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"At risk of losing Top-Rated Seller status"

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The Older Gentleman

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Jul 26, 2012, 4:42:10 PM7/26/12
to
That surprised me, so I went to my seller dashboard and looked at my
DSRs.

Ah, three buyers reckoning I overcharged them for p&p. And all these
three responses *after* the PO hiked their rates.

I send everything recorded delivery. Everything. Trouble is, this means
that I charge £4.10 as a minimum (I really don't sell anything small and
light enough to go in an ordinary envelope).

That's £3.65 1st class signed-for for the packet, which is the new rate,
and the rest is a decent quality Jiffy bag.

But for a small widget, that sold for 99p, I can see how someone might
think it's a rip-off.

Suggestions? Explain my p&p charges in full on the auction page? My gut
feeling is people won't read them. Or simply revert to ordinary mail?



--
Kawasaki GTR1000 Honda CB400 Four Triumph Street Triple
Ducati 800SS Yamaha 660 Tenere Suzuki GN250, TS250ERx2
So many bikes, so little garage space....
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com

Peter Crosland

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Jul 26, 2012, 5:19:24 PM7/26/12
to
On 26/07/2012 21:42, The Older Gentleman wrote:
> That surprised me, so I went to my seller dashboard and looked at my
> DSRs.
>
> Ah, three buyers reckoning I overcharged them for p&p. And all these
> three responses *after* the PO hiked their rates.
>
> I send everything recorded delivery. Everything. Trouble is, this means
> that I charge £4.10 as a minimum (I really don't sell anything small and
> light enough to go in an ordinary envelope).
>
> That's £3.65 1st class signed-for for the packet, which is the new rate,
> and the rest is a decent quality Jiffy bag.
>
> But for a small widget, that sold for 99p, I can see how someone might
> think it's a rip-off.
>
> Suggestions? Explain my p&p charges in full on the auction page? My gut
> feeling is people won't read them. Or simply revert to ordinary mail?

Explain it in the listing. That way if anyone complains you can refer
them to it. It might also be worth sending and email if you think the
P&P might look high with a breakdown of the charge.



--
Peter Crosland

Andrew

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Jul 26, 2012, 5:29:02 PM7/26/12
to
"The Older Gentleman" wrote in message
news:1knv02t.1pzsm8irdespgN%totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk...
[snip]
> Suggestions? Explain my p&p charges in full on the auction page? My gut
> feeling is people won't read them. Or simply revert to ordinary mail?

I would revert to ordinary 2nd class mail for low value items. Just get a
free cert of posting. You can always add recorded delivery as an option for
those that want it.

Also, buy jiffy bags in boxes of 100 off eBay. No size of jiffy bag should
be costing 45p each.

Deux

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Jul 26, 2012, 6:25:40 PM7/26/12
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On Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:42:10 +0100, The Older Gentleman wrote:

> I send everything recorded delivery. Everything. Trouble is, this means
> that I charge £4.10 as a minimum (I really don't sell anything small and
> light enough to go in an ordinary envelope).
>
> That's £3.65 1st class signed-for for the packet, which is the new rate,
> and the rest is a decent quality Jiffy bag.

Easy. Offer free delivery on everything and add your delivery costs to
the price of the item. The idiots that thought you were overcharging
will suddenly think they're getting a bargain.

c...@nospam.netunix.com

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Jul 26, 2012, 8:45:11 PM7/26/12
to
Peter Crosland <g6...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> > That's Ł3.65 1st class signed-for for the packet, which is the new rate,
> > and the rest is a decent quality Jiffy bag.
> >
> > But for a small widget, that sold for 99p, I can see how someone might
> > think it's a rip-off.
> >
> > Suggestions? Explain my p&p charges in full on the auction page? My gut
> > feeling is people won't read them. Or simply revert to ordinary mail?
>
> Explain it in the listing. That way if anyone complains you can refer
> them to it. It might also be worth sending and email if you think the
> P&P might look high with a breakdown of the charge.

I had someone leave a feedback comment about excessive postage last
week despite a glowing comment about the goods. Some people just
cannot understand that postage has increased and packing also costs money.
I just left a reply to the feedback explaining that the P&P was
actually less than it cost me.


The Older Gentleman

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Jul 27, 2012, 2:22:09 AM7/27/12
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Andrew <z...@gmx.com> wrote:

> "The Older Gentleman" wrote in message
> news:1knv02t.1pzsm8irdespgN%totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk...
> [snip]
> > Suggestions? Explain my p&p charges in full on the auction page? My gut
> > feeling is people won't read them. Or simply revert to ordinary mail?
>
> I would revert to ordinary 2nd class mail for low value items. Just get a
> free cert of posting. You can always add recorded delivery as an option for
> those that want it.

