2 hours ago, minicoopers11 said:

They aren't, of course, but since it's free when label is printed at home, it is a common and reasonable expectation. 

Judging by the lines at my post office, most people don't get the clue that it's easier to do at home.

12 minutes ago, thoroakenfelder said:

Judging by the lines at my post office, most people don't get the clue that it's easier to do at home.

Seriously. I walk in with my stacks of boxes and the lines are at least 30 minutes long right now, if not 1 hour. I get that not everyone has a computer and printer or even wants to bother with technology, but that seems a much better option than waiting for a parking spot, parking, and then waiting in line for one hour for the convenience of paying higher rates.

Edited December 15, 201510 yr by minicoopers11

17 minutes ago, minicoopers11 said:

Seriously. I walk in with my stacks of boxes and the lines are at least 30 minutes long right now, if not 1 hour. I get that not everyone has a computer and printer or even wants to bother with technology, but that seems a much better option than waiting for a parking spot, parking, and then waiting in line for one hour for the convenience of paying higher rates.

I don't even understand the people that eschew the kiosk that's available. "Must interact with cranky bureaucrat."

Not really about fruit cakes but just a little unusual - I've he quite a few sales come from Puerto Rico this holiday season when I've never had any there before.

Since it's a US territory, there's no international shipping charge so I get stuck with all shipping and its higher (similar to sales to Hawaii or Alaska which I've had before).

I exclude Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.  Sorry guys...

1 hour ago, matt1147 said:

Not really about fruit cakes but just a little unusual - I've he quite a few sales come from Puerto Rico this holiday season when I've never had any there before.

Since it's a US territory, there's no international shipping charge so I get stuck with all shipping and its higher (similar to sales to Hawaii or Alaska which I've had before).

All of my ads specifically state lower 48.  I do state that if you live in AK, HI or territory to please inquire about shipping.  The few that I've sent to PR understood and didn't mind a separate invoice for the difference in shipping.  Usually what I do is average out what I've paid in shipping for the item in the past and have them pay the difference.

Having fun selling AT-ATs this week... 2 people have not paid almost 48 hours later... another person who received theirs claimed that the box was not as described... they claimed it had been opened and retaped closed on the end... i thought this might be a legitimate claim til he sent me this pic...... 

 

 

Edited December 16, 20159 yr by Jeffrey_Dollars

1 hour ago, exciter1 said:

I exclude Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.  Sorry guys...

Y'all centrally located people are spoiled. For me, it's: "Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8."

6 minutes ago, minicoopers11 said:

Y'all centrally located people are spoiled. For me, it's: "Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8."

Damn that zone 8!!!!

15 minutes ago, minicoopers11 said:

Y'all centrally located people are spoiled. For me, it's: "Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8."

The most expensive place for me to ship to is California so naturally 90% of my orders come from California.

If shipping hurts that bad stop offering it up for free. eBay offers a calculated shipping option, use it. It will even charge the buyer full price while you get a discount so you will make a bit off of it. Instead of just complaining about it do something different for a change.

 

Edited December 16, 20159 yr by stephen_rockefeller
language

17 minutes ago, Migration said:

If shipping hurts that bad stop offering it up for free. eBay offers a calculated shipping option, use it. It will even charge the buyer full price while you get a discount so you will make a bit off of it. Instead of just complaining about it do something different for a change.

 

Gee thanks, had no idea. Yeah I have used calculated shipping and watched my sales drop off a cliff. So I will just complain. You don't have to read it. There is even an ignore function.

MEEOW its getting catty in here 

49 minutes ago, Migration said:

If shipping hurts that bad stop offering it up for free. eBay offers a calculated shipping option, use it. It will even charge the buyer full price while you get a discount so you will make a bit off of it. Instead of just complaining about it do something different for a change.

 

 

1 hour ago, minicoopers11 said:

Y'all centrally located people are spoiled. For me, it's: "Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8. Ebay sale! Oh, would you look at that, USPS Zone 8."

It's a little bit of work but just set your BIN with free shipping price to the price you want plus shipping across the country.  In many cases, Alaska and Puerto Rico are the same price as shipping from WA to FL or vice versa.  The added benefit is that you make a couple of extra bucks when you ship something nearby.

I've been using a mix of free shipping and calculated shipping for about a year now. There really isn't much difference between the two as far as what sells higher/faster. If an item is priced appropriately it will sell. I have noticed that my items that use calculated shipping tend to sell to buyers that are in zones nearby (surprise surprise) probably because I'm less expensive than the free shipping folks even though I am making more $$$. eBay charges you the same rate for shipping and final value anyway so you may as well make their system work to your best advantage. Or just complain about it. I would rather try and keep a bit more $$$. And the ignore function would block out too many delightful conversations such as this.

Edited December 16, 20159 yr by Migration

1 hour ago, Migration said:

If shipping hurts that bad stop offering it up for free. eBay offers a calculated shipping option, use it. It will even charge the buyer full price while you get a discount so you will make a bit off of it. Instead of just complaining about it do something different for a change.

 

<Insert rules for eBay Top Rated Seller here>

Just thought I'd chime back in - I use free shipping on practically all of my BIN listings and have it built in my my price. I also use "immediate payment required" so separately invoicing my buyers in AK, HI, and PR is only an option if I change my methods. To me, efficiency and automation take priority!

It was just weird to me to all of a sudden get orders from PR and it does sting a bit when shipping is 50-100% higher!

Obviously you guys never had to mail anything to Northern Mariana Islands.  It takes 2-3 times as long but USPS & eBay both use the same delivery estimate as shipping to PR  

APO?

6 minutes ago, Migration said:

APO?

Nope. The US protectorate customers are more likely to depend on the (erroneous) estimates given by USPS/eBay when expecting their (Christmas) shipments.

You might expect this from someone with 0% feedback, but not the case here.  This person is an experienced eBay buyer.

And I quote...  "Thank you will mail check this week" sent to me via message regarding an auction that ended.

Can I just go ahead and cancel the order?  Who still sends checks?  Really?

I thanked them for their winning bid and said I only take paypal.  If they do not pay or respond at 48 hour mark, I will send them a cancel order link.

 

27 minutes ago, trstnkn said:

You might expect this from someone with 0% feedback, but not the case here.  This person is an experienced eBay buyer.

And I quote...  "Thank you will mail check this week" sent to me via message regarding an auction that ended.

Can I just go ahead and cancel the order?  Who still sends checks?  Really?

I thanked them for their winning bid and said I only take paypal.  If they do not pay or respond at 48 hour mark, I will send them a cancel order link.

 

Wow...that gives me flashbacks to buying on eBay in 1997.

12 minutes ago, Alpinemaps said:

Wow...that gives me flashbacks to buying on eBay in 1997.

I remember waiting for Money Orders to come before shipping holofoil Charizards, without tracking mind you..   

1 hour ago, stephen_rockefeller said:

What is that?!?!?