half.com Sellers -- has this happened to you? VENT

[Luv2Roam]

I am ticked!
I have some used books listed on half.com for sale.
I sold one (at a whopping $2.50 ) and confirmed my sale. half.com is reimbursing me $4.70 for expediated mail.
I went to the USPS to mail this priority. It's a soft cover book, but very thick.
I was quoted over $8 to mail this book!
I asked them to double check and see if there was any other way. Told them how much I was being reimbursed, etc. They were very nice.
ALTHOUGH, it's over $3 for media mail or over $8 for priority!
I responded to the seller what happened and let her know I would mail tomorrow at media mail and why, if that's what she wants.
I e-mailed a rather not nice note to Ebay complaining.
If this buyer gives me a bad rating, I am cancelling my Ebay/half.com account!
Anyone else ever run across this problem?
I meant to turn off my account while we are on vacation and forgot. Now I am saddled with this hassle while trying to get ready for vacation!

 

[tinaluis]

I think the "expedited mail" that half.com refers to is 1st Class Mail, not Priority Mail. Doublecheck with them because you shouldn't lose money on the sale. I've sold a few articles on half.com and eBay and have never run into the problem you mentioned. Check back with them.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Here's what I was instructed in the e-mail confirmation:
"* Shipping Method: Expedited Shipping
The buyer has requested that you ship this order via an Expedited Shipping method.
Expedited Shipping Methods should provide a 2-8 day delivery window and
include some type of tracking ability. Examples of this type of
Expedited service include:
* USPS Priority
* Fed Ex Home Delivery
* UPS Ground
* Airborne Express Ground Delivery"

 

[DMRick]

I think the "expedited mail" that half.com refers to is 1st Class Mail, not Priority Mail.

When you figure out first class, once you get close to a pound, it doesn't make much difference..even less as the weight goes up. 15 oz first class is $3.59, 15 oz Priority is $3.85. I'm assuming if the book was $8.00 to mail, it was between 3-4 lbs, and going to zone 5, which is $8.05. For first class it would be between $11.18 and $14.86 first class, depending on weight.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I haven't heard from the buyer or half.com. So I am just writing this whole episode off and forgetting about half.com. I have sold several books. But all these little trips to the post office don't make up for it. And then to have problems like this.... No where near worth it.
I was going to mail the book priority, with confirmation, and thought I heard wrong when I was told $8.95.
And the book must be so heavy it almost goes into the next level. She gave me a different box to package in, if I was going to send media mail, and advised me not to use too much tape, due to the weight!

 

[DMRick]

I was going to mail the book priority, with confirmation, and thought I heard wrong when I was told $8.95

I don't see a Priority of $8.95 on my list in any of the zones or weights, so I'm not sure what she was charging you for. I see $8.00, $8.05, $8.50, $8.55..all different zones and weights. Try going here and putting in your zip and their zip and the weight and see what you get:

http://postcalc.usps.gov/

The problem with cancelling Half if you get a neg, is that Half and eBay are together, and that neg would always show up on your eBay feedback : (

Half must be figuring the shipping on the pre June rates, when zoning didn't come into play.

 

[laf0165]

How much does the book weigh? You said it was a paperback, right? Are you mailing in a Priority Envelope, or a box?

US Postal Service has Priority Mail in Envelope, 2 to 3 days, for $3.85 for 1 pound. It's an Additional 45 cents for delivery confirmation. That makes it a total of $4.30.

I think you were getting a price for Express Mail which is next day.

Don't get mad a Half.com. I think they are in the ballpark. You should try US Postal Service Priority Mail. Or, First Class with the added tracking feature. Most First Class letters get to where they are going in less than 5 days. I've gotten things in NJ that were mailed in FL in 2 days via first class mail.

 

[DMRick]

US Postal Service has Priority Mail in Envelope, 2 to 3 days, for $3.85 for 1 pound. It's an Additional 45 cents for delivery confirmation. That makes it a total of $4.30.

All Priority under one pound is $3.85, no matter what you mail it in (box/envy, etc). The new zoning rates don't come into play until you hit over 1 pound. They also have Priority that can weigh anything (flat rate), if it fits in their envelope (EP 14F), that goes for $3.85. But she said it was thick, so it may not fit.
Delivery confirmation for Priority is free, if you print your label out on line..that has saved me lots of money and worry. First class is expensive for most books...often more than Priority.

