iceicepenguin
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posted on July 10, 2006 05:46:42 PM
Had a customer tonight who asked me to consider reducing my shipping charges and reminded me of Ebay's shipping policy about not overcharging. She is also a seller and explained to me that her envelopes only cost 8 cents.
Small item - actual cost to ship $2.31. Charged her $3.05. Explained that shipping cost is not just an envelope - there's tape, invoice, note, printing, shipping label, etc.
Anybody else having to justify everything down to the penny now also? Please don't tell me that I'm going to have to go through this over and over again....
What are the odds that Ebay will remind all that "Shipping is MORE than just an envelope."
I know - never happen.
OK, thanks for listening. I feel better now, although I do have hair in my hands from my head and I can't coax my dog back out from under the bed after that screaming fit I had.....
ice
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sparkz
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posted on July 10, 2006 06:06:06 PM
You think it's bad on the seller's end, just wait till Ebay receives its 20,000th overcharge complaint in one week, with only 5 clerks to handle them. I suspect they'll come out with an announcement then.
If Murphy's law is correct, everything East of the San Andreas Fault will slide into the Atlantic
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on July 10, 2006 06:13:05 PM
Guess where that is on my top ten list of idiotic things eBay buyers say:
10. "Just put it in a business-size envelope and put a 37 cent stamp on it"
9. "Can you track my shipped item and tell me where it is?"
8. "Don't you know my address? Why do I have to tell you?"
7. "I've already received items I bid on after yours."
6. "I know this auction is for an amethyst ring, but send me citrine instead."
5. "I know this auction is for size 10 but send me size 5 instead."
4. "Your auction doesn't have the shipping price anywhere in it." (LIE!)
3. "This ring is not a size 7. I know because my girlfriend's sister's ring fits me and I'm pretty sure she's a size 7."
2. "I don't want to pay 99 cents for this precious metal ring. If I buy a bunch, will you give me a better price?"
And the number one idiotic thing eBay buyers say:
1. "I know you're wrong, because I'm a seller, too!"
fLufF
--
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iceicepenguin
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posted on July 10, 2006 06:15:37 PM
Thanks, Sparkz!
Picturing five Ebay clerks being inundated by emails makes me feel better already.
I hadn't thought of the fallout on their end.
Do you think they did?
What's next - an shipping itemization add-on to each auction listing so the buyer can see where every penny goes?
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iceicepenguin
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posted on July 10, 2006 06:18:17 PM
LMAO Fluffy!
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sparkz
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posted on July 10, 2006 06:21:05 PM
The next time you sell to this tightwad, just put enough sand or gravel in the bottom of the envelope to get the shipping price up to $3.05. That'll make her feel better 
If Murphy's law is correct, everything East of the San Andreas Fault will slide into the Atlantic
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iceicepenguin
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posted on July 10, 2006 06:28:55 PM
Now she emailed me and asked me if I have any pets???!???
My husband says I should tell her "Yes, I have tarantulas shall I sent one along with your items? No extra shipping charge!"
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sparkz
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posted on July 10, 2006 06:41:59 PM
She's trying to get out of the deal by claiming she's allergic to animals. Respond by telling her "Absolutely no pets. My husband and I are both allergic to them" Then be sure to rub the item along the kitty's back before you pack it. She'll forget all about the $3.05 when she sees the bills from her allergist and pharmacist.
If Murphy's law is correct, everything East of the San Andreas Fault will slide into the Atlantic
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tomwiii
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posted on July 10, 2006 07:03:59 PM
EMAIL Ralphie their STREET ADDRESS & he'll send her a year's supply of his INFAMOUS WMD, conveniently packaged in AEROSOL CANS...
One economical application applied to the whole family, and they instantly...SHUT UP!
[ edited by tomwiii on Jul 10, 2006 07:06 PM ]
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neglus
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posted on July 10, 2006 07:17:14 PM
Just a thought - maybe your buyer reads this board and is trying to figure out if you are complaining about her by asking if you have any pets (dog under bed reference in the OP)?
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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 July 10, 2006 09:16:12 PM
Complaining about $3.05 shipping? Arrrgh this is not what excessive shipping is about and these morons will muck this up.
Yeah fluffy other sellers know so much more about your business 
Ron
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sparkz
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posted on July 10, 2006 09:36:07 PM
Neglus...I would seriously hope that anyone who reads this board would have sense enough to inquire about shipping and pets before bidding, rather than bring these issues up after the auction ends.
If Murphy's law is correct, everything East of the San Andreas Fault will slide into the Atlantic
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iceicepenguin
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posted on July 11, 2006 06:04:34 AM
I don't think she reads this board because this morning she sent me some pictures for use in crafting...
OK,then.
