You HAVE to try this!! EBAY your way to DISNEY!!

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Originally posted by iNTeNSeBLue98

HELP!

I just received an email from the buyer of my stoneware plates. I packed well, or so I thought, and shipped them UPS from work. I asked the person making my label is she would mark the box fragile and she advised against it, saying that "they" will kick it or otherwise take advantage of the item being fragile. So I left the box blank.
The winning bidder received the shipment today and states that 6 of the 21 pieces broke in transit. He is asking for a full refund plus the cost of shipping the item back to me. He claims I didn't pack the plates well enough- maybe so, I used those foam sheets between each and around the edges for protections and nothing shifted inside the carton. I misjudged the weight and spent $5 extra to ship UPS across the country, on top of what was paid to me per the auction's details.
I replied with my apologies, asking if he'd like to keep the unbroken items if I gave a partial refund. I figured $1 per item broken since the auction amounted to approximately that. I'm waiting for his reply.


Do I recall, when I was getting the estimated charges, that UPS insurance was included? If so, what are my options?

UPDATE: I've heard from this buyer and I think he responded to the partial refund - I also emailed, separately, a link to UPS to report damages - my message was not included in the reply. I think he's willing to accept the $1/broken piece, which is great because I don't want to shell out the full amount. I've also told him that I would refund 1/2 the shipping he paid.

 

[DMRick]

Back from a very cold camping trip in the Adirondacks. Didn't matter how cold and rainy..there wree tons out for the World's Largest Garage sale. People were sure buying and selling some strange stuff. As soon as you try to bargain, they tell you what it's selling for on eBay. I told 'em all to sell their stuff there..and I stuck to buying junk food LOL!

Sales were good before I left (I love buy it nows, as well as people who pay immediately), and I came home to several past ebayers wanting duplicates of what I sell (and make), so it was a busy evening. We're off camping again in a couple of days (didn't learn that it gets cold up here!), so I have my auctions set to go off the 16th. This is the time for me, that people start to "get in the mood" (no, I don't mean romantic..but with this cold weather, it's not a bad idea!). The stores have the Christmas trees out, the club money is being sent, and it's feeling like Christmas in the northeast. I'd start within the next couple of weeks to get that stuff that's new with tags or just plain new out there.

CAnn..when are we getting together for me to give you some packing materials..soon I'll be selling the material on eBay!! I'll be at a craft fair in a couple of weeks not too far from you..maybe you can stop in and have lunch. Let me know if you don't need any material.

 

[Madi100]

UPS has insurance coverage for up to $100. After that, you have to purchase it. If they broke, UPS should cover the damage. I would probably say that you might have wanted to mark your package fragile. I'm sure that there is probably some guy or gal out there that will kick your package, but I believe that is probably the same person who got fired from McDonald's last week for spitting in someone's burger. I think, for the most part, people take pride in their jobs and will not intentionally destroy something.

 

[DMRick]

After that, you have to purchase it. If they broke, UPS should cover the damage.

I think it has to be packaged according to UPS's stringent "rules" which are beyond how I package my items. Here is an excerpt from their site:



Step-by-Step Instructions




1. Use a Corrugated Box

2. Provide Internal Protection

3. Close the Box Securely

4. Use Proper Labeling





Step 2. Provide Internal Protection

It´s important that you cushion the contents of your package properly.

Please be sure that you wrap each item separately. Fragile articles need both suitable separation from each other and clearance from the corners and sides of the box.

Each item should be surrounded by at least two inches (five cm) of cushioning and be placed at least two inches (five cm) away from the walls of the box. This will protect your items from product-against-product damage and shield them from the shock and vibration that can be conducted from the exterior of the box to its contents in transit.

Please use proper cushioning material, combined with a strong outer container, to protect your shipment fully. Make sure you use enough cushioning material to ensure that the contents do not move when you shake the container.

Improper cushioning material includes clothing, blankets, and pillows. Instead, please use the materials listed below to cushion and protect your shipment:


Air-encapsulated plastic (bubble pack)


Designed to protect and cushion lightweight items
Used in multiple wraps and layers to ensure that the item is completely protected, especially on corners and edges

Inflatable packaging (air bags)


Used primarily as void-fill materials for lightweight items
Not recommended for items with sharp corners or edges
Extreme hot or cold temperatures may affect the ability of air bags to provide adequate product protection.

