YAERT(Yet Another eBay Rant Thread): Gah!

[Eli]

OK, about 8 weeks ago, I sold one of my items on eBay to someone in Canada. No problem. With their winning email, they outlined how they wanted it shipped, etc. It appeared they had done their homework.

There were some delays with building the product, etc. They were aware of these delays, and I offered them a free accessory as a token of our appreciation. They accepted.

We tried to ship the item off(Via USPS), and the PO said that the box is too big. So we aren't going to be able to ship it that way. What are the physical limitations when shipping via USPS?

I fired an email off letting her know whats going on.

She replies saying that because of the delays and the offer of the free gift, and because of the fact that it is going to cost her 60$ for the brokerage fees of the curior company(??) she wants us to send it to her at our expense. :roll:

The cheapest solution we have found will cost around 160$. She lives in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE(literally), and the closest UPS will get is 3 days away from her place- at a cost of 330$. :Q

Needless to say, this doesen't fly with me. I am not going to spend over 100$(she's already given ~50$ towards shipping) because of her mistake, even if it means a negative feedback. I guess you can't please everybody.



I can see this is where things get nasty. She isn't just going to opt-out, as it would be a ~750$ mistake.

On the other hand, if she wants a refund, we charge a 20% restocking fee. Ugh. I can see this is going to be fun.

So I guess she doesen't really have much choice. Send me another 100$ and I'll ship it.

Heh.

 

[Red]

I've got a monopoly on the used, stinking, flip-flop market on ebay if you need to make some extra $$.

In all seriousness though, I've only shipped one item, a box full of old stamps, to a couple in Canada. They were very kind but shipping was a pain. I think it took 4 weeks for them to get the box. They sent me two follow up e-mails telling me how much their family was enjoying the stamps and how they really appreciate me doing that for them. I guess they get on the internet from the library, getting as excited as they were over stamps!

 

[sonambulo]

give us more details on what she specified with the shipping. was she like "i want one of them brown boxes, yo" or did she specify a specific company and all of that nonsense?

 

[Eli]

She wanted it shipped via USPS. When we went to ship it, they said the box is too big.

It is her fault for not figuring this out before she bought it, as far as I'm concerned, even though I agree it doesen't seem too outlandish.

We don't have shipping box size data available anywhere, so it was purely ASSumption based.

I just wish we could've figured this out when she first bought it. Because of the delays, they feel somehow entitled. Bah.

 

[sonambulo]

hmmmmm, that's a toughie eli. i'm pretty beat at this point so let me sleep on it and i'll post if i come up with anything.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Originally posted by: Red
I've got a monopoly on the used, stinking, flip-flop market on ebay if you need to make some extra $$.

In all seriousness though, I've only shipped one item, a box full of old stamps, to a couple in Canada. They were very kind but shipping was a pain. I think it took 4 weeks for them to get the box. They sent me two follow up e-mails telling me how much their family was enjoying the stamps and how they really appreciate me doing that for them. I guess they get on the internet from the library, getting as excited as they were over stamps!

You also have a monopoly in the "biggest moron on ATOT" market.

 

[sonambulo]

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever

Originally posted by: Red
I've got a monopoly on the used, stinking, flip-flop market on ebay if you need to make some extra $$.

In all seriousness though, I've only shipped one item, a box full of old stamps, to a couple in Canada. They were very kind but shipping was a pain. I think it took 4 weeks for them to get the box. They sent me two follow up e-mails telling me how much their family was enjoying the stamps and how they really appreciate me doing that for them. I guess they get on the internet from the library, getting as excited as they were over stamps!

You also have a monopoly in the "biggest moron on ATOT" market.

:beer::thumbsup::thumbsup::beer:

 

[skace]

I don't know, Can you get a quote from UPS? Something that says, to ship package XYZ to place XYZ will cost $330 dollars in writing?

I would simply email her that / call her and inform her that due to her location and requested shipper, the price of shipment will cost this.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: skace
I don't know, Can you get a quote from UPS? Something that says, to ship package XYZ to place XYZ will cost $330 dollars in writing?

I would simply email her that / call her and inform her that due to her location and requested shipper, the price of shipment will cost this.

That's what I did. UPS is wayyyy too expensive, though. And they won't even deliver it to her door - they'll only get to within "3 days". She lives in the middle of nowhere. And I mean NOWHERE.

