And another INR...

sequence

INRs have shot up lately, but then they do every year around this time..

soolin

It was this time of year that I had my catastrophic time with RM- a good few years ago now though and luckily I escaped any poor feedback or comeback, I didn't even lose money. I did spend weeks getting it sorted though.

Basically I was selling fake fur gilets and short coats, highly popular but easily recognised in my packaging. Whole batches went missing and RM got involved very quickly. They made suggestions about different packaging, using different labeling and even switching between recorded and standard mail (they paid the uplift to recorded for me) . They even asked me to phone every morning with what was sent the previous day, at what time, who took the parcels in, what colour bags I had etc.

Eventually, they told me they had identified an issue within the sorting office and would be sending staff for retraining. They refunded me everything without question and even paid me compensation.

celestius

sequence wrote: »

INRs have shot up lately, but then they do every year around this time..

Don't I know it! Just have to keep reminding myself that my sales have also shot up!
Just been on the phone to Ebay, complete waste of time! Tried to get a couple of defects removed for the last 2 INR cases against me, she would not budge!
Hopefully these 3 latest ones will be it for a while!

powertron

I've been getting the same issues so began sending everything recorded, since then, so far, nothing has been reported 'lost' in the post.

Postage costs have shot up but at least people aren't getting 'freebies' off me.

ballisticbrian

Yes folks, we're approaching that season of goodwill , when road rage incidents increase, people barging you out the way in supermarkets for that last deal, things taking longer in the mail and people too impatient to wait, rise in vitriolic feedback, rude and sarcastic messages and behaviours you wouldn't expect from children, Merry Christmas everyone!

celestius

powertron wrote: »

I've been getting the same issues so began sending everything recorded, since then, so far, nothing has been reported 'lost' in the post.

Postage costs have shot up but at least people aren't getting 'freebies' off me.

Are you passing the cost on to the buyer? All my items are freepost...

soolin

powertron wrote: »

I've been getting the same issues so began sending everything recorded, since then, so far, nothing has been reported 'lost' in the post.

Postage costs have shot up but at least people aren't getting 'freebies' off me.

If you have enough losses to make signed for beneficial then it may actually be something worth looking into as you may have problems with your packaging or labelling.

Signed for, which is not tracked and is a pretty rubbish service costs an additional £1.10 per item, that is a huge chunk out of any profit you make .

I sent around 1600 items in the past 6 months (it has been my best year ever) and have had 3 losses (4 if you include one that came back to me uncollected) . So it would have cost me nearly £1800 to possibly protect me against 4 losses that in total cost me less than £60 . There is no way that makes economic sense.

soolin

celestius wrote: »

Are you passing the cost on to the buyer? All my items are freepost...

I don't think sellers always see the fact that it is the seller that ultimately pays for the additional cost.

Like you my items are Freepost, so if I sell something for £10 and my competitor also charges £10 but sends signed for then the additional £1.10 plus eBay FVFs of 11p come out of the sellers pockets so they get £1.21 less for their item than I do. If they add the money onto the item then buyer sees my item at £10 and my competitors item at £11.21 - and how many buyers would pay for the dearer one?

It is exactly the same if postage is charged separately, the seller either has to charge more for the item I. Total, or take less profit.

kalsha

soolin wrote: »

Signed for, which is not tracked and is a pretty rubbish service costs an additional £1.10 per item, that is a huge chunk out of any profit you make .

I thought Signed for is tracked? I sent something signed for (my very first time as the item was expensive) and I got that barcode label. On checking on the RM website, I could see when exactly it was delivered and the signature could be seen. Isn't that tracked?
If not, what exactly is tracked?

celestius

soolin wrote: »

If you have enough losses to make signed for beneficial then it may actually be something worth looking into as you may have problems with your packaging or labelling.

Signed for, which is not tracked and is a pretty rubbish service costs an additional £1.10 per item, that is a huge chunk out of any profit you make .

I sent around 1600 items in the past 6 months (it has been my best year ever) and have had 3 losses (4 if you include one that came back to me uncollected) . So it would have cost me nearly £1800 to possibly protect me against 4 losses that in total cost me less than £60 . There is no way that makes economic sense.

I don't have any where near enough losses to use signed for, less than 20 this year in total and over 10000 sales.
It's just that they are all coming at once!
Since Saturday: 2 in Paypal, and 3 in Ebay (although one mysteriously turned up today after I sent a rather stern message)
Different items, posted on different days. Just rotten luck!