Postage Question

[*tippy*toes*]

I had a buyer purchase tonight and paid straight away. When I went to check the order details I noticed she had paid for express postage. When I looked at her address, I noticed she lives in the next town. Anything I've ever posted there arrives overnight. I sent her a message pointing out that standard mail usually arrives overnight. I'm not in the express network so it's a minimum of 2 days from here. I asked if she wanted me to post it regular mail and me refund the difference, or whether she would prefer just to have it sent express regardless.

What I'm wondering is, if I don't hear back from her by the time I go to post, should I still post express, or should I just post standard and refund the difference? I'm just concerned that express might still take 2 days, even though it's to a neighbouring town. I'm not sure how express works in that situation. Does it go to the city, then get sorted and sent back, as opposed to regular mail just going by truck overnight from here?

[mbselections00]

Tough one to call tippy, can only say I'm glad it's you not me.  Surely though if regular mail can arrive overnight, something marked Express should also . . . . . . . .   ?   Could you phone the PO in the morning and ask how it would be handled ?

For your sake, I hope you get an answer in the morning, and although it hardly seems logical, if you don't, I would probably be inclined to send as Express since that what she chose to pay for - that way if it is delayed she can hardly blame you - whereas if you go the other way (and save her a reasonable amount of money) and it doesn't arrive overnight, she is more likely to blame you.

I've had a couple of instances where I've asked a question & really wanted an answer before posting, and fortunately 'gut' feeling has always paid off.  A few times I've taken a gamble & a couple of others I haven't risked it and been very glad I didn't, even though it meant delaying post by 1 day.  So I guess ultimately, since it's such a grey one, go with your gut 

[joethenuts]

tippy  if the buyer wanted express  and you cant get in touch with them , you dont have a choice, but to send it express, i know in your mind  regular would get there next day, but what if it did not get there next day , the buyer will not be happy with you, 

[mbselections00]

Where you been joe, haven't seen you in ages - not that I've been around much . . . . hope all is well with you

And yes, I feel rather inclined the same way as you

[typhoon4u]

I've had similar issues.

Ultimately, don't stress and send it how the buyer has paid for it and move on.

They'll still get it quickly, the postage was at their cost. You win!  

[joethenuts]

i have had a bit of a holiday ,but not realy as i am opening up a new factory in january and have been setting it up whith shelving and that and now stocking it up. 

also on the other topic i have had defects for glowing feedback with low stars been taken off last week , without the message from the buyers , so who knows.

[*tippy*toes*]

Thanks everyone. I haven't heard back from her, so unless I do, I'll send it express. I know the PO will shake their head at me, but as mentioned, that's what she paid for. I only wish she had read the item location when she first bid. She's a very low feedback buyer (less than 5), so may not have known to look at that. I just hope I don't get a message just after I post saying that she's happy to have it sent regular!! I normally upload tracking numbers when I get home, but I might take my phone with me and upload hers as soon as I walk out. I probably won't go to the PO until about 3, so there's still time to hear back from her yet.

[clarry100]

They rarely notice where you are located...

We had one buyer who sent a message asking if we could post it ASAP. They were just across Brisbane from us.

When we responded saying it would be in the mail today and you will very likely have it tomorrow they came back with how can that be if you are in China.

We pointed out that we were also in Brisbane. LOL

We just got back. Ohh... OK... thanks.

[*tippy*toes*]

I suppose with Chinese sellers flooding eBay these days, it would be easy to assume that what you're buying is coming from there.

[transport-posters]

I don't know why but I thought of my Chinese friend who came to visit Australia and wanted to take some souveniers home.  Jokingly, she said it's probably made in China.  So we looked and looked and looked and couldn't anything in the gift shop which was not made in China.  Amazing.  She came all this way to pay probably 10 x the cost of the item from her own country.