eBay

jaaron7 · ‎10-24-2017

Just thought I'd share a request received from a winning bidder......

Dear Sir,
Your ad included free Priority Mail shipping. I would greatly appreciate it if you could ship the script in a USPS Medium Flat Rate Box (that measures 14" long x 12" wide x 3+1/2" deep when folded up). This box can be picked up for free at the Post Office. It is stored flat on display racks, or you can ask for it at the service counter. The two open ends of box have flaps with adhesive strips that glue down, when box is folded up. The shipping cost is a fixed $13.60, or less if online shipping is used. Could you kindly package as follows. First, please put script inside a CLOSED PLASTIC BAG (clean shopping bag or unused trash bag) for protection. Place bagged script in CENTER of box (away from box sides). Then fill remaining empty space in box with CRUMPLED PAPER packing material, until box feels solid and will not crush.
Can you ship as I am requesting, and do you need an amount from me towards this? Please let me know, thanks.

swenson8781 · ‎10-24-2017

I agree with Mistwoman, and it was actually very upstanding of your buyer to offer to send additional payment if necessary. Many wouldn't offer that!

kb3tlr · ‎10-24-2017

you know, you could package it the way it's been requested, then wrap the flat rate box with some plain brown paper (use a paper bag maybe) that way you can ship it for the cheaper price, but it will still be packaged like they're asking.

I've done this before, never for selling something on ebay though, (i don't sell an awful lot or anything) but i've done it for personal things i've sent before. i'll put it in the flat rate box and then see if it's cheaper to send not flat rate, and if it is then i wrap the box in the plain wrapping and send it cheaper 🙂 hope that helps.

retrose1 · ‎10-25-2017

@kb3tlr wrote:
you know, you could package it the way it's been requested, then wrap the flat rate box with some plain brown paper (use a paper bag maybe) that way you can ship it for the cheaper price, but it will still be packaged like they're asking.

I've done this before, never for selling something on ebay though, (i don't sell an awful lot or anything) but i've done it for personal things i've sent before. i'll put it in the flat rate box and then see if it's cheaper to send not flat rate, and if it is then i wrap the box in the plain wrapping and send it cheaper 🙂 hope that helps.

Some buyers would neg you for ripping off the PO. Especially if the paper rips and the buyer has to pay the extra ship cost for the FR box in order to receive their package that they have already paid shipping for.

AND the PO can and will suspend your postal privileges if they catch you doing it repeatedly.

(*Bleep*)

jaaron7 · ‎10-25-2017

Agree with retrose. Plus the script ships Priority Mail 2-pound rate (including packaging) at $9.97 or Priority Mail Medium Flate Rate for $12.05. I think I can absorb the $2.07 difference to ship Medium Flate Rate as he requested.

@retrose1 wrote:
@kb3tlr wrote:
you know, you could package it the way it's been requested, then wrap the flat rate box with some plain brown paper (use a paper bag maybe) that way you can ship it for the cheaper price, but it will still be packaged like they're asking.

I've done this before, never for selling something on ebay though, (i don't sell an awful lot or anything) but i've done it for personal things i've sent before. i'll put it in the flat rate box and then see if it's cheaper to send not flat rate, and if it is then i wrap the box in the plain wrapping and send it cheaper 🙂 hope that helps.
Some buyers would neg you for ripping off the PO. Especially if the paper rips and the buyer has to pay the extra ship cost for the FR box in order to receive their package that they have already paid shipping for.

AND the PO can and will suspend your postal privileges if they catch you doing it repeatedly.

jaaron7 · ‎10-25-2017

Actually, this was the third script buyer to offer additional payment to package securely. Of course I did not accept any of their offers since I securely package anyway.

@swenson8781 wrote:
I agree with Mistwoman, and it was actually very upstanding of your buyer to offer to send additional payment if necessary. Many wouldn't offer that!

zzydny · ‎10-25-2017

I have also occasionally had buyers send very, very specific requests like this one. At first I thought they might be implying that I could be incompetant about shipping but then I realized that they were trying to let me know that other sellers had been incompetant previously instead. I've always honored their requests politely.

The fact that your buyer is even willing to offer to pay extra shows that he/she is a good buyer who wants to work with you to get this done.

pooh333piglet · ‎10-25-2017

Um no. just no. Do Not ever do what this person suggests.

@kb3tlr wrote:
you know, you could package it the way it's been requested, then wrap the flat rate box with some plain brown paper (use a paper bag maybe) that way you can ship it for the cheaper price, but it will still be packaged like they're asking.

