Frusterated... Need to Vent :)

[metaldesignz]

So I opened an Ebay store 2 months ago.
My average sales in a month were $1200 when I opened the store. I thought it would be easier than constantly relisting, and trying to make sure I didn't relist the wrong items.
Within 2 months of an ebay store (and running 5-10 other auctions jsut to show up in the search engines) My average monthly sales dropped to $600/month.
Nice....

I'm also getting fed up with Feedback blackmailers...
I have managed to keep my feedback at 100%... It's not always easy as good OLe Canada post likes to lose 1-3 packages a month... I am simply losing paitence with people who won't talk to me directly if there is a problem... They have paypal reverse the payment with no email, no contact at all... So then when I offer the full refund I get crapped on for not resending the item... ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Add in ebays fees which are pretty high, I've Had it.

It just doesn't seem worth it anymore... Anyone have any advice on how not to let these people drive me nuts?? Lol...
Thanks for listening.. I feel a bit better already!
Shelley

[jeffglobal]

Hey Shelley -- I'm in the exact same boat that you're in! Canada Post just plain sucks. It's amazing how many things they can lose, EVEN WHEN THERE IS A TRACKING # !! These one's just amaze me! I mainly sell VHS videos, and I recently discovered Expedited shipping as a service to the USA. Apparently it's been around for a long time -- my post office only recently decided to mention it to me. It's cheaper than XpressPost and still includes a tracking # and insurance, but guess what -- for whatever reason I've found this service to be drastically faulty. I have several people waiting on packages for several weeks now and I'm in a real pickle here -- I have the tracking # as proof in case they file claims with PayPal, but it's not going to look good if I start getting blasted with unwarranted negative feedback!! I've been lucky enough to only receive 1 negative feedback ever thus far, and it was from many moons ago when an eBayer in the USA refused to communicate with me over a money order he sent that was cashable in the USA only -- you know the one's, those green USA-only USPS money orders! And to top it all off, the whole order was over a sale for ONE DOLLAR! Just one freaken dollar! Just plain ridiculous. Guess I've ranted here now too -- Shelley, I really have no advise to offer -- I've just learned over the years that if I want to continue selling on eBay that these are just the unfortunate realities that I must continue to live with. I've concluded that these factors are all out of my hands, so no reason to sweat it and to just deal with it and move on, and hope that your next sale goes smoother than the last. Cheers!

[jakeeangel]

You need to know something about Expedited Post. It's the SLOWEST shipping method. Despite the definition of the word, Expedited is s-l-o-w ground shipping. What's worse, they apparently wait till the trailer is full before shipping it off. If your item is in last, great! If you're item is in first, you're in for a shock! zzzzzzzzz It could be a while.

NEVER EVER EVER use Expedited shipping around December/Christmas. People won't get their package till some time in January or even February.

What to do about impatient, stupid people who don't understand there is a border between Canada and the US plus heightened security from US Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security? Have a drink? Smoke a funny cigarette? Scream into a pillow? Go to a shooting range? Bubble bath? Pet a puppy? I have no idea. 😞

Maybe try a little Primal Scream Therapy and then move on. Everybody needs to vent a bit once in a while.

---

[alero0]

Another thing about Expedited "Tracking". The package is only scanned when received at the post office and then when it's delivered. Where it goes between those 2 points is anyones guess.

Harvey

[metaldesignz]

No Kidding...
Thanks guys.. I feel better that I am not the only one with angst! lol
With the american dollar dropping so bad, it's hurt for selling on ebay.. Buying is better, but selling sucks.

I have had good luck with small packets. I use the CANADA POST computer system and so I don't have to wait in line any more... They will pick up at your house for $6/week. I find small packet airmail is still mostly reliable, but I file 1-3 claims with insurance a month...

