Not my week with Ebay

[zktk01]

You frankly can't ship anything by UPS or FedEx for under $15 to just about anywhere. This whinny little ***** is why selling stuff on EBay ***** so badly. Just because Amazon can do it doesn't mean a real PERSON can do it. I try to sell my TOPTUL stuff on EBay for as fair of a price as possible and I still have to put up with this ****. My way of doing this is to count up all the shipping charges for the individual items that the customer has paid. Deduct what shipping one parcel with all the items in it will cost, add the 10% EBay steals for shipping and then refund through a PayPal to a Friend any excessive shipping paid. It's fair to me and it's fair to the customer. In spite of this there are still complainers.

Like I said I got another package today had 5 wrenches even bigger and had 5 Wiha Torx drivers all in one padded priority envelope which cost $7.20 to ship. $14 from $7.20 is more than 10% last I checked. I fully expect to pay the cost that ebay steals, and perhaps this seller is like you and don't know other shipping options than Medium Flat Rate. Perhaps, you should learn about shipping options other than UPS and Fed Ex may help you with your auctions pay less for shipping put more money in your pocket.

Lesson learned in the deal was you should communicate with seller not assume anything before buying. Will chock it up to a life lesson $6 not the end of the world.
I think receiving an empty box on another auction prompted the frustration.

 

[Hiball]

Like I said I got another package today had 5 wrenches even bigger and had 5 Wiha Torx drivers all in one padded priority envelope which cost $7.20 to ship. $14 from $7.20 is more than 10% last I checked. Maybe you should learn about shipping options other than UPS and Fed Ex may help you with your auctions.

Shipping wrenches, especially Big wrenches in a padded envelope is sketchy without taking extra precautions to prevent them from moving during shipment. It's not a chance I'm willing to take as a seller, I've had too many envelopes padded and Non show up to my doorstep with chrome peeking through. It can be done, but my time is worth more than the extra 2-3 bucks it takes to ship safely. Consider yourself lucky that you didn't have to start another thread concerning missing tools.

 

[alex71]

Exactly. Cramming stuff in an envelope takes time if you expect it to survive. We never do it. It goes in a box, as it should. But then, this is a business. And we sell everything with free shipping, so it comes right off the bottom line, but still cheaper than paying someone to play origami with a padded fre, or dealing with inr claims.

 

[7avalon7]

Guess you right about ******* and moaning over $6. I just hope I don't get another empty box. On the other hand, I do buy alot from one seller that auctions off every Saturday, I have received up to 15 items before in one auction including a 24inch breaker bar shipping is never more than $8 guess that's why I keep buying from him.

I probably have ordered 400 items in the last 2 years with ebay actually had not had a problem until this week. 1 box came empty I think a resolution is on the way.

2nd problem I contacted a seller to see if the would combine shipping if purchased multiple items, they said yes, so I did buy it now, then they offered invoice with next to nothing of discount on shipping. Not sure I am going to handle this one, other than Negative feedback.

imo that's really messed up if you give negative feedback just because you are not happy with the amount of discount. You did not ask specifically the amount so that is on you. Why did you just not cancel the transaction? Tell the seller the shipping is too much. You are going thru it but you are not happy and whine in a forum It is one thing if someone took $600, I think we all can feel that... $6.. just move on...

Just sharing another point of view. From seller point of view, combine shipping increases the risk. Buyer can always say yep I got the box but only 1 item in the box. Where is the rest of my order. Seller is now screwed because Ebay most likely side with the buyer.

Exactly. Cramming stuff in an envelope takes time if you expect it to survive. We never do it. It goes in a box, as it should. But then, this is a business. And we sell everything with free shipping, so it comes right off the bottom line, but still cheaper than paying someone to play origami with a padded fre, or dealing with inr claims.

Exactly! Speed, ease of packing, risk, etc matters a lot.

 

[zktk01]

imo that's really messed up if you give negative feedback just because you are not happy with the amount of discount. You did not ask specifically the amount so that is on you. Why did you just not cancel the transaction? Tell the seller the shipping is too much. You are going thru it but you are not happy and whine in a forum It is one thing if someone took $600, I think we all can feel that... $6.. just move on...

