Poor Policy

[zobal99]

I am trying to resolve this. But I cannot if the buyer does not answer me.
This is another case when a buyer knows if they put in a claim of not receiving a delivery this they can get the item for nothing.
Something must be done about this by eBay.
There should be more enforcement on the seller. Many know that if they do not respond to the seller they get to keep the item they purchased and the seller losses out.
Why does eBay not do something about this. This is unfair to the sellers on your site who fall subject to buyers who know how to manipulate the system to get stuff for free and cheat the sellers.
This is not only me. I am sure this is happening all of the time.
When buyers do not respond it is a sign that they want to cheat and steal from the seller. They know that they have a time clock set by eBay and when this time clock runs out then eBay gives them the stuff for nothing.
This is not right and something must be done about this. I am tired of this and i am sure I am speaking for other sellers who got gipped and sellers who will get gipped in the future and continue to get gipped as long as nothing is done about it.
UNHAPPY SELLER.

[zobal99]

Yes Alberta, No tracking because item cost less than the $5 that I would pay for a tracking label.

Fits into an envelope which goes right into the mail with more than sufficient postage.

Buyer does not respond to my asking them to wait a couple of days more because I know mail delivery sucks from this location especially now during the holidays. They know how to play the system and run the clock out so they get it for nothing.

[dolcetreasures]

Because eBay is asking for information that’s already available. Why? What nefarious reason is there for a redundant, needless info? What if the “seller” isn’t familiar with this bizarre protocol? What if they had emergency? Should sellers be tethered to a transaction that already has the pertinent info readily available? 

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@dolcetreasures wrote:

Because eBay is asking for information that’s already available. Why? What nefarious reason is there for a redundant, needless info? What if the “seller” isn’t familiar with this bizarre protocol? What if they had emergency? Should sellers be tethered to a transaction that already has the pertinent info readily available? 

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Because the system that shows that you paid for a tracked shipment and the tracking information from that shipment is not, or must NOT be, available to the INR Return system.

Doesn't really matter- sellers here are TELLING people HOW to handle this system. Do it and succeed. Don't do it and pay the price. 

[powell-memorabilia]

You don’t use tracking.  I get it - you are enabling sales by having a very low price.  You must have the eventualities of true or untrue INR’s built into your pricing.  Once you understand the numbers, and price accordingly, you’ll have far less stress.

Buyers have no obligation to engage in a back and forth with you.  They bought something and expected to receive something for their money.  They don’t want a pen pal - they want their items.

[allen1853]

THIS is why all of my listings have "Economy Shipping" as my Free Shipping method. It creates an "estimate" (ridiculous to begin with) of up to 10 days for delivery so buyers do not get unreal expectations. I ship First Class Package or Priority depending on weight. So buyers usually get their item before the "estimate" from eBay. That is unless USPS disappears the package. Theft? What theft? Damage package and throw in garbage? Of course not. Toss a whole bunch of mail in the bushes? Never happens. 

[reallynicestamps]

Have you  heard about Cookie Jar Insurance?
Basically this means putting a few virtual pennies, maybe a dime, into a virtual Cookie Jar as a self-insurance premium against failed transactions.

Not only the occasional report of an item that was not delivered (or which is delivered late) and not just damage in transit, but also Not As Described claims for our own mistakes or for the dimwit customer who decides he wanted a royal blue doohickey and you sent a navy blue doohickey, when the listing just said "blue".

You sigh, reach into the Cookie Jar to pay for the return shipping, and refund on arrival.

Cookie Jar insurance covers it.

It works out over multiple sales and the more you are selling the more useful it is.

The other thing to consider is -- if less than one in one hundred sales go pear-shaped, you are doing better than the retail average.

[yoonix1]

There is no problem with the Policy. I bet you ship most of your items without tracking number, and sure it will cause you problems. How can you sell an item for $2.99 and offer Free Shipping when the cheapest USPS rate with tracking is $4-5? 

[moondogblues]

" of being "gipped" for "

Not PC at all...used to connote being 'taken' by Gypsies.  As in swindled.

[iart]

We've been selling for over 20 years. Average about 1600 sales a year.  Probably 80% of our items have gone media mail, which is slow and often late.

We never had to pay with an INR case for being late. What are we doing differently? Could it be our store subscription?

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@gamersbaystore wrote:

This has nothing to do with tracking, everything to do with ebay giving sellers stuff away for free. There is no such thing late delivery either, it does not exist. USPS does not guarantee delivery estimates.

ebay lies to buyers with garbage delivery estimates, then refunds them and lets them keep your stuff. This has happened to me so many times I've lost count.

A 3 day grace period is not long enough given the delivery date is merely an estimate.

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[albertabrightalberta]

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@zobal99 wrote:

Yes Alberta, No tracking because item cost less than the $5 that I would pay for a tracking label.

Fits into an envelope which goes right into the mail with more than sufficient postage.

Buyer does not respond to my asking them to wait a couple of days more because I know mail delivery sucks from this location especially now during the holidays. They know how to play the system and run the clock out so they get it for nothing.

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You aren't getting it! Buyer doesn't have to respond nor "wait a couple of days more." If you used tracking, you would have won EVERY single case of non-receipt. 

The answer: Increase your prices or add shipping that is enough to cover and included tracking and you'll never lose a case again in which tracking shows delivery. 

[albertabrightalberta]

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@dolcetreasures wrote:

Because eBay is asking for information that’s already available. Why? What nefarious reason is there for a redundant, needless info? What if the “seller” isn’t familiar with this bizarre protocol? What if they had emergency? Should sellers be tethered to a transaction that already has the pertinent info readily available? 

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In this case, the information (tracking) isn't "already available" because the OP didn't ship with tracking, or in cases in which sellers create a label outside ebay, it doesn't automatically upload to the order. 

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

You can't throw a roach clip into a letter envelope and put a forever stamp on it, and expect good results. When an item is thicker than 1/4" inch and creates irregularity(not an even form envelope) it becomes a parcel to USPS. You need to at the least, buy first class package postage WITH TRACKING. This will satisfy eBay and the USPS and your problems. You need to raise your prices $5 to pay for this.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

If your selling items under $5.00, I don't see any profit for you after fees and the time you spent in setting up the listing. 

I would bundle similar items (if you have some) in a larger lot / listing and add tracking#

[krazzykats]

How about adding a single piece of cardboard or other material to the mailing envelope to stiffen or surround the item?  You could maybe cut a thin foamboard and press the item gently into it.  The beads and ornament parts of those clips need better protection in shipping.  

Either refund your customer now or ship a replacement.  

[brabutfa-0]

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@zobal99 wrote:

I should have mentioned. This is an item that can go right into a mailing envelope and does not require a tracking label. The item cost less then the tracking label so I cannot use it.  

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In order to win an Item Not Received case you will need a tracking number.

I know, I sell items for minimum $20 here and I don't care if the item costs 25 cents at the store.

Perhaps consider selling these items in small quantity lots to offset this cost.