Dear eBay Queen;

My sister just moved to the United Kingdom from Topeka.  She buys a lot of things off eBay but has never sold anything.  I sell and buy on eBay.  I have over 5000 feedback, which is why I think she sent me this email.  I don’t know how to answer her.  I am hoping you can help me.

“I think I have figured out the biggest scam in the world of eBay!  I hope you are not doing this.  These sellers are offering a low priced item, where the seller doesn’t make much of a profit, then hitting me, the buyer without outrageous postal charges!

I bought a really cute dress for Jennifer.  The seller says it weighs 1 lbs, and the cost to ship it to me here is 13.78.  I can not believe this! I am refusing to pay what is an obviously grossly exaggerated international postal shipping fee.  This 13.78 is *far above* what I usually pay. Now this seller has now filed a case against me for non-payment.  What should I do about this?  Surely I don’t have to pay for this, right?”

I have no idea what to tell my sister.  Do you have any ideas?

CJB

Dear CJB;

I think I can help you out.  While checking the USPS website, I found the following rates on a 1lb package from the United States to Great Britain.

• Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Box.  Shipping cost $12.78
• First Class Mail International package.  Shipping cost is $10.76

It looks like your sisters’ seller is shipping the dress via Priority Mail International, and charging her $1.00 handling.  You can check out the International shipping rates by clicking on this link: http://ircalc.usps.com/MailServices.aspx?country=10150&m=13&p=0&o=1&mt=10

If this were my sister, I would let her know this seller’s shipping charges are not out of line. I would also advise her to email the seller and as for the item to be shipped First Class International in order to save a couple of dollars.  The post office recently had a rate increase which your sister my not be familiar with.  I would let her know that her seller is completely inline by charging her 13.78.

Dear eBay Queen;

I’ve been in a real funk lately when it comes to eBay.  I’m so down on this whole Detailed Seller Rating System.  I was talking to a woman at the antique mall, and we kind of got into it over DSR’s and Feedback.  Could you settle our argument?  I can not figure out why we should leave feedback for buyers.  It means absolutely nothing.  I can’t figure out why eBay hasn’t changed the policy.  If all we can leave is positive for a buyer what does it matter? I do think that it means that eBay doesn’t really care about what  most sellers think.

I also worry that if I don’t leave feedback for my buyers, that they will be annoyed and leave less than positive feedback for me.  However, most of them probably wouldn’t even notice.  I have a separate eBay ID for buying.  I check that ID’s FB maybe once every six months, and if a seller didn’t leave me FB, I would never know it.  What is your opinion?  Do you think buyer feedback is important?

Christina; Garnett, KS

Dear Christina;

I understand your point of view.  Sometimes it feels redundant to leave feedback for buyers since all that can be left is a positive.  To many buyers, it is very important to receive feedback.  That is why we should continue to do it.  No matter what eBay has done to mess up the feedback, system, buyers still want, and expect you to rate them.  The buyers are OUR customers, not eBays.  As business people, we need to take care of our customers and business.

I believe if all sellers had taken care of their customers and given them what they wanted, (good customer service,) we would not be in the situation with DSR’s and feedback we are in now.   My advice is to continue giving your buyers what they want; positive feedback.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 120549892832 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page): I’ve always been told that old maps sell well.  Here’s proof! 1874 Colorado Springs original Railroad Map SOLD $4,150.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120549892832

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com.