I think I wll, yes. The difficult thing is when you get really small
items with really high values - like �30 for a single nut and bolt, or
clip, for example. And I sell a fair few of these.


> Also, buy jiffy bags in boxes of 100 off eBay. No size of jiffy bag should
> be costing 45p each.

I di buy top qwuality padded bags because a lot of what I send are
motorcycle componets with odd edges and angles. I don't use those cheap
bubble wrap ones.

I get mine from Staples but, yes, I'll investigate online orders.
Thanks.

The Older Gentleman

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Jul 27, 2012, 2:22:09 AM7/27/12
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<c...@NOSPAM.netunix.com> wrote:

> I had someone leave a feedback comment about excessive postage last
> week despite a glowing comment about the goods. Some people just
> cannot understand that postage has increased and packing also costs money.
> I just left a reply to the feedback explaining that the P&P was
> actually less than it cost me.

I had *exactly* the same thing and left exactly the same response.
Trouble is, this could fuck up my DSRs if people continue to think that
first class recorded delivery should cost tuppence.

The Older Gentleman

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Jul 27, 2012, 2:22:09 AM7/27/12
to
Deux <de...@none.none> wrote:

>
> Easy. Offer free delivery on everything and add your delivery costs to
> the price of the item.

And that works with auctions, how?

Dr Zoidberg

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Jul 27, 2012, 2:29:32 AM7/27/12
to

"Deux" <de...@none.none> wrote in message
news:EPKdnX7fpuR5XozN...@supernews.com...
Fine on a BIN item, but somewhat trickier on an auction.

You could always add a note asking people to bid £4.10 more than they think
the item is worth......

--
Alex

Lobster

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Jul 27, 2012, 3:09:33 AM7/27/12
to
On 27/07/2012 07:22, The Older Gentleman wrote:
> Andrew <z...@gmx.com> wrote:
>
>> "The Older Gentleman" wrote in message
>> news:1knv02t.1pzsm8irdespgN%totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk...
>> [snip]
>>> Suggestions? Explain my p&p charges in full on the auction page? My gut
>>> feeling is people won't read them. Or simply revert to ordinary mail?
>>
>> I would revert to ordinary 2nd class mail for low value items. Just get a
>> free cert of posting. You can always add recorded delivery as an option for
>> those that want it.


I always use 2nd class, as stated on my listings, and I always dispatch
within the time stated on the listing. However my DSR for dispatch time
are relatively low as a result (so I don't get Top-Rated Seller status;
not that it particularly bothers me as an 'amateur' seller). So you
might find that your dispatch time feedback impacts the DSRs instead. I
think also the point is that it doesn't seem to matter what you include
in the listing, buyers will vote how they want.

> I think I wll, yes. The difficult thing is when you get really small
> items with really high values - like £30 for a single nut and bolt, or
> clip, for example.

Does that matter though? I don't think buyers object to paying for RD
on an expensive item regardless of its weight - it's when the nut or
bolt is only worth a quid or so that they are likely to whinge, surely.

David


Niel Humphreys

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Jul 27, 2012, 3:10:41 AM7/27/12
to
"The Older Gentleman" <totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1knv02t.1pzsm8irdespgN%totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk...
> That surprised me, so I went to my seller dashboard and looked at my
> DSRs.
>
> Ah, three buyers reckoning I overcharged them for p&p. And all these
> three responses *after* the PO hiked their rates.
>
> I send everything recorded delivery. Everything. Trouble is, this means
> that I charge £4.10 as a minimum (I really don't sell anything small and
> light enough to go in an ordinary envelope).
>
> That's £3.65 1st class signed-for for the packet, which is the new rate,
> and the rest is a decent quality Jiffy bag.
>
> But for a small widget, that sold for 99p, I can see how someone might
> think it's a rip-off.
>
> Suggestions? Explain my p&p charges in full on the auction page? My gut
> feeling is people won't read them. Or simply revert to ordinary mail?


The only way to avoid twats like this is to add the P&P onto the buy
now/starting price with a few pence on for the Ebay fee on the P&P and do
"free" shipping thereby getting automatic 5 stars for P&P costs which is the
main risky DSR for losing TRS status (and the Ebay fee discount that goes
with it)

It's amazing how many idiots do actually think it is free shipping and don't
realise that it is actually inclusive.
--

Cheers
Niel H


Niel Humphreys

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Jul 27, 2012, 3:15:16 AM7/27/12
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"The Older Gentleman" <totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1knvr25.wrqa7ltj9csrN%totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk...
> Deux <de...@none.none> wrote:
>
>>
>> Easy. Offer free delivery on everything and add your delivery costs to
>> the price of the item.
>
> And that works with auctions, how?


