Buyers Driving me Crazy
Am I the only one having a sea of terrible buyers. Have gotten 4 false feedback in 1+ month and about had it. Reported all to eBay Has anyone heard of postal damage in this world!
About had it with eBay if this is the guy of people whom buy on here!
52 comments
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoI am upset again bad feedback. For bad packaging? Since when did mailing in a HEAVY DUTY toploader become that?? And complaing about no sleeve like that is a big deal. I am done done done!!!!!
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoThank you for the advice about the cassette box for shipping. I thought it was fine since it is specifically made for that purpose. Only have two left and will mail those another way.
Am not loosing money on anything once taxes come through. Have sold several larger amount items this summer and have more coming once have free listings for September. Have been creating the listings and set time to start already for some.
I do not need help with accounting side I have a background in that. Used to do that and teach preschool. Now just do the teaching part.
Like you said they are tax right offs for now and want them gone and come next spring I will get the plus side of it. Gotten rid of a lot of stuff and have a lot more to come. But not to much since 1st day of school is tomorrow.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoAnd as a very successful business person once said.
They sold at High end stores and Target. Made far more money on Target sales because of quantity. It adds up!
inhawaii
·2 years agoI think some people are trying to tell you,
even if the item cost you NOTHING selling a item for $1 with free shipping is a waste of time.
$1.00 minus
-$0.66 for a stamp.
- $0.03 for a envelope.
-$0.13 in ebay fees
That leaves you with 18 cents profit.
Is it really worth it?
- $0.13 in ebay fees
-
lakefor94
·2 years agoTough business. Best to the OP.
dryophelia
·2 years ago@ellenshideout
99 cents and free shipping. There is no money to be made there. It probably cost more than 99 cents to ship it. Then eBay gets about 14 cents from you for fees. There is also a 30 cent non refundable processing fee.
Someone who ‘needs the money’ should be selling items where the buyers payment is about $20, not less than one dollar.
traditonalproducts
·2 years agoI read the negative and I would say, when one sells items for $1.00 that's a high risk for a negative. Its risk and reward. Thats my personal opinion. A couple of neutrals, I don't care if I did everything right it can happen with buyers nowadays. Good luck out there!
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoI am curious why would you consider $1 high risk for a negative?
slati_2013
·2 years agoArrrgh. Negative feedback over a $0.99 item with free shipping? If these were the good old days where buyers ID's were visible, I would put the buyer on my blocked list.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoSerious question:
Are you aware of how much money you're losing selling cassette tapes for $1 / free shipping and DVDs $4 & under / free shipping and 6 VHS tapes $3 / free shipping (and the list goes on)?
Even the bank notes and trading cards at $1 / free shipping will result in a monetary loss unless you're consistently selling multiples in a single order.
If you would like help figuring out the loss with eBay fees and shipping, let us know. In the meantime, I suggest carefully reviewing this page:
https://www.ebay.com/mes/transactionlist?sh=true
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoBanknotes and cards ship for 36 cents since that is how much I pay for a stamp. They are put in regular envelopes in a protective sleeve or card protector depending on the item.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoGreat - let's break that down. Item sells for $1.00 free ship. Since you have a store the FVF is 12.35% (or 13.25% if you have a Starter store).
Fees = $0.30 fixed, $0.12 variable (or $0.13 if you have a starter store), $0.36 postage stamp = balance $0.22 (or $0.21) to cover the cost of the item, envelope/packaging, piece of the store subscription fee, and your time spent listing and shipping.
You are most likely losing money on the cassette tapes for $1 / free shipping and DVDs $4 & under / free shipping and 6 VHS tapes $3 / free shipping, etc. Even if you ship media mail rate, that's $3.92 just for the postage on the lighter weight items - higher on the 6pk VHS.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoYes, that is why I keep all reciepts for next springs taxes.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoNecklace missing 2 crystals. If they were not missing before you shipped, it's highly unlikely they would come out if the item was wrapped in bubble then put in a box. How was the necklace packed?
Two claims of improper packing on cassette tapes from two different buyers. Points to a pattern of items not being packed well. In a box is great. With 2 pieces of paper? Not sure what that means - could the paper have flattened and tapes shifted around getting banged up inside the box? Sounds like that's what happened. Look into getting bubble wrap and the type of filler material you're using in those boxes for fewer damage claims.
Stuffed animal shipped in a bubble mailer? Should go in a box to avoid damage.
Buyer complained of fur, you said you have no animals, but your profile pic shows cats. Doesn't necessarily mean you have cats, but outward appearance looks odd.
Generally when sellers speak of consistent shipping damage reports, the cause is the way items are packed. Sellers here are very knowledgable and would be happy to share packing tips if that holds interest for you @ellenshideout . Why not post a list a few items you regularly sell and ask others how they would pack them to see if there's room for improvement in your process? Better than staying up all night crying.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoThe cat in my profile pic is from my local rescue center. I used to volunteer there and took pics of the residents but not since COVID. Others in my house have allergies to many animals so that is how I see them. Only interaction is with neighborhood cat outside.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoPicture is 6 years old. I keep meaning to change it. But the cat is my favorite animal I ever help to socialize.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoThe tape one made no sense.
