eBay

javax.swing · ‎01-19-2005

There seems to be tons of discussion going on in a number of threads regarding shipping discounts.

My question to everyone is that if you're not already getting a good discount, why have you *NOT* signed up for the PS discount with CP yet?

In this post:
http://forums.ebay.ca/thread.jsp?forum=44&thread=100017316&message=100406005#100406005
I showed a sample of my PS discount rate versus the V1 rate...my discount equates to 30% off Venture One for that calculation, and 33.5% off counter rate.

Canada Post also introduced Commercial Pricing levels for Small Packet. They hiked the rates for COUNTER SALES, but left the rates the same for those of us with contracts...effectively, commercial customers get Small Packet discounts now too.

And finally, this takes ZERO work, ZERO negotiation. You go to the PowerSeller homepage, click the link, fill out the form. CP secure e-mails you your information in a few days, and you're off to the races.

Looking back, I don't know why I didn't register earlier, so I'm asking why so many people are on the fence about this?

Maybe we can dedicate this thread to dealing with the PS discount and any related questions.

(If you want me to post more sample shipping quotes, please post package info and postal code and I'll pull up a few more...)

catseye* · ‎01-21-2005

Javax, I assume you're not shipping any small packets?

*JMHO* - to be taken with a grain of salt!

javax.swing · ‎01-21-2005

I ship a good number of them. EST is great for hiding postage so buyers can't complain that you charged them 5 cents more than actual. Plus, it does the customs on the same page. No discount unless you ship at least 50,000 per year (yeah uh huh).

muminlaw · ‎01-21-2005

So ... does that mean that small packets no longer pay last year's rate? Are they now current counter rate?

Glenda

Glenda

aabros · ‎01-21-2005

yes, the new counter rates for everyone. sad

javax.swing · ‎01-21-2005

Not like we have much choice. CP continues to be the most economical choice (see my math above. If you want a PDF of the rate comparison sheet, e-mail me). That said, I'll be calling FedEx and inquiring about their discount rates on Monday. I need to be able to insure for more than $1000 on some items I send to the States and I can't do that via CP.

dragons_horde · ‎01-22-2005

Javax,

I use a third party insurance company (DSI insurance) They will insure larger amounts AND fragile items (like glass etc.)

I have only had to use them once for a claim. It wasn't really large under a $100 but they covered me and the process was mostly online and relatively painless.

Rates are very reasonable.

http://www.dsiinsurance.com/

alero0 · ‎01-22-2005

Hi,
I'm new to this board and have been a power seller for about 4 or 5 months. My average sales are just bordering on the minimum for staying in the group. I would like to know what happens if I get for the CP power seller discount but then lose my powerseller status, do I still get my discounts or do I have to wait until my average sales go up again? If anyone out there knows the answer I'd really apprieciate it.
Thanks,
Harvey

ps. I think this board is great, I'd really miss it if I lose my powerseller status. I've found out so many things about eBay on it.

shoplineca · ‎01-22-2005

Harvey
Your discount is with CP, not eBay and eBay doenst update CP as to who is what.

Get your discount now and whether you can keep up your sales to Power Seller level or not, CP will honour the discount.

Malcolm

PS These forums are the ONLY benefit to being a Power Seller, no matter what level you are at.

alero0 · ‎01-22-2005

Thanks Malcolm
I've applied for my discount and it's good to hear that I'll be able to keep it no matter what happens.

By the way, I realize that this is the only benefit of these fourms but weather or not I agree with some of the info. or comments being posted, there's a wealth of information here. Unfortunatly my typing skills are poor,so putting up my comments sometimes takes a long time. I sometimes forget my thought before I could finish typing it.(my two fingers are going as fast as they can)

Harvey

muminlaw · ‎01-22-2005

Welcome Harvey!

And slow typing may not be such a huge disadvantage ... some of us who type quickly find that we've already fired off a post before our thoughts are completely formed. (I suspect we do the same with our tongues when we're talking face-to-face 😮 ) That can get us in a wee tad of trouble occasionally!!

Glenda

Glenda

rd1000 · ‎01-22-2005

At Canada Post, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. I doubt very much that they keep track of who has lost PS status. Sign up and take the discount. If you ever phone for something, do not tell them you are a seller on ebay though.

Rob

aabros · ‎01-23-2005

Rob

I told them I was an ebay powerseller and even though I lost my status for 2 months... nothing happens. Here is a confirmation: They do not keep track of who is and who is not. The reason why: It would be too long to call the sellers, then when they get their PS status again, re-open the account and so on and so on...

Anthony

javax.swing · ‎01-23-2005

Theoretically then anyone could sign up for the discount, no? The sign up page isn't password protected.

If I were to call in and tell them that I was a Gold PowerSeller, would they upgrade my discount without checking from eBay (not that I'm going to do this, but...)???

aabros · ‎01-23-2005

Javax: Unfortunately no. If you call them and tell them you have a bronze PS status they will ask for your user ID and check in the eBay system. They will do that 10 times out of 10.

If you call them and say you're gold, they will do that check 11 times out of 10.

Anthony

javax.swing · ‎01-23-2005

So why not write a script or something that verifies PS status bi-weekly for their accounts? Probably in their best monetary interest.

aabros · ‎01-23-2005

It probably is. But who at CP feels like doing all the "extra" work? haha

javax.swing · ‎01-23-2005

True. Once they actually *START* doing work, then maybe we'll worry about that.

aabros · ‎01-23-2005

You are right

customcharmsonline · ‎01-23-2005

my post office (in a shoppers drug mart) gives me a 2% discount on all of my stamps (about $1000 worth/month) and 5% off my parcel post. this is so much more convenient than having to do all the stuff online since I haveto go there anyways to mail my stuff. The other great thing is they give me an account so I just ay once at the beginning of everymonth for the previous months postage and it saves me a TON of time when I go in every day. They just hand me my purchase and I leave, no payment needed at the time and for the most case I dont have to line up either!!

dragons_horde · ‎01-25-2005

Who is using their online tools versus the desk top version?

Their website suggests that unless you are doing 30 packages a day the online version is fine.

I am inclined to use the desktop version as I like the idea of the information that I input being stored on my computer for future reference etc.

Any thoughts?