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Buying and Selling on eBay: Tips, Tricks, Problems & Questions - Page 89

post #1321 of 3295
11/24/12 at 1:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by VLSI View Post


I believe you're only option is to put somewhere in the auction body that you will provide free shipping with buy it now. Then at the end of the auction, if someone used buy it now, you would send them an invoice and manually adjust the shipping charge.


That is the only way I have seen it done. Only problem is then you cannot use the "require instant payment." I have had buyers many times click "Buy it Now" and not pay. I guess its a balance of not worrying about delayed BIN payment vs the draw-in for free shipping.

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post #1322 of 3295
11/24/12 at 1:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quick question...

I bought something on US eBay and asked about shipping to Austria. In all honesty, I have a proxy setup in the US that forwards all American purchases for me. It's an individual, not a forwarding company. I still usually inquire shipping prices as it's easier to cutout a proxy. Anyway, I asked this seller if he'd ship straight to Austria and received a less than pleasant reply:

This listing did not offer shipping outside the US and it is not an option....your ID says you are from the United States, why are you bidding on this auction if you are not? Please pay for this item and give me a shipping address in the US.

I've never not paid for something on eBay, so I'll go through with the transaction, but have any of you replied to simple, polite questions in this manner? I'm almost always willing to pay what I know are inflated shipping prices if it means that I can get it sent to me, I didn't think I was being unreasonable to ask the guy if he'd do it.
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post #1323 of 3295
11/24/12 at 2:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HansderHund View Post

I've never not paid for something on eBay, so I'll go through with the transaction, but have any of you replied to simple, polite questions in this manner? I'm almost always willing to pay what I know are inflated shipping prices if it means that I can get it sent to me, I didn't think I was being unreasonable to ask the guy if he'd do it.

Sorry to hear about that. As frustrating as it may be for international buys to bid on something and inquire about shipping later when it clearly wasn't offered, I still maintain my composure and respond politely.

Just reply with your feedback.
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post #1324 of 3295
11/24/12 at 2:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by VLSI View Post

Sorry to hear about that. As frustrating as it may be for international buys to bid on something and inquire about shipping later when it clearly wasn't offered, I still maintain my composure and respond politely.
Just reply with your feedback.

Thanks, it's usually not really a problem as I have an American account and a simple "No, sorry, US only" is perfectly acceptable. I was just bitter that he had such an attitude. I already fired off an email giving him more info, I'm just afraid he'll screw me over. My proxy doesn't usually open/check things, they just repackage it and send it my way. Oh well, I suppose that's part of the fun of buying online. biggrin.gif
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post #1325 of 3295
11/24/12 at 2:17pm
Is your proxy someone on here or family? I'm sure there are guys on this forum (myself included) that would be willing to help you if you needed something checked out prior to sending.

I have yet to open up my auctions to international bidders, though my volume has been so low recently that it doesn't really matter.
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post #1326 of 3295
11/24/12 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by VLSI View Post

Is your proxy someone on here or family? I'm sure there are guys on this forum (myself included) that would be willing to help you if you needed something checked out prior to sending.
I have yet to open up my auctions to international bidders, though my volume has been so low recently that it doesn't really matter.

Really generous of you and PM sent biggrin.gif
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post #1327 of 3295
11/24/12 at 2:55pm
Dumb question.

With just about every item I list, I get a "how much to ship to Japan/Australia/Russia/uk?" question.

I always have my listings set up with a weight, shipping method and "international cost, calculated" . Is there some reason why buyers can't see what the shipping price to their country would be?
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post #1328 of 3295
11/24/12 at 2:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ruben View Post

Dumb question.
With just about every item I list, I get a "how much to ship to Japan/Australia/Russia/uk?" question.
I always have my listings set up with a weight, shipping method and "international cost, calculated" . Is there some reason why buyers can't see what the shipping price to their country would be?

In all honesty, people might just be looking for a better deal. I pay what's stated for international shipping, even when I know priority international flat rate is cheaper. Occasionally, I'll find an outrageous international shipping rate and think that it must be incorrect, but instead of asking about it, I usually just pass on it.

They're probably just hoping you'll give them a better price than your listing states smile.gif
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post #1329 of 3295
11/24/12 at 6:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HansderHund View Post


In all honesty, people might just be looking for a better deal. I pay what's stated for international shipping, even when I know priority international flat rate is cheaper. Occasionally, I'll find an outrageous international shipping rate and think that it must be incorrect, but instead of asking about it, I usually just pass on it.
They're probably just hoping you'll give them a better price than your listing states smile.gif

I have had buyers (Germans) buy items and then want to renegotiate the international shipping that I usually express as Express Shipping. They usually start off with the "I purchase a lot of items from the US and First Class only costs $10, you should be able to sent your item for the same cost. . . "

 

But I agree that the message is more than rude. I usually state that due to the requirements of the Ebay seller protection program, I am required to ship Express which can be expensive.. . . 

