Dealing with the nice people on eBay

relayer

I listed a 1992 proof set for 1 cent and no reserve with a S/H charge of $4.50 (no it wasn't $9 but there isn't $4.20 of insurance involved)

It sold for $7.50, then I get this email the next day...

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Doug.... I'm requesting that you send my item by first class mail. Therefore I would like you to reduce the shipping charges to the actual amount of postage which is $1.29
Thank you.
Glenn

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Hello Glen,

I do ship by 1st class mail and the Shipping/Handling charge of $4.50 is stated in the ad and in the eBay checkout. People who saw the ad factored the S/H into their bid for what they would pay to have a 1992-S Proof set in their hands.

Since those were terms of the auction, we have to stick to them. Since the fair market value of a 1992-S Proof Set is $15.00, I'd like to ask that you increase your bid, but of course that would be ridiculous.

If it makes you feel any better, my cost was $13.35, plus eBay fees, packaging, postage and if you pay using PayPal will bring my cost to $16.52

Regards,

Doug

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Doug... no it doesn't make me feel any better. your costs are your business not mine. if you expect to charge me over $4 for S&H I expect you to by priority mail.

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Glen,

I'm not quite sure what the problem is. The ad clearly stated the S/H charge was $4.50 and all bidders were aware of it.

I see in your auction #xxxxx you charge $6 S/H by Priority mail, which means you have a $2.15 handing charge.

Where my shipping costs are $1.47, so I have a $3.03 handling charge, or a difference of 88 cents.

If you would like shipping by Priority Mail, I can do that for you at the same $6 price you charge.

Regards,

Doug

stman

This thread is off topic and needs to be in the ebay shipping and handling forum.

goose3

send him a set of glasses and a rope.

tell him to put the glasses on so he can see the rope when he pisses up it.

what a piece of work.


Great initial email by you though! awful witty!!

rkfish

happy to see others deal with this stuff also.....

nepbrs44

He should not have bid on it...........Sounds to me like he is tryimg to get something out of it at your expense.

JohnZ

When I first started buying on eBay, I made the mistake of not checking S and H costs. But I only made that mistake once. Still, I didn't try to wriggle out of my agreement with the seller.

MICHAELDIXON

If/when you ship the item, I would definitely insure it! That is the type of person who says they didn't receive the item.

ms70

<< <i>If/when you ship the item, I would definitely insure it! That is the type of person who says they didn't receive the item. >>



Good advice.

rkfish

without a doubt......insure it !!

jbsteven

relayer

I have seen you post this a few times recently about your shipping policy. Why not charge about what it really costs to ship a item and just put an opening price? If not you will be setting yourself up for these kinds of emails.

I charge $1.50 for shipping plus optional insurance. Part of operating a business is making a few bucks in one area and losing a little in others. It is the cost of doing business. If you want repeat business then it will also help. I bet everyone who sends you emails like this will never buy from you again.

I am trying to help here and not attack you.

relayer

I received a response from my last email and agreed to cancel the deal. I felt a neg coming on.

I guess he thought there was no profit in it for him to re-sell it on eBay. Just another wanna-be-dealer whining about his costs.

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Doug... If you bother to check some of my past auctions for simliar items I charge $2.50 to ship a proof set by first class mail. Items that I charge $6 for are large items that are at least 11.5x14 and that require flat shipment. This requires special packaging which takes a considerable amount of time. Futhermore... all of my items are shipped by priority mail not first class mail.

I have a suggestion... why don't you relieve me of my commitment to purchase this item from you. At this point I really think that this would be best for both of us. Just click on mutually agreed not to complete transaction in order to recover your auction fee and lets go our separate ways. You can relist the item and hopefully get a better price. No hard feelings... OK?
Glenn

goose3

make sure you block that flake.

DennisH

Definately block!

Russ

<< <i>I have seen you post this a few times recently about your shipping policy. Why not charge about what it really costs to ship a item and just put an opening price? If not you will be setting yourself up for these kinds of emails. >>



Ah, so it's Doug's fault that the reading impaired are crawling all over eBay.

Russ, NCNE

jbsteven

no Russ but instead of setting himself up for the reading impaired he can keep it from happening in the first place.

kinda like your no credit card thing through Paypal.

jeffnpcb

Send him a few hankies and explain to him that you are certified to teach second grade and can't explain it to him below that level!

Russ

<< <i>no Russ but instead of setting himself up for the reading impaired he can keep it from happening in the first place.

kinda like your no credit card thing through Paypal. >>



Fact: He clearly stated the shipping charge in the auction.
Fact: Bidder wins and thus creates a contractual obligation.
Fact: Bidder attempts to change the terms of said contract afterwards.

And, he's supposed to accomodate that stupidity by changing the way he does business?

Russ, NCNE

relayer

JB,

When I buy something on eBay I'm always looking at the S/H charge and I cringe at anything over $5.00 and I really appreciate a seller with low S/H like you.

I have a 3 tiered S/H - raw coins are $1.50, slabs 1c-50c are $3.95 and $1 slabs (and heavy items) are $4.50

I'm not in the business of selling coins but I use eBay to liquidate some of my collection (well, ok - I've bought some coins with the intent of making a profit). For me it's kinda of fun (sometimes) so it's more play than work. I'm more of a PowerLiquiator than a PowerSeller, but I hate dealing with the chuckleheads.

My S/H charges are on the upper end of the scale perhaps, but in my mind, my handling charges are my time, so I take offense to people trying to get that cheap. You can rip me for my coins - that's fair, but not my time.

My biggest gripe are the PayPal fees. On a $400 coin, they get $12. I like the convience of PayPal, but the cost is too high.

I've got about 150 more coins waiting at PCGS and NGC and once I sell those I'll be retiring from selling on eBay (or so I hope - If I only buy for my collection I'll be happy).

I'm thinking about dropping PayPal and then I'd remove a $1 from my S/H. I would come out way ahead, and the nice people on eBay will be happier.

stman

relayer

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the gas and wear on my tires when going to the post office.

LucyBop

the ongoing saga of the Relayer shipping fees.....

heh heh, I oughta win a auction from that cat, I'll give him a email that will make a doooozy of a thread!

stman

<< <i>I've got about 150 more coins waiting at PCGS and NGC >>



Cool, another 150 threads on shipping and handling.





<< <i>and once I sell those I'll be retiring from selling on eBay >>

relayer

But Lucy, S/H on Franklins are only $3.95 (plus insurance). Besides, I'd give you a special deal

LucyBop

I paid $20 shipping on a Frankie once.....

I bought the shipping, not the coin......

relayer

stman-

Here's a thread with a picture of an incredible coin, and links to some great information from Mark and Andy

Besides them it only got 2 other replies, while a S/H thread brings them out in droves.

Just giving the people what they want.

Boom

Maybe you ought to remind him that he entered in to a contractual agreement and should have paid closer attention. Lastly I would have said-"No problem, I'll just report you as a Non paying bidder and post your Name on ebay's annoncement board" OOOOOOOOOOhhh!

stman

Relayer, I agree when a subject concerning coins or posting of great coins there isn't much response sometimes. But like you said post an ebay shipping and handling thread over less than a dollar involved and everybody has input. They usually go to between 50-100 posts. Heck I even did one when I got ripped just to verify this. Hey, thanks for giving everybody what they want and keep up the good........

"Work?"

tjkillian

I wonder if Dog97's idea of shipping and handling actually causes the seller to receive more money. He does not charge at all for shipping or handling.

I typically have charged $3.00 for s/h and always ship insured. Remember insurance is not for the buyer, but rather the seller.

Tom