posted on October 9, 2001 08:45:32 PM
I realize the "Check Out" will be optional to fill out, but it will appear on your auctions. Will you be filling out the 'dreaded' return policy or leaving it blank? I've never hesitated to accept returns, but I hate to advertise I do that.
This will be on the bottom of your listing, you have no choice, you do have a choice as to whether you enter information in it or not.
posted on October 9, 2001 08:50:10 PM
Already have my return policy stated in my TOS, so not a problem for me to fill it out. But don't intend to use checkout feature until they fix some of the inherent problems w/it.
posted on October 9, 2001 08:56:40 PM
I'll use them.
My return policy is listed in my TOS anyway, and I use Billpoint instant purchase (which is the pretty much the same as checkout), so these don't represent a big change for me.
posted on October 9, 2001 09:29:03 PM
I don't plan on using it. I think my shipping/return policy is quite clear in my auctions, and for those that can't read, oh well.
I don't accept PayPal, or Billpoint, and despite all the various B.S. eBay has thrown my way over the past 4 years, I still do quite well.
I'm hoping that eBay will only show Checkout on the auctions where that OPTION [ha-ha] has been chosen by the seller.
As I recall we went through this same B.S. with i-escrow in the past. eBay had a minor revolt on their hands & they changed it so only sellers who chose it had it show up in their listings.
posted on October 9, 2001 10:28:29 PM
For now, I will be. I'm not sure how PayPal will be handled. I also have buyers of multiple items.
Also, in most of my auctions, I offer optional insurance. As I understand the UCC, for me as the seller to no longer be responsible for a package once it leaves my hands, I have to (a) advise my buyer of this possibility and (b) offer a monetary inducement in exchange for this (c) knowing waiver. I handle this explicitly in my EOA notice -- my auction simply notes the two possible shipping/handling costs, with and without insurance. Even if PayPal and multiple purchases are dealt with, the no-communication aspect of Checkout just doesn't allow the insurance thing to be vetted. And a lot of my items tend to be in the $7 - $25 range, where insurance can sometimes be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
posted on October 9, 2001 10:46:48 PM
From what I understand (which could be wrong) AW will not support Checkout, so there will be no way to fill it out if you list via AW AM or AMPro.
posted on October 10, 2001 12:34:49 AM
I believe eBay blind sided AW on the "Checkout" quasi-option, surprise, surprise. I think that "Preferred Provider Program" bone that eBay tossed AW is worth about as much as a bucket of warm spit. AW and the Checkout
posted on October 10, 2001 05:28:08 AM
so sayeth John Nance Garner
Anyhoo...this is unhappy for me & the chimps! We offer 10% discount to repeat buyers PLUS COMBINED shipping PLUS TWO choices for shipping (PM & MEDIA) -- how the heck could I ever use such a restrictive program? For the same reasons that we can't use INSTANT PURCHASE, we can't use CHECHOUTS!
posted on October 10, 2001 06:05:17 AM
My checkout will be blank.
Currently, I offer a choice between Priority Mail and Media Mail on most auctions, plus insurance is optional, not mandatory.
So this one-size-fits-all things doesn't really fit me.
I used to only offer Media Mail, but since I've started offering Priority, at least half of my customers opt for it. There's no clear bias towards one or the other, so I can't see switching back to Media Mail only, or going all Priority at this point.
And like tomwiii says, you can't be flexible and creative with your policies, which I think is one of the great things about the auction format.
posted on October 10, 2001 09:22:07 AM
Instant purchase has worked really well for me, streamlining the EOA-to-shipment process and cutting up to a day off of my turnaround time. I have always charged a flat shipping rate, so the program posed no major changes in that department.
Although I have had a few nice folks overpay on shipping (vis a vis multiple purchases) , no one has requested return of the overage, probably because they've been minor amounts.
When and if they do, I'll simply tuck a check in with their order.
posted on October 10, 2001 01:24:30 PM
If this is per each auction, I'll probably use where I can. But most of the auctions will no doubt keep it blank. I believe half.com everything else catagory charges your 15% on the shipping as well. Wonder if this will also be the case now at eBaY?