I've done this before, never for selling something on ebay though, (i don't sell an awful lot or anything) but i've done it for personal things i've sent before. i'll put it in the flat rate box and then see if it's cheaper to send not flat rate, and if it is then i wrap the box in the plain wrapping and send it cheaper 🙂 hope that helps.

zarchy · ‎10-25-2017

zarchy · ‎10-25-2017

The only real problem I'd have with this type of request is that it may take additional time and effort to get the materials needed to ship per the buyer's request, if you don't happen to have everything on hand. Then you could get dinged for missing your handling time commitment. A better route would have been for the bidder/buyer to contact the seller beforehand to give a "heads up" on his/her special request.

jaaron7 · ‎10-25-2017

Unfortunately, I think for many of the skiddish sellers on ebay, if they received that type of request prior to the end of an auction, they'd immediately block them and lose a potential sale.

@zarchy wrote:
The only real problem I'd have with this type of request is that it may take additional time and effort to get the materials needed to ship per the buyer's request, if you don't happen to have everything on hand. Then you could get dinged for missing your handling time commitment. A better route would have been for the bidder/buyer to contact the seller beforehand to give a "heads up" on his/her special request.

missjen831 · ‎10-25-2017

@kb3tlr wrote:
you know, you could package it the way it's been requested, then wrap the flat rate box with some plain brown paper (use a paper bag maybe) that way you can ship it for the cheaper price, but it will still be packaged like they're asking.

I've done this before, never for selling something on ebay though, (i don't sell an awful lot or anything) but i've done it for personal things i've sent before. i'll put it in the flat rate box and then see if it's cheaper to send not flat rate, and if it is then i wrap the box in the plain wrapping and send it cheaper 🙂 hope that helps.

I guess you aren't aware that the PO knows when a FLRB has been covered with brown paper and they will charge the OP the FLRB rate if he takes your advice and tries to cheat them.

One life is all we have to live
Love is all we have to give

**Formerly known as MissJen316**

getitright1234 · ‎10-25-2017

I had buyers send me messages like this and this is how I handle it:

1. Check their feedback left for other sellers and reviewed their purchase history; if all looked good then I proceed to: thanked them for their instructions

2. I sent pictures of the packaging before shipping to re-assure them, I did as they asked. The pictures were unexpected and 100% of these type buyers were pleased with what was delivered and "all" left glowing feedback.

Now,should the buyer's feedback imply a problem buyer: rude with lots of damage claims, seeks partials, etc. I simply invite them to the neighborhood block party.

labratdolls · ‎10-25-2017

@castlemagicmemories wrote:
@jaaron7 wrote:
Just thought I'd share a request received from a winning bidder......

Dear Sir,
Your ad included free Priority Mail shipping. I would greatly appreciate it if you could ship the script in a USPS Medium Flat Rate Box (that measures 14" long x 12" wide x 3+1/2" deep when folded up). This box can be picked up for free at the Post Office. It is stored flat on display racks, or you can ask for it at the service counter. The two open ends of box have flaps with adhesive strips that glue down, when box is folded up. The shipping cost is a fixed $13.60, or less if online shipping is used. Could you kindly package as follows. First, please put script inside a CLOSED PLASTIC BAG (clean shopping bag or unused trash bag) for protection. Place bagged script in CENTER of box (away from box sides). Then fill remaining empty space in box with CRUMPLED PAPER packing material, until box feels solid and will not crush.
Can you ship as I am requesting, and do you need an amount from me towards this? Please let me know, thanks.
It seems to be kind of off putting, but buyer may have had bad experiences before and does not want to take any chances that they will not receive their item in good condition, especially if it is expensive.

Having received a porcelain doll once in an envelope, no bubble wrap or anything, I can certainly understand.

And he is offering more money if you need it to accomodate his wishes, which is thoughtful and considerate of him.

Yes - I had a seller ship me a rare antique bisque doll with Sleep Eyes that did not pack the head, so the eyes broke in the head. She got all miffed when I contacted her about the issue and actually said " well if you wanted me to stuff the head, you should have told me! It is not my fault!" I kid you not.

I had had another Seller send me a perfectly good Size 30 Le Creuset Dutch Oven that I had got for a steal and I tried was so loosely packed that I tried arrived with one handle sticking out of the box and a crack all the way through the cast iron on the side. I was VERY sad!

So I no longer get offended when given specific packing instructions. Just yesterday I had a buyer request that I send him an item in a Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box so that it would fit in his lock box and I sent him the dimensions of the box that I already had it packed in and he was fine with it. OP should at least verify with the buyer that a similar size box will do and give dimensions. The request WAS increadibly wordy and I did chuckle a bit, but I bet he had a bad experience in the past.

iart · ‎10-25-2017

The thing is that some buyers think they can change terms AFTER the sale.

Sorry, no.

Buyer should have connected with you before buying and asked if this was okay.

After the fact, it's up to the seller to do or not. Though they are offering to pay, so that's better than most!

rolenboy01 · ‎10-25-2017

I don't like the sound of it, they sound too picky and will be trying to negotiate a lower price after they receive the item by claiming it got "damage" that doesn't exist.