posted on October 21, 2001 01:33:15 AM new
Some people would definitely be uncomfortable with that.
If the shoe was on the other foot would you be embarassed if a male seller sent your goods to you in a condom box?
posted on October 21, 2001 01:46:46 AM new
Tigress, you are kind of being careless in shipping IMO. If you want the buyers to like you for selling your items, I think you need to make an effort to at least look a little bit profesional at this. Try to find another box next time. Go to a gift shop (hallmark, cost plus or pier one etc) Ask when their garbage day is & pick up nice clean boxes there. Or try to buy some if you can.This can save you $$$ PLUS WILL GIVE yOU NICE CLEAN LOOKING BOXES.Believe me in internet sales, image counts when they cant see you face to face. 1st impressions still count...
posted on October 21, 2001 03:05:11 AM new
tigressoflove, I am hoping you are joking here. I would be embarrassed and I am a female.
The newest place I have found for free shipping supplies is our local UPS shipping site.
They are the supplier for our local Bingo games and have oodles of boxes, peanuts and single sheets of bubble wrap.
I had to ship an antique picture and they not only provided the box, they packaged and taped it for free. All I had to do was wrap it in bubble wrap before I took it in. The picture arrived safe and sound. The local Mail shipping business wanted $20.00 just to package it.
posted on October 21, 2001 04:29:36 AM new
I have always used scrounged boxes for all my shipments, but myohmy, wouldn't even think of using a Tampons box.
I also use large thick black markers & obscure all company names, addresses, logos, etc., on the outside of every box I ship.
Never any complaints, everything arrives safe & sound, and anonymously not embarassing.
posted on October 21, 2001 05:31:51 AM new
If you need to use a tampon box or toilet paper box or whatever, use brown tape on the outside to cover up the wording.
OTOH, a Kleenex box would probably be OK, because it's not usually associated with embarrassing (to some) functions.
This reminds me of a yard sale I went to not long ago. They had a table with a bunch of older ladies' purses on it. I was looking at the purses (I'll buy just about anything if I think I can make a buck on it) and some of the purses still had junk in them--nickels, dimes, makeup, tampons...
[ edited by loosecannon on Oct 21, 2001 05:37 AM ]
posted on October 21, 2001 06:02:46 AM new
At least he has only threatened to give “neg” over this. I may have already! And that you even post here about indicates you seem clueless over the impression this gives you as a seller as many but not all here have posted! I too recycle but have limits!!
At this point, I think you shoulld refund shipping cost and give a sincere apologize. IF then you get a “neg”, you can answer that shipping refund and apology given.
Then use the tips given here for future auction sales. Good luck.
posted on October 21, 2001 06:30:47 AM new
Using such a box is not only cheap, it is tasteless, and while I wouldn't neg you, I am sure I would never do business with you again. Customers deserve better, I think.
posted on October 21, 2001 06:34:23 AM new
I wonder, are you talking about a box that one would pull a tampon from OR are you talking about a box one would pull a box of tampons from?
If the first, I too would be upset.
If the second, it wouldn't have much in the way of graphics and would only have the name of the product - most likely in the same font as the product.(And I can appreciate the glee you must have felt at finding just the right size box - and study too!) So, I would not be upset. Besides if my neighbors are close enough to read the writing on my boxes, then they are close enough to be included in the joke and we would both laugh about those poor, struggling, crazy eBay sellers. And then trade stories about other buyers who have received items in pizza boxes and with roaches, etc.
I say your buyer is a little snotty and needs to step back. As long as his item is clean and delivered in the condition advertised and in a timely manner, I don't feel he should be upset.
This is clearly someone who "judges a book by it's cover".
Though, his right to 'neg' you is just that, his right.
So, in my opinion, you have two choices - you can either make sure future boxes are politically correct and non-offensive OR you can decide, like so many on eBay over the years, the feedback system sucks and doesn't define who you are as a seller and has the least importance in your life.
And that's what I think.
My thoughts on this issue have gone 'Un-Surveyed' and may not be of importance to the P.T.B.
posted on October 21, 2001 06:47:29 AM new
This would neither have embarrassed nor bothered me if I'd been your customer.
HOWEVER, you have to think like the most uptight, repressed, I'm-gonna-find-fault-with-whatever-I-can person when you sell online. You made a mistake here. You're human. I would apologize profusely to the customer, and thank them for pointing out how thoughtless it was for you to use this box. Don't mention the neg anymore to them, just treat them like someone you've accidentally offended and try to make amends.
posted on October 21, 2001 06:48:10 AM new
Just another in a LONG list of problems that the originator of this thread has had. I have never seen one ebay'er with soooo many problems. Maybe its not ebay and its members that are the problem here, maybe is is someone else...care to venture a guess as to who that might be????
the dark cloud of internet sales continues to follow tiggressoflove, i find it humorous and maybe a bit deserving.
ladele
said it correctly "clueless" fits to a T. some people have constant problems and remain clueless.....
HAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHA looks like its a red letter day for you tiggressoflove...HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA
[ edited by skeetersdaddy on Oct 21, 2001 06:51 AM ]
posted on October 21, 2001 06:48:55 AM newEventer I was wondering why you think a liquor box is inappropriate? The local liquor store is about my only supply for free boxes - they have some really nice ones that wine comes in. Have I been missing something all of this time? I always wrap them in brown paper before shipping.
posted on October 21, 2001 06:59:17 AM new
People are irrational and defensive when it comes to their identity. You can tell them to take a flying leap - but when they are customers that is not a good idea.
There are men that won't pick up a purse to hand it to their wife - as if it has a female virus on it and they will be emasculated. Feel sorry for such insecure people but don't waste energy trying to reverse a lifetime of conditioning.
posted on October 21, 2001 07:23:20 AM new
I can't believe how everyone is jumping on her over this!!
How far would you all take this?
What about an overweight lady who is embarrassed because you sent her items in a keebler's cookie box?
Or someone who is accused of being anorexic, and receives a shipment in a box labeled Dexatrim?
Or someone who gets their items in a box marked "Hooked on Phonics" and is embarrassed because the neighbors think they cannot read?
Her customer is obviously immature.
Just WHAT is so embarrassing about tampons for goodness sake?
And, you could not ship in an ammo box, anyway. They would not allow it in a plane, and it is considered hazardous material. They have no way of knowing what is actually packaged in the box.
The same reason you should not ship in a box labeled bleach, or other household cleaners.
posted on October 21, 2001 07:39:13 AM new
Kidsfeet has it exactly right - boxes marked ammunition, liquor, bleach, and various other substances will not go by air, even if you've paid for priority mail shipping. You have to black out all the names before they'll fly (this has been particularly true since Sept. 11). I think there's an earlier thread about this.
I received a package once in a Depends carton. I have sent items in the brown cases from Irish Spring soap, toothpaste and mouthwash. I try to black out the brand names, but marker doesn't always cover it, especially if its in color. If I get a neg for using these boxes, that's one I'm going to wear proudly!
rca001
posted on October 21, 2001 07:59:36 AM newI was wondering why you think a liquor box is inappropriate?
They are great for packing stuff. BUT, there are recovering alcoholics out there who might find it uncomfortable. Or people who don't drink at all.
Like most of us, I have re-used boxes but I do try to be careful about what kind I use.
And, as someone mentioned, certain boxes cannot go by air. Covering liquor boxes w/paper or covering the advertisement w/dark tape should certainly be acceptable.
One of the local post offices has a large poster in there of boxes that aren't considered acceptable for shipping unless they are covered.
No, I'm not going to the PC extreme, worrying about whether the NEW, CLEAN (w/o accompanying ants) pizza box I'm using is going to someone who's trying to diet but certain boxes can raise a red flag (like liquor, ammo and, now, tampon).
posted on October 21, 2001 08:09:16 AM new
Liquor boxes are heavy duty and most have compartments. They are perfect for shipping glasses. I have used them, but always covered with brown paper.
posted on October 21, 2001 08:10:20 AM new
1- Cross out the tampon brand name with a black marker. Even if the original product still shows, my neighbours are smart enough to see it was a recycled box. No problem there.
2- As long as the tampon box hasn't been used previously to deliver a pizza. No problem there.
posted on October 21, 2001 08:28:25 AM new
Oh for Pete's Sake. You know, someone somewhere is certain to be offended by just about anything you can think of. For those using pristine plain brown boxes...have you ever condsidered that some of your buyers might be offended or embarrassed by them 'cause some of their neighbors might think they'd bought something x-rated? Ridiculous, right? Well, so is the angst over used boxes.
posted on October 21, 2001 08:46:48 AM new
I sincerely hope that you at least turned it inside out. The boxes that tampons come in are very flimsy and as another poster said unprofessional.
Eventer-I'd hate to receive or send a box with ant trax!
posted on October 21, 2001 09:06:18 AM new
Geez (now I'm going to show my age here) this brings up memories of when those items were kept behind the counter, wrapped in brown paper, and you had to ask the clerk for them! How embarrassing that was, especially if the clerk was a man! I still remember when they were put out on the shelf for all to see, for you to throw into the grocery cart with never a care! I guess there are still people who would be offended by this. There is a spray you can buy from the box suppliers that allows you to spray paint all markings out on a box and then they look like a new box (almost). I do think this buyer went a little over the edge and really how is a seller to know what quirks their buyer may have. Wonder if fear of tampons is a diagnosable fear? I think I would just ignore it and hopefully it will fade away.
