[meteorite-list] Ebay shipping charges???

From: joann breitbarth <joseph_town_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:29:50 2004
Message-ID: <000701c37354$a3eef720$287c540c_at_computer>

----- Original Message -----
From: "joann breitbarth" <joseph_town_at_worldnet.att.net>
To: "Mark Miconi" <mam602_at_cox.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 7:18 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Ebay shipping charges???


> Wow. There's nothing like a surprise shipping charge. Mark is sure right
> about clarifying things in advance. I'm the type of person that will drive
> 20 miles out of the way to fill up at a gas station that charges less even
> if it costs me more to get there than I save. It's kind of an insult when
> mailing is glaringly overpriced. I always thought USPS priority was a real
> deal till they jacked their rates. You would think that all the new
business
> they got from ebay would have kept rates stable? Yeah...I'm naive...
>
> Regards
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark Miconi" <mam602_at_cox.net>
> To: "Michael L Blood" <mlblood_at_cox.net>; "Tom aka James Knudson"
> <knudson911_at_frontiernet.net>; "meteorite-list"
> <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 3:38 PM
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Ebay shipping charges???
>
>
> > I thought I would chime in on this subject...while reading this keep in
> mind
> > that I do not sell meteorites on any kind of regular basis.
> >
> > One point that is the MOST important that I did not see in this
discussion
> > (might have missed it) is that it is the BUYERS responsibility to ASK
> about
> > the shipping costs before bidding. Email the seller, ask how it will be
> > shipped, ask the cost, and if you do not get a satisfactory answer....GO
> > SOMEWHERE ELSE....it is that simple. Tell the seller if they tell you it
> > will be shipped by Priority Mail and it is shipped first class that you
> will
> > notify the Postal Inspector. If you are charged for a certain mail class
> and
> > they ship by another cheaper mail class that is mail fraud...a Felony. I
> > know this as I have the regulations here because I am licensed to print
my
> > own postage.
> >
> > I also know that the USPS takes this seriously as I have reported just
> such
> > a violation on 2 cases and both times received a refund from the seller.
> >
> > You have to ask questions....pin down the seller as to the type of
postage
> > and the amount and then make them stick to it. If they screw you even
> after
> > doing that...leave a negative and contact the postal inspector. Bidders
do
> > not like to see negative feedback comments about being overcharged for a
> > mail class that the seller did not use. By emailing the seller and
having
> > them reply to you about the type of shipping you will be using you have
in
> > writing their admission to the crime when they ship with a different
mail
> > class. That is all the postal inspector needs and that is the only
> evidence
> > I needed that and the box with the postage and addresses on the box.
> >
> > What I do not understand is how anyone can buy anything on Ebay without
> > emailing the seller if they have a question. Would you buy a car that is
> > missing a door if the saleman acted as though the door was there? Of
> course
> > not...you would ask if the car will have the door if you buy it. Would
you
> > buy a house without asking questions about it? If you would contact
> me....I
> > have some property JUST for you.
> >
> > Everyone using ebay has to use the gray matter in their head. Look at
the
> > item, know what it is you are buying, know what the cost will be, and
then
> > ASK lots of questions if you have them, if you do not ask then it is
YOUR
> > fault if you get shafted.
> >
> >
> > In the case of our items...mostly all fragile..we charge a handling fee.
> The
> > fee covers our cost of packing materials. We also state very clearly
that
> we
> > charge a handling fee. That is where we differ from most sellers that
> charge
> > more than the cost of the postage.
> >
> > On fragile items we charge for the popcorn and the bubblewrap per usage.
> On
> > non breakable items such as books we use media mail and charge only
> postage.
> > We use mainly Priority Mail...if you pay for priority we use priority.
On
> > item that require a special box we charge for the box and say so in the
> > description. We pack items with great care and use only the proper
> > materials...that costs us money and we pass the cost on to the consumer.
> We
> > could add it to the starting price of the item, we prefer to charge it
> after
> > the sale and tell the bidder the extra cost....one bidder in 100
complains
> > and they are usually the type that would have us ship a glass plate in a
> > padded envelope. Most people opt out of insuring their item and our
extra
> > care means that their risk is lessened. We finally had our first item
