Cancelled Auction Question

[rum-geoff]

I had an auction end last night and I went to the post office to get shipping quotes this morning. I sent the invoice and soon after got a e-mail from the buyer saying to cancel the auction as shipping was too much. 

Now...this is the second time trying to sell this auction. Last month, the first winner didn't pay. I sent the buyer a e-mail saying this isn't fair to me, etc, etc. Please keep in mind I was polite, but firm, no swearing, etc. The seller then responsed saying they thought the shipping was free. The only part in my description were the word free is used is "feel free to ask my any question and I will get back to you ASAP"

The buyer said if I charge $10 for shipping (shipping was $20) that they would buy the games. I already did the whole cancel auction action. My question now is, if the buyer decides to be a "PITA" and not agree to cancel the order, how long will it take for eBAY to cancel the auction so I can relist it...again. 

Third times a charm, right?

Thanks and Cheers!

[ricarmic]

I just experienced a situation like this. It was 10 days till the cancel rolled off awaiting their response....

[recped]

If the buyer wants to cancel there really isn't any need to wait around. Start the cancellation process and relist anytime you want.

Now about that shipping issue. There is no need to ever go to a post office to find out how much shipping will be and you will continue to have issues if the shipping charges are not specified in the listing.

If you are going to offer worldwide shipping you need to set up the shipping rates when you list the item. Primary reasons, first buyers need to know before they buy otherwise you have your current situation, listings that don't display the shipping charges may not be visible to buyers on sites other than .ca, no shipping charges definitely will reduce your ranking in Best Match. A lot of buyers will not purchase items that don't have the shipping charges disclosed upfront.

Use either flat-rate shipping (one for USA, one for the rest of the world) or use the calculator.

[rum-geoff]

@ricarmic wrote:
I just experienced a situation like this. It was 10 days till the cancel rolled off awaiting their response....

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That's good to know, much appreciated!

[rum-geoff]

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@recped wrote:

If the buyer wants to cancel there really isn't any need to wait around. Start the cancellation process and relist anytime you want.

Now about that shipping issue. There is no need to ever go to a post office to find out how much shipping will be and you will continue to have issues if the shipping charges are not specified in the listing.

If you are going to offer worldwide shipping you need to set up the shipping rates when you list the item. Primary reasons, first buyers need to know before they buy otherwise you have your current situation, listings that don't display the shipping charges may not be visible to buyers on sites other than .ca, no shipping charges definitely will reduce your ranking in Best Match. A lot of buyers will not purchase items that don't have the shipping charges disclosed upfront.

Use either flat-rate shipping (one for USA, one for the rest of the world) or use the calculator.

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I will look at setting this up when I relist the game. I don't sell too much (roughly 6 or so auctions a year give or take) and I've always done my shipping this way. After today I see how it could be an issue. I want to be able to cover my tracks as if a buyer picks an option without tracking, how am I covering myself with this? Is it best to just offer shipping with tracking and give the buyer no option?

Thanks!

[mr.elmwood]

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@recped wrote:

If the buyer wants to cancel there really isn't any need to wait around. Start the cancellation process and relist anytime you want.

Now about that shipping issue. There is no need to ever go to a post office to find out how much shipping will be and you will continue to have issues if the shipping charges are not specified in the listing.

If you are going to offer worldwide shipping you need to set up the shipping rates when you list the item. Primary reasons, first buyers need to know before they buy otherwise you have your current situation, listings that don't display the shipping charges may not be visible to buyers on sites other than .ca, no shipping charges definitely will reduce your ranking in Best Match. A lot of buyers will not purchase items that don't have the shipping charges disclosed upfront.

Use either flat-rate shipping (one for USA, one for the rest of the world) or use the calculator.

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I have been using flat rate for over a decade. Easiest thing to do. I use round numbers so the customer can easily do the adding. If you choose not to put the shipping cost in the listing, you are going to run into this over and over.

American buyers think "free" first and "very cheap" second for shipping. Get over the concept of actual cost. Are you selling the games for "actual cost" or something else?

This is what I use:

.....................US............Canada..........World

0-250g.........$8.............$11.................$11

250-500.......$11...........$11..................$21

500-1K.........$16..........$11..................$41

>1K..............$22...........$15..................$61

[ricarmic]

I use a table much like MrE's, however virtually all of my items are "free shipping" which means I build my shipping into the final price for USA and Canada using my "top secret" rates table :-).  (Note that I only sell on .COM)

For international, I have only ever used flat rate shipping.

If you know your dimensions and weight, you can figure out your shipping on your ownsome using information from the CP rates tables and state it upfront:

 http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/prices/default-e.asp?ecid=murl07001139   

You will want the business prices PDF....

[recped]

I want to be able to cover my tracks as if a buyer picks an option without tracking

If you want to insist on tracking then don't offer a service which doesn't have tracking!

Of course limiting yourself to services with tracking can make your shipping VERY expensive, if you sell modest price items under 500 grams track-able shipping will simply be too expensive to be viable.

Please keep in mind, tracking is essentially useless except as protection against fraud. If you are not selling high fraud, high value items it's a complete waste of money.