Hi Peter:
Time is money.
Packing tape, boxes, peanuts, newspaper all costs money- however little it is. I guess we could all scrounge around for 'free' boxes from the supermarket and pilfer packing tape from our jobs, and use last weeks Sunday Times. But that takes time. And Time is Money. And the Sunday Times are what- 6 bucks for home delivery these days?
Gas and/or transportation costs to and from the post office or UPS counter costs some money.
The USPS has some pretty specific rules and regulations as to what can and can't be put in envelopes, especially in the post 9-11, post Unabomber world. The US mail is more likely to enforce their regulations these days too, mostly for the money, but also for the hassle of slowing down overall mail delivery. If the envelope ain't flat like papers, it will gum up their automated mail processing machines. Cable guides are not exactly flat. Sure the seller could take a chance, but maybe in his experience he has found it is not worth the risk of delays or loss. And what is wrong with charging for your skills? We all receive salaries for the professions we labor for. We all get paid for our skills. Of course some jobs are considered to be less valuable (or not valuable at all) than others- teachers, shipping clerks, freelance recyclers.
What do you do for a living?
Imagine: e-richie charging for his file marks- or lack thereof- unbelievable.......
Tom Martin Oakland CA
-----Original Message----- From: richardsachs@juno.com [mailto:richardsachs@juno.com] Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 5:55 AM To: hetchinspete1@yahoo.com Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Seller on Ebay. Outragious shipping charges.
snipped: "Also noticed are sellers who want to charge for professional packing.<cut>Since when does a shipper get paid for his labor on shipping, and be able to profit on his shipping?"
i charge more than the actual cost of "stamps" on all the items i ebay.
the boxes from the post office are free, but going there to get them
takes time, wrapping the items requires tissue or bubble pack, the boxes
must be taped shut. what is wrong with charging for this? if a priority
package cost "me"
$5.75 to send, i'll have no guilt "adding" $7 to the item. i'll take
more liberty with this if it's overseas; filling out the extra paperwork
and standing on line is a pain. charging eases it!
e-RICHIE
chester, ct
Some folks I've noticed on Ebay are getting outragious shipping charges. Good example, as last year I purchased a NOS TA cable guide which must weigh a few ounces. Unfortunately I didn't read the sellers shipping policy and when I emailed the seller for charges, he wanted $6.00 to ship including insurance. I've shippied larger items first class at about eighty odd cents, plus insurance of about a buck. The seller was outraged that I actually had the nerve to ask him to put the guide in a padded envelope which costs about sixty cents, and ship it first class. He wanted his six bucks, but did give in.
Also noticed are sellers who want to charge for professional packing. Tonight I notice a seller with nice vintage items on Ebay with this shipping policy which is outragious. His policy is below my email. It's not bad enough this seller wants the buyer to pay for his shipping, but thinks he deserves to get paid for his packing skills. Then he adds insult to injury saying his items sell for a fraction of what they would elsewhere. Who is he kidding. Since when is Ebay Bargain Central. I'm avoiding this seller.
Don't know if I'm too sensitive to this, but since when does a shipper get paid for his labor on shipping, and be able to profit on his shipping as this Ebayer might.
Peter Naiman Shorewood, WI ................................................... Multiple auction buyers/winners will pay the quoted shipping cost of the most expensive shipping charge and 1/2 of the shipping on the rest of the items. Please do not ask for discounts other than the 1/2 off additional items. You are not only paying for postage, you are also paying for packaging supplies and the handling time. Please do not bid on my items if the quoted shipping fees are an issue. Most of my items sell for a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere.
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