Just sharing another point of view. From seller point of view, combine shipping increases the risk. Buyer can always say yep I got the box but only 1 item in the box. Where is the rest of my order. Seller is now screwed because Ebay most likely side with the buyer.



Exactly! Speed, ease of packing, risk, etc matters a lot.

I am not leaving planning on leaving any Negative Feedback, I'm over it; just now interested, to see if I paid for Medium Flat Rate shipping and it all comes in padded envelope lol.

You brought up a good point, I never considered the risk to the seller of potential fraud of combined shipping.

Anyway I have moved on not worried about it anymore, like I said best to communicate beforehand, and not assume anything.

 

[JABgj]

Donating is a wonderful thing. If you are in the mood, by all means do it but give it straight to the folks you want to help. Keep other fingers and admin costs out of the loop so more of your good intention goes where it needs to. Don't do it via eBay or an organization that tells you it will benefit a local whatever.

 

[Ign]

I'll admit I haven't LOOKED at how the regions work - I just weigh my package and scroll thru the options at usps.com

I recently shipped to another GJ member CO to AR and a Regional Rate A was WAY cheaper than a Medium flat rate and about the same cost as a small flat rate, but the Regional Rate A is larger w much more useable space and comes in a "square" and more "book-esque" configuration. The square takes an M12 charger w lots of room to spare, try that w a small flat rate box LMAO

I don't exactly consider CO and AR to be in the same region LOL. Take a look at a map if you **** at geography.

edit: I also don't use envelopes- too sketchy. That's just me. The people who do successfully use them carefully wrap, tape, re-wrap and tape the item again. But it can work.

 

[Ign]

Also as long as we're discussing options, if you're ever shipping books, owners manuals (I recently ordered used '03 F150 on eBay), service manuals etc don't forget about media rate. It's STUPID cheap but the PO makes it difficult - IIRC last time I did it I had to take it to the counter.

But you can send virtually anything anywhere domestic for a few bucks. It CAN BE slow. And the media need not be print, can be digital.

Really best for say, sending repair manuals to friends, family, other GJ members.

They very well may inspect it along the way so don't abuse it and try to send non-media. But I think it's great that our government is willing to help promote the free (er inexpensive) flow of information between citizens. Granted, it's a bit of a dinosaur now as access to info is on the web but I have some vintage repair manuals from the '60's I need to give away and this is a great way to ship 'em to enthusiasts (who aren't in a hurry LOL)

 

[ryan20021982]

A Regional Rate Box A almost surely would have worked and been at least $3 less anywhere in the country.

People are just too lazy to use Regional Rate.

And flat rate padded envelopes are perfect for wrenches also, which are even cheaper yet.

 

[kythri]

And flat rate padded envelopes are perfect for wrenches also, which are even cheaper yet.

They're really not.

 

[notlob]

And flat rate padded envelopes are perfect for wrenches also, which are even cheaper yet.

Yep. For a handful or less of smaller wrenches or other small tools, I've had good success with the USPS priority mail padded envelopes. They are plastic and quite tough. You can get cases of them free shipped to your door at the USPS website.

https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?categoryNavIds=shipping-supplies%3afree-shipping-supplies&categoryNav=false&navAction=push&navCount=0&atg.multisite.remap=false&categoryId=free-shipping-supplies&productId=P_EP14PE

What has worked well for me is to put the tools into one padded envelope, fold in half and seal, and then insert that into a second padded envelope. No issues thus far.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I use the tyvek envelopes on loose parts, inside whatever flat rate or other container. a bag of knives might come apart, but noth8ng less.

 

[ryan20021982]

They're really not.

If you know how to pack them yes they are, have done it many times without a problem.

 

[alex71]

If you know how to pack them yes they are, have done it many times without a problem.

Yes, but time is money. By the time you cut a backer and zip tie or your wrenches to it, you would be ahead by just putting them in a properly sized box. If your time is worth nothing, then OK, never mind.

