posted on October 30, 2005 01:44:59 AM new
Hi,
I've been selling with Vendio since it was Auctionwatch. I've even been with them since before they charged a fee to use them. I've always been please with how things work. I'm sure I don't utilize all the services that I could, but I'm pleased with the Picture Hosting, the "Up" time and the layouts. My problem began recently when I started accepting Paypal. I've always composed my emails (from a form I made) and notified my winners personally. Since I've started accepting Paypal, I also started clicking on the boxes in the Shipping and Insurance section. I thought I knew what I was doing, thought I could read and comprehend the options. Guess who was wrong. So, my auctions on ebay now sometimes say "Insurance: Not Offered" when I have chosen the "REQUIRED" option after the word insurance on the auction page at Vendio. So, now I have had someone pay me immediately after an auciton, like within an hour, which who can complain about, but he did not include insurance. Now, the item was not expensive, and I don't mind giving the winner the option of declining insurance, but I've since learned that the email he received from ebay, the End Of Auction email, said after the word INSURANCE, NOT OFFERED. Well, that bothered me, because I want it to be offered as an option for Every item. I spoke with an ebay assistant on the Live Chat at ebay and he said that I had not chosen an insurance amount, and I kept explaining that I dont know how much the insurance will be because my items can sell for $20 or $2,000. He was no help. I sell items, mostly with no reserve, and mostly with a set amount for shipping within the USA. Then I charge actual insurance. That way, its the same price for someone on the West Coast, that it is for someone on the East Coast. Level playing field that way, right? ANY help would be appreciated. I want to charge a SET amount for shipping and a CALCULATED Amount for insurance. Thanks, from Ruben Jr. (r-d-antiques)
posted on October 30, 2005 06:32:29 AM new
I had the same problem and the same situation. I like to flat rate the shipping but the insurance amount was being included in the shipping amount when they paid. I sell items all over the range of prices also, I ended up having to just plug $2.20 or $3.60 in the field just to have something in there.
I also had to stop flat rating some shipping, and use the calculated amount for many items.
The other option is to look in to the private insurance companies that don't charge anywhere near what the USPS does - there was a thread on here a month or so ago about the other insurance options available.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on October 30, 2005 08:42:27 AM new
Hi,
Thanks for the response Caroline.
How do you do calculated shipping on an item that you have yet to pack? Since I sell to both shoppers here & abroad, I don't pack my items until they sell, in case I can use a Priority box for shipping to a fellow American buyer. Guess I can weigh the item, then add an estimated amount for box & packing materials. Then plug in the weight at Vendio, right? If I put in a weight, can the insurance be calculated? Is there any way to have calculated insurance?
I now remember what happened to make me start putting in the shipping amount a couple weeks ago. Since ebay now has the shipping amount on the "List" page when buyers do a search, I thought I would plug in the amount, but wasnt really sure where at Vendio I would put in that amount. And, I'm still not sure as the Shipping & Insurance part is fairly complicated. I realize it is easy to read and understand, but, the problem is that the items I check are not completely clear as to where they end up, either in my auction, or on the Main List page, or in the email that ebay sends at the End Of Auction. Who knew a simple shipping and insurance plug could be so complicated, LOL. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, isn't life grand. Guess I'll have to continue trial and error. I'm going to be gone to London for 2 & 1/2 weeks beginning November 13th. So, listing on ebay is fun while in another country. I list everything flat, paper, excellent condition & $5.00 or less to mail, even overseas, plus insurance, of course, lol. From Ruben Jr.
Caroline