Basically, it's as if she just bought the item, and shipping via USPS won't work, so we have to use another method, which will require an additional 110$.

It just sucks that there was such a delay in the order in the first place. Requesting another 110$ is just adding insult to injury. Oh well. She'll do what she has to do... I guess.

 

[vegetation]

What were your shipping terms, a flat rate or actual fees or what? If it was a flat rate, then you're on the hook for not doing your homework. The buyer doesn't have to be the one to look up what the shipping regulations are, that's just ridiculous. I mean, if it's a flat rate you should have figured out what company is going to be shipping it and what their regulations are. If you were charging actual fees, then of course the buyer should be the one to pay up the full fee, even if you had stated a cheaper option initially but couldn't go through them due to the box being too big or what not.

I run my own shop and do a lot of international trading. Sometimes I do screw up on the shipping calculation because the box is oversized or something, making it more expensive to ship. Never have I come across asking the buyer to pay more just because I didn't do my homework correctly.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: vegetation
What were your shipping terms, a flat rate or actual fees or what? If it was a flat rate, then you're on the hook for not doing your homework. The buyer doesn't have to be the one to look up what the shipping regulations are, that's just ridiculous. I mean, if it's a flat rate you should have figured out what company is going to be shipping it and what their regulations are. If you were charging actual fees, then of course the buyer should be the one to pay up the full fee, even if you had stated a cheaper option initially but couldn't go through them due to the box being too big or what not.

I run my own shop and do a lot of international trading. Sometimes I do screw up on the shipping calculation because the box is oversized or something, making it more expensive to ship. Never have I come across asking the buyer to pay more just because I didn't do my homework correctly.

We charge actual shipping to other countries & shipping costs and arrangements are the buyers responsibility. We will simply deliver the item to whomever(Usually UPS).

It is flat rate in the 48 states.

It was not my homework to do. They purchased the item, and said "OK, here's how we want it done.". They told us which Post Office forms to get & fill out, etc(Had never shipped to Canada before). When we took it in, the PO said the box is too big. It is the smallest box the item will fit in.

We got a quote from an international trucking company for 160$. Since she had already put 50$(actually, 48.something) towards shipping, I requested an additional 110$.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: vegetation
What were your shipping terms, a flat rate or actual fees or what? If it was a flat rate, then you're on the hook for not doing your homework. The buyer doesn't have to be the one to look up what the shipping regulations are, that's just ridiculous. I mean, if it's a flat rate you should have figured out what company is going to be shipping it and what their regulations are. If you were charging actual fees, then of course the buyer should be the one to pay up the full fee, even if you had stated a cheaper option initially but couldn't go through them due to the box being too big or what not.

I run my own shop and do a lot of international trading. Sometimes I do screw up on the shipping calculation because the box is oversized or something, making it more expensive to ship. Never have I come across asking the buyer to pay more just because I didn't do my homework correctly.

We charge actual shipping to other countries & shipping costs and arrangements are the buyers responsibility. We will simply deliver the item to whomever(Usually UPS).

It is flat rate in the 48 states.

It was not my homework to do. They purchased the item, and said "OK, here's how we want it done.". They told us which Post Office forms to get & fill out, etc(Had never shipped to Canada before). When we took it in, the PO said the box is too big. It is the smallest box the item will fit in.

We got a quote from an international trucking company for 160$. Since she had already put 50$(actually, 48.something) towards shipping, I requested an additional 110$.

Ok, thanks for clarifying. In that case, tell the buyer that her shipping choice does not work out because it's an invalid option. It's no different than if she told you that santa claus express company would get it delivered for $20 to her. Aside from that, you really should familiarize yourself with shipping company regulations so you can say "no go" when a customer wants it shipped a certain way. Not just that, but even custom importation laws (you can't send certain countries certain things for whatever reason). Theft issues too, USPS international mail has a horrible loss rate when dealing with certain countries like Mexico and many places in south america.

 

[woowoo]

Throw it in the car and drive it to her....

Can you say "Road Trip"

She might be perty.....

 

[rev02]

can you ship it usps in two smaller packages?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: rev02
can you ship it usps in two smaller packages?

No.

Here is the item in question

 

[Insane3D]

Carrier pigeon (a large one)?

 

[PingSpike]

Just relist it an sell it in the states, let the stocking fee go because of the initial delay and tell her thats why you're doing so. This sounds like to huge of a pain in the ass. You offered a free item, you followed her instructions and they didn't work. Like you said, you made it clear that it was her problem to figure out the shipping, and she clearly failed in doing so.

