LtRay
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posted on June 28, 2006 01:44:02 AM
Excessive Shipping Charges Policy
"Insurance: Sellers offering insurance may only charge the actual fee for insurance. No additional amount may be added, such as “self-insurance”. Sellers who do not use a licensed 3rd party insurance company may not require buyers to purchase insurance. This is a violation of state law. "
GRRR, I think we should be able to charge a handling fee for insurance if we want to. We are acting as the agent for the insurance provider, so why can't we charge a fee?
I'm not talking a lot of money here, but it is the principle of the thing.
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cblev65252
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posted on June 28, 2006 05:20:10 AM
Why would you attach a handling fee to the insurance? Just keep the handling fee attached to your shipping charges.
Cheryl
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cblev65252
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posted on June 28, 2006 05:22:15 AM
This is a violation of state law.
Which state????? If it's a violation of state law in California, but not in the state you are selling to, I think they can go pound salt.
Cheryl
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rpm757
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posted on June 28, 2006 05:32:09 AM
THE WAY THIS NEW POLICY READS YOU CAN NOT EVEN UP CHARGE THE SHIPPING AND HANDLING FEES TO RECOVER SOME OF THE FEES FROM PAYPAL AND E-BAY. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS THE PLACE TO RECOVER THESE FEES.
THEY CLAIM THEY ARE ONLY GOING TO CHASE AFTER THE BIG OFFENDERS BUT THE ONLY TIME I GOT NAILED BY E-BAY WAS ON A $2 SALE.
ALL YOU NEED IS SOME JERK TO PISS AND MOAN BECAUSE I UP CHARGE INSURANCE FROM $1.35 TO $1.50.
EACH DAY IT GETS HARDER AND HARDER CLEAR A PROFIT WITH E-BAY.
THE COST OF SENDING ITEMS IS SUCH ANYMORE WITH EBAY BECAUSE YOU NEED TO SEND EVERYTHING WITH A DELIVER CONFORMATION.
IF YOU DON'T AND SOMEONE DOESN'T LIKE THE ITEM, THEY WILL CLAIM IT WAS NOT DELIVERED AND WITHOUT PROOF OF DELIVERY WELL YOU KNOW.
IT IS REALLY RIDICULOUS TO SEND A SINGLE STAMP IN A PADDED ENVELOPE SO I CAN GET THE DELIVERY CONFORMATION, BUT GOD FORBID THAT YOU ASK FOR $5 TO SEND OUT AN ITEM, BUT WITHOUT PRIORITY MAIL YOU CAN NOT GET THE DELIVERY CONFORMATION.
I USE TO BE ABLE TO SEND SMALL ITEMS RIGHT OUT WITH THE CARRIER BUT NOT ANYMORE. ON-LINE POSTAGE IS A JOKE BECAUSE IF THEY DO NOT DELIVERY IT THERE WILL BE NO RECORD OF IT GOING OUT.
E-BAY WILL RULE THEMSELVES OUT OF BUSINESS ONE DAY.
IF THEY WANT TO CONTROL THIS PROBLEM GIVE ALL THE SELLERS A FLOOR OF FREE SHIPPING AND THEN CHARGE A FEE FOR THAT ABOVE THE LEVEL OF FREE . THEN FEE AVOIDANCE WILL NOT BE AN ISSUE AS THE SELLER WILL BE PAYING A FEE ANYWAY FOR THE EXCESS.
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tomwiii
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posted on June 28, 2006 05:46:06 AM
"OUT AN ITEM, BUT WITHOUT PRIORITY MAIL YOU CAN NOT GET THE DELIVERY CONFORMATION."
Why don't you use FIRST CLASS and throw a peanut in with yer stamp so ya meet the thickness rule? Only costs extra $0.14 for eDC with FIRST CLASS mail...
Got stuff? PLEASE join RALPHIE & ME in some AUCTIONS for our favorite NON-PROFIT~Thank You!
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rpm757
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posted on June 28, 2006 05:48:07 AM
"Why would you attach a handling fee to the insurance."
if you send an item out via priority mail and have delivery conformation and $300 in insurance the cost of postage would be $8.95.
If they pay with paypal or a credit card the fee to paypal on this is 26cents.
for every 10 items you send out that is $2.60 for 200 items it is $46.00.
So your customer wants to buy the item at rock bottom prices they don't want to pay anything to ship it let alone the $9 you request. So when they get pissey and want a charge back you lose the original items cost too.
