Had enough giving up

patchwork_cat

Thank you everyone it is nice to read so many supportive comments. You do forget the nice ones though - like the guy I made every mistake going with and he still gave me glowing feedback because I said sorry and gave him a free gift.

I have claimed with PO. I didn't think that there was a way to track items to USA, but she wouldn't even pay air let alone extra for tracking! I was going to scan proof, but there were 9 other names on it and I didn't want her to have those names. Sent her a copy of PO claim form though.

Poppycat

It sounds like your a nice ebayer too as I am sure many others are on here. TBH I havent had any nasty ebayers although I only buy, I do get put off mainly when I read on this forum about some scamster or over.

Dont let this upset you it isnt worth it, I no its easy to say so, go and chill out, grab a bottle of wine and relax, oh and watch a good flick

Jadeite

dollywops wrote:

As long as the item was for less than £32, then file a claim using your certificate of posting. I have had to do this in the past and the PO have paid out. You will end up refunding the buyer and hoping that the PO pay out your claim.

Hi there

The PO only guarantee until the item reaches overseas. Once they can prove that the item has arrive in the US in that case, I don't think you can get any compensation. Whenever I send overseas, I use the Royal Mail International Signed for as it is an extra insurance for me.

Contains_Mild_Peril

If you're only making pennies and not enjoying it, it's probably best to give it a break, at least for a while. You may find things much better if you start eBaying again after the festive season is over, and maybe most of the January sales as well.
I've only dealt with one eBay member who was nasty to me (an American seller who accused me of lying when I told them the envelope they'd sent had arrived slit open and empty). Luckily, most buyers and sellers I've dealt with have been nice or at least civil, even if there's been a problem.

sarah_skint

i never realised until last week that international signed for means nothing with the post office, all it means is that someone has signed to say it has left the country - not that it has reached its destination

Jadeite

sarah_skint wrote:

i never realised until last week that international signed for means nothing with the post office, all it means is that someone has signed to say it has left the country - not that it has reached its destination

But at least you got a tracking in case of a claim

Agutka

patchwork_cat wrote:

I am giving ebay up.

Every time I open an email my heart is in my mouth about yet another lost parcel.

In fact I do bend over backwards and where does it get me. i make pennies out of ebay any profit ebay or paypal take in fees.

I have had enough - if I carry on with this I will be in an early grave.

You poor thing! I know what you mean about the emails - I hate receiving them in case there is a problem. But mostly things turn out fine.

I had a bad moment on Ebay once a year ago or so. So I gave it up and only got back into it after a month or two. The break was lovely, but I did miss it in the end. So I got back in with renewed energy and a few solutions in place, such as a seperate buying account, new terms and conditions - and most importantly new ideas about how I wasn't going to put up with any erm poopsie.
Then a few months ago I was selling nothing. The fees were piling up but the bidders were not interested. That was bad too.
But these last few weeks have been a cash lifesaver, so my hope is renewed again.

Therefore - take a break!!
Merry Christmas!

neilwoods

just out of curiosity, when did you send the parcel.

You said she wouldnt pay for airmail so am assuming she paid for surface mail. They do say to allow 56 days for this type of postage.

Never nice to get in a slanging match with buyers.

If you do decide to carry on, only offer airmail international signed for, ok it doesnt allways seem worth it, as they cant track it once it leaves the country. Only if it gets signed for. Or use a courier service, more expensive but peace of mind.

Shame to lose decent ebayers.

soolin

patchwork_cat wrote:

Thank you everyone it is nice to read so many supportive comments. You do forget the nice ones though - like the guy I made every mistake going with and he still gave me glowing feedback because I said sorry and gave him a free gift.

I have claimed with PO. I didn't think that there was a way to track items to USA, but she wouldn't even pay air let alone extra for tracking! I was going to scan proof, but there were 9 other names on it and I didn't want her to have those names. Sent her a copy of PO claim form though.

Cat, if you do decide to carry on then can I please offer some advice...get tougher with your buyers.

Don't let them dictate postage methods to you, surface is very bad idea for overseas packages as it is bound to take longer than the 45 days allowed for a paypal chargeback and most US buyers will slam in a protective chargeback just in case. I do sell a lot to the US but I only offer one postal option and that is standard airmail. I also do not sell my more expensive items abroad, I limit myself to the £32 or less items that are covered on a COP. I do have US buyers, a few canadians, ask me about surface mail, they promise me they understand that it can take a few weeks, they promise they won't chargeback if it doesn't arrive in 45 days and I still say no, and if that loses me a few sales then so be it.

We sellers must protect ourselves, this scenario is more a Post office problem than an ebay problem, so we protect ourselves as best we can on ebay now we have to start protecting ourselves against the PO as well. This is a terrible time of year for losses in the postal system, if you wait until the new year things will improve again once the volume of mail carried is reduced.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Soo

quietheart

Maybe you just need a break. I felt the same in the summer after getting a load of abuse over a 'faulty' item from an american buyer, I know she was lying and found she threatened a lot of people with negs who have 100% feedback, I got really nervous about every email as well. Since then I've stopped shipping to the USA and everything is back on track. I've had 3 problems in 200+ deals, each time it's been with an american buyer. Maybe that's back luck but it was enough for me to pull the plug on them. Such over-dramatic responses as well!
Best of luck, most people out there are good eggs really.:beer: