bec9681
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May 1, 2024 20:34:07 GMT -6
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Post by bec9681 on Sept 5, 2007 13:54:30 GMT -6
Greetings everyone, I have been a lurker on this board for a bit now, and as an avid action figure collector (mainly of 3 3/4" GI Joes and M.A.S.K.) and eBay seller and buyer, I had to throw my 2 cents in to this conversation.
I usually use padded envelopes to ship figures to buyers if the figures are not going to be damaged in transit - by this I mean if they have no pieces protruding from them - ie a loose Justice League Hawkgirl would not work in a padded envelope. I do this because shipping in a padded envelope is the cheapest way to ship - and I ALWAYS note this in my auction. I figure if people want a box, no problem, I can do that - all they have to do is ask. It will cause the shipping to go up slightly, but that is only because you are adding in the weight of the box and packing materials.
As a buyer I too am getting tired of sellers charging huge shipping fees. I recently bought my wife 3 PEZ dispensers from a seller on eBay. She charged me almost $7 to ship these items - when I got them, the lable on the outside of the box said it cost $1.89. The part that burned me the most was that she used a USPS Priority Mail box turned inside out and wrapped in brown paper. Besides being unethical, this is a big no no with the Postal Service and had they caught her, they would've fined her and started checking every package she ships. I don't know any other way to stop these people other than not buying from them.
At any rate, I wanted to try and give a perspective from another seller's point of view. I try to ship things the cheapest and best way possible. I think eBay is still a great place to buy and sell, you just have to be careful who you are doing buisness with.
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Post by Ghouldrool on Sept 5, 2007 15:08:57 GMT -6
We have to cover handling we tried not to before and got ourselves in debt with ebay, can't do it again. C'mon, this? Is the ultimate douchebag excuse. Oh boohoohhoo, we got in debt for not charging handling cost! we have to drive to alaska to deliver your 0.99 cents figure! We have to buy tape and cardboard so we can't feed our children! Ebay is so mean, they charge us money to sell our items, oh NOOOH!
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Post by toyboxraider on Sept 5, 2007 15:20:15 GMT -6
Cap, not only is this person a dishonest seller and cry baby but is also an absolute idiot! You would sell your stuff people if your shipping prices were kept to a minimum!!!!
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Post by toyboxraider on Sept 5, 2007 15:49:02 GMT -6
I thought that my fellow collectors on our site would want to see the seller's response to my questioning of why my figure had no hand and was shipped for 3 x the actual price in an envelope from the above mentioned auction.
The individual's reply:
Dear toyboxraider, 99 cents. You won this lot for .99 cents and you are complaining. This is one for the cheapskate record books. LOL Mike - olywadude
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Post by toyboxraider on Sept 5, 2007 15:50:10 GMT -6
Classy guy.
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Post by 80s Action Figures on Sept 5, 2007 15:51:30 GMT -6
Well you all might hate me as I charge 3 U.S. for handling on all my items. I do not usally charge it on a second item however. I use this to cover the ebay fees, the material cost, and my time. I do however ship in boxes that are sealed with brown paper usually. Also the items are always ziplocked...usally with several bags, accessories in one figures in another and so on. I never had one complaint....ever....the cost for handling is clearly listed, but if you buy a 1 dollar item your paying 3 handling and then shipping................
Also the ebay link is to my second ID........I am also 80s_Action_Figures!! and 80s_Action_Figures
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Post by toyboxraider on Sept 5, 2007 16:20:14 GMT -6
Here is his second response, enjoy:
Dude, You scored. I normally get 10-15 bucks for each remco commando as they are rare. I would definelty return your money if you want a return. Thanks, Mike - olywadude
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Post by toyboxraider on Sept 5, 2007 16:23:38 GMT -6
If I can tell someone puts the effort in packaging and it costs them to do so, I understand!!!
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Post by Captainamerica on Sept 5, 2007 18:54:22 GMT -6
We have to cover handling we tried not to before and got ourselves in debt with ebay, can't do it again. C'mon, this? Is the ultimate douchebag excuse. Oh boohoohhoo, we got in debt for not charging handling cost! we have to drive to alaska to deliver your 0.99 cents figure! We have to buy tape and cardboard so we can't feed our children! Ebay is so mean, they charge us money to sell our items, oh NOOOH! Thanks, gd. This guy is a douche, imo. I mean, if it's so costly for you to sell, why do it? Mark your figs up a dollar, or list them for auction in a lot; a good lot will bring a good price, but to tack on extraordinary fees and describe them as 'shipping charges' is unethical if not dishonest, no matter how one might justify it.
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Post by 80s Action Figures on Sept 5, 2007 19:09:02 GMT -6
Here is his second response, enjoy: Dude, You scored. I normally get 10-15 bucks for each remco commando as they are rare. I would definelty return your money if you want a return. Thanks, Mike - olywadude Not that I am siding with him but you get a smoking deal..........I would have bid that to at least 12!
