posted on October 15, 2001 06:01:00 AM
Here's a bit of a different take on the S&H issue:
I received an email from someone inquiring about the shipping cost of an auction. Now, while the email arrived about 12 hours before the auction is scheduled to close, did it really arrive in plenty of time? No, because it arrived shortly before 11 PM Eastern time last night while I was already in bed sleeping. I know, I'm strange. I don't check my email while I'm sleeping. Can't be perfect I guess.
And as if that wasn't bad enough, the person simply asked what is shipping cost?
Well, I do state the shipping costs for USA bidders. So am I supposed to assume this person couldn't read or are they an international bidder who doesn't understand that unless I know what country they're from, I can't give them a quote anyway?
I responded to this email, giving the shipping quotes that were already in the auction and said that they needed to provide me with their country before I could give an International quote, if that was indeed what they were asking for.
Will this person be able to get my email in time, fire off another one to me with the country, so I can give them the International quote before the auction ends less than 2 hours from now? Most likely not.
So please people, just because an auction might have 12 hours or so to go, please make a note of the time you're looking at it and realize that not everyone is still up at the time you are. (The last time I received a request for an International quote - and at least they gave me their country that time - it was around 3:00 AM. No, I'm not up at 3 AM either. I still answered it, but they were probably sleeping at that time. ) There are not only International time differences, but domestic ones as well. And if you're going to ask about shipping costs, let the seller know where you are! We can't give a quote unless you tell us!
posted on October 15, 2001 06:53:03 AM
Well, I've got my answer. The person who emailed me is now the high bidder on the auction with just over a half hour to go. And they are based in the US. Shipping cost for the US is clearly stated in the auction.
Maybe this kind of thing happens when bidders are browsing auctions too late at night. I get a little bleary-eyed after 9 PM myself.
) There are not only International time differences, but domestic ones as well. And if you're going to ask about shipping costs, let the seller know where you are! We can't give a quote unless you tell us!