Media Mail issues

[robrva]

I am a long time seller (and buyer) the vast majority of my sales are CDs, books, and DVDs. Generally in the past I have offered free Media Mail shipping (or book rate for books) in my listings with no problems. If the purchase price is over thirty dollars or so generally I will bump up the shipping to something better than media or book rate. It’s not really feasible financially to bump up shipping on items under that since after shipping, packing, and Ebay’s cut I’m already basically not making money on the “under 20” sales.. The sales that go for larger amounts offset the others in my mind and a lot of them are things that are just basement finds that I’d rather someone else enjoy them instead of collecting dust or taking to the thrift store. In any case, this “altruism” has recently been causing headaches. Media Mail (and book rate) has been much slower than usual, I’m guessing because of the chaos at the post office (Dejoy) and also the pandemic, resulting in several unhappy customers.  A couple of which have gotten pretty belligerent about “late” arrivals (even though all have arrived within deadlines) and threatening bad feedback. (Never had a threat of this ever and take a lot of pride in my selling ethics etc) In the future I just won’t list the less valuable items at all, and probably won’t offer free shipping and will set a shipping price for first class rate or such on all items. Not really asking for advice just more an observation that might save others headaches, definitely would not suggest using Media Mail at this time. The bad part is that people who once got really good bargains (and I would at least get good feedbacks) from me won’t be getting that opportunity because of this. The “bargain” items will go to the thrift store. Don’t use Media Mail right now folks, that’s my take. 

[maxine*j]

It's s shame that a few impatient and unreasonable people spoil it for the rest, isn't it?   There are still plenty of people who like to hold and read a printed book and for their "commodity books" (all those entertaining mysteries, romances, thrillers, westerns, and the like), a used book shipped media mail keeps them winthin their reading budgets.   Too bad this is happening, but I know that it is.

=

[powell-memorabilia]

@robrva 

100% agree - if one can avoid media mail, upgrade.  

I used to ship (almost) everything media mail - up until Christmas 2020.  Thankfully, I can swing first class and priority on most items.  I do have, on average, three or four media mail items per week - and I cringe printing out that label.  

so far - post Christmas season - I’ve been blessed.  Media mail has been slow, but not disastrous, and my buyers are patient.

I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to heavy media mail usage.  My buyers love the quick delivery, but that ~$5k more per year in postage isn’t fun.  

[tssully66]

Here is an idea that you might want to consider. The media mail items that I used to list with free shipping I have been listing with a $2 shipping charge. I then upgrade the shipping label to first class. Most of my items will ship for about $3.50 so I am out of pocket for only $1.50 for what I used to pay $2.89 for. The customer gets the item faster, $2 is still a very reasonable shipping charge and I actually make $1.30 more for the item. This will not work for books because of their weight but is an option for the lighter weight items.

[robrva]

Yea, I will definitely move to something like this in the future. And just not sell the low priced items at all.  I take my lower value stuff to non profit charity thrifts anyway many times so it’s not the worst thing in the world in the end. Side note, I didn’t even realize sellers can’t leave negative feedback any more. I kind of get the reasoning on a basic level but it still seems like a raw deal if you have a bad buyer. I am not a big seller to begin with but I probably will sell less frequently in the future unless they get a better system in place for problematic buyers. 

[robrva]

The last month has been ridiculous averaging two weeks give or take for Media Mail. I will

not use it again any time soon that’s for sure. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

" I didn’t even realize sellers can’t leave negative feedback any more."

Sellers have been unable to leave neutral or negative ratings for buyers since May 20, 2008. We're coming up on the 13th anniversary of this policy.

Congratulations on having such a great eBay experience that you didn't notice this before.

[robrva]

Very frustrating. Never again with Media Mail. 

[katzrul15]

We have not used Media Mail or Parcel Post since November 2020. 

Too many USPS hubs still can't move 1st class and Priority timely, let alone anything trucked.

If you are just not frustrated with MM, you had an amazing postal run these past 6 months.

[robrva]

Yes I guess you are right. Well I knew things were running longer from both my selling and buying but since I keep on the news it would not cross my mind to complain unless it was at least beyond the estimated delivery date, which neither of my unhappy customers have waited to that point.  (which Ebay seems to have increased the expected delivery time too on listings) In any case yea no more Media Mail.

[parisi]

I have CDs, DVDs and tapes that were shipped via USPS Media Mail on the week of April 4th that are just starting to arrive this week in May.

When I have offered other shipping options, the buyers will rarely pick First Class. Buyers know that all the risk is on the seller, so why not pick the cheaper option and see what happens. When I have listed First Class shipping only, items take much longer to sell. Probably because shipping is around the same cost or greater than the item cost.

My solution was to stop selling music and movie items. It is just not worth the hassle anymore.

[robrva]

Yea I hear ya.  After refunding one of the buyers a full a week ahead of eBay's delivery estimate of next week (!) one of the buyers left me really bad feedback today accusing me of being abusive etc., when in fact it was exactly the opposite. My conversation thread would prove that I was polite and did every thing in my power to make the transaction right in the face of his very abusive language. However Ebay has responded to my request to remove the feedback with not even a cursory justification and apparently not looking at the conversation thread or their own projected delivery date. So that's it for me and Ebay selling at least until they either remove the feedback or tweak the options for dealing with unreasonable buyers, or both. I'm glad I don't depend on Ebay for my livelihood like many do. 

[draxxus_9801]

It seems like ever since the *Unknown Virus Of Unspecified Origins* (insert Winnie The Pooh meme here) hit the world the Post Office has been using it as a free pass to do a terrible job. It's not like they were ever good in the first place, but now it's just beyond abysmal. It doesn't matter if you pay for overnight, priority, first class, media mail - it's a complete roll of the dice as to whether it will actually get to it's destination on time. 4/5 times it doesn't, then they feed you some **bleep** excuse as to why they can't do their job. The USPS is the worst excuse for a functioning business I've ever seen in my life and their incompetence never ceases to amaze me.