Feasably the with auctions to get around this is to have a starting price at
the minimum amount you want for the item + shipping + Ebay listing/rough FVF
fees on the starting amount.

Or if you sell a bit it may be worth considering having an Ebay shop and
having everything on rolling buy now listings. I found a while back that the
same item that sells on an auction listing for x will sell just as easily on
a buy now listing at 2 or 3 times that amount. As it costs 10p a month to
list/relist it is generally feasable to just throw things up on a buy now
and let them tick over until they sell.

You also get a better class of customer rather than the bottom feeders who
get something cheap in an auction listing and then expect the world on a
plate.
--

Cheers
Niel H


Timmy

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Jul 27, 2012, 4:14:21 AM7/27/12
to
The Older Gentleman wrote ...

.
>
> I di buy top qwuality padded bags because a lot of what I send are
> motorcycle componets with odd edges and angles. I don't use those cheap
> bubble wrap ones.
>

I wrap those kinda things in bog roll first.


TOG@Toil

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Jul 27, 2012, 8:46:44 AM7/27/12
to
On Friday, July 27, 2012 9:14:21 AM UTC+1, Timmy wrote:
> The Older Gentleman wrote ...
>
> .
> &gt;
> &gt; I do buy top quality padded bags because a lot of what I send are
> &gt; motorcycle componets with odd edges and angles. I don't use those cheap
> &gt; bubble wrap ones.
> &gt;
>
> I wrap those kinda things in bog roll first.

That's the sort of cheapskate packaging that, along with re-used Jiffy bags, really pisses me off when I'm a buyer.

TOG@Toil

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Jul 27, 2012, 8:45:46 AM7/27/12
to
> The only way to avoid twats like this is to add the P&P onto the buy
> now/starting price with a few pence on for the Ebay fee on the P&P and do
> "free" shipping thereby getting automatic 5 stars for P&P costs which is the
> main risky DSR for losing TRS status (and the Ebay fee discount that goes
> with it)

Yeah, it's the eBay discount that's particularly valuable to me. My eBay fees are running at £300-400 a month right now.


> It's amazing how many idiots do actually think it is free shipping and don't
> realise that it is actually inclusive.


I think this is the best suggestion so far. Of course, it means your listing fees go up.

Niel Humphreys

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Jul 27, 2012, 9:48:22 AM7/27/12
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"TOG@Toil" <totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1c03b520-81a8-4c46...@googlegroups.com...
--------------------------------------
Indeed they do but in the grand scheme of things it's only pennies and you
can make the customer pay anyway by working it into the 'free shipping'
price.


petrolcan

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Jul 27, 2012, 11:45:26 AM7/27/12
to
In article <81a414a4-dc72-46d2...@googlegroups.com>,
TOG@Toil says...
You recycle motorbike parts, why wouldn't you recycle old packaging?

The Older Gentleman

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Jul 27, 2012, 1:09:30 PM7/27/12
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petrolcan <petr...@gmail.com> wrote:

> You recycle motorbike parts, why wouldn't you recycle old packaging?

Good point, well made.

Peter Crosland

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Jul 27, 2012, 1:15:55 PM7/27/12
to
Exactly! It amazes me that so much perfectly re-usable packing is thrown
away by businesses that ignore the costs they are incurring by doing so.

--
Peter Crosland

The Older Gentleman

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Jul 27, 2012, 1:22:58 PM7/27/12
to
Peter Crosland <g6...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

> On 27/07/2012 16:45, petrolcan wrote:
> > In article <81a414a4-dc72-46d2...@googlegroups.com>,
> > TOG@Toil says...
> >>
> >>>
> >>> I wrap those kinda things in bog roll first.
> >>
> >> That's the sort of cheapskate packaging that, along with re-used Jiffy
bags, really pisses me off when I'm a buyer.
> >
> > You recycle motorbike parts, why wouldn't you recycle old packaging?
>
> Exactly! It amazes me that so much perfectly re-usable packing is thrown
> away by businesses that ignore the costs they are incurring by doing so.

I re-use cardboard boxes and bubble wrpa, so I suppose I shouldn't
mutter at people re-using Jiffy bags. It does irritate when they charge
a lot for the p&p, though.