In the info from e-bay they clearly spell out that handling costs are boxes, packing material and postage costs.
When i go to the post office i spend 1 1/2 hours doing it.
I have to go into the main post office as the others can not handle oversea, registered, global priority type mail. they have one clerk so you can not tie up the entire post office.
I have to pay $2 to park as the parking Nazis are there ticketing. This is all un-recoverable expenses according to the e-bay policy.
As i said in the other rant, just charge a fee for the shipping. We can just figure out the up-charge needed and move on with it all.
We don't need some ass h--- moaning because they were charge 15cts extra for shipping and get supended by some teeny bopper staff member at e-bay because
"ITS NOT FAIRRRRRRRRRRRR"
we all know it will come down to that.
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rpm757
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posted on June 28, 2006 05:52:22 AM
To Tommie
you are correct the rule is 3/4" thickness. I have put in some crumpled newspaper to get the thickness. I send out 100's a month and all I up charge is for the paypal fees of these costs. But being a power-seller you know we are all marked as thieving low life's. But it adds up to a big loss at the end of the day.
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hwahwa
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posted on June 28, 2006 06:00:17 AM
Some Examples Hide
Examples of violating listings:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (2001, DVD)
BIN: US $1
Shipping: US $11 First Class USPS
Explanation: The actual cost to ship this DVD would be less than $3 using First Class Mail stated in the listing. This seller is charging all costs for this item in the shipping price thus hiding the “true” cost for this item from buyers.
New Pink Motorola L6 L 6 Unlocked Slvr GSM World Phone
BIN: US $98.95
Shipping: US $64.84 UPS 2nd day air
Explanation: The seller has clearly stated that UPS 2nd Day Air will be used to ship this item, thus overall shipping charges are inflated.
Sony 2 GB Memory Stick Pro Card
BIN: US $37.35
Shipping: US $26.99 Standard Shipping Service
Explanation: The seller states that the item will be shipped “Standard Shipping Service” and not an Overnight service. Given the small size/weight of this item, overall shipping charges are inflated.
Examples of Listings in Compliance:
NEW SONY ERICSSON T237 GSM UNLOCKED COLOR PHONE * FEDEX
BIN: US $36.95
Shipping: US $18.95 Standard Flat Rate Shipping Service
Explanation: The seller is shipping this item via Fed Ex and states the actual flat rate cost in the listing.
Creative Labs Zen Micro Photo 8GB Pink MP3 Player
BIN: US $195
Shipping US $11.99 UPS ground
Explanation: The seller is sending the item via UPS ground and is charging actual shipping prices plus a reasonable fee.
SOLID STATE Abstract Art Painting Taylor HUGE
Painting measures 36” x 24” / canvas supported by panel
Starting bid: US $20
Shipping: US $40 USPS ground
Explanation: The shipping charge is greater due to the size/bulk of the item being shipped and custom crating.
/ lets all stop whining !! /
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neglus
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posted on June 28, 2006 07:18:02 AM
Rpm - what do you sell? I don't include DC with my postcards because it just is not cost efficient. If someone claims non-delivery (and out of 500+ items shipped/month maybe one is lost) I refund with a smile - costs way less than adding to the packaging cost and DC for every item I sell. If a customer's packages keep getting "lost" they will join my blocked bidder list (hasn't happened yet)
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http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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WashingtoneBayer
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posted on June 28, 2006 07:22:46 AM
We are acting as the agent for the insurance provider
No, you're not. You are ripping off buyers.
or every 10 items you send out that is $2.60 for 200 items it is $46.00.
No its $52.00. No wonder you think you are not making money.
It is about time this came about, hwahwa I have to believe the computer section has the worst offenders but maybe it more wide spread now.
I think it is a good thing that eBay has finally listend to those of us who have been complaining for years about shipping charges.
Finally something good.
Ron
[ edited by WashingtoneBayer on Jun 28, 2006 07:26 AM ]
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DrArcane
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posted on June 28, 2006 07:24:30 AM
I think the intended target of the new rule is those sellers who charge for insurance but do not actually purchase insurance from their carrier, claiming they "self-insure."
This is in fact illegal in MOST states. I don't remember the details, but I have seen threads discussing this before on the Amazon seller boards. Apparently the insurance industry has legislation passed that makes "self-insurance" illegal, and involves your becoming a licensed insurance broker in order to self-insure. It's stupid, but it's real. Self-insurance is illegal.
