Category Archives: eBay

Union’s and Postal Workers OR That Time I Chased My USPS Mail Carrier Down

Posted on by
1

 scanmissing

Cute T-Shirt (that describes my morning) made by Sunshine State Tees. You can get this shirt HERE

This morning started out just like any normal day.  We had packages to send out, messages to respond to, you know the usual stuff.  Our rural route mail person was out today so our sub was filling in.  I send #3.5 out to give him our packages.  She came back in with an empty tub and said… “He couldn’t scan them because he wasn’t covered.”

Wasn’t covered? What does that mean?

Everyone knows how important it is to a online seller to have your packages scanned.  I called the substitute mail carrier and he didn’t answer.  I text him.. and he didn’t respond.  What else to do.. but to try and find him.

20160802_115305.jpg

I drove down a lot of these roads…..

20160802_115447_hdr.jpg

I live in a rural area, if that “rural route carrier” thing didn’t give it away.  I drove around for 30 minutes or so, and finally found him.  Flagged him down and got my packages.  Where he gave me the following excuses for NOT scanning my packages:

  • “I’m not in the same union as everyone else.”
  • “Tammy told me to do it this way.”
  • “I’m not covered.”
  • “Something could happen to me along the way.”
  • “Your packages need coverage that I don’t have.”
  • “The union does not allow me to scan packages”
  • “My phone fell off my visor onto the street and broke.”
  • “I’m sure they would have been scanned when they get to their destination.”
  • “Tammy told me NOT to do it this way”

20160802_115201.jpg

I listened to his excuses, and found the nearest paved road to drive into town to have my packages scanned.

20160802_113947.jpg

About 18 miles and 1 hour after the start of my adventure I arrived at the post office to have the packages scanned.

20160802_113446.jpg

It should not be this hard to mail stuff.

Dear eBay Queen: Why Is This Buyer Playing Games with Me?

Posted on by
Reply

Dear eBay Queen:
Remember when eBay’s philosophy was “everyone is basically good”?  I’m not sure that applies so much anymore. I sold a rare Franklin Mint monopoly game, table and all of the pieces.  The game was new, and the contents were sealed.  I took the item out of the box for pictures, but the pieces and the game cards were still sealed. I stated the following in the listing:

“This item was removed from its original shipping box to be photographed. I have not taken removed the seals/shrink wrap from the game cards or pieces.  You can see by the photos what items are still shrink wrapped and or in their protective green cases with the foam padding.  This is new and has not been played with. Free Shipping!”

The buyer contacted me 29 business days after the item sold, to tell me that she is missing the gold plated lantern game piece/token.  She included photos, and NOTHING about the game I sent is NEW any longer.  I sent her a message through the eBay return que, and told her that the items were all new in the package and sealed, and that you can see from my photo where the lantern is in the box.  I am beside myself, because I cannot sell this for the price I had if they return an item that they’ve used/removed the seals or shrink wrap from.  What do I do?  I want to call into eBay, but I need your help knowing what to tell them.

Will eBay stand up for me?  Will they care about my photos?  Will I have to eat this?

 

Troy

 

Dear Troy

Thank you for including your buyer’s eBay ID.  After reviewing their eBay account I see that they sell games, and have sold pieces of the Franklin Mint game in the last 15 days.  I would call into eBay and explain your story.  Tell them to review the messages your buyer sent you, and to ask them to close this return because they have altered the game by opening the shrink wrap.

If the first person you talk to is not helpful, I would not be afraid to ask for a supervisor.  I hope this is cleared up.

 

Dear eBay Queen:

I feel like an idiot, but I have a shipping issue.  I have been selling sheets, and comforter sets on eBay and Amazon.  I received a message from a buyer that says that my shipping is too high.  I wasn’t sure what she meant, so I asked her to clarify.  She basically told me that, I live in Oklahoma, and she lives in Florida.  The total shipping cost is 45.00 to send it via USPS priority mail.

I thought that was high too, so I went into my post office and they told me that it was because the package was oversized.  I contacted eBay and they told me to get a UPS account because the same item would be 22.85 to ship UPS Ground OR to select parcel post and it would be less than priority mail.

The eBay employee was very nice, but suggested I do this with all my listings, because the shipping is all a bit high. How do I edit all 35 listings?  That will take me ALL DAY.

