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TheConsignmentBarn
Posts: 55
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think it's an eBay mindset to want to treat your customer fairly and not lose money on every sale. Those with high volume will generally do ok with a flat rate.
Many people that sell on ecrater or eBay or any other venue are people trying to supplement an income. Many mothers who feel it's more important to stay home and be there for children have started up some sort of e-commerce business. These are folks that can't afford to take a hit on every item they ship out.
I tried setting a flat rate for each item. Someone saw the sale ad and criticized me because they felt the shipping was too high. Based on weight, the size of the box and using the farthest distance possible, shipping came in around $20.00 on an item that sold for $75.00.
I agree, we are not Wal-Mart, JC Penney, or any other mail order place. Frankly, I don't want to be associated with any of those places. They rape the public with their exhorbitant shipping and handling charges and get away with it. I may never sell an item here but at least I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I tried to be fair and honest. |
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MIZombie
Posts: 489
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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Oh yes I know that! I always think 80 for some reason don't ask me why.
BigTallMensClothing wrote: | Quote: | I meant for some of the others who may not realize FRB can hold up to 80lbs.
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WRONG!!!
Low flat-rate shipping is also available with Priority Mail for any destination and any weight up to a 70 lb. maximum when you use either Flat Rate Envelopes or Flat Rate Boxes.
http://www.usps.com/shipping/prioritymail.htm |
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Buytime
Posts: 516
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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BigTallMensClothing wrote: | Quote: | There is plenty of room in the listing, FAQ etc. for the seller to describe in "Great Detail" how they are handling shipping. |
As a business I don't have to EXPLAIN anything. Does JCPenny or WalMart or any other online store explain their shipping charges - I don't think so. They tell you want it is and that's the end! |
BTMC hit the nail on the head.
I couldn't agree strongly enough.
Kenny |
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eleganzajewels Guest
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | As a business I don't have to EXPLAIN anything. Does JCPenny or WalMart or any other online store explain their shipping charges - I don't think so. They tell you want it is and that's the end! |
Oh, amen, amen, amen. I don't quibble with my suppliers on their shipping, nor do I quibble with my buyers about shipping, either. It is what it is, and it do what it do
Gawd, Fancy, where did you get that chain smokin' smiley? May I borrow him, I can't tell you how many Mondays that smiley would perfectly express where I'm at LMAO! |
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YourRainyDayBookStore
Posts: 764
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject: Shipping Zones |
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Hmmmmm When was the last time you ever tried to pack a small piece of glass, pottery or a breakable collectible into a Flat Rate Envelope or Flat Rate Box! (Last time I checked it was a good plan to have at least 2 of packing around the item and to double box)
First class shipping and using a Flat Rate envelope or box is fine for jewelry, clothing, and other light weight items but not breakables. I cant even fit a regular size book into a Flat Rate envelope!
Sellers who want a link to USPS or any accurate shipping calculator sell collectibles and antiques. Breakables are sent by USPS Priority Mail and Parcel Post where shipping costs are determined by weight and ZONES. There are 8 ZONES across the USA. A 5 lb package shipped from CA can cost from $6.15 local up to $12.80 for eastern states with 4 other shipping zones in between. The difference is too high to even consider calling it a handling charge! Most dealers arent in the business to cheat their customers with outlandish shipping charges and it takes precious time to send shipping refunds.
USPS will issue a new shipping calculator when the new shipping rates become law and perhaps eCrater could provide a link to the USPS site. If you dont want to use it then continue using the shipping matrix.
joyce |
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hollywoodvintagestyle
Posts: 2
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:49 am Post subject: |
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Although I think the shipping Matrix is only helpful to some sellers, I don't mind using just a flat rate shipping cost. However, what would be very helpful to me is a way to add a shipping discount on multiple purchases. I always offer a discount - having them pay highest shipping for first item plus $1.00 more for each additional item purchased.