Expanded polystyrene "peanuts"


Used primarily as void-fill material for lightweight items
Overfill the box with peanuts, gently close the flaps, and seal securely
Do not use with flat or narrow products that may move to the edge or bottom of the carton in transit
Due to the shifting and settling properties of peanuts, it is recommended that a minimum of three inches of cushioning be used around the contents

Engineered foam enclosures


Materials may include expanded polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, or copolymers
Enclosures should be pre-engineered for specific products

Foam-in-place (a foam, sprayed into the box or mixed in packets, that expands and forms a protective mold around contents)


Must be properly used, with even foam distribution around the contents
Select appropriate density of foam to meet packaging needs, which can range from void-fill applications to high-performance cushioning

Corrugated liners and inserts


May be added to the package to increase strength and improve package performance

Crumpled kraft paper


Used primarily as a void-fill material for light-to-medium weight, non-fragile items and items that are suitable for such packing materials
Must be tightly crumpled
Place at least four in. (10 cm.) of paper between contents and outer box

Note: Fragile objects -- such as electronics, glass, ceramics, and artwork -- require special packaging for safe shipment. Packages containing these and similar items may require added cushioning or a double box.

 

[C.Ann]

Well this has been a horrible few days for me... Been sicker than a dog since Sunday (which is why I am awake right now - in the middle of the night) and like everyone else here, my eBay sales have been pretty pathetic..

Yesterday was my birthday - and I pretty much spent the whole day in bed.. I'm thinking I may have an ulcer or something, but of course I'm delaying a trip to the doctors in hopes that the problems will resolve on their own.. I have eBay orders I need to get shipped out and I'm hoping I can manage to stay out of bed long enough to get them taken care of today.. Can't even begin to describe how awful I feel and the pressure of knowing I have customers to deal with sure isn't helping any..
----------------------------
I don't know what the story is with eBay sales lately, but I can tell you that over on the eBay Discussion Boards even the long-time power sellers seem to be having the same problems..

The past couple of weeks whatever I have sold has basically sold for the opening bid and not a cent more so listing at 99 cents is out of the question for me.. I will continue to list at what I would be satisfied (not thrilled - but satisfied) to get and leave it at that.. However, I am going to start listing different "types" of items and if I can shake whatever this illness is, I'm going to gear up to get all of my "new" items listed now that I know the Christmas Club checks will be starting to roll in..

If nothing else, what I have learned in the past few weeks is that selling on eBay is similar to being in the construction business -it's "feast or famine" - and I have a feeling that even if things DO pick up for awhile this fall they'll nose-dive again drastically starting in about mid-December and probably through February or so.. Although people will be stuck in the house (well - in the colder climates anyhow) they will also be BROKE from the holidays and not spending money freely.. Soooooo - I'm thinking I'm going to work my butt off for the next 2 months and hopefully make enough to take the sting out of what may occur later on down the road here.. It would be easy to get discouraged and just throw in the towel, but until I see some hard evidence that eBay is NOT going to turn around - EVER - I guess I'll just keep plodding along and hope for the best..

DMRick - I'll send you a PM..

To everyone else - try to hang in there a bit longer.. For most of us this will be the very first time that we've tried selling during the Christmas season and hopefully we will all be pleasantly surprised.. Let's just get our stuff listed for a price we would be willing to accept and then we'll all keep our fingers crossed, okay?

Stomach is killing me so I'm going to crawl back into bed now......

 

[dg39]

C.Ann--I hope you feel better soon.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

feel better C.Ann.

My disappointed buyer agreed to a $5 refund for the brokken shiment. He emailed pictures . I've elarned my lesson on that one - Thanks DMRick- I didn't read that info thoroughly before packing.

Good Luck out there!

 

[DMRick]

this fall they'll nose-dive again drastically starting in about mid-December and probably through February or so..

I think you'll be surprised. My sales pick up drastically at that time, as people get desperate for the perfect gift..and after Christmas, they have all that money they got for Christmas to spend. Our highest weeks of the year are the last week of December, first week of January.
It does depend on what you sell. Some items sell all the time..others are flooding the market, and still others just aren't what people are looking for. Think back ot what sold good..have anymore of those items?
eBay sure isn't what it was a few years ago..after all we keep telling people how easy it is to list..and more and more people are listing..often the same stuff we're selling (I have way more competition than I did..items that always sold for $30 now sell for the listing price..a little more than half that). The stuff I'm selling was unique at one time..then people doing searches, saw they sold, and now they not only are selling them, but for way less than I would put them up for. But it's still good enough to keep me going on eBay..at least for now.