Either way that sort of packaging looks cheesy and unprofessional. If you're not doing it for profit, then again, never mind.

 

[TheEuronater]

Yes, but time is money. By the time you cut a backer and zip tie or your wrenches to it, you would be ahead by just putting them in a properly sized box. If your time is worth nothing, then OK, never mind.

Either way that sort of packaging looks cheesy and unprofessional. If you're not doing it for profit, then again, never mind.

I understand your point, but there is a way around this. If I plan on sending wrenches or anything else in a padded flat rate envelope I explicitly state it in the description so the customer knows what to expect. If they're not fine with that then they can pay the difference. But most people are fine with saving money, and receiving their product in fine condition. I do agree if you sell set products having more professional packaging makes sense.

 

[bulwnkle]

I've been selling on eBay for a couple years now. Nothing serious just odds and ends and some car parts. The eBay fees are almost enough to make me want to get out of it. It's hard to give a discount on shipping at times. The lightweight stuff I list with a fixed shipping price and pray the buyer isn't on the west coast, I'm in N.Y., for the heavier or large items I enter the shipping weight and size and eBay calculates the charges for the buyer. I'm sure my rambling has made things as clear as mud.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[notlob]

Yes, but time is money. By the time you cut a backer and zip tie or your wrenches to it, you would be ahead by just putting them in a properly sized box. If your time is worth nothing, then OK, never mind.

Either way that sort of packaging looks cheesy and unprofessional. If you're not doing it for profit, then again, never mind.

I don't agree that shipping appropriate items in a padded envelope is in any manner less "professional" than shipping such items in a box. They are certainly better packaged than most items I receive from Amazon. Quicker to pack and less waste, too.

 

[alex71]

Let's not bring Amazon into this. While their packaging (boxes, tape, envelopes are certainly professional, they don't match the packaging to the items or use enough void fill).

I'm talking about putting inappropriate items into the padded FREs. I've bought 1/2" ratchets and large wrenches on ebay, and received them taped or ziptied to a piece of cardboard, then shoved in a FRE. Or, more accurately, the FRE stretched around the cardboard like a condom. The envelope arrives looking like a lumpy blob. Sometimes with the item poking out through a hole torn in it by the sorting equipment, so the seller could save a couple of dollars on shipping. It definitely takes more time to prepare a shipment like this than to place the item in a box with adequate void fill.

If you are taking about items that actually fit in the FRE without requiring welding to a backer to keep them from shooting out in transport like a missile (a 1/2" combo wrench or something of that size), then i don't disagree. When it takes heroic measures to get it to survive the trip, that's not good.

 

[ez-duzit]

...Would you leave a Negative Feedback or Neutral to warn others about overcharging for shipping?...

What a chickenshit thing to do!

 

[dnschmidt]

^^^^^^^^ RIGHT ON! In fact this entire thread has been about being a chickenshit cheap ***. As long as the shipping charge is stated up front and not some surprise pay up or pass the item by.

 

[Davefr]

The eBay fees are almost enough to make me want to get out of it.

I really don't understand all the whining about Ebay fees. It costs around 11-13% of the total sale. (depending on whether or not you're a power seller).

What other sale venue gives you access to the world for such a low cost.

Has anyone ever priced consignment shops, auctioneers, B&M storefronts, estate sales companies.

In my experience Ebay yields about 3X higher selling prices then CL and about 10X over G-sales. Seems like good ROI to me and I only have to deal with listing/shipping.

OK, let the whining/griping resume!!

 

[Mr_B]

eBay fees are 10% paypal around 4%, plus you need add a percentage for self insurance as you will get a few losses as a seller on eBay as too easily abused by buyers .
CL prices are close to eBay but takes longer sell generally .
I much prefer selling to cash buyers but these days got do bit of everything .

 

[zktk01]

^^^^^^^^ RIGHT ON! In fact this entire thread has been about being a chickenshit cheap ***. As long as the shipping charge is stated up front and not some surprise pay up or pass the item by.

Is this how you talk all your customers? just bought a ratchet from you.