I stopped by eBay last night to check out a few things. I didn't really see much that excited me. What I *did* see was mentioned here before... very high shipping charges. I was a seller there a couple of years ago and I know what it costs to ship certain weights. $8.99 to mail a $1.00 paperback is NOT a good bargain.
Okay, so does anyone know of an online auction that may be where eBay was 2 or 3 years ago, but still reliable? Are any of you selling elsewhere?
- Des
That's fine; don't buy from that person. Ebay has millions of different sellers, and obviously they are not all going to have good deals. If one particular seller has a high shipping rate, it's bec ause their trying to gain an extra profit. Not everyone on ebay is like that.
#22
destiny
Right... but it would sure save a lot of time and energy if the sellers with ridiculously high shipping would have their own little section, eh? I really hate forgetting to look at shipping cost and being excited about a buy to realizing the shipping is $19.99 when I know from my own selling days that it will cost $6 tops to ship.
- Des
#23
crassus
I have never had that problem of forgetting to look at the shipping cost, as I just think of it as part of the total cost. In turn, then, not bid on something till I know the potential total cost. What gets me is if I see something I really like at a really good price, and I bid without looking to see what methods of payment the seller accepts. I hate having to travel down to the corner market to get a money order.
#24
Eerie
Quote:
Right... but it would sure save a lot of time and energy if the sellers with ridiculously high shipping would have their own little section, eh? I really hate forgetting to look at shipping cost and being excited about a buy to realizing the shipping is $19.99 when I know from my own selling days that it will cost $6 tops to ship.
I completely agree! And, I have over 6000 feedback - so I have been buying and selling for years!
Another thing I hate is when the seller doesn't take paypal. I mean, I know the fees are an annoyance - but I will not bid on something if the seller doesn't let me pay in a convenient, online way.
A few times, though, I have made and error and bid anyway.
#25
Eerie
Quote:
I have never had that problem of forgetting to look at the shipping cost, as I just think of it as part of the total cost. In turn, then, not bid on something till I know the potential total cost. What gets me is if I see something I really like at a really good price, and I bid without looking to see what methods of payment the seller accepts. I hate having to travel down to the corner market to get a money order.
Ha! I hadn't read your post - but I echoed that statement. I totally agree. How inconvenient to have to purchase a money order!
#26
CarrieGee
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrs75
I've bought and sold things on eBay before, but I don't believe I would buy a car, home or land on eBay unless it was close to home so that I could go look at it first.
Exactly. The phrase "swampland in Florida" comes to mind.
Money orders are a pain in the neck, and I don't know why people insist on using them for things like eBay unless Paypal isn't available to them. Doesn't it cost a fee to cash one? I know they charge fees to issue them.
#27
telegraph.hill
Here in the UK eBay tends to be a mix of fully fledged businesses, and "yard sale" type of stuff.
An example of larger businesses selling on eBay is Thomson, (the travel agents), selling some of their holidays on eBay. I notice a lot of small to medium-sized businesses seem to be selling on eBay, too, such as food companies, philately shops, and so on.
I sell Japanese books and artefacts, academic books, and second hand books, and occasional computer bits and pieces.
#28
mrs75
Quote:
Money orders are a pain in the neck, and I don't know why people insist on using them for things like eBay unless Paypal isn't available to them. Doesn't it cost a fee to cash one? I know they charge fees to issue them.
Yes, you do have to pay for a money order, but where I'm from (Southern Illinois) you do not have to pay a fee to cash a money order. Here you can cash a postal money order at the postal office, and any money order can be cashed at the bank. I have never paid a fee to cash a money order, but other countries and states may be different. Just call your local post office and ask.
#29
Eerie
And a real nightmare is depositing a Canadian money order in my local bank!
They almost always return it to the branch with a stamp that says ."Not a cash item," and I have to walk it back inside the bank - again - and almost walk the tellers through the process of forwarding the money order to their main branch.
What a hassle!
#30
destiny
Ya know, I took some steps today to *maybe* try selling a few things on eBay again and all these tips are helping me. So thanks, everyone. I always did "shipping to USA only" so never had to try to cash a Canadian money order. I *did* have a Canadian win once but the man was very nice and he hadn't seen the "US only" thing. He offered to use paypal and sent a few extra dollars for the extra shipping.
I really hate forgetting to look at shipping cost and being excited about a buy to realizing the shipping is $19.99 when I know from my own selling days that it will cost $6 tops to ship.