Peter Crosland

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Jul 27, 2012, 1:38:01 PM7/27/12
to
On 27/07/2012 18:22, The Older Gentleman wrote:
> Peter Crosland <g6...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> On 27/07/2012 16:45, petrolcan wrote:
>>> In article <81a414a4-dc72-46d2...@googlegroups.com>,
>>> TOG@Toil says...
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I wrap those kinda things in bog roll first.
>>>>
>>>> That's the sort of cheapskate packaging that, along with re-used Jiffy
> bags, really pisses me off when I'm a buyer.
>>>
>>> You recycle motorbike parts, why wouldn't you recycle old packaging?
>>
>> Exactly! It amazes me that so much perfectly re-usable packing is thrown
>> away by businesses that ignore the costs they are incurring by doing so.
>
> I re-use cardboard boxes and bubble wrpa, so I suppose I shouldn't
> mutter at people re-using Jiffy bags. It does irritate when they charge
> a lot for the p&p, though.


Does the Top Rated Seller designation mean that much? Personally it is
the detailed feedback, particularly the negatives, that help me make a
choice to buy. Even a few negatives don't always put me off unless they
suggest a pattern of bad service.


--
Peter Crosland

Niel Humphreys

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Jul 27, 2012, 1:45:29 PM7/27/12
to
"Peter Crosland" <g6...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:iO6dnd7jZb9kTI_N...@brightview.co.uk...
> On 27/07/2012 18:22, The Older Gentleman wrote:
>> Peter Crosland <g6...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> On 27/07/2012 16:45, petrolcan wrote:
>>>> In article <81a414a4-dc72-46d2...@googlegroups.com>,
>>>> TOG@Toil says...
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I wrap those kinda things in bog roll first.
>>>>>
>>>>> That's the sort of cheapskate packaging that, along with re-used Jiffy
>> bags, really pisses me off when I'm a buyer.
>>>>
>>>> You recycle motorbike parts, why wouldn't you recycle old packaging?
>>>
>>> Exactly! It amazes me that so much perfectly re-usable packing is thrown
>>> away by businesses that ignore the costs they are incurring by doing so.
>>
>> I re-use cardboard boxes and bubble wrpa, so I suppose I shouldn't
>> mutter at people re-using Jiffy bags. It does irritate when they charge
>> a lot for the p&p, though.


It could be argued that they have still paid for them. The only difference
they have purchased them singularly from another seller instead of buying
them new from a shop.
--

Cheers
Niel H


Niel Humphreys

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Jul 27, 2012, 1:48:14 PM7/27/12
to
"Peter Crosland" <g6...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:iO6dnd7jZb9kTI_N...@brightview.co.uk...
For me it is not so much the fee discount (which is welcome) but you get
higher placings in search results. If any seller bases their business on
getting a feww discount that can get removed through no fault of their own
at any time due to the actions of brain dead buyers then they're on a hiding
to nothing.

Personally I could live with them losing the fee discount and scrapping the
DSR stick they are using to ensure that many sellers don't reach TRS status
and qualify for the discount. Ebay are so obviously trying their harded to
avoid giving it anyway.
--

Cheers
Niel H


The Older Gentleman

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Jul 27, 2012, 2:20:38 PM7/27/12
to
Peter Crosland <g6...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

> Does the Top Rated Seller designation mean that much?

Dunno. Probably not, but vanity (I admit) plays a part. And the fee
discount is good.

Peter Crosland

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Jul 27, 2012, 3:03:49 PM7/27/12
to
On 27/07/2012 19:20, The Older Gentleman wrote:
> Peter Crosland <g6...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> Does the Top Rated Seller designation mean that much?
>
> Dunno. Probably not, but vanity (I admit) plays a part. And the fee
> discount is good.

I was not aware of that but of course it makes a big difference.


--
Peter Crosland

The Older Gentleman

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Jul 27, 2012, 3:31:04 PM7/27/12
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Like I said, it represents a saving of £30-40 a month.

Simon Finnigan

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Jul 28, 2012, 6:43:02 AM7/28/12
to
Why? Why does everything need a new jiffy bag?

The Older Gentleman

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Jul 28, 2012, 7:02:33 AM7/28/12
to
Simon Finnigan <simonf...@hotmail.com> wrote:


> Why? Why does everything need a new jiffy bag?

Read on.

