Fun with Shipping

[anuske9]

So, I've noticed more and more sellers are requiring that any orders over 50$ be shipped with expresspost/registered mail. However, shipping this way can run somebody anywhere from 12-14 dollars. (US/CA shipping on ebay is the subject) And I was thinking about how many cards I've lost in the mail over the course of 100+ deals I've done and that answer is one. Considering that normal shipping is 3-5$ (I ship for 2, which is unreasonably high to some people on ebay apparently). Rounding down to 100 deals, and rounding up to a 10$ difference in shipping and multiplying the two, you come to approx. 1000$ in added expenses for a buyer. Which means to make this practice reasonable, assuming the cards are worth $50+, I would have to lose about 20% of the cards sent to me. I've even seen sellers requiring expresspost for cards over 25$, which is even more insane, only becoming reasonable if a buyer loses around 40% of their cards in the mail. Now, the reason that sellers require this to protect themselves from having to give refunds from "missing" cards. However, I would like to propose some sort of agreement that says as long as the seller can prove they shipped the item (tracking to the border), that the buyer has to forgo his rights to make a claim on the basis of a missing card. That way I'm only out 60$ if a card goes missing, rather than 1000$ (or even 500 minimum for tracking). Thanks for the read, feedback appreciated.

-Adam

 

[blindros88]

Honestly, the problem here is paypal. They need to modify their rules when it comes to international shipping. No one is going to want to pay upwards of $15 for shipping, but the way paypal sides with the buyer if the seller cannot prove delivery there are few options.

People have also figured this out about paypal and some make bogus claims. It is unfortunate that this happens, but some people cannot resist the temptation to get something for nothing I guess.

Unfortunately, without some proof of delivery, and paypal's limited interest and ability to investigate, there is little that can be done to prove that someone is making a bogus claim.

 

[anuske9]

Strange that I didn't even mention paypal in the original paragraph, but they are indeed the source of the problem and I was hoping my proposal could be the solution. Thanks for the comment.

 

[blindros88]

You are not the first to notice this problem. Unfortunately someone figured out how to scam the system. It was only a matter of time as it is with anything, I would just like to see paypal respond to this to give the seller a little more protection without the additional cost.

 

[TanguayFan]

As a seller, I'm not willing to risk losing anything over $40 to a potentially bogus PayPal claim and require tracked shipping as part of my auction terms. $40 may be chump change to a Powerseller, but it isn't to me and I'm not willing to assume the risk. If a buyer doesn't like it, too bad.

As a buyer, I factor shipping costs into my bid, so in the end, it doesn't cost me any extra. If my max amount is $50 and shipping is $13, then I'll bid $37. If the shipping cost is $3, then I'll bid $47. In the end, I don't mind paying the extra, as long as I receive the service. It's when I pay $6 for shipping and receive it on a $.98 stamp in a PWE that I take issue.

The bottom line is, as per PayPal rules, it's the sellers responsibility to get the card to the buyer, not to the border, therefore, I must disagree with your proposed compromise.

 

[ninersfan]

What gets me is the seller on the bay that have free shipping or upwards of $3 for U.S. shipping but then it magically climbs over 10 or 20 to deliver to Canada. I've contacted a few and they swear its the cost to ship here even though I have had many from the U.S. ship for 6 and under for multiple items. I would have to agree with TanguayFan's idea and to factor in the shipping cost with your bid. It might mean losing some auctions but there will almost always be others for the item your looking for. JMO.

Aaron

 

[KabbyKev]

What gets me is the seller on the bay that have free shipping or upwards of $3 for U.S. shipping but then it magically climbs over 10 or 20 to deliver to Canada. I've contacted a few and they swear its the cost to ship here even though I have had many from the U.S. ship for 6 and under for multiple items. I would have to agree with TanguayFan's idea and to factor in the shipping cost with your bid. It might mean losing some auctions but there will almost always be others for the item your looking for. JMO.

Aaron

What they aren't telling you is that to get any kind of "PayPal-approved" tracking (with signature, keep in mind), that's what it's costing.

Remember, folks, that for PayPal to side with the seller, you will have had to send via a method that has a SIGNATURE - not just tracking.

As a mid-volume seller, I can't stand how PP automatically sides with the buyers.

Just for fun sometime, I should video myself packing the card, printing out the label, affixing the postage, taking it to the mailbox or post office to see how PayPal would get out of siding with me on that LOL

Seriously, though, without a proof of SIGNATURE, you will STILL get the claim in favour of the buyer, and for what it's worth, never pay for the signature option on ExpressPost, as I've done it a few times and the signature is never captured. If you want the best protection, go REGISTERED MAIL with SIGNATURE - choose the return card, and you'll get a piece back eventually with the original signature of the person signing.

Kev

 

[ninersfan]

Yes but the ones I have contacted on the bay are sending general mail through regular snail mail. And to still charge 10 bucks or more for that to me is wrong. But thats when I just tell them no thanks or I offer them way low to balance out the cost of shipping. But I do see what you mean though Kev as there are tonnes of people that get something off the bay then say they never got it. On a side note has Paypal EVER sided with a seller? Doesn't seem like they would. But Kev, I would definately try your idea just to see what Paypal's reaction would be in that case.

Aaron

 

[PK88Hawks]

If I'm understanding this correctly, if a shipper can prove that a card was shipped then the buyer should forgo any claim to a refund?

That's bogus, someone shouldn't have to pay for something they didn't receive. If a card getting lost in the mail occurs as infrequently as the OP claims then it should be no big deal for a shipper to reimburse a buyer.

 

[dahabsfan]

What they aren't telling you is that to get any kind of "PayPal-approved" tracking (with signature, keep in mind), that's what it's costing.

Remember, folks, that for PayPal to side with the seller, you will have had to send via a method that has a SIGNATURE - not just tracking.

As a mid-volume seller, I can't stand how PP automatically sides with the buyers.

Just for fun sometime, I should video myself packing the card, printing out the label, affixing the postage, taking it to the mailbox or post office to see how PayPal would get out of siding with me on that LOL

Seriously, though, without a proof of SIGNATURE, you will STILL get the claim in favour of the buyer, and for what it's worth, never pay for the signature option on ExpressPost, as I've done it a few times and the signature is never captured. If you want the best protection, go REGISTERED MAIL with SIGNATURE - choose the return card, and you'll get a piece back eventually with the original signature of the person signing.

Kev

You only require the signature on items over $250. For items less than that tracking that shows proof of delivery is all that's required. That said registered mail to the US is still the way to go in most cases.


Darren