 

I am thinking about opening up a DHL account for international shipments. They seem to own the market to Europe and the Australia. Anyone have any experience with DHL international?

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post #1330 of 3295
11/25/12 at 5:20am
I've given away a few free ties along with items people have purchased, and they never say anything. I think they believe I made a mistake by giving them the tie, so they choose to keep their mouth shut unless the seller says something. I was expecting feedback "great seller, gave me a free tie!"
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post #1331 of 3295
11/25/12 at 5:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by suited View Post

I've given away a few free ties along with items people have purchased, and they never say anything. I think they believe I made a mistake by giving them the tie, so they choose to keep their mouth shut unless the seller says something. I was expecting feedback "great seller, gave me a free tie!"

+1 - I purchased a bunch of CD's a year ago for very cheap and would include one in each item that I sent in a priority flat rate as a nice gesture and attempt to get rid of some slow mover CD's. I never received a thank you or a mention in feedback. After about 10 or 15 cd's I stopped doing it.

 

I think that you are correct, the buyers did not value something free or they thought it was a mistake. No good deed goes unpunished. 

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post #1332 of 3295
11/25/12 at 5:38am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjt73106 View Post

I have had buyers (Germans) buy items and then want to renegotiate the international shipping that I usually express as Express Shipping. They usually start off with the "I purchase a lot of items from the US and First Class only costs $10, you should be able to sent your item for the same cost. . . "

But I agree that the message is more than rude. I usually state that due to the requirements of the Ebay seller protection program, I am required to ship Express which can be expensive.. . . 

I am thinking about opening up a DHL account for international shipments. They seem to own the market to Europe and the Australia. Anyone have any experience with DHL international?

Don't worry, Germans do the same with me on such a regular basis that I almost expect it with every auction. I charge standard rates for shipment using the Austrian Post with insurance and they always try to get me down on the price. I have a standard explanation and point them towards the calculator on the Post's website. They soon find out that I'm not making anything on the shipping price. I even had an Austrian that won some shoes for €6.99 with €6.00 shipping say that the actual shipping price is €4.80 to her. I explained that I had to buy a box and that cost was passed on to her. I'm still waiting on feedback on that one confused.gif

Long story short, Germans, which make up about 80% of my sales, complain often and loudly. I have just learned to deal with it and be polite and clear in my messages.

DHL is big here, though I'm actually going to switch to Hermes delivery. I don't know whether it's available in the US, but they're prices beat out all of the other services (DHL, FedEx, UPS and the Austrian Post) price-wise and it's incredibly popular to use in Germany. If it's available to you, you might want to compare prices.
Quote:
Originally Posted by suited View Post

I've given away a few free ties along with items people have purchased, and they never say anything. I think they believe I made a mistake by giving them the tie, so they choose to keep their mouth shut unless the seller says something. I was expecting feedback "great seller, gave me a free tie!"

Others have said the same thing. A few people have included free gifts and have had little success with it and occasionally it backfires. I've included small gifts when I'm a day late on getting their shipment out and have received emails that express gratitude for it. I doubt it helps my sales, but maybe it prevents negative feedback and reminds the buyer that I'm not some major company but rather an individual that works full time and does this on the side. I like to think it puts things in perspective for them before they leave feedback that says "It took 3 days to ship! Blah, blah, blah..." biggrin.gif
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post #1333 of 3295
11/25/12 at 6:18am
If you are going to include a free gift, you might want to include a little note mentioning that fact and saying that you included it as a thank-you for their business. It might help them realize what it is.
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post #1334 of 3295
11/25/12 at 8:54am
Maybe some Canadian or non-US sellers can chime in; do you find it kills auction traffic to charge for shipping? I've had no luck getting bids on items I charge for shipping on unless I start them really low, or if i do get a few bidders they go for way less than I would expect. For lighter things (shirts, etc.) I usually offer free shipping, but to keep my margins reasonable I need to ship small packet where possible which doesn't have tracking or delivery confirmation and I'm worried buyers will just claim they never received the item (I have a case open right now for this exact situation).

Thoughts? Do you try to keep it domestic or accept the fact that you're going to take a bath on shipping charges if you try to leverage the US buyers?
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post #1335 of 3295
11/25/12 at 9:12am
^^^
I haven't tried the free shipping, though I have thought about it.

I offer flat rate shipping for US customers at $15. For shirts, pants, jackets - anything but shoes - I might lose a buck or two, if that.
For shoes I still offer $15 but with the knowledge that I'll probably lose about $5, so I price accordingly. I ship Canada Post Expedited Parcel. I print labels through ebay/paypal so I get about a 20% - 25% discount.

And Expedited Parcel has tracking, but no delivery signature. I figure that's enough protection for both both parties.

The only other thing I do is generally focus on high value items, so generally no shirts or ties unless they are stellar. On that front I can't compete with US sellers.
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