'ladele' here only
posted on October 10, 2001 08:54:31 PM
I will charge customers 58% more for using the checkout. I should also asses 7% more for webtime. 12% more for a "handling" fee.
posted on October 11, 2001 04:42:08 AM
I notice that there IS a way to reduce shipping costs on multiple items.
there is a place to fill in an amount for EACH ADDITIONAL ITEM.
there is also an insurace place ( not sure if it will be a buyer option) but looks like it is set up at a cost PER ITEM and not on the total amount of the purchase.
Also notice the buyer will be allowed to change the TOTAL amount sent.
Also noticed that during CHECKOUT, the buyer will be allowed to send the seller an email asking for the total instead of paying.
I dont know if I will be able to use it or not, have to wait and see...
posted on October 11, 2001 05:07:54 AM
Checkout will leave buyers and sellers playing the old game of *who's on first*. Since buyers don't have to use it, sellers will be sitting waiting for a Checkout email from buyer that MAY NEVER COME!
You do have the option, if you use Checkout, of letting your buyers change the amounts they are going to pay you. Now THAT'S a scary thought!
Myself, I think I will just go about business as usual. I will send my address request email when the auction is over so I can figure up shipping, etc.
Of course, us sellers COULD sieze the day, go to fixed shipping on all our auctions and then blame the overcharge on shipping on Ebay's Checkout system!
posted on October 11, 2001 06:03:13 AMOf course, us sellers COULD sieze the day, go to fixed shipping on all our auctions and then blame the overcharge on shipping on Ebay's Checkout system!
Ah, the "ebay made me do it" defense. It's a personal favorite of mine and I use it often.
posted on October 11, 2001 07:44:21 AM
There is no way that I can quote shipping for multiple items on a checkout form. I mainly sell vintage linens, but if I get a cast iron skillet or a vintage T.V. at a great price I've been know to occasionally sell them too.
My shipping price is not constant.
Why does Ebay keep changing everything? We've had more changes in the last year or even the last month, for that matter, to last a life time.
posted on October 11, 2001 07:46:19 AM
AARRGHHH!
I CANNOT list a fixed shipping cost.
I don't know if the item will be shipped to Japan or here next door in Canada and my items this week range from 1/2 pound to 30 pounds, 6" long to 5' high. It is bad enough that buyers think I am trying to hide something by not stating a fixed shipping cost, that although I provide 2 additional email links in each auction for a shipping quote request, and check email several times a day, now there will be a blank form tagged onto the end of my auctions? The return policy. I have solved every issue in over 1000 transactions with the exception of a couple of nuts but do not want to encourage buyers remorse returns by listing a return policy. Do they stay up all night trying to figure out ways to make sellers crazy??!!
Don't they discuss these things, try and figure out whether they are feasible? or do they just impliment every feverish idea they have during the night the next morning?.
posted on October 11, 2001 07:51:54 AM
Bookmark the USPS site...
weigh your item, figure rough weight for packing materials, go to that site, put in the weight & a zip code across the country from you. List the cost given for whatever type(s) of shipping you do. Add a bolded note to your auction that the shipping cost for foreign bidders will be higher & that they should contact you before bidding for a quote--they often don't do this, but are perfectly happy getting the quote when the auction is over.
posted on October 11, 2001 11:51:31 AM
I've been waiting for this type of feature for some time, as it will cut down on the back and forth transaction emails we receive. It's all good, in my opinion.
I'd be interested to hear the eBay conspiracy theorists take on this new feature.
posted on October 11, 2001 12:42:51 PM
Picture it! I've got this item to sell and the box weighs 14 pounds. It's gotta go Parcel Post.
Check the USPS Ratefold:
Price ranges from $7.23 to $20.57!
What would a person with this situation put in that blank on Checkout for shipping/handling?
The problem is that the sellers on Ebay are such a diverse group that it will be very hard to squeeze us all into this little pigeonhole called Checkout.
posted on October 11, 2001 02:15:09 PM
Well, according to some of the comments already, you'd charge your buyers the maximum of $20.57.
Not saying that's what I'd do, because I wouldn't feel comfortable overcharging a buyer by that much, assuming the buyer fell into the lower prices ranges, that is.
posted on October 11, 2001 06:36:59 PM
Knowing my luck,someone would buy a T-Shirt and an Anvil and want the shipping of $1.00 on the additional item. Then want me to tie it to a Jackass so they wouldn't have to pay Priority, and want a refund on the difference,then they would do a charge back on the whole thing.