Having a feature to "add similar product" would also be very nice. This way, all the wording I keep the same in each listing; about the shipping discount, please see me other items, etc, wouldn't need to be added each time. I use the obvious "cut and paste" method now, but to have such a feature would just make things much easier for me.
No other suggestions at this time.....eveything else I'm quite happy with |
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fancyflappers
Posts: 650
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:52 am Post subject: |
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Quote: | what would be very helpful to me is a way to add a shipping discount on multiple purchases. |
Now I do agree here. |
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HandcraftedDollsbyLu
Posts: 174
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:50 am Post subject: |
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Hello all,
I believe most sellers never come to the community boards, or maybe once in a while to ask a question, so probably there are a lot of sellers who do not know about the "top 3", it would be nice if ecrater sent a mass emailing to all sellers here letting them know. The more seller's input the better I think!
The shipping issue is important, and I think adding a calculator would be great, but only as an addition to what is already in place. The way it is now does work for some sellers. Having the shipping costs for multiple purchase discounts automatically calculated for the buyers would be much more convenient for sellers and buyers, and something I would really appreciate, but not a priority to me.
All of the suggestions made are good, many of the features mentioned are for us, the sellers, and would be much more convenient, easier, quicker, etc., for us, and, I would love to have them, but, these things do not really impact the buyer and their buying experience. Sellers love ecrater, I love ecrater, it is growing day by day with new sellers and new products!!
We need more buyers! Making the site buyer user friendly should be the priority in my opinion. All of my top three suggestions are directly for buyer usability and ease, especially fixing the untypical navigation set up. Clear navigation is a must! Adding formatting and links to our pages enhances buyer readability, interest, and convenience. It was suggested about making the ecrater home page more buyer oriented, I think this is a good idea.
Hope everyone has a great day!
Lu |
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zickit
Posts: 21857
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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One reason I did not start a thread outside the SUGGESTION thread when it first when up was for this very reason.
FOLKS --- DO NOT POST your suggestions here - they may not be seen. You need to post your TOP THREE suggestions in the correct thread.
top 3
http://www.ecrater.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=2087 |
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poopsheet
Posts: 4865
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Shipping Zones |
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YourRainyDayBookStore wrote: | USPS will issue a new shipping calculator when the new shipping rates become law and perhaps eCrater could provide a link to the USPS site. If you dont want to use it then continue using the shipping matrix. |
The problem with this is I don't believe many people would be willing to go to another site and figure out their own shipping. And how could sellers trust customers to figure out the shipping? You'd have people buying breakables and choosing the Flat Rate envelope or Media Mail because it's the cheapest. Or they'd give themselves a discount.
Also, it'd be a step toward making eCrater shops seem less professional -- can't say I'd shop at a site that couldn't even figure out the shipping cost for me.
However, as I've said, the USPS-based calculator is definitely a good idea but it would have to be built in to eCrater. That's how other online shops (even small, independent ones) do it. The shop on my own site includes a mod that offers USPS shipping options based on total weight and it's extremely handy. I still get the occasional Flat Rate envelope chosen when the order would never fit in one but overall I love that shipping mod. |
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TheConsignmentBarn
Posts: 55
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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I agree PoopSheet. If there is going to be another method for calculating shipping fees, it has to come from a link in the ad. Let the seller list the options that are available (i.e.: 1st Class, Ground, Priority). When the buyer keys in their zip code the appropriate rates appear for each option. The buyer can then select the option they want. The shipping price then becomes part of the invoice total. Once the purchase price and appropriate shipping is paid, then the parcel gets shipped.
Amazing how much controversy the addition of another method of calculating shipping has caused. I truly wish I could make the matrix work for me, but it never will. At first I thought maybe it was just me, but there are many more out there experiencing the same thing. I truly hope ecrater takes a good look at this. Yes, I did present the idea in the "Suggestions" forum. |
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YourRainyDayBookStore
Posts: 764
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject: Re: Shipping Zones |
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poopsheet wrote: | The problem with this is I don't believe many people would be willing to go to another site and figure out their own shipping. And how could sellers trust customers to figure out the shipping? You'd have people buying breakables and choosing the Flat Rate envelope or Media Mail because it's the cheapest. Or they'd give themselves a discount. |
With a shipping calculator a customer doesnt figure their own shipping. The USPS shipping calculator has a box where a customer enters their zip code and the calculator will list the shipping that is available for that item. It is very professional and is a benefit to both the seller and buyer.
