DSR ratings

[thatldue]

How is it possible that when I sell an item I charge precisely what the Postal charge is, if I am over a penny I return it to the buyer, I have no packaging fee, so I lose money on the shipping(ebay%), and the customer without ACCOUNTABILITY is able to give me a rating of 3 or under, they are able to discredit according to their whims without honesty or realizing the integrity of the seller... How many would like a more accurate way to judge shipping charges or for that matter shipping in general...if the buyer don't want to pay next day delivery whats a seller to do drive it here

[rose-dee]

You might like to read this string, on the same subject:

http://community.ebay.ca/topic/Seller-Central/Does-Anyone-Else/4000008016

[Anonymous]

DSR needs a complete overhaul.  You betcha.  Get rid of the "VERY" reference.  When a buyer pays an agreed upon S&H charge the seller should get full star rating automatically. IMO

[owen6122]

I was having similar problems with low DSR in shipping costs when the buyers were paying actual costs.  Now I include a portion of the cost of shipping into the item price and my scores have improved.  I am even going to start offering free shipping of more expensive small items.  Seeing as FVF are 10% it only makes sense.  Also I now offer 14 day returns and always ship within one business day for automatic Five stars.

[pjcdn2005]

 Also I now offer 14 day returns and always ship within one business day for automatic Five stars.

Unless something has changed, you only get the automatic 5 stars for shipping time if you:

* You specify 1-day handling.
* You upload tracking information by the end of the next business day (Pacific Time) after the buyer's payment clears. We only support US Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx tracking numbers for automatic 5-star ratings. If you use any other carrier, you won't automatically receive a 5-star rating for shipping time. A business day is a normal weekday. Saturdays, Sundays, and major holidays aren't business days.
* Tracking data must show the package having a status of "delivered" with a delivery date within 4 days of payment clear.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-practices.html

[pjcdn2005]

I agree that it does help shipping cost ratings if some or all of the shipping price is including within the item's price.

[owen6122]

For Ebay.ca

http://pages.ebay.ca/help/policies/selling-practices.html#5startime

[owen6122]

"You'll automatically receive a 5-star shipping time detailed seller rating if: 
*You specify 1-day handling.
*You upload Canada Post, UPS, or FedEx supported tracking information by the end of the next business day (Eastern Time) after the buyer's payment clears. A business day is a normal weekday. Saturdays, Sundays, and major holidays aren't business days.*Tracking data must show the package having a status of "delivered" with a delivery date within 4 days of payment clear.

Note: In some instances, there may be a delay in processing your shipping details, and buyers may be able to leave you a detailed seller rating for shipping time. If you've met the automatic 5-star shipping time requirements, your rating will be adjusted to 5 stars."

[pjcdn2005]

Thanks Owen. That's interesting as I didn't realize they had changed that. I know at one time that Canada Post was not on the list. But I don't think that many of my expedited parcels get delivered in 4 business days unless the buyer is in AB or perhaps BC or Sask.

[pjcdn2005]

Actually, I meant to add that I didn't know about the change OR if I knew, I totally forgot about it. LOL

That seems to happen more often lately. 😞

[owen6122]

Yeah the four business days is difficult to achieve.  Usually I end auctions on Thursday or Friday morning so that hopefully they pay that day and I can get it to Canada Post ASAP before they close and have the *extra* Saturday & Sunday* travel time (as Canada Post moves mail on weekends).  It helps that I live close to a Post Office and near the Airport.  If I get Paid on a Monday it's the worst scenario.

[femmefan1946]

Cover your costs first.

Don't look at your DSRs, they are not really a problem for you (you are 4.9/5.0).

Don't be a martyr, be a business.

No matter how "nice" you are to some people, they will be nasty to you because they are miserable people. And some will assume that because you are "nice" you are a pushover.  

Be a professional. Be polite. Be your own woman and cover your costs. 

I'm assuming you are a woman because we are trained to be "nice". Personally, I'm happier being old and crotchety and respected. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FOUqQt3Kg0

[femmefan1946]

If you are dancing around your computer station with earbuds blocking other sounds, your husband will give you funny looks and ask if you feel well.

<<sigh>>

[vintagenorth]

"Personally, I'm happier being old and crotchety and respected."

When I am old (well, older these days) I plan on being just like Diana Trent in the BBC TV show "Waiting for God"! Old, crotchety and respected!

[rose-dee]

*Tracking data must show the package having a status of "delivered" with a delivery date within 4 days of payment clear."

Yes, basically this means a Cdn. seller will really only benefit from the "automatic 5-star" policy for shipping if you're using one of the expensive shipping options, and generally not for items going out of Canada. 

Most of my buyers are in the U.S., so... sigh... not much hope of anything but Courier at $100 or more getting there within 4 days. 😞

For me, the best approach has been to lower the shipping costs, and hope to attract more sales.  Adding shipping costs into the sales price may work for some types of items, but it's never worked for me.  I found it just depressed the number of sales.

[rose-dee]

If you are dancing around your computer station with earbuds blocking other sounds, your husband will give you funny looks and ask if you feel well.

<<sigh>>

Hey, forget the earbuds -- turn up the speakers, who cares what the husband says -- SOCK-IT-TO-ME, SOCK-IT-TO-ME, SOCK-IT-TO-ME, SOCK-IT-TO-ME, SOCK-IT-TO-ME....;-)

[clipmart]

When it comes to ebay and rating sellers none of it makes sense.

My average dropped to a 98.8 which to me is basically telling even myself I'm a terrible seller and yet none of it is my fault. 3 negs from people who don't read and then don't even give me the opportunity to fix the problem. Straight to negs. 

What are we as sellers supposed to do?

Canadian shipping is horribly high, but when you bid and purchase the item knowing the shipping, then what is there to complain about?! And like you, most of the times I lose on shipping because I feel horrible adding in the costs of gas,packaging,exchange rates etc.