Seller Performance Reports are Rigged To Make Canadians Fail?????

[thebarterersdog]

All our reports state Above Standard and Standard Performance, yet, Dashboard says below standards performance. ???? 

Also, how can I improve on something I cannot control such as shipping time, charges, etc. We do same day or next day shipping, and we use Pay Pal labels and refund any savings back to the buyer... how can I improve on how fast Canada Post delivers??? Why should we be penalized for this?

😞

Very discouraging... and a good reason to maybe rethink the store thing...

[pierrelebel]

"Seller Performance Reports are Rigged To Make Canadians Fail?????"

The answer to that question is NO since many Canadians are Top Rated Sellers.

However, we all recognized that shipping costs from Canada are generally higher than what our American competitors experience.  Does that mean we are doomed to fail?  NO.  We simply need to be more creative and work harder.

Now, if I may offer a few suggestions.

I looked in one of your recently sold item, number 111005835520

In the description portion of your listing, I did not find a single word describing your item for sale, not a word!  All I saw were words describing terms and conditions many of them with a negative slant:

"Immediate payment is expected"  Why bother?

"opportunity to resolve an issues prior to giving negative feedback" Why imply there could be "issues"?

"do not ship on weekends" Again, why bother?

"over payment of shipping is returned to the buyer after handling." There should NOT be an overpayment in the first place.

"All shipping, customs, return shipping is covered by the buyer" Again why suggest there is a need to return at the buyer's expense?

Please I do not mean to dump on you but you should be using the description portion of your listing to SELL your products and your service. Negativity has no place here.

Your "return policy" : MUST BE EXACT ITEM AS SHIPPED, NOT DAMAGED, AND READY FOR RESALE. RETURN SHIPPING IS BUYER'S RESPONSIBILITY.

Is that really necessary?  Does that entice buyers to purchase from you?

Looking at other listings, the same problems seem to exist on all listings.

Then I came across 111023149962 and 111023109489.  Shipping within Canada US$39.99 !  Give me a break.  That is excessive.  These items are selling for $22.  Do you ship by Brinks?  The average domestic cost of mailing this parcel from ON should be no more than $15/$18 using PayPal postage.

Yes, you have control over your prices and shipping charges based on choices you make.

You can easily move some of the shipping costs to the price of the item so that a $7 item with $12 shipping charge becomes a $15 item with a $4 shipping charge - same results to you and buyer = $19 but the buyer will not feel overcharged

You also have control on the method of shipping you select.  Keep it simple, keep it cheap.  For relatively low value items, there is no point in selecting expensive methods to protect yourself.

Take some time to review listings by other successful Canadian sellers selling similar products, facing the same challenges than you but with high DSRs.  What do they do differently from you?

Your DSRs also indicate some problems with "item as described".  You may want to work on that. 

Also, some items may not be worth selling online (eBay or elsewhere) at these low prices with high shipping charge. Not all items is meant to be sold by mail.

Good Luck. 

[adela_b]

 One of my attempts to sell on eBay coincided with Canada Post strike. I was forced to ship with FedEx. The price for my parcel was actually few bucks lower than Canada Post. They have some monthly “pick up fee” but I used my account several times and the experience was not bad at all. I think it is worth to look up options like that depending on the volume you sell. I recently received a package from Italy via UPS and apparently the seller has some sort of account with them that prepays the brokerage so I got my parcel and paid no duty, brokerage fee or taxes. I also receive shipments from a seller in US who uses DHL, I was never charged duty, tax or brokerage fee.

It all depends where you target to sell. If you sell to the States, I noticed that most buyers there are rather impatient and compare USPS shipping rates with the international ones.

I used to sell lots of stuff somewhere else and I used a City Courier service. It was slightly more expensive than regular mail but I had two-three day delivery time across the country (a lot smaller than Canada though) and never had a claim or anything so it basically paid off.

Bottom line – research, call, ask. I called several courier companies and finally that one gave me option – the savings percentage increased with the increased amount of packages I shipped with them. A friend was added as a second name, sort of a joint shipping account and he is still doing great business, has his own web site.  

[thebarterersdog]

Bottom line – research, call, ask. I called several courier companies and finally that one gave me option – the savings percentage increased with the increased amount of packages I shipped with them. A friend was added as a second name, sort of a joint shipping account and he is still doing great business, has his own web site. 

Very interested in this. Thank you! 🙂 If I had more questions about this, would you be interested in speaking with me?

Pierre, dump away lol We agree on the description section being used for just that, but we use the condition section to describe on .com because it is higher up on the listing and seen more by buyers. We found a lot of the time, they weren't reading the description and had problems with US buyers. The use of Condition of Item reduced claims and complaints to zero for us.

