posted on June 30, 2007 09:25:49 PM new
Currently I have a 4.7 on s/h fees in the Shipping and handling charges category.
In an attempt to counteract the rating, I have begun to enclose a letter explaining the reason for my s/h fees. My only thought is - if they had a problem with the s/h fees, why did they order the item?
I could always do as other "stamp Dealers" on ebay do - pour the stamps into a #6 or #10 envelope and mail for 41 cents. However, I prefer to do otherwise. It is both a matter of pride and good business. Less chance of having to replace or refund for a lost or damaged item.
The enclosed letter for an item with s/h of $2.50 -
"I believe it important to explain to you how we package and ship our items to you. It has always been my belief that once you place an order with us, we have a responsibility to ship your purchase to you, both quickly and securely.
We ship worldwide. All items are shipped with the U.S.P.S. The speed in which you receive your items will depend upon the specific U.S.P.S. service you choose. All U.S.P.S. services are available; both Domestic (First Class, Priority Mail, and Express), and International (First Class, Priority Mail, and Express). The cost for each service is provided in the item description.
I doubt that anyone will ship your purchases more securely than we do. We use heavy board envelopes that require at the minimum, a 2oz or 3oz First Class Parcel postage rate*, before being filled with your purchase. All Christmas Seal, Topical Stamp and Country Stamp Collections are shipped to you in a 6x8 sturdy, heavy board envelope, which weighs about 1.5oz empty. Sheets of Christmas Seals, Charity Seals, Stamps, and a few Crate Labels, are shipped with a protective cover, in a 9x12 sturdy, heavy board, stay flat envelope, which weighs about 3.5oz when empty. Larger items are shipped in an 11x13 sturdy, heavy board, stay flat envelope which weighs over 4oz when empty. We have chosen to ship in this manner, so as to protect your purchase.
All items are shipped fully insured for loss or damage. Further we ship your purchase with Delivery Confirmation, so that you can see that your purchase has been shipped, and in some cases, track your item during shipment.
All of the above is meant to ensure that your purchase arrives to you in the condition that you expect when you place your order. I would expect prompt, secure service when I order merchandise. I intend to do the same for you.
Bill Kozersky
* Please Note that the envelope used to mail your item weighs 1.5oz. The cost to ship this envelope when empty would be $1.48. Insurance and other item costs bring the total cost to mail this item to almost $3.00."
------------------------------------------
Do you have any suggestions?
Bill K-
http://www.kozersky.com http://www.kozersky.net
[ edited by kozersky on Jun 30, 2007 09:28 PM ]
[ edited by kozersky on Jun 30, 2007 09:30 PM ]
[ edited by kozersky on Jun 30, 2007 09:56 PM ]
posted on June 30, 2007 09:48:02 PM new
Sounds ok to me, but leave out asking for suggestions or you might just get some, there is always a jerk out there just waiting for someone to jerk around.
************** I married my wife for her looks, but Not the one she gives me lately!
posted on July 1, 2007 07:57:31 AM new
I never charge more than a dollar for handling..and most of the things I sell are breakable, so I use bubblewrap. When I use paypal now, I leave the cost of shipping on the box for the buyer to see. I am STILL seeing my little s/h star turn grey!
posted on July 1, 2007 08:12:07 AM new
Human nature being what it is, it's unlikely that every one of your star is going to be perfect. These percentage fractions made that virtually impossible. Ie. if one out of ten gives you a satisfied rather than "very satisfied", this will happen. And with shipping, buyers probably comment as much on the cost of shipping in general, not necessarily yours.
I just had someone ask if I could lower shipping on a 9 lb. piece of cast iron. Seems she had bought something "just like it" and paid half of my quoted shipping. The real story? Turned out the piece weighed 4 lbs., and it was shipped from her own postal zone, and when she checked the actual cost of that shipment, it was MORE than half. Hello!
My point? I don't think your letter will make a bit of difference. And if you opt to include it, you will want to shorten it considerably. And sometimes, if you protest too much, that sends up warning signals too.
posted on July 1, 2007 09:08:28 AM new
Buyers just aren't going to read all that, I believe. The second paragraph seems to be the most important one.
I include a small (three to a page when printing them) buyer's slip. One short paragraph, my signature, and a P.S. when shipping books:
"Is your shipping method Media Mail? This method can take 1 to 3 weeks for delivery. I always ship on the first business day after payment and have noted the date on the front of this package."
On front of package, I have a note that says "Your eBay [or Amazon] order sent ____ (date)," with an arrow pointing to it. I know there will be a postmark, but this just points it up a bit stronger.
This seems to work for me. I don't get complaints about shipping times.
That said, while I still have good "stars," the shipping is just one star behind the others.
_____________________
There is more to life than increasing its speed. --Mahatma Gandhi
[ edited by roadsmith on Jul 1, 2007 09:09 AM ]
posted on July 1, 2007 11:14:10 AM new
I hardly ever buy anything on ebay. I guess I would rather have the security of buying from an established retailer, than taking a chance and having an item improperly described and shipped to me in a pizza box.
Nor do I send my own feedback, as I rely upon Vendio to do so, when feedback is left for me.
I understand that the star rating for S/H fees is -
How reasonable were the shipping and handling charges?
1 star = Very Unreasonable
2 stars = Unreasonable
3 stars = Neither Reasonable or Unreasonable
4 stars = Reasonable
5 stars = Very Reasonable
So I guess 4.7 is OK. I'm just taking a defensive position by sending the letter.
The letter will soon be placed upon the back page of a price list which is to be enclosed with the order.
posted on July 1, 2007 12:24:11 PM new
You can always jack up the starting bid of your item and lower its shipping fee.
4.7 is pretty good in my books,what is your worry?
I married my wife for her looks, but Not the one she gives me lately!