Ebay: How Can We Block Bidders From Hi, AK, & PR

[tarheelmjfan]

We have in our preferences that we will only ship to US addresses. Unfortunately, that doesn't prevent people from PR from bidding. Technically, they're in the US for mailing purposes. We've had 2 people from PR buy from us so far. When my DH went to ship those packages, there was no shipping option that offered tracking. (We like to track all our items.) Shipping to PR is very slow, & both transactions have been a pain. They want to know where their package is, & we have no way of knowing. It would be much easier, if we could just block those in PR from bidding. On a similar note, we haven't sold anything to be shipped to HI or AK yet, but I know shipping would be more than we normally charge. We'd end up losing money on those transactions. Shipping to the west coast of the Continental US pushes it.

I realize that I could state that we won't ship to any of these locations in the auction body, but I don't know if eBay would consider that binding. I also don't want someone to be able to bid, then leave us a neg because they chose to ignore the auction terms. We would still be forced to ship to them, if we didn't want a neg. I'd like to be able to block them from bidding in the 1st place.

One more eBay question, I've noticed that many sellers suggest insurance. They state that if you choose not buy it & something happens to your package, they won't be held responsible. This doesn't make sense to me. As a seller, won't we be the one out the money, if anything goes wrong? Do sellers just add that hoping people will believe it, & think they're stuck with the broken item because they didn't purchase insurance?

 

[sunshyne1023]

I ship to Puerto Rico alot and I always can add delivery confirmation via the post office. It usually arrives in 3 days By Priority Mail. I am not sure which method you are shipping from. You can add in your auction that Alaska and Hawaii shipping maybe slightly higher. I do this because I lost money shipping something to Alaska not knowing that it cost more. Hawaii has always been the same (money wise) for west coast buyers like California to me in shipping.

I include that I am not responsible for damaged items too, if they don't purchase insurance. I know that I send my items as stated and not broke or damaged. Those types of buyers will still leave negative feedback anyway...what are you going to do? I've learned that you can't please everyone.

Good LUCK!!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the info. The items we've shipped to PR are too large for Priority Mail. We're forced to ship USPS Parcel Post. My DH normally ships the bigger items via FedEx ground, which includes tracking. Unfortunately, they don't ship to PR.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

One more eBay question, I've noticed that many sellers suggest insurance. They state that if you choose not buy it & something happens to your package, they won't be held responsible. This doesn't make sense to me. As a seller, won't we be the one out the money, if anything goes wrong? Do sellers just add that hoping people will believe it, & think they're stuck with the broken item because they didn't purchase insurance?

I laugh at sellers who think they aren't responsible for safe delivery. If I order something breakable from Amazon and it arrives crunched, it's not "oh well, I'm out of luck." They are responsible for getting the item to me intact. Insurance is actually for the seller's protection, not the buyer's, at least if the person pays via Paypal. That's also why Paypal requires a tracking number on every package. Sellers can say "I'm not responsible" all they want but it's a bunch of hooey.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I'm not sure that blocking bidders in those locations would do you a whole lot of good. Someone can bid in one state and request shipping to another. I do it all the time, I bid and purchase things for my nieces and have it shipped directly to them in another state. So you could block someone from bidding if their listed state is HI, AK or PR but someone from MO or TN can bid and then tell you to ship to HI, AK or PR. I would just clearly state it in your listing. "Will not ship to HI, AK or PR."

 

[kilee]

I've never had problems w/ delivery confirmation to those area's. However, you'll need to list in each listing you won't accept bidders from those area's.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I'll try adding that to the listings. Will that help, if they decide to ignore the auction terms & bid anyway? Can't they still bid & give us a neg? Even though we block bidders outside the US & clearly state we don't ship outside the country, we constantly get emails from people asking how much it costs to ship elsewhere. I'm not sure putting that in the listing would make a difference.

I've never had problems w/ delivery confirmation to those area's. However, you'll need to list in each listing you won't accept bidders from those area's.

Are you able to track packages to PR or just get delivery confirmation? We are able to get DC, but that doesn't help us when the buyer wants to know where their package is. We currently have an item that was shipped on the 18th. I emailed the buyer to let them know that. Now, he's wanting to know where his package is. It can take 1 1/2 to 2 weeks to ship USPS Parcel Post to PR, but that isn't always easily explained. It would be nice to be able to tell him exactly where the package is, so he doesn't think we didn't ship it. It's not that we don't want to ship to PR. We just like being able to track the packages for both our & the buyers peace of mind.

