
boxes and packing materials (except for tape
and labels, which are new), I sometimes end
up holding on to a box for awhile, knowing
I have an item that will fit into it that
I want to sell.
I also list my TOS in each auction. It
sometimes costs me bidders, but overall it
works well and helps keep me sane. :^)
That said, I see no reason to not mail things
that qualify via Media Mail. I don't list
it in my TOS, but since the last round of
postal rate increases, requests have started,
so I offer it when asked. I'll probably
change my TOS to include it (again, for items
that qualify). I prefer to keep my buyers
as happy as possible, within reason. And
that request seems reasonable. Good luck!
Z
---
"Cannot say. Saying, I would know. Do not
know, so cannot say". -- Zathras (Babylon 5)
posted on August 21, 2001 04:20:22 PM new
How do I get my US buyers to read and understand my TOS? They are in large print, but they think mail to UK is same as mail in US. They also think that UK Banks treat US$ cheques like UK cheques. Please ask your local Bank about handling a UK£ cheque!