 

[Madi100]

DMRick. Thanks for the information on UPS. I didn't realize that. I have yet to sell anything fragile because I'm just afraid it will break.

Can I ask what it is you sell? It seems to go over well, whatever it is.

I've got tons of new Yamaha snowmobile items that I would think would sell so well right now. Coats, pants, pullovers, etc. I can't seem to find anything like it on ebay. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

 

[mom2smjn]

I may faint!!!!!!!!!!

My husband has been going through his Dungeons and Dragons collections and listed about 1/3 to 1/2 of his collection...some ended yesterday and the rest end tomorrow and as of now he has made almost $500!!!!!!!!!!!! All but 2 items got bids(those two I just put up so who knows?)

Who woulda thunk it???

So now we are gung ho to get the rest sorted and listed.

WOW! Amazing really!

 

[DMRick]

Can I ask what it is you sell? It seems to go over well, whatever it is.

I was very free with my ebay name in the begining (I've since erased it from past messages), and what I sold (heck, I'd love to have most of you you guys be buyers). Since then I've learned that not everyone on this board are friends : (

CAnn and I have since sworn each other to secrecy LOL!

 

[Madi100]

Sorry for asking DMRick. I can't believe people would use it against you. I think it would be really interesting to see what other people on here sell and how they do so well with what thye have. It's just always interested me about what you sell. I can respect that you dont want to share. i'll just have to continue to be happy with your great advice.

 

[dg39]

Hey mom2sngm thats GREAT. Congratulations on your earnings and continued success. I'm glad some of our friends here are making out. Seems like you got hot items and I can only imagine that it will get even better for you with the holidays coming around. Isn't it a great feeling when you sell somethings for such high amounts, especially when you expect it to go for less.

Hey, throw some ebay pixie dust on the rest of us.LOL.

 

[mom2smjn]

Yes C.Ann it has been amazing! I usually sell one or two things but this stuff is like GOLD!
One item we were SURE would not sell but DH says"if it doesn't sell we are only out a listing fee, if it does it is at least out of the house" So we put it up for a really low start price(compared to its actually worth) of like $20 or something and it closed late last night for $152!!!!!!!!!!

WOW~

I hope this keeps up!

Of course I am doing all of my Christmas shopping on ebay so I feel like I am spending what I make! You can really get some unique gifts(My son is an Egypt fanatic and is getting a papryus with his name written in heirogylphics and he is also getting a stone scarab)

I am so excited to see all of these auction ens in GREEN but not as excited to box and ship!!!

 

[bafmrf]

Does anyone know how long it takes to get paid from Half.com? It has said deposited for 3 days now but it is not posted to my account.

Thanks,

Martha

 

[casiland]

From what I have read on the boards, half only makes payments to accounts a couple of times a month. Not sure of the exact schedule but some of the experts could probably tell you.

 

[wdwpluto]

Originally posted by bafmrf
Does anyone know how long it takes to get paid from Half.com? It has said deposited for 3 days now but it is not posted to my account.

Thanks,

Martha

They make deposits on the 1st and the 15th of each month. Give it at least 5-7 business days for it to post. It depends on both half.com and your bank. Last month, mine took nearly 2 weeks to post. This month it credited in 3 days.

HTH,
Lori

 

[mikess]

Originally posted by mom2smjn
...but this stuff is like GOLD!

Don't ya'll just love it when we find stuff like this!!! And it's always the stuff you thought would never sell.

 

[kilee]

Is there a process that needs to gone through prior to sending a 2nd chance offer. I have a bidder who just isn't responding to any emails or checkouts from ebay. It has been 7 days. The second highest bidder, bid 8 times and was only 15 cents less than the winning bid--- when can I send the 2nd chance offer? TIA

 

[Leader of the Club]

Oh, Geez....

One of the items I shipped arrived damaged. I got a very nasty e-mail from the buyer accusing me of price gauging, poor packing (I used foam sheets and the item was in the orginal box) and every thing else she could think of. Anyhow, she is demanding that I pay to replace the item--at my expense. I would really LOVE to tell her that since she bought insurance for the item to take it up with the US Postal Service.

What should I do?