Excessive Packaging Request

[secondmoonshot]

Something is odd with an order I just received, but at the end of the day, they paid and went through normal channels. I sold a silverplate letter open for $20. This was purchased by a user in California (I am in North Carolina). They are requesting it be in a box with 3” - 5”on all sides with padding in place. This would put the $20 into a 16 x 7 x 7 box. They initially ordered it and only paid for 12oz first class shipping and I told them I would cancel and adjust the shipping to accommodate, and got more nervous when he wanted to pay the shipping difference via Pay Pal (I am on Managed Payments btw). Figured I would never hear from the guy again. Well, he paid the shipping with his excessive request. Any concerns I should have?

Thanks John (jleschak)

[mtgraves7984 · Accepted solution]

I don't see a need to be concerned. With that being said... I don't like for others to dictate my shipping method, but if the buyer was willing to pay to accommodate the request, it sounds okay to me. Good going!

[jayjaspersgarage]

I have several canned replies for customers who try to tell me how to run my shipping department.  Just assure them that you know how to package a $20 plated item so it does not get damaged.  They may have had some bad experiences with one or two careless sellers in the past so it is understandable why these requests come in at times.  

I often set my postage rates to cover these types of infrequent requests and keep in mind that my slush fund for extra packaging is more than well-funded after ten years of selling on and offline to take a small loss on shipping once in a while.  Numerous times I have upgraded a customer to a medium flat rate box just to be sure the post office won't misplace the item along the way when the shipping was already set for over $11.  

Selling on ebay is not a zero sum activity on every little sale.  Building goodwill and repeat business is far more important than a few dollars.

[vintage-camerastuff]

If the buyer paid extra you should honor the request.  Not a big deal!

[dirk12955]

It sounds to me like the OP handled this exactly right.

No worries.   

[caldreamer]

Since customer paid the extra postage you should package item as they requested.   I would add them to your "blocked bidder" list because so they can't make future purchases.   Customer is too fussy and a little nutty...seems like overkill just for a letter opener.

[coastaltechsolution]

Maybe the buyer is wanting to give this as a gift to someone?

Yes it does sound excessive but if they paid and it does not take much extra work from you then to me it is all good 

[postingid7659]

My concern here is if he decides he wants a refund, instead of being out just the first class mail you're out the extra shipping money too.  

[a_c_green]

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@secondmoonshot wrote:

Any concerns I should have?

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Reading through all those instructions of his, I think his main concern is that you need to ship it in a box, so that it can't get bent. He probably has past experience with sellers wrapping collectible letter openers in a piece of bubblewrap and sticking it in a padded envelope. As a result, the item either pokes its way out of the envelope, or gets bent due to other mail getting tossed on top of it. I think he will be happy with a sturdy small box for it, and is not likely to take measurements of the exact size.

[louies1948]

I would not block the buyer. Not everyone has a good mailman. the customer knows how bad their mail delivery is and paid extra so item would arrive safe. I have a great mailman, but the sub they use so that they do not pay overtime is worthless. the sub would cram that item in my mail slot at the warehouse and bend it so it would go in. I have lost some great original photos that were clearly marked " do not bend ". it seems the post office is more interested in how quick the delivery is ,not how good. I would send the buyer a message thanking him for their purchase and suggesting in the future to contact the seller before paying.that way you can correct invoice

[inhawaii]

Me and this buyer were made for each other!   

[this*old*attic]

Honestly, that really is the best way to pack - several inches all around.

Your buyer has likely been saddened by receiving too many destroyed treasures.