That being said, simply pumping your handling fees up a buck or two will benefit you just as much.
Dr. Arcane, revelator of mystical secrets
http://www.drarcane.com
Got questions about the secrets of the universe?
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 28, 2006 08:15:45 AM
Self-insurance is illegal.
Not if you don't break out an extra charge for insurance.
Pretty much all mail-order companies these days self-insure. They just don't charge you extra for it explicitly.
fLufF
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 28, 2006 08:19:48 AM
I am very happy to see this new eBay policy. It should be a lot of fun watching eBay enforce this policy against eBay's four biggest offenders: everydaysource, eforcity, accstation and itrimming.
These, not coincidentally, are sellers number 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the Nortica eBay 500.
They are also the same company.
Take 10 minutes out of your day today and look at their auctions. If you find excessive shipping charges according to eBay's new policy (and you will), please feel free to report them.
fLufF
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photosensitive
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posted on June 28, 2006 08:28:47 AM
Question about delivery confirmation on first class.... Does the ENTIRE package have to be more than 3/4 inch thick?
I sent a small book in a padded envelope with enough bubble wrap to make it 3/4 thick. My least favorite USPS desk clerk told me I could not get DC on first class, only on Priority. When I said you could if it was 3/4 inch thick and she said only if the entire package was 3/4 inch and not just the middle like mine was. She did finally give it to me but grumbled. Is she right?
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 28, 2006 08:30:33 AM
No, it only has to be 3/4 inch wide at one point.
USPS has tried to train clerks on the newer (and this isn't so new!) regs but many refuse to learn. If they didn't belong to a union they'd be fired for incompetence.
fLufF
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tomwiii
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posted on June 28, 2006 08:37:40 AM
PHOTO~Direct yer BRAIN-DEAD Clerk HERE!
"First-Class Mail® Parcels Envelopes and small packages weighing 13 ounces or less. Applies only to boxes or envelopes measuring at least 3/4” at thickest point."
[ edited by tomwiii on Jun 28, 2006 08:38 AM ]
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neglus
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posted on June 28, 2006 08:40:39 AM
Sounds like the USPS desk clerk who told me that the envelope had to be FLAT to qualify for the USPS FLAT RATE Priority rate...huh? Says right on the envelope it just has to fit inside without modifying the packaging and using other adhesives to close! I use the Automat for my flat rate envelopes now!
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http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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rpm757
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posted on June 28, 2006 09:11:33 AM
To washingtonebayer. it is because of buyers like you that we have to pay for all of the extras to cover our backsides on shipping.
I had never needed all of this stuff till e-bay got involved and then If the buyer doesn't like the item just say it did not come.
Your right i did add incorrectly but it is even more to spend to protect ourselves from buyers like you that see us as a place to sponge off and pay the least for shipping.So you have to put the delivery confirm on the item.
As I said in one of the posts I wish they charged fvf on the whole thing then we could pass it along as a cost of business and those that over charge would be paying more for it.
If I am correct Auctiva makes its income by providing 3RD party insurance.
Companies that have comprehensive insurance plans have plans for self insurance for mailing as i was offered one at one time to go along with my product insurance.
To neglus
When i sell stamp sheets i have not had a problem. if i sell a stamp or coin of value then i do the delivery conformation. Before i had too many claim it was not delivered if they had buyers remorse.
I offer a money back on everything i sell but if you can get your money back and the item well the more the merrier.
to photosensitive,
If there are 500 thousand postal clerks that is how many different ways they see an issue.
Some hate if you use stamps.
Some hate if the stamps you use are not ones that they like you to use.
Some will not scan an item if the line is too long
Some will fill out the forms, some it is you filling them out, and some yet will reject the forms you have pre filled out.
As I said 500g' of clerks, 500's of opinions.
You have to shop for a postal clerk like a hair stylest when you find that person only use them. Then you can train them for yourself. 9 times out of ten if the clerk passes something you will never see it again.
and to those that are saying to increase your fees to just cover the costs to do business please read the policy it is very narrow as to what you can charge. It has been made to be simple for the e-kiddies to enforce.