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bec9681
Guest
May 1, 2024 20:34:07 GMT -6
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Post by bec9681 on Sept 5, 2007 19:22:01 GMT -6
It is actually against eBay policy to charge extra $$ to cover your eBay and Paypal fees. If you are turned in, you can be kicked off of eBay for it.
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Post by 80s Action Figures on Sept 5, 2007 22:28:36 GMT -6
It is actually against eBay policy to charge extra $$ to cover your eBay and Paypal fees. If you are turned in, you can be kicked off of eBay for it. Thats if you silly enough to admit it.................I just call my fee a handeling fee which ebay supports.
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bec9681
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May 1, 2024 20:34:07 GMT -6
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Post by bec9681 on Sept 6, 2007 6:21:53 GMT -6
Well, they automatically figure that you are avoiding fees if you are turned in charging $7 to ship an action figure Frist Class - no admittance necessary. Like I said though, you need to be TUNRED IN - they do not seek out/llok for sellers doing this.
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Post by toyboxraider on Sept 6, 2007 10:21:38 GMT -6
I thought it was a good deal too 80s, but I really only got one undamaged figure out of the lot - one figure was missing 2 thumbs, one figure was missing most of his right hand, and the other figure has plastic melted to his legs. I received out of the 4, one decent figure.
Overall, not too bad, but when I tried to point out what would have made the transaction and sell go better for him and me he started immediately into name calling like a little kid. I really got my jollies from it all in the end.
A decent description and a decent shipping charge will make the difference with me. I sold for 5 years on ebay and never once charged over actual shipping. I gave everyone a choice of how they wanted it shipped with quotes and I took close up pictures detailing things like missing fingers. Plus, I added a detailed description.
I made a lot of money during that time!
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Post by 80s Action Figures on Sept 6, 2007 10:30:58 GMT -6
eeep they look better in the picture......now they were worth the price you paid...not any more.
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Post by toyboxraider on Sept 6, 2007 11:44:25 GMT -6
That is basically what I told him, that I was glad no one else bid too much for them. I will take pictures of what I received and do a compare/contrast pic for you all.
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Post by Ghouldrool on Sept 6, 2007 13:57:49 GMT -6
Yes please, I'd like to see this
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sanfords2
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May 1, 2024 20:34:07 GMT -6
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Post by sanfords2 on Mar 18, 2008 9:40:45 GMT -6
It really bugs me when a Seller will accept an "Off-eBay" offer and end an auction early - especially when it's something I really want. So what I do is send the Seller an e-mail asking if it's still for sale and if they'll accept some outrageous amount of money for it. Ain't I a stinker!
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Post by Grizzlor Adams on Mar 18, 2008 10:57:09 GMT -6
On the flip side of things.... I charged actual shipping costs to ship an item recently, and received a less than 5 star review on my shipping/handling fees. I think the guy left me the 3 star, not satisfied/not dissatisfied rating. It kinda pisses me off, because, I didn't pad a thin dime to the total. I used brand new shipping materials, shipped the stuff out the very next day, and sent payment received & shipping/delivery confirmation courtesy emails as well. I realize the last part is more of a communication issue, but come on.... Does only discounted or free shipping constitute a 5 star review? I buy a fair amount on ebay, and rarely do I ever pay ACTUAL shipping costs. Not that big of a deal, but still a bit of a slap in the face for my efforts.
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bec9681
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May 1, 2024 20:34:07 GMT -6
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Post by bec9681 on Mar 18, 2008 15:06:31 GMT -6
Yeah, I think more often than not you would have to send the buyer some cash along with the item(s) they won for them to leave you 5 stars on each category. I've had people pay for Parcel Post and then leave me 3 stars for shipping time - even though they paid for the slow shipping.
On a side note, I recently won two items from a seller on eBay. He was charging $8.99 Parcel Post shipping for one item. Since I won two, he "discounted" me down to $13.50 Parcel Post shipping. In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have paid. Well, when I got the item, I weighed it on my scale and went to USPS.com to figure out what real shipping would be. Needless to say I figured out that it cost the guy $6.00 to ship it to me. I complained to him and heard nothing, and now I have complained to eBay. I doubt anything will happen, but that is an outrageous upcharge. I would've been fine with $2-$3 but $7.50? That's pretty crappy.
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Post by Meatybat on Mar 18, 2008 15:16:14 GMT -6
Yeah, I think more often than not you would have to send the buyer some cash along with the item(s) they won for them to leave you 5 stars on each category. I've had people pay for Parcel Post and then leave me 3 stars for shipping time - even though they paid for the slow shipping. On a side note, I recently won two items from a seller on eBay. He was charging $8.99 Parcel Post shipping for one item. Since I won two, he "discounted" me down to $13.50 Parcel Post shipping. In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have paid. Well, when I got the item, I weighed it on my scale and went to USPS.com to figure out what real shipping would be. Needless to say I figured out that it cost the guy $6.00 to ship it to me. I complained to him and heard nothing, and now I have complained to eBay. I doubt anything will happen, but that is an outrageous upcharge. I would've been fine with $2-$3 but $7.50? That's pretty crappy. I thought E-bay was supposed to be getting a grasp on the price gouging on shipping ? I guess they figure , it doesn't affect their money so who cares . More lip service from good ole E- bay .
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Post by Meatybat on Mar 18, 2008 15:29:46 GMT -6
Im thinking about charging the actual shipping fees including materials, the final value fee, and if they pay with paypal, the paypal fees as well Im tired of being fee'd to death, the buy should be the one to pick these fees up, And i do far more buying then i do selling, but I dont even want to seel on ebay cause its so expensive The Pay Pal fees wont happen, they are right on top of that. Unless you do a "handling" fee which almost will cause a full blown conniption fit to most people .
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Post by Megatron on Mar 18, 2008 15:46:11 GMT -6
Don't feel so bad I had some dumb ass braud charge me $15 to ship it and when it came it said $7.25 so where's the extra $8? People crack me up and pull this crap and get away with it...
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Post by brcthrift on Mar 18, 2008 21:03:48 GMT -6
I'm sorry some of you got burned by high shipping, but most of you don't seem to consider all the costs in shipping a product.. Tape, peanuts, bubble wrap, padded mailers, and boxes are expensive. I am very type A so I actually cost out the amount of tape and bubble wrap I use. If I use a foot of bubble wrap and the 6 foot roll costs 6 bucks I tack on a buck to the shipping charges. The seller also has to take time to package and drop the items for shipping.
The actual cost of shipping an item is often times 2-3 times what the postage iss. Now I generally only charge fifty cents for handling but if the packaging was a pain, I'll charge 2 bucks with no problem.
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Post by Megatron on Mar 18, 2008 21:34:34 GMT -6
See that's the problem..I buy the supplies too but that "handling" charge is the one that kills me.... It's just another way of people getting around paying e-bay fees... If I charged a "Handling fee" or "Sales Tax" (That's always a good one.. ) i'd be run into the ground but some people seem to get away with that all the time.
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Post by drekkus on Mar 19, 2008 5:28:56 GMT -6
I never charge for packing, not for bubble wrap not for tape, just actual shippingcharges (i usually provide a link to them), whats a few bucks less on a sale and I don't mind the time it takes to wrap things up, it's all part of my hobby
and maybe its an idea to just make the stuff your selling a buck more expensive when you list it than nobody can complain about packing/ handling fees cause they are allready incorporated in the figure price
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treckmeyer
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May 1, 2024 20:34:07 GMT -6
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Post by treckmeyer on Mar 19, 2008 8:15:35 GMT -6
Couple things that bother me. First off, you can't charge for time. That's crap. You just sold something, it's your duty to package it to send it to me. You can't charge me for handling things, and taking it to the post office. It's part of the selling process. It's part of your duty. That's like saying that someone in a store is going to charge me extra for getting it off the shelf for me, behind the counter. It's your job as part of being a seller.
Second, I don't understand why people don't go get free boxes at businesses around town. Any hospital has dumpsters full of boxes of all sizes, daily. They are already flattened out for you in some cases, if they are really large. It's the greatest place for free boxes out there. Or, try a grocery store, or any other major retailer, they all got dumpsters full of things like this out back. And it's not some dirty garbage area either. The hospitals usually have a separate box area, with a huge box compactor for all the cardboard they go through.
I am okay for people charging for materials, I just wish more people would actually charge for what they are spending, not some made up amount.
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skyline
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May 1, 2024 20:34:07 GMT -6
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Post by skyline on Mar 19, 2008 8:16:26 GMT -6
yeah I dont charge for packing either as everything I use is recycled
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Post by Megatron on Mar 19, 2008 14:41:20 GMT -6
You know the funny thing is that when gas started to go up this guy tried to tell me that unless he get's 5 or more packages to ship out he can't do it because gas is too high.Even though later I found out that the post office was like 1.5 -2 miles from his house... What won't excuse won't people come up with...
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bec9681
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May 1, 2024 20:34:07 GMT -6
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Post by bec9681 on Mar 19, 2008 15:04:07 GMT -6
I'm sorry some of you got burned by high shipping, but most of you don't seem to consider all the costs in shipping a product.. Tape, peanuts, bubble wrap, padded mailers, and boxes are expensive. I am very type A so I actually cost out the amount of tape and bubble wrap I use. If I use a foot of bubble wrap and the 6 foot roll costs 6 bucks I tack on a buck to the shipping charges. The seller also has to take time to package and drop the items for shipping. Actually, I do consider all of the costs in shipping stuff because I sell too. I only upcharge my stuff $1.80 - and that covers new boxes, packing material, etc. I think someone who is charging more than $3 is just trying to make extra money. I've always been of the opinion that buyers should pay for packaging because they want their item shipped safely - but to me eBay and Paypal fees should not be figured in, as they are part of the cost of doing business.
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