Oh well... ce la vie!
Shelley

[alero0]

Shelly,
Since you said you use CP small packet air I'll ask you your opinion. I normally ship Fedex ground but when I'm shipping to a PO Box I use CP. I shipped a parcel to North Carolina on Sept.7th. Package still hasn't arrived. How long does it normally take for your shipments to get to where their going. Is 1 month the norm. I called CP last week and they told me it's still in transit. I have no idea how they know this because nothing shows up when tracking small packet air.
Harvey

[metaldesignz]

Small Packet Air ... 1-3 weeks is normal.
A month Is way too long, and the package is likely lost.. That has been my experience anyways... Or it will surface in 6 months 🙂 That's happened a few times.

[coastwindchimes]

I'm always surprised when I read these sorts of posts~ complaints about Canada Post / Expedided. I use both, have for years, and ship very fragile glass. I tell my customers average delivery is ten days (even for the furthest away states), because that is over the actual average. Mostly they get them in a week. Nothing has ever gotten lost. No complaints here.

[jeffglobal]

I think you're one of the rare lucky ones timo43. I have several friends that sell on eBay regularly and Canada Post losing their items is common. I would guess that 1 out of every 50 of mine gets lost somehow. Sometimes it turns up many months later, and sometimes never (and Canada Post sends you the $ back for it at least). There's no real true way to explain it, though I think a lot of it has to do with which Canada Post outlet you ship from.

[recped]

I think you're one of the rare lucky ones timo43.

Not so rare...I've shipped 12,000+ items to 50+ countries via Canada Post, to date only 3 have gone undelivered (a few more have gone temporarily missing).
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915

[nancyschina]

Have had one get lost out of over 4,000 shipped worldwide. I received a full refund for the amount I sold it for. I ship Expedited to the US most of the time unless they request Xpresspost or it is a very valuable item. I have never had a lost package to the US and most items arrive in a week or 2 and sometimes it takes 3 weeks. I advise customers that shipping takes 1 - 3 weeks so I rarely get an email complaining that an item has not arrived.
Nancy

[nancyschina]

And I thought I would add that I make my own shipping labels with LARGE BOLD type and I cover them with shipping tape so they can't get wet and smudge. I think that helps them get delivered promptly.

[jeffglobal]

I use labels too -- I think the problems some have (myself included) may be specific to which Canada Post outlet you ship out of. There is a level of trust that you have to have in the person behind the counter handling your package. I could't tell you where some of my packages are to this day -- the good news for me is that I've almost always had a tracking # to back up my claims (since as we all know too well PayPal does not consider customs forms to be sufficient proof). In any event, we all clearly have had our own unique experiences.

[gloriaguides]

I always find it helps to slightly over estimate the time it will take to receive the package (my customers are generally pleasantly surprised rather than waiting impatiently) and mention that it has to go through customs (as I do in my email that I have mailed the parcel). Only "lost" 3 parcels in over 9000 parcels--and I'm not entirely convinced that the buyer wasn't lying in 1 case (causing stress and trauma until I figured that shop lifting in a bricks and mortar is much greater than at ebay!). And I have a wonderful relationship with the lady who "does" the calculations for my parcels (so her outlet gets the money with very little work on her part, my small packets she just prints out the postage sticks--I've got the one place in NS without computerized parcel calculations (and using a 2004 small business postage book!!!!)--why pay more and print them myself! Gloria

[eckman25]

Nothing has ever gotten lost. No complaints here

You better knock on wood. LOL

[kriky]

I have shipped about 1100 this year, most through printing my own labels. Only 1 has gotten "lost" A few have taken seemingly forever.. thank goodness I had very patient buyers. They did eventually make it.
I really trust the Canada Post people at my local outlet. In reading the posts, it seems that has alot to do with it. I know its very rare to have nice, happy helpful outlet workers and I have to say mine are great. (One lady even has a bunch of stickers that she buys and gives to my kids when they come in with me, and my little ones also help her sort the parcels behind the counter... how cute is that?)

I'm knocking on wood here now...

Kriky