Ebay selling issue

[Muse]

I just sold an item and yesterday the buyer paid by Paypal. He then emailed me saying I should include my name and the auction number in the package and I should email him a tracking number and if I didn't do those things he could not leave me positive feedback. I countered by emailing him this:
- - - -
Did you read my listing? I stipulated that I would send the item by USPS First Class Mail with delivery confirmation. I intend to do just that. If I can get a tracking number without undue expense on my part, I will do that. If it's expensive I will do exactly what I said I would do. Your threat to not give me positive feedback unless you get a tracking number is not reasonable or ethical. I never anywhere in my listing said that I would provide a tracking number. I'll discuss the matter with my post office and then make my decision. I will send the item tomorrow morning.
- - - -

I'm off to the post office in an hour. Does anyone know what the situation is? IIRC, the post office offers pretty cheap delivery confirmation, and I don't think they issue a tracking number without additional expense. I don't think I should shell out extra money to get a tracking number just because this guy threatens to not leave me good feedback. What do you think?

 

[Q]

I would have just given him the DC # instead of telling him you aren't getting a tracking number.

 

[rasczak]

Originally posted by: Muse
I just sold an item and yesterday the buyer paid by Paypal. He then emailed me saying I should include my name and the auction number in the package and I should email him a tracking number and if I didn't do those things he could not leave me positive feedback. I countered by emailing him this:
- - - -
Did you read my listing? I stipulated that I would send the item by USPS First Class Mail with delivery confirmation. I intend to do just that. If I can get a tracking number without undue expense on my part, I will do that. If it's expensive I will do exactly what I said I would do. Your threat to not give me positive feedback unless you get a tracking number is not reasonable or ethical. I never anywhere in my listing said that I would provide a tracking number. I'll discuss the matter with my post office and then make my decision. I will send the item tomorrow morning.
- - - -

I'm off the the post office in an hour. Does anyone know what the situation is? IIRC, the post office offers pretty cheap delivery confirmation, and I don't think they issue a tracking number without additional expense. I don't think I should shell out extra money to get a tracking number just because this guy threatens to not leave me good feedback. What do you think?

If he wants a trckng # and there's an expense, then let him know that and charge him for it if he agrees. otherwise, just go with what you planned.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Quintox
I would have just given him the DC # instead of telling him you aren't getting a tracking number.

In what form does the DC take? Is it an email, a snail mail from the USPS? How can I give it to him?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: rasczak

Originally posted by: Muse
I just sold an item and yesterday the buyer paid by Paypal. He then emailed me saying I should include my name and the auction number in the package and I should email him a tracking number and if I didn't do those things he could not leave me positive feedback. I countered by emailing him this:
- - - -
Did you read my listing? I stipulated that I would send the item by USPS First Class Mail with delivery confirmation. I intend to do just that. If I can get a tracking number without undue expense on my part, I will do that. If it's expensive I will do exactly what I said I would do. Your threat to not give me positive feedback unless you get a tracking number is not reasonable or ethical. I never anywhere in my listing said that I would provide a tracking number. I'll discuss the matter with my post office and then make my decision. I will send the item tomorrow morning.
- - - -

I'm off the the post office in an hour. Does anyone know what the situation is? IIRC, the post office offers pretty cheap delivery confirmation, and I don't think they issue a tracking number without additional expense. I don't think I should shell out extra money to get a tracking number just because this guy threatens to not leave me good feedback. What do you think?

If he wants a trckng # and there's an expense, then let him know that and charge him for it if he agrees. otherwise, just go with what you planned.

That will require that I go to the PS, then go home and email him and wait for a response before sending the item. I don't know if he'll appreciate the delay, but there may be no other way to do this right. I'm quite busy today and don't expect that I'll have a chance to email him before evening, maybe 5:00 PM or later.

 

[dud]

You are doing the right thing. Your response was firm and to the point. You are the seller, you make the rules. Unfortunately, you cannot control the buyer OR ebay. He could leave you neg feedback if he wants to or not ... and I believe that you are limited in your options.

As for tracking ... you have chosen USPS and their "tracking" is very limited in it's usefullness. I tis nothing like UPS or Fedex's up-to-the-minute tracking system. For me it has been almost worthless.

 

[Boo Boo]

DC is a tracking number. i can't t believe how slow some people are

 

[EagleKeeper]

The DC from the USPS is worthless.

It will demonstrate the the package made it to the zip-code, not the buyer.

You need to cover your butt by having signature confirmation and/or insurance on the item.

Any one of the items will provide a number that the buyer/seller can look up on the USPS website to see the status. Email the buyer with the number once you receive it from the PO. Make sure that you indicate whatthe number is (DC, signature/insurance).