Roland Perry

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Jul 28, 2012, 8:07:46 AM7/28/12
to
In message
<365652243365164400.028659...@news.individual.net>,
at 10:43:02 on Sat, 28 Jul 2012, Simon Finnigan
<simonf...@hotmail.com> remarked:
>> That's the sort of cheapskate packaging that, along with re-used Jiffy
>> bags, really pisses me off when I'm a buyer.
>
>Why? Why does everything need a new jiffy bag?

Indeed. If I buy from a trader I expect decent packaging, which is
usually a new jiffy bag or cardboard box. But buying from a member of
the public it's perfectly OK if they recycle some packaging.
--
Roland Perry

Humbug

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Jul 28, 2012, 8:43:34 PM7/28/12
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On Sat, 28 Jul 2012 13:07:46 +0100, Roland Perry <rol...@perry.co.uk>
wrote:
I've just had two items from a business seller with free postage.

Both came in new jiffy bags, which I didn't expect for the price.

I had to send them back, unfortunately.

But Postie hadn't franked the stamps, so I could send them both back
at no cost and I now have one spare stamped jiffybag :-)

I never normally use new packaging when selling items, and I've never
had a complaint - in fact I've had compliments on my packing.

What annoys me is sellers who stick so much sticky tape round stuff
that it's practically impossible to get it out without trashing the
packiing materials.

--
Humbug

Niel Humphreys

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Jul 29, 2012, 3:52:52 AM7/29/12
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"Humbug" <hum...@tofee.net> wrote in message
news:9b19189ks386gqo8c...@4ax.com...
> I've just had two items from a business seller with free postage.
>
> Both came in new jiffy bags, which I didn't expect for the price.
>
> I had to send them back, unfortunately.
>
> But Postie hadn't franked the stamps, so I could send them both back
> at no cost and I now have one spare stamped jiffybag :-)

Don't they ultra voiletly stamp them these days? I have had items back under
Distance Selling Regs whereby the buyers have tried to be clever and done
the same but I had to pay a surcharge due to the stamps being already used.

> I never normally use new packaging when selling items, and I've never
> had a complaint - in fact I've had compliments on my packing.

I wish I could, as a seller with these Ebay DSR scores I can't afford not to
use new padded bags for fear of arsey buyers.

Niel H


The Older Gentleman

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Jul 29, 2012, 4:10:21 AM7/29/12
to
Niel Humphreys <a...@a.com> wrote:

> > But Postie hadn't franked the stamps, so I could send them both back
> > at no cost and I now have one spare stamped jiffybag :-)
>
> Don't they ultra voiletly stamp them these days?

I *cannot* be the only person who has received damaged goods through the
post and who parsed that as 'ultra violently'.

Grimly Curmudgeon

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Jul 29, 2012, 10:27:11 AM7/29/12
to
On Fri, 27 Jul 2012 07:22:09 +0100, totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk
(The Older Gentleman) wrote:

>Trouble is, this could fuck up my DSRs if people continue to think that
>first class recorded delivery should cost tuppence.

Some of those cunts just don't know they're fucking born. Ffs, they
should try living in another country in the back of beyond, where the
most cost-effective way of getting a lot of stuff is by mail order and
postage payment. That would teach them the value of having it
delivered to their door, the fuckwits.
Mind you, the cost of getting stuff sent Royal Mail has increased and
it sometimes comes as a welcome surprise to get small items from the
US for a few dollars.
Literally, four or five bucks to come more than 2000 miles and if the
seller has a clue they can send more in the same packet. What a
bargain.
Message has been deleted

Simon Finnigan

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Aug 3, 2012, 4:30:25 PM8/3/12
to
Why does a trader need to use a new jiffy bag? If they charge £5p&p for
something small then fair enough, but anything with free postage, or
postage at close to the franking/stamp cost, can come wrapped in whatever
they have to hand, as long as its protected. The jiffy bag can have been
used five times - it makes absolutely no difference to me, the contents or
the postal experience. Seems daft demanding new jiffy bags when ultimately
I'm the one paying for them.

kraftee

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Aug 3, 2012, 4:38:13 PM8/3/12
to

"Simon Finnigan" <simonf...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:10196520365718411.081155...@news.individual.net...
But you aren't a normal EBay customer. For a start you read this group
which most don't and wouldn't want to even if they knew it existed.

You only have to read some of the feedback some sellers get to see how
brainless some buyers are, I've even seen a negative feedback stating that
everything was ok (on more than one occasion).

Feedback appears to be a game to some, possibly they don't realise that it
has a real value.

Unfortunately sellers are easy targets.

Oh and by the way I'm a buyer, some day I may possibly sell some of the kit
I have accumulated and so may become a seller but not yet.
--
Kraftee

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