To make it work a seller has to check a box for which method of shipping offered. Also if the seller wants a handling fee there is a place to add that information. It is very simple to use!
joyce |
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ClassicTreasures
Posts: 163
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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Here are my three top-of-the-wishlist suggestions:
(1) Please give us LARGER font size. I spend approximately 16 hours in front of the computer (give or take five on days I am teaching). My eyes are literally hurting when I come to e-crater and have to read the tiny eeny weeny print size! I realize it may have to do with sparing the bandwidth or whatnot - but could we please have at least a little bit bigger script?
(2) Please add a category for women's BLAZER - I have tons of this, and I don' see why offering it as FORMAL clothing is enough for listing. While I am generally against the crowded and ever-changing category specifics like feepay has it, I think blazer is a very common search term as well as an important type of clothing.
(3) My probably most important wish is this: Either do not offer a feedback system on the site at all, or please make it reciprocal - otherwise sellers may be vulnerable to unwarranted negatives and can not even reply to explain their side of the story. If this problem can't be technically solved, please make the whole thing go away!
O.K. I am off the soap-box for now. Who is next?
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poopsheet
Posts: 4865
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: Shipping Zones |
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YourRainyDayBookStore wrote: | With a shipping calculator a customer doesnt figure their own shipping. The USPS shipping calculator has a box where a customer enters their zip code and the calculator will list the shipping that is available for that item. It is very professional and is a benefit to both the seller and buyer. |
Yes, the shipping calculator at usps.com is very simple to use. My point is that it's really unprofessional for an online shop to send their buyers to another site to figure out the shipping charges. My little ol' independent site that cost me almost nothing to build has a fully-functioning cart that includes a shipping calculator (linked to USPS and current options/rates). If eCrater couldn't even tell the buyers their shipping cost without sending them somewhere else then that'd make it much less professional than my own site.
Even if I was way off base there are still plenty of other problems associated with that set-up, the greatest of which is probably that you'd have to trust your buyer to have figured out the shipping correctly (putting in the correct zip, correct weight) and then to be honest about the resulting charges.
But again, I think a calculator is a good idea. My point here is that it must be built-into eCrater. It would work just like the calculator at usps.com except that it wouldn't require anything of the buyer and it would be automatic. Same idea but better!
I have to admit, though, I have no idea what you're talking about here:
Quote: | To make it work a seller has to check a box for which method of shipping offered. Also if the seller wants a handling fee there is a place to add that information. It is very simple to use! |
Are you thinking of a specific calculator that you've used elsewhere? I'm confused because the features above aren't available at usps.com as far as I know.. |
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poopsheet
Posts: 4865
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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ClassicTreasures wrote: | Here are my three top-of-the-wishlist suggestions:
(1) Please give us LARGER font size. I spend approximately 16 hours in front of the computer (give or take five on days I am teaching). My eyes are literally hurting when I come to e-crater and have to read the tiny eeny weeny print size! I realize it may have to do with sparing the bandwidth or whatnot - but could we please have at least a little bit bigger script?
(2) Please add a category for women's BLAZER - I have tons of this, and I don' see why offering it as FORMAL clothing is enough for listing. While I am generally against the crowded and ever-changing category specifics like feepay has it, I think blazer is a very common search term as well as an important type of clothing.
(3) My probably most important wish is this: Either do not offer a feedback system on the site at all, or please make it reciprocal - otherwise sellers may be vulnerable to unwarranted negatives and can not even reply to explain their side of the story. If this problem can't be technically solved, please make the whole thing go away!
O.K. I am off the soap-box for now. Who is next?
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