Great points, all of them! You are quite correct in that we DO need to be reasonable. I too save every scrap of packing material, and even cut down boxes for a custom fit. This is simply good business! Shredded paper is great for a lot of things too, but some things I wouldnt use it for.... most of the time I include shipping insurance in the shipping fee to protect the purchaser and myself, but when I do this I tell them so... I try to keep cost of shipping to a minimum, after all I don't like paying for it myself. The moral to all this is Reasonable Shipping Charges from sellers, and buyers to realize when someone is ripping them off and avoid it. I don't like to bid on something that I cannot at least calculate the shipping for ahead of time!
Great to see a fellow eBayer that is part of the solution!!! Glad you are there! on 1/26/04 13:43, David A. Culler at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > GaryC wrote: > >> I am an eBay seller and the thing most buyers aren't aware of is the expense >> involved just to list. Shipping is not cheap. If you don't think so try >> checking with UPS and FED-X for charges to ship the weight in question, then >> figure in the cost of the box (it isn't free) and the packing material >> (doesn't grow on trees) and it becomes apparent they are not gouging you. >> (there are exceptions) If you want something for nothing check the dump or >> flea markets. We eBayers have to eat too, and if we ship and absorb the >> cost we might as well give our stuff away. Would you work a couple of days >> at your job and have your boss tell you that you had to pay for the >> materials you used in making HIS product and shipping it? I think not! > > Gary, > > Many of us are aware of the costs so don't paint everyone with the same brush. > Being an ebay seller/buyer myself I try to recycle all my boxes. I cut the > tape > and fold them down. This takes up much less space than nesting them. All > foam, > anti-static bags, peanuts and bubble wrap is also saved and re-used. No, I am > not > a 'tree hugger', I am just practical. Fortunately I have the space to store > these > reusable packing materials. Also, I am aware that some people don't have the > space to do so, or don't ship often enough for this to be practical for them. > As > for packing material not growing on trees, I have to disagree. I use shredded > paper for some of my packing needs. Said paper does grow on trees :-) All > that > having been said, a lot of my packing supplies are free, but not always. > There > are times that I have to buy supplies, and when I do I try to buy materials at > reasonable prices. If you are going to Staples or Uhaul to by your bubble > wrap > and boxes you are not being a very wise businessman. > > And yes, as you stated, there ARE some people who overcharge on shipping. > But, if > you are taken by one of these people, it really is your own fault for not > checking > on the shipping charge before placing your bid. If the shipping cost are more > than you are willing to pay then simply don't bid on that item. You can only > be > taken advantage of if you allow someone to do it. > > I don't think ebay sellers should eat the shipping costs, I just think they > should > be fair. They should not try and make a profit off the packing materials. I > also > think sellers/shippers need to understand that when someone is charged for > packing, they should get their moneys worth. I have never had any item I > packed > damaged in shipping except for one guitar that UPS drove a fork life fork > through. Hey, you can't anticipate everything, but packing something well > doesn't > take that much time or intelligence. I will admit that I have spent several > days > packing a weeks worth of ebay and swap list sales. Some things take more time > and > care than others simply because they can not be replaced. > > Also, I must say that I can only remember ever receiving a poor packing job > from > only two lem swap list members (you know who you are). And that's not bad > considering how many of you have made multiple sales to me over the years. > > Best Regards, > > David A. Culler > > -- > "To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer." > -- Anon > > -- Vintage Macs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Vintage Macs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/vintagemacs.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/vintage.macs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
