BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Mar 06 - 03:04 PM

So that's why you started the thread, eh?

I notice that Google has caught on to the topic--the ads are "Free Postage Meter Quotes" and "Snipe eBay Bidding."

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Mar 06 - 01:35 PM

The habit grows: I was out walking the dogs early this morning and passed a box of toys left at the curb with the morning trash. I drove back later and picked it up. Everything was in sight so they intended passers-by to see and pick up. I'm thinking: I can put the stuff that will works here in my garage sale, or I can research it on eBay.

My garage is getting a bit full. I picked up a perfectly good rocking chair last week (just needs some spindles glued on one arm and needs to be refinished) and some toys a few weeks ago. And a chandelier. . . I can take it apart and sell the crystals, or I can clean it up and sell it as-is.

Probably not the chair and the chandelier on eBay, though, too much bother to try to ship those.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: GUEST,new and worried ebayer!
Date: 27 Mar 06 - 05:19 PM

Genuine question to American ebayers- I have recently dipped my toe into selling on ebay and have advertised that i will post worldwide. I have only sold 3 items so far but bidding is going well, but I am now worrying about my postage position.

I have been surprised at the post office when i asked the cost of an item i was posting to Spain, by asking what it would cost to send the same item to U.S. Just to give me a rough idea.

Airmail is astronomical to U.S but surface mail is reasonable. It's too late for me to revise my items listing because i have bids on them and Americans are amongst those bidding. To be honest i am dreading one of them winning! I haven't stipulated how i would post items to U.S.

I know now i should have put in the postage bit that i will only send items by surface mail, i know now it takes 8-10 weeks to deliver, do American ebayers usually accept that postage to them is by surface mail? Or will they expect airmail? I will revise future listings but don't want to upset anyone so early in the game? Any thoughts out there?

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Mar 06 - 12:12 AM

If you're not too close to the end of your auction you can revise it, though I don't know if there are some things they don't allow. You might be able to add a remark in your description that says "INTERNATIONAL buyers email me for a postage quote: I ship surface" or set it up so they can choose from slow or faster and you'll send those rates and let them decide. I had to do that when I listed overseas shipping, and I'll have to see how it goes. So far I've had someone in Canada ask how much to ship there. Not exactly "overseas," but it does require some research and filling out of forms.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: GUEST,Dewey
Date: 28 Mar 06 - 05:13 AM

Paypal and international shipping don't mix. www.paypalsucks.org .com?. www.about paypal.org .com? Plus 40 different customs forms, currency conversions etc. is an extra hassle, and in the Asian contries it costs more than its worth. Also higher ticket items are often not protected by insurance or fraud.

Right now America is still the greatest share of ebay, for the American public, myself included, it is a lot easier that way. Its not Arrogance as mich as LAZINESS. There is enough of a buyer base here, to not have to worry about over "there". Unfortunately for the rest of the world that idea does not fit well.

One can avoid offending an un-desired bidder from an un-approved of country, by going to ebay preferences and selecting the countries to which one wishes to omit doing business.

It is not a crime to do so, though others here might think that its unfair to, For me its laziness and inrritation with forms, customs, etc. But mainly its currency differences, and extra shipping costs, and paypal resolution discrepencies.

People claim to honor those costs but don't always cover the expenses, and if they fraud you saying the item wasn't delivered you can have your funds held up, or even forfeited through the paypal system.

And also, if you have to refund shipping as mandated by paypal for an item a buyer decides he is going to return (see Paypal user agreement) you are also out bigtime and for no just or apparant reason.

Also, if the buyer sends the item back (as required in this same user agreement), or reports it lost, stolen or undelivered, you can really, really be scammed out of money by third party arbitary fund reversal on the part of Paypal, money can be frozen for months on end, and you may never have any re-course in recovering the item.

Not everyone wants to, nor is required to go international. It still is the individual seller's perrogative. One is NOT required to go through extra work if he or she chooses not to. And no one has the right to tell someone esle they are arrogant just because they do not desire this extra elongated form of business and/or work.


Obviously, smaller countries will choose to ship to Americans, because they would be missing a good 80 percent of their business by not doing so.

As for Americans, since their markerplace is so large to begin with, they tend to do just fine trading within, without the extra hassles from "without". Frankly I hate international shipping and I think its dangerous to one's bottom line should something ever go wrong and an item has to be returned.

If the New World Order Comes about, and we get a one world currency, insurance company. etc. I, myself, would reconsider selling more to global market. But I still wouldn't be crazy enough to accept Paypal, this is the biggest threat to an ebayer's profit anyone could hope for.

Ebay is expanding its operations with Ebay Express, to take credit cards, maybe they will be able to streamline the system through some up coming way without resorting to the Paypal mess/scandal. As of current status, you can get scammed out of you eyeballs. Paypal dipute resolations and internantional frozen fund reversals, are a nightmare!!.