And a reminder that Ebay's policy states "actual or LESS costs"
Policy states - Sellers who want to be sure they are in compliance with this policy may charge actual shipping costs plus actual packaging materials cost (or less).
Why did they have to put in (or less). As you can see, SOME people read it as she did.
Gee, I think I'll charge less for now on!
I never thought of that. All my customers will be so happy and I will go slowly out of business and be left with those 8 cent envelopes that I should be buying from Costco (as my picture sending friend was so helpful to recommend).
If sense WAS common, life would be so much simpler.
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pmelcher
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posted on July 11, 2006 06:15:23 AM
EEK !! I had not noticed the 'or less'. I have never had any complaints, even after I started adding 50 cents for 'handling' but I wonder if I will now. Try to buy something from a catalog and ask them to ship it for actual postage and see how far you get. I realize they had to do something to weed out the $20.00 and above excessive shipping to avoid final value fees but maybe they went a teensy bit too far.
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iceicepenguin
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posted on July 11, 2006 06:28:19 AM
I've found a solution!
I'm going to change my user name to RobinHood and offer free shipping on ALL my items!
Come join my band of Merry Men!
The following user names are available for a mere $1,000 each (plus a one time excessive shipping fee of $14.95)
Little John
Maid Marian
Miserly Meg (this one costs extra)
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on July 11, 2006 10:09:46 AM
How in the world is ebay going to be able to determine how much each seller pays for packing materials.
Here as good example - If I buy bubble wrap by the sheet it cost a dime a sheet but if I get a large roll and store it I pay about about 3 cents a sheet. Now I think it crazy to pay 10 cents a sheet but some sellers think it's crazy to store that giant roll of bubble wrap. Neither is wrong but the cost if you use 10 sheet is 30 cents to $1 cent.
I understand why ebay did this but I think this is a can of worm that ebay will regret opening!!!
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LtRay
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posted on July 11, 2006 01:16:32 PM
Lady and all, tell the whiners that you buy your bubble wrap at the post office.
I had to ship a bowl last year while I was out of town. Could not find any bubble wrap in the small town I was in so I bought it at the post office. Jeeze! I think it cost about $3 a roll for a piece that was 12 x 36 inches and it took 3 rolls to safely wrap the $100 bowl. My total shipping cost was $25 for something I could have shipped from home for $11.
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irked
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posted on July 11, 2006 05:00:16 PM
Tell her if she keeps complaining about such a trivial amount you will need to charge more for the time it takes for you to read her crappy emails.
I tell you what, put tissue over her items, place in a baggie zip lock for extra protection add some more bubble wrap tape that real good, then add a cute little ribbon tie just for show. OH don't forget the cute little printed out name tag and of course a return address stick on label in case the package happens to come apart but probably won't because you put overkill of tape on the entire package. When sending small enough items to fit inside an envelope say a 10X12 or what ever I have been known to place the small item inside a box all taped up labeled etc inside the envelope, you could even add a box inside the envelope. On the cute little name label be sure to write I did all this packing for cost, did not charge for labor or driving to post office, I believe in well packaged items to insure their safety.... Do't be stingy on the tape, it will drive her nuts.........
If we get right down to it handling charge covers gas to post office and getting other supplies, and we know how much gas is--yikes. Then there is the cost of tape, peanuts, boxes, envelopes, glue, ink for our printers and also ink pens, uhhhhh labels paper, electricity for printing, let see there ought to be more we can think of. Cokes and beer to entertain us while we pack, pretzels, fabreeze, dryer sheets, plastic bags, saran wrap LOL don't laugh I have been know to use that. Baggies several sizes, tissue paper, more kinds of tape. OH asprin or tylenol or advil for the headache such buyers give us. Does that about cover all the tiems we use in packing probably forgot some.
**************
You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me!
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sparkz
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posted on July 11, 2006 05:31:16 PM
Hell, it takes at least 15 - 20 minutes to get all those ants out of a pizza box before you can even think about using it. And if you have to chase down and kill a bunch of cockroaches in larger boxes, it ought to be worth a couple extra bucks.
If Murphy's law is correct, everything East of the San Andreas Fault will slide into the Atlantic
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agitprop
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posted on July 12, 2006 03:17:35 AM
When buyers complain about S&H - offer to mail the item with only a stamp and address label attached i.e. naked to the elements. Most change their tune pretty quickly. Also if your prices are listed then stick to them. Other eBay sellers can be the worst cheapskates when they have their Buying caps on!
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twig125silver
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posted on July 12, 2006 05:09:19 AM
The policy states you may charge a reasonable handling fee....... Yours is more than reasonable, imho.
Hopefully, this "seller" will not buy from me. I don't have the time, nor the inclination to pizz with them.
They must not be much of a seller if they have time to e-mail this much over less change than they can dig out of their sofa.
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