Refund all money and start over.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: PingSpike
Just relist it an sell it in the states, let the stocking fee go because of the initial delay and tell her thats why you're doing so. This sounds like to huge of a pain in the ass. You offered a free item, you followed her instructions and they didn't work. Like you said, you made it clear that it was her problem to figure out the shipping, and she clearly failed in doing so.

Refund all money and start over.

The item isn't one of a kind, I'm a dealer, I sell more than 1.

I can't refund her money because it has already been used. I can refund her the price that the item costs me, which is about 20% less than what she paid, hence the restocking fee.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: PingSpike
Just relist it an sell it in the states, let the stocking fee go because of the initial delay and tell her thats why you're doing so. This sounds like to huge of a pain in the ass. You offered a free item, you followed her instructions and they didn't work. Like you said, you made it clear that it was her problem to figure out the shipping, and she clearly failed in doing so.

Refund all money and start over.

The item isn't one of a kind, I'm a dealer, I sell more than 1.

I can't refund her money because it has already been used. I can refund her the price that the item costs me, which is about 20% less than what she paid, hence the restocking fee.

Ah. Well it looks like you're sh|t creek then.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: PingSpike
Just relist it an sell it in the states, let the stocking fee go because of the initial delay and tell her thats why you're doing so. This sounds like to huge of a pain in the ass. You offered a free item, you followed her instructions and they didn't work. Like you said, you made it clear that it was her problem to figure out the shipping, and she clearly failed in doing so.

Refund all money and start over.

The item isn't one of a kind, I'm a dealer, I sell more than 1.

I can't refund her money because it has already been used. I can refund her the price that the item costs me, which is about 20% less than what she paid, hence the restocking fee.

Ah. Well it looks like you're sh|t creek then.

Well, I'll rephrase that. I could refund her the full price, but I would refuse.

We'll see how they respond to my email. Honestly, they don't have much of a choice. It's either the refund, or send me another 110$.

Either way, they lose over 100$. More if they ask for a refund, since they would have to re-purchase the item for retail again, unless they've decided they don't want it anymore.

 

You said:

There were some delays with building the product, etc. They were aware of these delays, and I offered them a free accessory as a token of our appreciation. They accepted.

Your auction said:

This item is in stock and ready to ship!

Did you have that same statement in the ACTUAL auction for this person? If so, you need to reconsider your choice of words for future auctions.

I'm a firm believer that if auction wording is inaccurate/misleading, the seller will likely be a paid to deal with. However, your feedback profile suggests otherwise.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: jumpr
You said:

There were some delays with building the product, etc. They were aware of these delays, and I offered them a free accessory as a token of our appreciation. They accepted.

Your auction said:

This item is in stock and ready to ship!

Did you have that same statement in the ACTUAL auction for this person? If so, you need to reconsider your choice of words for future auctions.

I'm a firm believer that if auction wording is inaccurate/misleading, the seller will likely be a paid to deal with. However, your feedback profile suggests otherwise.

oh heh, I didn't link to the specific auction.

I just showed the item in question, I continually list them. Shoulda clarified that.

I always have the stock status in big 12pt red letters at the top. If it is back-ordered, your bid/win is a reserve order.

It took an extra 3 weeks beyond the original expected ship date, that was the delays I mentioned.

I did make a mistake in the original listing, I forgot to update the above stock status & didn't notice it. They were informed immediately upon winning. It's irrelivent to this anyway, they understood, and it's been smooth sailing up until this point.

 

[Mermaidman]

I think both buyer and seller have to share the responsibility of checking before agreeing to USPS. The buyer is Canadian and may not be familiar with weird USPS regulations The seller, being a business, should be familiar with shipping options. The maximum size of a package for USPS is 108 inches length+girth. I haven't seen any mail carriers lug around anything bigger . . .

Here is USPS website on size of packages:
USPS

My suggestion: Road Trip!!

 

[sonambulo]

first ask if she's willing to split the difference towards the new shipping costs. if she's not then just road-trip it. it's "an adventure" and look on the bright side, you'll get some fresh air. the only other way out is a full refund. it sucks but sometimes ya gotta bite the bullet, bro.

 

[Ness]

How hard would it be to just drive to just inside Canada and ship it from a Canadian post office?