You can tell he did not look at box. It is a box meant to fit cassette tapes tightly so very little to no room for anything but the tape. Tried to add what I could but more then two pieces would not fit everything burst out of the sides of the box. The sides fold into the middle part. It is an interesting box. Tried to nicely explain that but nothing happened.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoIf the box fits the cassette tape snug with little to no room for padding, then the box is not appropriate for shipping. Cassettes are plastic. One knock to that box by a heavy package and the tape is cracked.
It's great that you're keeping track of your expenses and losses, but my point was missed @ellenshideout . My point is why sell things that are guaranteed to lose money? On top of that, you've dealt with damage complaints on 2 of them. Then you went on in another post to say:
If you need the money, why list and sell items that you literally have to pay out of your pocket for the buyers to take off your hands?
Donate those items and get a tax write-off. Don't sell anything that won't result in a profit. A profit that's worth your time is even better.
Do you keep an accounting spreadsheet so you know upfront what your profit/loss will be and can make a solid decision about whether something is worth selling? Would you like help with that?
pole1108
·2 years agoSo what you are exepriencing is a mix of issues. Since you are selling paper....first thing I suggest is that you get a whole pile of USPS envelopes and cut them up to put the money between. About .05 difference is shipping cost and a lot less grief.
Secondly.....yup USPS has gotten really bad.....but they are the only option for what you are selling.
Laslty......buyers can be difficult.......in my 24 years of selling I have never seen as many scammers and nasty buyer as there are now.
HK
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoPaper is not the issue, mail them all in protective sleeves meant for paper money. It is others.
inhawaii
·2 years agoBuyers drive me crazy also.
They expect to receive their items without any damage.
Can't ebay do anything about this?
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoThey need do since Postal Damage after all is 100% USPS fault since occured with them!
Wish I could still leave neagtive feedback for buyers in response.
One takes the cake. Calling bubble mailers poor packaging. Says all you need to know about buyer!
coolections
·2 years agoWhat are you putting into a bubble mailer ? In certain instances bubble mailers will definitely result in poor packing. Is there a stiff padding on both sides of the item in it to prevent bending ?
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoStuff I put in bubble mailers can not bend or way to little. Anything that can bend aka banknotes and cards are put in things to protect them in shipping.
meme6253
·2 years agoA Fine example of Sarcasm!
lakefor94
·2 years agoNot too shabby
lakefor94
·2 years agoDoes not seem to be a problem with your buyers. Obvious that it is a problem with your packaging.
Receiving damaged merchandise as a buyer is a bad buying experience. You are lucky the buyers did not leave more negatives.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoLeaving for damage in shipping is dumb and poor buyers that is for sure. Sellers mail out so what USPS does is 100% not our fault!
coolections
·2 years agoYou really need to take a step back instead of blaming USPS. Better packaging would most likely result in the USPS not damaging your items.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoThey are well packaged and lady at US today when mailing stuff even said we damage alot of packages. Almost bit my tongue to not giggle.
momtoabeautifuldaughter
·2 years agoWe have shipped out over 500,000...yes 1/2 million packages all over the USA and other countries and rarely and I mean rarely ever had a package damaged in shipping. Even large breakable items arriving without damage.
If you have had 4 in the small amount of sales you do then I'd say your packaging does lack somewhere.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoOne was for lack of packaging others damage in shipping.
Literally for only two pieces of paper in very small box that had very little extra room for paper.
luckythewinner
·2 years agoIf you have gotten 4 "false feedback" that were all the result of postal damage, I would suggest that you need to improve your packaging.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoPackaging is fine buyers are the ones with a problem. Use excellent packaging people are just idiots!
luckythewinner
·2 years agoThe buyers are causing the "postage damage" you mentioned in your initial post?
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoUSPS. I certainly am not USPS. Been doing this for years mailing exact same way and in 15ish years maybe 1 issue not 4 in 1+ month. When I mailed a bunch of items today lady even said yea we have been rough on packages lately. And I had not said a word about this issue. Gave me my internal laugh for the day.
coolections
·2 years agoOK, please explain. How can a buyer be an idiot because they receive a damaged item ?
ckimodog
·2 years ago@ellenshideout
Sorry for your situation. Name calling in multiple replies is frowned upon on this forum. No one here caused your unfortunate situation. We're all adults here...well most of us. Please be respectful of the community forum. Thanks.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoHave not been name calling anyone specific on this forum. And I am certainly an adult I laugh I have been on eBay more years then many members have been alive. It makes me feel old. That and my students one whose mom I had my first year working at the preschool. Still crying over the negative though. Sales are way down and worried about that which makes it worse. How one person can ruin someone with bad feedback.
a12forever
·2 years agoSo buyers are "idiots" for wanting their item to arrive undamaged? Wow! Yes they have a problem, they paid for an undamaged item and received a damaged one. This is 100% on you. Digging in your heels, blaming everyone else, and insisting your packaging it perfect will not help you going forward. You will continue to have issues with damaged items leading to more negative and neutral feedback.