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photosensitive
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posted on June 28, 2006 09:38:03 AM
Thanks for the confirmation of on DC on first class. As a rule I will step out of line for a minute or pretend I am tying my shoe if that particular clerk is the next one free. She has had a problem with every single package or envelope I have handed to her. I don't think it is just me because I have seen her giving a hard time to others. The brance where I mail is not large and some days she is the only station open.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 28, 2006 09:51:46 AM
photosensitive: Since your non-fave clerk is already hateful to the world, you've got nothing to lose by pleasantly asking her to check with her Supervisor of Window Services the next time this or another sticky topic comes up. Go armed with the relevant page from the DMM. I have had to gently educate many postal workers...one at a time.
fLufF
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WashingtoneBayer
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posted on June 28, 2006 12:24:59 PM
rpm757 you can blame your fellow sellers if you believe you don't over charge on shipping.
When I sell my shipping is stated as well as how it will be shipped. There is no expectation of priority mail unless I say it will be so. What hurts a seller is that someone who doesn't say and then the buyer mistakenly thinks it will be shipped one way and then it is shipped another for pennies of what was actually paid.
I have seen people charged $10 shipping, for sub dollar shipping. then the insurance that was paid was not used on the item.
Sellers did this to themselves, don't blame the buyers.
Ron
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 28, 2006 12:36:17 PM
Sellers did this to themselves, don't blame the buyers.
Stuff and nonsense, Ron.
Some sellers gouged on shipping. Not all.
As a result of some nanny-state buyers who can't add price plus shipping, now all sellers will suffer. Even those who charge quite "reasonable" handling fees will be fearful because eBay has not defined "reasonable".
We've seen selective enforcement before. We'll see it again. And as usual, the little guys will take it in the shorts. I should plan on another suspension (it'll be my fourth) this summer, I suppose, and start saving cash like crazy.
I do blame some buyers, particularly the dimwitted ones who thought that by complaining about 1 cent purchases with $19.99 shipping, that meant the seller would be forced to sell to them for 1 cent plus actual postage.
fLufF
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[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Jun 28, 2006 12:38 PM ]
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annekila
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posted on June 28, 2006 04:18:19 PM
I don't know what the fuss is about. This has been ebay policy for a long time. Maybe NOW they are just going to enforce it.
I've reported some auctions before..such as a shipping cost of $30 for 5 bracelets at $.99. The thing is....each auction has to be reported separately..or at most, 10 at one time. These sellers have HUNDREDS..even thousands of auctions listed. Who has time to report all those auctions? Ebay will only close the ones reported. You can't report a seller..just an auction number.
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parklane64
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posted on June 28, 2006 04:26:12 PM
Just a venue, eh?
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hwahwa
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posted on June 28, 2006 04:38:07 PM
5 bracelets for 99 cents and shipping of $30-as long as both buyer and seller are happy!
Ebay can always charge FVF on the total-$30.99.
/ lets all stop whining !! /
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irked
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posted on June 28, 2006 05:05:21 PM
I reported a guy selling thumb drives for$1.99 with shipping of $30.00 to ebay and they wrote back something to effect that reasonable shipping was iffy at best and it didn't seem out of line. Ba! shipping on that item would be under a dollar. Ebay just sluffed it off and the shipper seller was in USA not overseas, What a crock.. It is those sellers that should have to pay on all fees not US honest sellers. I never charge over 50 cents to $1.50 over actual cost and have been known to refund if I goof. My customers appreciate it a lot too.
**************
You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me!
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capolady
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posted on June 28, 2006 05:09:07 PM
hwahwa - you hit the nail right on the head!!
Ebay cares not at all how much sellers charge for shipping/handling - the only thing they care about is the fact that they can't charge fees on s/h charges. They see all that lovely money slipping through their fingers and it tears their hearts out.
I personally have an excellent way of dealing with sellers who list items for a low starting bid and then break it off in you with s/h. I just refuse to bid on their items - it's that simple.
If everyone would stop bidding on a necklace or a pair of earrings for 0.99 and then paying the seller 15.00 to ship them this sort of nonsense would come to a screeching halt.
I sell mostly vintage jewelry and unless I'm shipping a large lot somewhere my standard shipping charge plus handling is $3.50 to anywhere in the US. Normally that gives me a handling profit of about $1.50. That more than covers my packing material and the small bubble envelope plus the DC. Yes, I use a DC on every package I ship - no exceptions. I've been hit several times with the "I didn't get the package" crap and wound up losing the funds through Paypal and the buyer kept the merchandise. Never again!!
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