 

[Lyn5]

I'll try adding that to the listings. Will that help, if they decide to ignore the auction terms & bid anyway? Can't they still bid & give us a neg? Even though we block bidders outside the US & clearly state we don't ship outside the country, we constantly get emails from people asking how much it costs to ship elsewhere. I'm not sure putting that in the listing would make a difference.



Are you able to track packages to PR or just get delivery confirmation? We are able to get DC, but that doesn't help us when the buyer wants to know where their package is. We currently have an item that was shipped on the 18th. I emailed the buy to let them know that. Now, he's wanting to know where his package is. It can take 1 1/2 to 2 weeks to ship USPS Parcel Post to PR, but that isn't always easily explained. It would be nice to be able to tell him exactly where the package is, so he doesn't think we didn't ship it. It's not that we don't want to ship to PR. We just like being able to track the packages for both our & the buyers peace of mind.

Last I heard, Hawaii was the 50th State

 

[Stein]

I laugh at sellers who think they aren't responsible for safe delivery. If I order something breakable from Amazon and it arrives crunched, it's not "oh well, I'm out of luck." They are responsible for getting the item to me intact. Insurance is actually for the seller's protection, not the buyer's, at least if the person pays via Paypal. That's also why Paypal requires a tracking number on every package. Sellers can say "I'm not responsible" all they want but it's a bunch of hooey.

I disagree. I have shipped an item that broke in transit. The box was well packed, but UPS completely destroyed it. It had insurance, and it was the responsibility of the buyer to file and obtain a refund from the shipper. The buyer wanted me to refund and I refused. Paypal sided with me, that is the purpose of insurance (for individuals like myself, I could not actually file the claim, it has to come from the receiver). Once the item leaves my hands, if I have packed it well and shipped it per the buyer's instructions, I have completed my portion of the bargain.

Some places will send you another one and get the money back themselves, but that is usually an actual store like Amazon, not from a guy on eBay.

Many people want the cost savings from eBay, but service and guarantees of a brick and mortar and sometimes you cannot have both.

 

[seashoreCM]

You have every right to ship only to addresses suggested by PayPal if the buyer expects to use PayPal. Be sure to say so in your auction listing. Typically the "authorized" address is that showing in the Transaction Details page of PayPal.

If the buyer wants the item shipped elsewhere, then you can demand other forms of payment such as money orders, and you will not have violated Ebay's / Paypal's rules about saying you take PayPal.

Are you sure that packages from the 48 states to PR cannot be tracked? Incidentally PayPal requires tracking in order to qualify for seller protection so if packages cannot be tracked to certain destination, you are free to disallow PayPal from those buyers (Again, say so in your listing).

You can use the Shipping Calculater in eBay and the buyer is told how much the shipping will cost. If you prefer to state a fixed shipping price it is perfectly OK to state the worst case.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Last I heard, Hawaii was the 50th State

HUH? Did you read the entire post? I was asking how to block buyers from the states that weren't in the Continental US. Obviously, we haven't blocked Hawaii, or I wouldn't be asking how to do it now. If we haven't blocked them, why would they have to email us about shipping? I stated we had blocked bidders "outside" the country, but they still email to ask about shipping. I'm pretty sure for US residents "outside the country" means a country other than the US.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

You have every right to ship only to addresses suggested by PayPal if the buyer expects to use PayPal. Be sure to say so in your auction listing. Typically the "authorized" address is that showing in the Transaction Details page of PayPal.

If the buyer wants the item shipped elsewhere, then you can demand other forms of payment such as money orders, and you will not have violated Ebay's / Paypal's rules about saying you take PayPal.

Are you sure that packages from the 48 states to PR cannot be tracked? Incidentally PayPal requires tracking in order to qualify for seller protection so if packages cannot be tracked to certain destination, you are free to disallow PayPal from those buyers (Again, say so in your listing).

You can use the Shipping Calculater in eBay and the buyer is told how much the shipping will cost. If you prefer to state a fixed shipping price it is perfectly OK to state the worst case.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Good info! Thanks

My DH took them to the shipping store we used & checked all carriers looking for one who did. Noone who ships bigger boxes to PR offers tracking. As I mentioned, we do get delivery confirmation, but that doesn't help when the package is in transit. Also, we only accept Paypal. For these reason, it would be better if we could block PR.