If USPS is damaging your packaging, you need to package differently. Instead of attacking the buyers contact them and find out exactly how it was damaged and get pictures if you can. This will help with how you can alter the way you package.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoI have tried to asking but none ever answer. If they do not I do not try again. Not sure how packaging could be better. Pack well packaged and in the appropriate way. Package like I have for many years. Gotta be US PS since never had many problems before lately and no difference in how I ship. Good grief I learned how to pack from someone whom does it for a living!
One bad was scritly for box having only a little paper inside, totally forgetting that why that is is since their is only room for that, barely!
Give refunds when everything in my body says not to, but I try to be nice. Some people have gotten damaged but were understanding and let me know without bad feedback.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoPlus, co-run and do all of the shipping for two other accounts and have for years.
USPS has been lately, its weird how fine for many years and now damaged. Something is going on with USPS>
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoAnd eating some since need pictures if want claim on negative feedback guy and to afraid to. Not in mood for more nastiness on his end. But I also need the money. Tough spot since I did refund his money.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoUse only bubble mailers, and thick boxes, nothing to improve in the slightest just buyers! More mad then last night been crying most of the night and no sleep.
And protective for mailing banknotes and sports cards.
So USPS is the issue.
ajs_coins_and_alchemy
·2 years agoIf your packaging sucks, pad more. If your buyers suck, sell more. Sell more, have more / better transactions and you'll feel better. One bad egg can ruin our days/weeks/months. Then you do X more sales and deal with X more buyers and you realize its that bad egg, not you.
Recently sold a coin set where i double-bubble wrapped the set (usually only single wrap it, but just felt like it this time) amd put it in a flat rate padded envelope that was doubled over itself since so much extra space.
The back side of the outer packaging/box had a small dent. Most people would not go as far as to call it a defect let alone a "minor defect". Probably half my current stock of these has small dents like that. It's just something you should expect, a pristine box is not common and literally its the outer box, it has minimal value to begin with, and its a dent not a tear or stain ... its like a tear in an old proof set envelope, they're a dime a dozen, it's what you get when they are 40-50 years old.
Buyer assumed the dent happened in shipping (HAHA yeah right, that dent was there...nothing was going to happen to a triple padded rigid item.). Felt the need to tell me & leave in my feedback that I need to take more care and use a box. .... also told me he would be ditching the box anyways to get the coins graded. So he never cared about the box anyway but was upset that it was "damaged in shipping". Didn't occur in shipping, and it isn't a considerable defect, literally doesn't rise to the level of noting especially in stock listings.
Also, ask anyone in my family, they think I'm nuts for the lengths I go in packaging my stuff. I think this was the only buyer to complain about packaging... except the guy who thought a small paper envelope would scratch a $20 coin.........cuz paper scratches metal...yea....right....
You just have thick skin and move on. Can't please everyone.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoWow, I am sorry that happened to you.
I am already rethinking packaging of course right after I bought a bunch of bubble mailers. But do have lots of boxes in different sizes coming.
It is tough 2 other accounts I co-run have been doing well and just started. My family has had one but new to eBay for many years. Learned alot from a brother whom is a small business owner and sells on eBay to.
I laugh I am finally using my Business Degree again. I hope to stay doing this at least the banknotes and cards items. They are easy to ship and take up a lot less space. My parents are downsizing and I am going to sell some stuff on eBay for them. So I need to grow some thick skin is for sure.
leofis-4864
·1 year agoThe issue doesn’t seem to be with your buyers; it’s clearly a problem with your packaging. Receiving damaged merchandise creates a poor buying experience, and you're fortunate that more buyers haven’t left negative feedback.
chapeau-noir
·2 years agoI think you hit a bad patch - some of that feedback is, well, weird. You responded to your neg very well.
Just keep going. In these bad patches I always check my processes to make sure my quality control is good, descriptions good, etc., I might change some things or try to improve a process. Outside of that, just keep chugging along - selling online can try the toughest nerves.
ETA: What's that little critter in your avatar? Is it a cat with really big ears?
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoBeen up crying all night and no sleep and have to go to my day job that restarted this week. Am a preschool teacher. For my real job. This is just a side gig. Not much to change package well, got bad feedback for quality packaging says how crazy buyers have gotten. Bubble mailers protective sleeves and sturdy boxes with lots of filler!
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoCat is one I was especially fond of when I volunteered at local no kill shelter from 6 years ago. Have not gone in over 3 years. Cant have pets because of allergies in family so that was my fun time.
They are about to complete a new larger shelter this fall so I hope to go back then to help socialize the cats and occasional walking of a dog.
ellenshideout
OP2 years agoKind of. I hate typoese.
iamalwaysright
·2 years ago🤣