Am I being too precious about this?

heuchera

I've had items turn up in all sorts of weird and wonderful packaging. The latest came in an inside-out carrier bag with my address written on it in biro.

If it was a smelly pizza box I would maybe let the seller know, but I wouldn't neg them. I'm a seller myself, and I try not to leave negatives unless it's really necessary.

And for the record I would NEVER buy a 2nd hand swimsuit :eek: I won't even buy a 2nd hand pedestal mat for our loo, as I can't bear the thought of someone else's bodily fluids having been on it (even if it's been washed)

SavingPennies_2

mgdavid wrote: »

Why do people exaggerate? How does 'part of a used Domino's pizza box - complete with small grease stain.' become 'a greasy pizza box'? Is it possible to have a used pizza box without a small stain on it ? OP hasn't said if this part of the packaging was actually in contact with the item - it could for all we know be just crumpled cardboard to fill the space... but people do jump to conclusions. What exactly is 'gross' about a bit of molten cheese or olive oil? Presumably the cooked pizza was removed from the box and eaten elsewhere off plates?

I wouldn't care if it was a small part, it was still part of a pizza box with grease on it. Whenever I've sold something on ebay I've treated it like I am the business and the buyer is a customer, so to me this is not acceptable. Sorry you disagree but to me greasy pizza boxes (or parts of them) belong in the bin or recycling, not for packaging for item that someone has paid money for. And I didn't use the word "gross", that isn't even my issue.

SavingPennies_2

bubbs wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek::eek: thats disgusting

What profit? i for one use new mailing bags , make NO profit on postage , only charge actual costs ,dont even charge for mailing bags

Unless ebay has changed since I used it last, you can charge for postage and packaging. So if the packaging is free, like recycled card from a pizza box, you make a profit on the postage.

SavingPennies_2

SavingPennies wrote: »

Unless ebay has changed since I used it last, you can charge for postage and packaging. So if the packaging is free, like recycled card from a pizza box, you make a profit because you've charged for packaging but its cost you nothing.

Edited slightly so I make more sense. oops didn't mean to quote myself.

bubbs

SavingPennies wrote: »

Unless ebay has changed since I used it last, you can charge for postage and packaging. So if the packaging is free, like recycled card from a pizza box, you make a profit on the postage.

Yes you CAN charge for packaging if your want your stars knocked for 6, which will then restrict your sales and also paypal take a % of your postage costs as well now

mgdavid

SavingPennies wrote: »

I wouldn't care if it was a small part, it was still part of a pizza box with grease on it. Whenever I've sold something on ebay I've treated it like I am the business and the buyer is a customer, so to me this is not acceptable. Sorry you disagree but to me greasy pizza boxes (or parts of them) belong in the bin or recycling, not for packaging for item that someone has paid money for. And I didn't use the word "gross", that isn't even my issue.

Sorry, didn't mean to imply you said gross, was also replying to posts 3,7 and 10 ('gross' 'rank' etc). You still haven't answered the basic simple question - did the grease spot come into contact with the item or not?
The fact that you entitled your thread 'Am I being too precious' intimates that part of you thinks you could be; yes you are!

meritaten

I haven't bought or sold on ebay for a few years now - but, I would never have used old food packaging to send items. recycled packages yes, and I stated that as my reason for low p+p charges. it was one of my bugbears when buying, that the post and packing often cost more than the item! and when it arrived you could see it actually cost less!

no - a grease stained food box is NOT acceptable. if the item was fine then leave positive feedback - but contact the seller and say the packaging was unacceptable.

Kynthia

The problem is that postage can be expensive, as anything thicker than 25mm is at least £2.80 or £3.90 signed for. Then ebay take a fee from both the item selling price and the p&p price. Finally there's paypal fees to pay as well. Yet if a seller charges much more than the postage they either get no bids or poor star ratings. If selling a low value item there's no money for packaging and most the item price is gone on fees too.

That's not to say I'd be happy with some grease on my packaging, but I don't expect new packaging on low value items from individuals, and I wouldn't leave poor feedback if the item was fine.

FatVonD

Was the item from an ebay shop or just someone clearing out stuff?

I'd maybe expect proper packaging from someone running a business (or if they'd charged way over for postage) but as just an occasional seller myself, things get packed in whatever is to hand. I've sent a breakable item wrapped in bubble wrap then put inside a washing powder box before now. Did the pizza box protect your item or stop it getting bent? If it did then they were trying to protect your item as best they could with available materials. Would you have wanted to pay another couple/few quid for them to buy cardboard for packaging?

Solarjunkie

I sold a Jaeger jacket a few months ago. Once it was packaged up, using new material, it still looked a bit fragile so to protect it from the none too gentle hands of the couriers I put the whole thing in a sturdy bag that had held dog biscuit.
I had a furious response from the buyer, complete with neg, I gave her a total refund as I could not bear to even try and reason with someone who had so exaggerated the condition of what I sent. I just hope she didn't bin the lovely jacket as it had been in the same postcode as a dogfood bag. I have given up selling now, people are so picky they expect private sellers to work the same as big companies, same day posting etc.

I have recieved all sorts of packaging and in general applaud the inventiveness of the seller, using what is available. As long as the layer surrounding the item is clean, what is the problem?