eBay

labrador0627 · ‎21-03-2016

This morning, I sold an item $10 with postage costs $8.25

Next I receive an email from the buyer, demanding free postage. Checked listing, postage set correctly at $8.25. Buyer sent me a screenshot of their eBay app, really showing free postage. Contacted eBay who says there is a "glitch" in the system. Had to cancel transaction and endure nasty emails from buyer. What will happen next - free items with free postage? To cop negative feedback. Truly unimpressed.

5kazam · ‎22-03-2016

Sorry, possibly didn't make myself clear enough. eBay did cover the postage cost, by reimbusing me through FVF's.

As said above - their stuff up. And I repeat, why should either my buyer or myself be out of pocket (for post cost) when this happens.

daintreejudi · ‎22-03-2016

Hi David, I basically know how much an item is going to cost ie $7.45 small parcel, with a fairly big one costing $21.00. I charge a set fee on most items of $17.50, unless it is very small and then I charge $10.50 knowing that it will cover the cost. Facts: ebay takes 10% of your postage so if you charge the buyer the exact amount - you are out of pocket: Fact: what company would use wrapping paper, ie bubblewrap, etc etc and not charge anything for delivery; ie I have to drive 20 mins to take my items to the post office I think it is only fair that we scrape a little extra every now and again on postage just to reimburse all these unseen expenses, otherwise selling on Ebay is just not worth it, Sometimes I lose out by underestimating but recover on the overestimations. Used to be able to make some money selling on Ebay but now it is very hard because buyers want everything for nothing and between Paypal fees and Ebay Fees and Postage costs, you certainly do not make enough to make a living on! I am not knocking Ebay, I think it is a great way to sell, it is just a shame they have got so greedy over the years and I dont understand why they dont charge fees on Gumtree, that way they could reduce the fees they add on for listing an item.

davidc4430 · ‎22-03-2016

unfortunately australia post now slap a sticker on your parcels showing exactly what you pay to send and most buyers just see that not the fact i buy new boxes, new buble wrap, rolls of sticky tape, fragile stickers, paper for the printer, drive 20 minutes to the post office. they just see a sticker with the post office charge and a lot think, 'im being ripped off on postage' i'm sure there are a lot of negatives being left for sellers just because the seller wants to recoup his/her outlay.

davewil1964 · ‎22-03-2016

i use prepaid envelopes, eBay satchels or eBay boxes.

No AP stickers on those.

Nor on anything where the seller uses stamps.

*tippy*toes* · ‎22-03-2016

@davewil1964 wrote:
i use prepaid envelopes, eBay satchels or eBay boxes.

No AP stickers on those.

Nor on anything where the seller uses stamps.

I charge $8.25 for postage for small parcels (which most of mine are for a single item, with a few large letters thrown in for good measure). I thought about using satchels, but as most of my items fall into the fragile category, they need to be boxed first. Most of the time the box needed to ensure it's packed adequately wouldn't fit into a 500g satchel, which is a real shame.

Larger orders that come in over 500g I normally put them in a 3kg satchel because it usually works out cheaper for the buyer. Depending on how much they've spent, sometimes I'll spend the extra $1 and a bit and send it express. I do that automatically for repeat buyers.

davewil1964 · ‎22-03-2016

I sell books. By definition not fragile. AND able to withstand 20kg from waist height. As long as they're horizontal to start with.

*tippy*toes* · ‎22-03-2016

That's why my boxes don't fit into a 500g satchel. They are packed well enough so they can have 20kg dropped from waist height. I've had fragiles sent to me arrive broken due to inadequate packaging. I don't want the same to happen to my buyers.

digital*ghost · ‎22-03-2016

@labrador0627 wrote:
This morning, I sold an item $10 with postage costs $8.25
Next I receive an email from the buyer, demanding free postage. Checked listing, postage set correctly at $8.25. Buyer sent me a screenshot of their eBay app, really showing free postage. Contacted eBay who says there is a "glitch" in the system. Had to cancel transaction and endure nasty emails from buyer. What will happen next - free items with free postage? To cop negative feedback. Truly unimpressed.

Wait til this one happens to you....

I don't do free postage, so every item in my store has a separate P&H charge. Sold an item, payment made, but it's an eCheque.

eCheque bounces, eBay remove the P&H charge from the order details so it shows on both my and the buyer's side as "free postage", buyer tries to pay again but postage actually appears in checkout, so I get angry messages accusing me of false advertising and then a demand to cancel the transaction because postage was supposed to be free....