I've shipped a far amount of moderate valued items into Canada as it is part of the same continent, I wouldn't, however, ship overseas, anything of moderate value EVER.

Dewey

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: GUEST,new and worried ebayer
Date: 28 Mar 06 - 06:15 AM

Thanks for the info.

Actually dewey I have currently approx fifty bids from customers and only three of those are from America. Posting within Europe is not presenting a problem, but Americans certainly do not make up 80% of my buyers.

After reading this I have withdrawn US shipping options to the U.S (on those items I can revise) as it isn't worth the hassle.And won't be offering it again.

And I have enlisted a couple of European based friends to outbid on the items that the Americans are winning on, not ethical I know but I don't need the hassle. At least I know the pitfalls now and will avoid them. Thanks again.

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: Scoville
Date: 28 Mar 06 - 12:27 PM

I never ship airmail and I would not expect an international seller to do so (although I say so).

I think you can still do an add-on to your description, with an apology and an explanation of shipping restrictions, even if you cannot revise the original posting. People may withdraw bids, though. It's up to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Mar 06 - 09:54 AM

I have a no-communication/non-payer on the hook right now for a box of books. I ask that people let me know within three days how they will pay (she hasn't done that) and request that payment be completed by 7 days (so I'll wait till then before I do anything more). This is domestic shipping, U.S. dollars--it's hard enough to get the local folks to cooperate sometimes, I imagine the international difficulties with this situation are exponentially more difficult.

I hear on the radio this morning that the "Buy It Now" feature eBay uses is patented by another company. At least the Supreme Court will have to decide if it is.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: Scoville
Date: 29 Mar 06 - 10:11 AM

Oh, man--I just had a girl sell something to me and no offer any communication at all for a full month. I emailed her repeatedly asking for help, had she not received my MO, did she no longer wish to sell, etc. I finally sent her a snail-mail letter and then requested her personal information from eBay, and the items miraculously appeared on my doorstep three days later (postmarked a full month after the auction closed). I never got a response of any sort from her (this was also a domestic seller, only two states away). Sometimes they need a push if they think you're coming after them.

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Mar 06 - 11:49 AM

My phone number is part of the listing a buyer receives, along with my mailing address for payments. I'd actually like to take it out of there, but when I've looked to try to reset my personal particulars I haven't found the place to take it out. It would be easy enough to find it online anyway, if they give it a thought, but I don't want it just out there.

I returned a box a week ago (with the basket that was falling apart) and a few days later learned the seller moved but he's still using the old labels. So the box I sent priority insured with delivery confirmation hit that burg then was forwarded, and since the 23rd has languished at the new post office because he hasn't gone to retrieve it. I forwarded him the postal information that they've attempted delivery (so he knows to go look for the box even if the slip somehow vanished).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Mar 06 - 10:10 PM

Book lady paid finally, that is good! I'd sent her a note yesterday, courteous and curious as to which method of payment she was going with (so I'd have a heads up to head to the post office if she was choosing that route). Another query from Canada on my books from two British mystery writers.

When you read the squabbles out there, it makes you wonder, if you are really hasty and snappish to a buyer, why would they then continue to want something from such a nasty person? Why continue to cooperate? (Those feedback scores can make some interesting reading. Amazing how much you can say in 80 characters!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Mar 06 - 10:21 PM

Hey Worried,

   I believe there is the option for the seller to cancel out the auction. If you are really concerned about the overseas shipping thing, it might be worth your while to cancel that auction and repost it with your shipping policies for international shipment.

Best of luck to you!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: GUEST,new and worried ebayer
Date: 30 Mar 06 - 12:24 PM

I think you're right there michelle, but then it would maybe look bad if i have withdrawn items listed against my name. I'll just make sure they are outbid and relist the items in a few weeks.

In a weak moment i did accept a winning bid from an American recently and she doesn't have paypal, so asked if i would accept US currency money order as she is finding it difficult to get one in UK pounds? I can't be arsed going to the bank and queuing up and checking their fees, then let her know, then add it onto her invoice, then wait for a reply, then get the money order, then queue in the bank to deposit it, then pay exorbitant amounts to post it, then worry for the next eight weeks about whether it has arrived.

Paypal and European only customers for me in the future. At least I have learnt early on.

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: Donuel
Date: 30 Mar 06 - 12:53 PM

Fed Ex simplifies the process wonderfully.

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: GUEST,Jaze
Date: 30 Mar 06 - 09:34 PM

I have a question for sellers. Can a seller bid on his own item to drive up ther price? I 've always wondered.

Subject: RE: BS: Arrogant Americans on ebay
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Mar 06 - 02:20 PM

No, you can't. I believe eBay will censure you or ban you from the site for that, because it is conspicuously dishonest. It's bad enough detecting all of the shills people have helping them.

SRS