Insurance is about $0.05/$100 coverage. This way, the buyer is forced to sign for the item; if it never makes it, then you get your insurance $$ back from the USPS.

 

[Mermaidman]

What an ass. Still, I would have responded with:
"The written terms of my listing does not state that a tracking number is provided. However, I will be glad to add that service for $x amount."

Personally, I would
-use a shipment method with tracking if it's an expensive item because the buyer is a jerk
-avoid eBay in the first place.

 

[LTC8K6]

Give him the DC number. It is a tracking number, and it's as good as you'll get from the USPS.

 

[Ns1]

I wouldn't give him shit

 

[mrCide]

DC is USPS tracking, it's free if you print it online (IIRC), I provide that for items I sell as a good will gesture though most people know it's fairly useless.

Ignore his moaning, some people are just anal.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: mrCide
DC is USPS tracking, it's free if you print it online (IIRC), I provide that for items I sell as a good will gesture though most people know it's fairly useless.

Ignore his moaning, some people are just anal.

Paypal has a label printing function and I looked at it. It says not to exceed 13 oz. and the item is 15.4 oz, so I can't use that. I'm bringing the package to the PS in a few minutes with my own label. If insurance is indeed a nickle per $100, I'll buy $150 ( the selling price was $155 ), so won't worry about the extra 15 cents. It's insurance for me.

 

[Soundmanred]

Delivery Confirmation IS NOT a tracking number.
It is what the name says it is: confirmation of delivery.
It might tell you where your package is, or it might not.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Quintox
I would have just given him the DC # instead of telling him you aren't getting a tracking number.

QFT, also he didn't threaten you tough guy; he requested validation on shipment that he paid for.

 

[Modelworks]

The only thing I think the USPS gives a tracking number for is overnight mail.

 

[LTC8K6]

Delivery Confirmation IS NOT a tracking number.

Well, you can enter it and get basic tracking info...

Label/Receipt Number: 9101 1480 0860 0126 xxxx xx
Class: First-Class Mail®
Service(s): Delivery Confirmation?
Status: Delivered

Your item was delivered at 12:27 PM on July 13, 2009 in xxxxxxx, NC xxxxx.
Detailed Results:

Delivered, July 13, 2009, 12:27 pm, xxxxxxx, NC xxxxx.
Processed through Sort Facility, July 10, 2009, 7:35 pm, TAMPA, FL 33605
Electronic Shipping Info Received, July 09, 2009

 

[alevasseur14]

Just get delivery confirmation and call it good enough. You said you'd send it USPS and even though DC is pretty useless, that's what you get.

I just sent a bunch of paperwork to my attorney yesterday and DC was an extra 70 cents. No big deal.

 

[alkemyst]

keep in mind in any dispute DC is not a valid method of tracking.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
keep in mind in any dispute DC is not a valid method of tracking.

it is valid for paypal disputes <250

 

[AkumaX]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: mrCide
DC is USPS tracking, it's free if you print it online (IIRC), I provide that for items I sell as a good will gesture though most people know it's fairly useless.

Ignore his moaning, some people are just anal.

Paypal has a label printing function and I looked at it. It says not to exceed 13 oz. and the item is 15.4 oz, so I can't use that. I'm bringing the package to the PS in a few minutes with my own label. If insurance is indeed a nickle per $100, I'll buy $150 ( the selling price was $155 ), so won't worry about the extra 15 cents. It's insurance for me.

15.4 oz? Pay the extra $1 and get USPS Priority w/ free DC

 

[Baked]

Is this your first time selling stuff on the internet? If you use USPS.com's Click-N-Ship feature, you can print out the label and tape it to the package and ship it. Priority mail comes with free delivery confirmation number. I always print out the PayPal payment page and put that in the package. I also send the DC number to the buyer as soon as I send out the package. Everything works perfect that way for me.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: mrCide
DC is USPS tracking, it's free if you print it online (IIRC), I provide that for items I sell as a good will gesture though most people know it's fairly useless.

Ignore his moaning, some people are just anal.

Paypal has a label printing function and I looked at it. It says not to exceed 13 oz. and the item is 15.4 oz, so I can't use that. I'm bringing the package to the PS in a few minutes with my own label. If insurance is indeed a nickle per $100, I'll buy $150 ( the selling price was $155 ), so won't worry about the extra 15 cents. It's insurance for me.

Insurance is like $1.50 for the first $100 insured.

 

[MotionMan]

DC's have always been good enough for me as a sender and receiver.

It shows that the item was sent and when and that is was delivered, when and where. It gets a lot closer than just the zip code (as someone claimed above).

That being said, I do not deal with shipping anymore when I can avoid it.

CraigsList and meeting at a public place FTW.

MotionMan

 

[Adam8281]

uh, the delivery confirmation # is essentially the tracking # - that's probably what he meant