What do buyers want, blood?

DirtPoorGuy

After 10 years of having an ebay account I decided to close my old account and open a new one for a fresh start, it was getting increasingly difficult for me to sell due to falling stars, I had no negative feedback but I was getting hammered on postage and packaging charges, even though I was only charging the exact amount and always combining postage.

So it's a new day and I have a new account, I decided to take a hit on the packaging and only charge 5p on top of Royal Mail stamp prices, after having sold 35 items and receiving 12 feedback, all of it glowing, two people already have marked me down for postage and packaging charges, I really despair of how some people can be so unreasonable, I wouldn't mind but all my items are significantly lower than anyone else selling the same items.

If this keeps up I will end up abandoning ebay, I just wish I could identify who left the low stars so I could ask them what they felt the problem was.

I am debating giving a detailed breakdown of the postage and packaging costs within my listing, but I suspect it will make no difference to some people.

Addendum: I should also point out that items are posted within 24 hours first class, the same day if possible so they usually receive their item the next day.

Okydoky25

I really wouldn't worry I am a buyer and seller, as a buyer I only read negative feedback, I'm not interested in stars etc. re postage imperticular I don't see the need to leave these stupid stars at the end of the day you know how much is being charged before bidding your not ripping anyone off. Only reason I could possible see to lower stars is if it took weeks for item to be posted or you send for example 2nd standard rated than next day special but in those cases I'd leave neg if dif was not refunded.

kurgon

I didn't think you were allowed to sell blood on eBay?

soolin

Okydoky25 wrote: »

I really wouldn't worry I am a buyer and seller, as a buyer I only read negative feedback, I'm not interested in stars etc. re postage imperticular I don't see the need to leave these stupid stars at the end of the day you know how much is being charged before bidding your not ripping anyone off. Only reason I could possible see to lower stars is if it took weeks for item to be posted or you send for example 2nd standard rated than next day special but in those cases I'd leave neg if dif was not refunded.

I'm sorry but I can't agree that stars are unimportant , they are what eBay use to restrict and ban sellers

Op when you say two people have marked you down what do you mean? What exact stars do you have on your expanded dashboard.

Fredula

I have bad stars for postage and packaging too! It's rediuclous. I send everything recorded delivery (far too many people tried it on), second class. I set P&P to what the item weighs plus 50g to give myself leighweigh!

cootuk

Is it possible to include the postal fees in the item price whilst offerimg free P&P - then buyers can't mark you down for postage fees.

Okydoky25

soolin wrote: »

I'm sorry but I can't agree that stars are unimportant , they are what eBay use to restrict and ban sellers

Op when you say two people have marked you down what do you mean? What exact stars do you have on your expanded dashboard.

There are other ways eBay could regulate bad sellers, this way obv doesn't work if buyers are abusing this system and making good sellers out to be bad ones!?

Splashy

The trouble is a lot of buyers don't understand the star system, in the past I have given 3 stars cos I thought that meant it was neither reasonable nor unreasonable - a middle ground type thing and perfectly acceptable - It was only after a couple of years buying that I found out about the star ratings and that eBay 'expects' mainly 5's across the board
Until eBay either changes the system to reflect people's expectations of how to grade or explains how the system work unknowledgeable buyers are going to inevertly 'hammer' buyers I don't think a lot of buyers are abusing thew system they just don't understand it

soolin

Fredula wrote: »

I have bad stars for postage and packaging too! It's rediuclous. I send everything recorded delivery (far too many people tried it on), second class. I set P&P to what the item weighs plus 50g to give myself leighweigh!

Using recorded delivery for low cost items will hammer your stars. It implies you don't trust buyers and it is expensive so they hit back at your stars .

Okydoky25

soolin wrote: »

Using recorded delivery for low cost items will hammer your stars. It implies you don't trust buyers and it is expensive so they hit back at your stars .

But at the end of the day if there not happy with the charges or how items are to be posted they shouldn't bid for them. Bit unfair to moan after the event when it's purely their own doing?

DirtPoorGuy

soolin wrote: »

Op when you say two people have marked you down what do you mean? What exact stars do you have on your expanded dashboard.

No expanded dashboard, probably not enough feedback yet.

Item as described 5* 12

Communication 5* 12

Despatch Time 5* 12

Postage & Packaging Charges 4.8* (estimated) 10