I am not trying to rip anyone off; I weigh it all and measure boxes. I am not trying to overcharge for shipping. Should I change all my shipping to parcel select? I’m too scared to do free shipping because I don’t want to lose money. You never know who will be buying the item so it’s impossible to know how much shipping will actually be. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

TLL

 

Dear TLL:

If you are selling bulky or heavy items like bedding or comforters, it would benefit your business to have a UPS account.  I always offer several different shipping options when I am listing something that would be considered bulky.  I think it’s good to select Priority, Parcel, and UPS Ground.  This way, the buyer can choose the way they want the item shipped when they are paying for the shipping.

eBay has made it pretty easy to do a “bulk change” to all your listing items.  They have a special tool.  Here is more information on it. BULK CHANGE on eBay

 ebayfranklinmintstratego

Strange eBay Item of the Week: Item #182216318482. Franklin Mint games are highly collectible. Franklin Mint Stratego Civil War Official Collector’s Edition Game Very Rare. SOLD: $1450.00.

 

 

Sometimes a Blue Wrist Band Will Save You From a Return.

Posted on by
Reply

DSC03172

I’ve been putting these simple inexpensive wristbands on my clothing for about 2 months.   I started doing this because I was having a small issue where a buyer would confuse my item with another sellers identical or similar product, OR they would alter the item (by washing or wearing) and then return it.

This morning I had a buyer message and say the item we sent her was damaged.  Turns out, it wasn’t our item.  (Read from the bottom up)

bluetagreturnsave

Needless to say I am ecstatic that my blue tag once again saved me from a return!

Dear eBay Queen: Will Disclaimers Help My eBay Business?

Posted on by
Reply

Dear eBay Queen:

Maybe it’s the heat of the summer here in Arizona, or maybe it’s just I’ve had all I can take with eBay.  It seems like lately all I get are complaints from buyers.  I receive one negative and one neutral feedback.  One states: “Didn’t ship fast enough” the other states:  “I didn’t know this was used.”  I responded to both of them, and I did ship the item same day, and the other item was clearly marked as vintage/used.  I received a message the other day from a buyer that had NO IDEA the “Depression Glass dishes I sent her were USED.”  And no, that was not from the person that left negative or neutral feedback.  I am on a Facebook eBay group, and one guy was talking about putting a disclaimer in his listings.  I’m thinking of doing the same thing, except update it to fit me.  This person KNOWS exactly how I feel.

Here is my disclaimer for my listings it is a mixture of the Facebook guy and mine.  I want to know what you think of it.

“Hi! I want you to be so happy with your purchase.  Here recently, I have had a rash of people leaving bad feedback.  I have this eBay business because I want to make a little money to help my family.  I’m not really a professional at this business, but I’m not a slouch either.  I learned from my parents and grandparents about antiques and collectibles.  Almost everything I sell is USED.  Buy USED it’s good for the environment!

Since the items are 20 to 100 years old, they are probably not in new condition. I am not an expert, but I do know a thing or two about antiques.  Sometimes I may miss something, but I do stand behind my products.  Keep in mind that it may not look like you want it when you are holding it in your hand.
Recently I had a buyer complain that her item had dust on it.  REALLY?  Wipe it off! I live in Arizona, the great Southwest! We have wind here and desert- like dirt.

When I buy these items at auctions, estate sales, flea markets or garage sales, I don’t ask the history behind the piece.  All I know is where I purchased it, and sometimes I do not know that!

I’ve had people ask if my items come from a non-smoking home.  I do not smoke, but my roommate smokes outside, and my attached garage (where the items are stored) is not only attached to my duplex, it’s attached to the neighbors.  That idiot smokes.  So sometimes my stuff might smell like smoke.  And again I don’t know the history of the stuff that I pick for all I know, they could have come from Joe Camel’s personal man-cave.

What I can promise is that if you have any questions or would like a picture at a different angle please feel free to ask questions BEFORE bidding and I will do everything in my power to help you.”

Do you think I should correct anything?  I thought it was nice enough. What are your disclaimers?

CTG

 

Dear CTG:

I think you can get those negative and neutral feedback removed. Call into eBay immediately and ask for the feedback to be reviewed.  Explain how you shipped the same day, and how you stated in your title, item specifics and description that the item is vintage/used.  I bet they will be removed for you.

I think it is best to have simple service disclaimers.  Such as: “I ship Monday through Friday!” Or: “We have the best question response time on eBay!”  Try to avoid the negative.   Although the smoking comment was witty, I think it would be best to say something like.  “I do not smoke, but my neighbor that I share storage space with does. Sometimes, that smell may be attached to the items I sell.”

I have found that long disclaimers turn buyers off. I would avoid those at any cost.

 ebaypiratebook

Strange eBay item of the Week: Item #:201594230454. It’s been quite a while since I looked for a book on eBay. It’s a book full of facts about pirates! Pirates Exquemelin Alexadre Olivier Bucaniers of America or A Lot 247 SOLD$5800.00.