 

[Luv2Roam]

The book is a soft cover. And it's a biggie. Just under a thousand pages. It's acually a reference book. And looks like it. I forgot to ask the weight. I was too much in shock.
I even had her double check. She was wanting to charge me $8.95 for Priority (in their Priority box -- their label I hand wrote on) and delivery confirmation.
One book -- Omaha to San Francisco. $8.95
I even asked if there was any way to ship this book with a Priority type service for the $4+ half.com was allowing. She said No.
And even media mail was almost $4. (Because of the weight.)
I use Ebay very little now (rarely). I just have over 100 in rating. One neutral, again from a half.com sale. That was my fault. I didn't realize they wanted priority mail and sent it media mail. (My error for not reading close enough.) I offered to send the buyer $2.50 bucks and they never replied.
I could get out of half.com and Ebay and not feel bad.

You should try US Postal Service Priority Mail.

Just to clarify -- that is the USPS rate I was quoted for Priority.

 

[laf0165]

That is really a shame. Have you tried to email Half.com and ask them what they think you should do about it? Just a thought! I hope this works out for you.

 

[Annie]

Well, it's just my opinion, but this is something that should have been researched *before* selling the book. At Amazon sales, they reimburse a flat amount for shipping books depending on the speed of service. If my book weighs a lot, I don't offer an expedited service, just media mail. And then I figure in that a few dollars from my book sale will end up covering the extra shipping. Here's what Half.com says:

"The shipping allowance we provide is sufficient to cover the cost of shipping the vast majority of items that are sold at Half.com. However, this allowance may not be enough to cover the cost of shipping heavy books (books that weigh more than two pounds), multiple book sets (encyclopedias), or oversized books (books that are taller or wider than the average hard-cover bestseller and do not fit into a priority mail envelope). In these cases, you may want to adjust the price you set for the item in order to make up any difference between what the U.S. Postal Service charges to ship the item and the shipping reimbursement."

 

[Free4Life11]

To tell you the truth, Media Mail isn't half bad...

THey claim it takes a LONG time, BUT IT DOESN'T!! I use it ALL THE TIME!!

I have sent items that have arrived within a week - $1.84 as opposed to over $4 for priority is a GOOD savings.

And unless it is EXTREMELY urgent, they can wait a few extra days.

-Matt

 

[Julia M]

Media mail varies. I have gotten packages in under a week, and almost three weeks.

I just received a package, mailed 10/2 (by the postmark) and it arrived today (10/12)

I do agree, though......I would rather pay media mail (cheaper) and wait a few extra days.

Julia

 

[parrotheadlois]

I sell (and buy) books at half.com all the time and ALWAYS use medial mail. I've never had a problem either sending or receiving and have always received positive feedback. If I were quoted such a high fee to send a book by USPS, I'd just media mail it and hope for the best! An e-mail to the purchaser to explain why would probably suffice.

 

[DISNEY GUEST]

USPS envelope.
It looks just like the priorty envelope but says on the top back of envelope "FLAT RATE." As long as you can get the book in the envelope and sealed it is $3.85.
Believe me you can safey put allot of stuff in them.
So ask for a "FLAT RATE" mailer.
Tink45

 

[parrotheadlois]

That sounds like a good way to do it too.

 

[seashoreCM]

Try packing the item, weighing it, and computing the shipping (to the most distant city) before listing it on E-Bay or Half. Then you can more accurately tell the buyer what it will cost to ship.

If the auction site uses precalculated average shipping charges, set the initial price higher.

Books in general are very hard to sell and generally fetch very little.

I try not to have E-Bay items in progress when I go on vacation, but once a buyer took a long time to pay and I had to tell him I was going on vacation and shipment would be delayed until I got back home. I have seen some E-Bay itmes with vacation shipping and handling delays mentioned right in their listings.

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

 

[parrotheadlois]

Half.com has a "leaving for vacation" option. I usually click it on the day before I leave (or whenever I know I won't be able to ship any items sold), then when I return I click it back on "return from vacation." Works out nicely! No, books don't fetch much, but any time I can get one out of my house, even if I only make 50cents or so, I'm happy.