The Huge Screw Ebay Sale!!!!!!!!! - Page 3

Are you sure you don't mean Vman? RJman is in Paris.

Vman does a superb job but I think RJman in Paris ought to get a shot at some consignment selling too.

I just grab a bunch of the Tyvek Priority (or Express for that matter) bags whenever I'm re-upping on boxes at the post office. They really are an incredible technological breakthrough (I've heard 7 layers of them can stop a bullet). Double bag each item (suit coat; pants; etc) and load them into the box.

I didn't realize those were tyvek until you mentioned it, wow that is incredible.

Man, it's a Lion's den in here!!

I've never purchased from Eddie and agree that if you are charging $20 for shipping, a box should be used but it's also not fair to compare the casual seller with ehaberdasher or shopthefinest. I am sure that I have had some buyers be unhappy with my packaging (I do make an effort to get it right) but you also have to have realistic expectations as a buyer. A $400 Isaia suit from me is not going to come packaged the same way as the same Isaia suit but at $1000 from one of the professional sellers. Again, if you pay someone $20 for shipping, a box should be expected. I simply do an all in price and find that it works best for me. The buyer pays one price and there are no heightend expectations about pretty packaged and tissue paper etc. For the most part, the prices on the forum are much lower than the other channels and as a buyer myself, I realize that with lower prices comes a bit of lower service.

I agree completely with Ed here,

We try to offer to the forum members, high quality items with a very low price tag. But I am not a professional seller or a business, I am just another clothes lover like all us, and do this with the pleasure that bargain hunting provides me, and I share it with you.

However I try to manage the overhead costs to the limit, I don't skimp in packaging and shipping costs, and more often than not I end shipping the item for more money than I had calculated, if you add to that the paypal fees and the packaging costs ( they are low but I have to buy them here ), sometimes I have even sold the item with a little loss.

I worry however about the packaging and try to make it fit nicely in the box as the item will go across the world. I imagine anyway that it will arrive rumpled and will need some steaming when you receive it.

So far I had 100% satisfied buyers, so I guess I am doing something right

And to the OP, you should valuate more your customer's business, comments like those will not help you to build confidence in your prospective buyers here.

I think every seller has the obligation to pack an item so that the package arrives intact and the item suffers no damage. Wrinkles are not damage. That said, if a suit or coat sells for more than 100 USD I try to send it in a box regardless. I use USPS packing materials except for large items or orders for which I buy boxes. For wrapping, sandwich bags or freezer bags or dry cleaning bags separate the item from its outer packaging. This simple step seems to make nearly everybody happy. Ribbons and tissue paper and nice notes are pretty touches but I confess I don't do them. The one thing that went awry once was a package for which I neglected to tape the seams. USPS adhesive is not dependable. The package arrived empty. Since then, I tape all seams. yrs mack11211 The most memorable packaging I ever received (not sent) was for a knit tie that arrived unwrapped in a frozen mini-pizza box. Classy!

I appreciate Ed's observations and I recognize that most of the posters in this forum are not professionals. However, having bought from many of the forum's amateur sellers - including Ed, Jamison, and Mack, I would not be at all happy to pay $20.00 shipping for an item and to have it packed so poorly.

Moreover, I do find the tone of the original poster to be somewhat off putting. The emphasis on laziness is a bit disconcerting. My view as a buyer is that if my money is that important to the seller, he can at least communicate an eagerness to do a good job on photos and measurements. In the absence of that effort, I would expect prices to be rock bottom, grab bag.

The whole thing comes across just a tad too dismissive of the buyer's legitimate interests.

Keep in mind that I am not excusing this seller nor that I think he is "right". As I said, items should be shipped appropriately and obviously, if you want to sell stuff, you need to post decent pics and measurements. If he or any seller doesn't do these things, the market will take care of it.

Ed- I may not have been clear, I do not think you are excusing him at all. My sole concern is to highlight that I do think it realistic for the buyer to expect the seller to demonstrate that the transaction is important to him. I also think that in some respects I think it also realistic to expect a slight bit more. As forum members we share a common interest. Possibly this is overly sappy, but for the same reason some of us, you very much included, help younger and less affluent members with lower prices or freebies, I think we should be extra caring of fellow members to make sure that the item is as described and packaged with care and concern. I mean, compare this thread to the one about how that well-known liar anti-rabbit treats forum members. Marc

This is great. Can't wait for the post.

Hello Ed, I respect and value your opinion as always and I love the items you present. For my own ego, I just want to say , I am not expecting Nordstroms level packing from a seller. For $20, I expect a priority flat rate box with insurance and signature confirmation and just to wrap the garment in a plastic protector whether that be a garment bag on the high end or a laundry shirt bag. HonestGoods isn't doing anything special, it is just a $2.50 suit bag over the suit and folded in half. I would settle for just a plain plastic laundry bag in a flat rate box as a great job. Actually for about $12.00 this can be done pretty fast and easily. I am not expecting a tank, I am expecting some smarts in expecting that the delivery service might (1) Smush the box (2) Leave the box outside (3) Lose the item. For each of these there is an easy remedy 1-Use a flat rate box to prevent AS much as possible crushing 2-Use a plastic wrapper (3)Never ever send anything without insurance. In this specific case, a yellow manilla envelope was not appropriate or smart for a $500 item. I understand wrinkles are not an issue, and I don't think they are either but with this item, I had to get it cleaned before taking it to the tailor because of light dirt marks from the open envelope and I hate to get anything dry cleaned as it ruins the fabric to me. Suit coats can not be smushed into yellow manilla envelopes they need to be folded properly. On top of that, it was late and I had to ask where it was. I am also on the other side of selling and the attitude I take is the same one I try to (and sometimes fail at) is that if this package is how I would want something to be sent to me. When someone , especially here, trusts you with their money then we have a duty to pack it as SMART as possible to insure the user gets it. It is also selfish on my part because I want a buyer to get it in perfect condition so I don't lose money on a damaged shipped item and that they return to buy many more things. So, all I expect is (1) Ship it in a priority box + insurance + delivery confirmation for 20, less for less shipping money (2) Use the FREE items at the post office to pack it well.

I absolutely agree and your expectations are quite realistic.