> > damaged this year by shipping....it was insured and the buyer will have
> the
> > claim money in less than 10 days.
> >
> > If the item does not need bubblewrap and popcorn...such as linen...then
> you
> > pay what my scale says in my postage software and that is all.
> >
> > Now that I have typed too much on the subject my point is ASK the proper
> > questions, if you do not get the proper response....SAVE your money for
> > another day.
> >
> > Thanks for listening,
> >
> > Mark M.
> > Phoenix AZ
> > Ebay ID = desertcrystal
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Michael L Blood <mlblood_at_cox.net>
> > To: Tom aka James Knudson <knudson911_at_frontiernet.net>; meteorite-list
> > <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
> > Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 11:15 AM
> > Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Ebay shipping charges???
> >
> >
> > > Hi Tom and all,
> > > Most meteorite dealers I know charge EXACTLY the cost of
> shipping.
> > > Some use 3rd class mail - others 1st class - others priority. Some
> > > include the cost of shipping - most pay for shipping on orders over
> > > $1,000. But I know of NO meteorite dealers who charge "handling"
> > > fees - which are nothing less than, "I got you and there isn't
anything
> > > you can do about it" - it ticks me off no end.
> > > If a dealer INCLUDES shipping, you can be SURE you are paying for
it
> > in
> > > the price - he can't stay in business without covering costs - that is
> as
> > > fundamental as it gets.
> > > However, I got the impression your gripe was mostly with
> non-meteorite
> > > dealers - and I'm with you, charging a "handling fee" is charging you
> > > for buying from them ON TOP of the item cost and shipping costs.
> > > Now, a "packaging fee" is different, and in SOME instances can be
> > > warranted - when the BOX the item requires for safety COSTS the seller
> > > he has to cover it- with a fee or in the price - one way or the other.
> > > Ironically, this is most significant the cheaper the item, as it
> > represents
> > > a much larger percentage of the cost. SOMETIMES "handling" is to
> > > cover such things, but mostly it is a total rip off.
> > > Like I said, I know of no meteorite dealer that charges more
> than
> > > actual cost of shipping and insurance and most cover those for
purchases
> > > over $1,000.
> > > Best wishes, Michael
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > on 9/4/03 7:03 AM, Tom aka James Knudson at knudson911_at_frontiernet.net
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hello List, Are we missing something? Mike farmer must be the
worst,
> > with
> > > > his one dollar shipping!!!! Others charge two, three, four, some
even
> > five
> > > > and six dollars.
> > > > I was looking for a computer mouse for my daughter and almost fell
of
> my
> > > > chair seeing the shipping costs on these auctions! Six dollars was
> low
> > for
> > > > a computer mouse, nine, ten, twelve were normal and fifteen on the
> high
> > > > side.
> > > > One guy had eighteen ($18) shipping and a note saying if you don't
> like
> > > > the shipping amount don't bid and don't ask me for to come down on
the
> > > > charge! All of these S&H charges were for a single mouse.
> > > > I am not talking about a few of the auctions, I am talking just
about
> > > > every one of them! Are we undercharging on our shipping or are they
> all
> > > > trying to rip people off?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks, Tom
> > > > Peregrineflier <><
> > > > The proudest member of the IMCA 6168
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ______________________________________________
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> > > > Meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
> > > > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
> > >
> > > Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
> > > Philip K. Dick
> > > --
> > > SUPPORT OUR TROUPS:
> > > http://www.takebackthemedia.com/onearmy.html
> > > --
> > > Worth Seeing:
> > > - Earth at night from satellite:
> > > http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0011/earthlights_dmsp_big.jpg
> > > - Interactive Lady Liberty:
> > > http://doody36.home.attbi.com/liberty.htm
> > > - Earth - variety of choices:
> > > http://www.fourmilab.ch/earthview/vplanet.html
> > > --
> > > Panoramic view of Meteor Crater:
> > >
> >
>
http://www.virtualguidebooks.com/Arizona/GrandCanyonRoute66/MeteorCrater/Met
> > > eorCraterRimL.html
> > > --
> > > Cool Calendar & Clock:
> > > http://www.yugop.com/ver3/stuff/03/fla.html
> > > --
> > > Michael Blood Meteorites & Didgeridoos for sale at:
> > > http://www.michaelbloodmeteorites.com/
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ______________________________________________
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> > >
> >
> >
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Received on Thu 04 Sep 2003 10:23:03 PM PDT