I have started using the shipping calculator for my items. It just didn't feel right about charging everyone the same rate, when they didn't all cost me the same to ship. My DH's items are the problem. He sells audio/ video equipment, which is often in large boxes. He not only has to account for weight, but also dimensions.

 

[Skatermom23]

I disagree. I have shipped an item that broke in transit. The box was well packed, but UPS completely destroyed it. It had insurance, and it was the responsibility of the buyer to file and obtain a refund from the shipper. The buyer wanted me to refund and I refused. Paypal sided with me, that is the purpose of insurance (for individuals like myself, I could not actually file the claim, it has to come from the receiver). Once the item leaves my hands, if I have packed it well and shipped it per the buyer's instructions, I have completed my portion of the bargain.

Some places will send you another one and get the money back themselves, but that is usually an actual store like Amazon, not from a guy on eBay.

Many people want the cost savings from eBay, but service and guarantees of a brick and mortar and sometimes you cannot have both.

Paypal sided with you because you had proof of insurance and then it falls to the buyer to follow up. They need to bring the package to UPS to show them the damage to process the claim. Had you not had the insurance, Paypal would have held YOU responsible and you would have had to reimburse the seller.

 

[Lyn5]

HUH? Did you read the entire post? I was asking how to block buyers from the states that weren't in the Continental US. Obviously, we haven't blocked Hawaii, or I wouldn't be asking how to do it now. If we haven't blocked them, why would they have to email us about shipping? I stated we had blocked bidders "outside" the country, but they still email to ask about shipping. I'm pretty sure for US residents "outside the country" means a country other than the US.

My apologies, I had the false impression you were referring to Hawaii as not a part of the US.

 

[DianeV]

Here is the thing..places like Amazon are not refunding or replacing to be nice or 'responsible'.. they are refunding because insurance is built into either their shipping charges or their item cost..believe me that you ARE paying for insurance

When I see posts like a couple here I have to wonder how they would feel if all sellers started REQUIRING them to pay for insurance? Would they then complain about that?

My personal opinion is if a buyer is an adult they can make a decision if they want to save $$ by not getting optional insurance..but to then go back and blame the seller and expect a refund if the PO does a number on it is pretty rude

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Everytime I've shipped to HI it's been the same as if I shipped it within the 48.

 

[rflorek]

Are you able to track packages to PR or just get delivery confirmation? We are able to get DC, but that doesn't help us when the buyer wants to know where their package is. We currently have an item that was shipped on the 18th. I emailed the buy to let them know that. Now, he's wanting to know where his package is. It can take 1 1/2 to 2 weeks to ship USPS Parcel Post to PR, but that isn't always easily explained. It would be nice to be able to tell him exactly where the package is, so he doesn't think we didn't ship it. It's not that we don't want to ship to PR. We just like being able to track the packages for both our & the buyers peace of mind.

I agree. The only "tracking" option that the USPS offers is through Express Mail. Delivery confirmation is just what it states - confirmation of delivery. I don't think any items - priority, parcel post, or first class - have a tracking option available through the USPS.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I didn't realize it was the same rate to ship to HI as to CA. (I wish it was the same to ship our bodies to HI as to CA. ) If shipping is the same, there's no need to block HI. I've read several auctions that state shipping to AK, HI, & PR costs extra, so I assumed it was. (I know what you get for assuming. ) How much more is it to ship to AK? The biggest problem we have with PR is the inability to track the package.

 

[wendyl]

Good info! Thanks

My DH took them to the shipping store we used & checked all carriers looking for one who did. Noone who ships bigger boxes to PR offers tracking. As I mentioned, we do get delivery confirmation, but that doesn't help when the package is in transit. Also, we only accept Paypal. For these reason, it would be better if we could block PR.

I have started using the shipping calculator for my items. It just didn't feel right about charging everyone the same rate, when they didn't all cost me the same to ship. My DH's items are the problem. He sells audio/ video equipment, which is often in large boxes. He not only has to account for weight, but also dimensions.

I don't understand---the US Post OFfice offers Express Mail service to Puerto Rico. It provides COMPLETE tracking. It is more expensive--but that is the responsibility of the buyer. If they want the security of tracking and faster shipment--they should be willing to pay for it. The method is available to all packages that are up to 108 inches in total girth.

 

[FayeW]

Why won't you ship to Canada? Mail goes back and forth across the border everyday!