Seller terms - fair?

Tiddlywinks

I have been looking at Denby mugs and plates on ebay and saw these terms from a seller.

"Please be aware that postage is at buyer’s risk, we take no responsibility for loss or damage during transit. If insurance is required please ask before bidding... we always obtain receipt. We will try to help out with any problems that may occur during shipping... packaging is included in with the postage cost. Any collections are to be made within 7 days of the end of the auction. Please note that postage and handling fees will not be refunded under any circumstances."

The goods are BIN so surely DSR should apply (which includes refund of original postage).
I see a lot of sellers that say they will get proof of postage and then the buyer will have to take any loss / damage up with the post office - is this right? If goods dont't arrive or are damaged then wouldn't this be the seller's responsibility and covered by Paypal anyway?

I find this really confusing...

The reason I was looking is that I want to sell my Denby service and don't really know the best way to do it as there are 10 of everything and it's really heavy and bulky.

Should I sell together or split up and what do I do about shipping?

Any advice would be useful - thanks .

greenoo000

I sold my denby set a bit at a time and it went really well. I think I got more money that way. Also it is easier to post!

soolin

It's always up to the seller to make sure the items arrive in one piece, so those terms are nonsense. If something arrives broken then a good selller will refund on production of a photo of broken item.

martindow

Not very fair but completely irrelevant. Insurance is for the seller's benefit so don't agree to pay any extra. If they arrive broken you open a claim and get your money refunded. Ebay's terms and conditions overrule any nonsense invented by sellers.

Tiddlywinks

soolin wrote: »

It's always up to the seller to make sure the items arrive in one piece, so those terms are nonsense. If something arrives broken then a good selller will refund on production of a photo of broken item.

This is a power seller (or whatever they're called) so I don't understand how they can be 'endorsed' by ebay and then have such unfair seller terms.

soolin

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

This is a power seller (or whatever they're called) so I don't understand how they can be 'endorsed' by ebay and then have such unfair seller terms.

Two reasons, either newbie buyers believe them and get stitched up by them or else more experienced buyers buy elswehere.

I've bought things recently from a seller with some extraordinary terms and conditions but lots of feedback but with appalling stars. However I got the stuff dirt cheap as no one else would bid. Unfortunately the items are well over the expected despatch times now and i fully expect the seller to claim loss in post as i bought at around 15% of market value, but then it was a gamble, the stars suggest he has issues but i know I am fully covered and a neutral and very low stars from me may well be the result.

The one thing I he is planning on using to protect himself is the optional insurance , apparently if I choose not to pay it (and I didn't pay it) I agree that any loss resulting is mine and mine alone. Right then..luckily paypal don't agree.

Tiddlywinks

Thanks Soolin - may I pick your brains a bit more?

How would you sell a Denby service with 3 sizes of plate and 3 sizes of bowls along with cups and mugs?

Would you do them as sets or sell them at 2 or 4 plates at a time or what?

Have you any experience of how to transport crockery safely after selling?

Yes, I am a VERY nervous seller as I've had some bad exeriences in the past that have put me off up until now so need all the help I can get from experienced sellers. I'm half thinking of using one of the agents who sell for you......

soolin

I occasionally sell china/breakable items but rely entirely on my OH to pack them as he is brilliant at it and uses a double box/peanuts/foam etc method. However, I am a wimp and perosnally would not sell a whole collection as I think the packing issues would be immense. I would probably list in single lots, two plates, two side bowls sort of thing or else cut my losses and use a bricks and mortar auction house.

If using any of the Royal mail services the item must be completely crush proof from all sides, plus be able to withstand being dropped from waist height onto a concrete floor.

I was once foolish enough to wrap a spode coffee pot myself but I used to thin a box and the item had a tyre mark across the outer packaging and was broken right down the middle.

Smart_But_Casual

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

This is a power seller (or whatever they're called) so I don't understand how they can be 'endorsed' by ebay and then have such unfair seller terms.

It doesn't matter what they write but inexperienced ebayers may fall for it.

Pembroke

Well I'd be tempted to break up your service. Sell the tea things as trios, that is cup, saucer, side plate as one set. Sell dinner plates in twos and fours, maybe with soup plates as sets and any serving vessels as separate items.

As soolin says double wrap. I usually wrap and tape bubblewrap round an item, then wrap a sheet of corrugated card round and cut the ends to form a close fitting outer skin. then peanuts and a strong box. Recently sent china to Australia and the USA like that and it all arrived in one piece so works okay. Just make sure that you remember to weigh all the packing in with the weight of the item and check the prices on the Royal Mail website before you quote your postage prices in your sale.

I don't usually use trackable methods as that means a recipient will need to be home to sign for the goods (unless they're over the RM limit of £41 of course). Also splitting up helps with weight and postal value. Just a certificate of posting, but that side of things is really up to you.

tryingtogetsolvent

why not let your local saleroom / Auction house take a look and give you a sales estimate? It'll save you the packing and postage problems.