We average roughly 80 sales per week in a 25 hour work week. But that is of course depending on product, our time here with business and family stuff lol

We are still looking at .ca listings and will use a lot of your suggestions for there. 

[femmefan1946]

package from Italy via UPS and apparently the seller has some sort of account with them that prepays the brokerage so I got my parcel and paid no duty, brokerage fee or taxes. I also receive shipments from a seller in US who uses DHL, I was never charged duty, tax or brokerage fee.

Since couriers are very careful to cover their brokerage fees as well as the duty and taxes owed the government, you can be sure you did pay all that were appropriate.

The trick is that your Italian seller used an Express service that includes all those costs up front, instead of the lowest cost UPS shipping that moves these costs from the seller to the customer's doorstep.

Any seller can use these services (different companies have slightly different names and costs of course). Even if you are a one-off shipper, you can use them.

The disadvantage is that your S&H seems high. The advantage is that your customer does not have unexpected charges when the parcel arrives.

[pjcdn2005]

how can I improve on how fast Canada Post delivers???

You have to manage buyer's expectations. One way of doing that is by sending them an item is shipped message with a reasonable eta

Many of your listings are giving rates using USPS services. Unless you are actually shipping with USPS, that is misleading and gives the impression that you are shipping from the U.S. It's quite likely that  U.S. buyers think that they should receive your items as quickly as they would from any U.S. seller.

 We agree on the description section being used for just that, but we use the condition section to describe on .com because it is higher up on the listing and seen more by buyers.

Do you realize that anyone looking at your listing on .ca can not see that info at the top of the listing or in the item details box?

[adela_b]

@ femmefan1946  

Well, if I paid, it was painless extraction of funds.

$25 shipping for UPS delivery for four items and item price below what US sellers list seems to be a great deal (#200855912522). I know my leathers and I did not get low quality thingy either. I have Canada customs tariff and I made sure that item has 0% duty. I wonder how they missed me on the tax but I won’t complain.

Item # 380558866716, $19.99 shipping for the first one, next one free. It did not feel unbearable in any way for a DHL delivery.

I think that it was totally worth it, I shop with one of the sellers on regular bases, the other I’m about to become regular too 🙂

[adela_b]

@ thebarterersdog

Please feel free to contact me if I can assist you.

[femmefan1946]

Well, if I paid, it was painless extraction of funds.

Exactly. I am of the opinion that the fewer options the seller gives the buyer , the fewer problems she will have.

(Keep in mind that I am a nasty grumpy person.)

Tell your customer that he will pay $25 for air mail shipping with insurance and he either accepts the price or not.

Give the customer the choice of a $5 service, surface, no insurance or a $25 insured air mail service and he will choose the $5 service with air mail and insurance. Ain't nobody happy.

I wish more American sellers understood that a low upfront price does not equal a low price on the buyer's doorstep.

[thebarterersdog]

Hi PJ,

Thanks for the info 🙂

Okay when I list on .com, all shipping comes up as being based in US. I don't control that, it's eBay's format.

.com lists US shipping first. If a buyer clicks on my item, they get all the shipping info. I am careful to list Canadian shipping accurately but it is still listed below the US shipping on my listing. In order to list on .com, I have to go to ebay.com, no .ca and therefore why it shows up that way. Doubtful, but is there something I can do about that? My understanding is, if you list on .com, then you follow the format as US stipulated; if you list on .ca, you follow the format as Canadian stipulated? 

I do understand that unless they open the entire listing to look at it, which any good buyer really should to be fully informed before spending their money, they can't see the "Condition of Item" on .com (.ca does not have that area on their listings)

[thebarterersdog]

Thanks Adela 🙂 I just might. We are reviewing all our spring options right now, and I will suggest this.

[pjcdn2005]

Okay when I list on .com, all shipping comes up as being based in US. I don't control that, it's eBay's format.

You need to go look at the dropdowns. Most of my listings are done on .com and I don't specify any USPS services.

For shipping within the U.S. you should be using "shipping from outside the U.S." You can choose standard, economy or expedited.

For Canada and other countries you can use Int'l Shipping. There are 3 choices for that as well.

[rainbow71113]

I found that including a copy of the Canada Post shipping guide with the charge and weight highlighted and $1.00 handling written beside works wonders.  I only include it in paypal shipping packages for US and International since lettermail can see how many stamps are on an envelope.  I also include a copy of the paypal shipping for Canadian buyers that go through paypal.  It brought my dsrs up from 4.5 to 4.9.  That's a big difference and since that's the only thing I changed it must have an influence.  Also I noticed that lettermail that is over 250 is better not to put a file folder for protection....I would rather do so but I've noticed that the buyers seem to think I'm padding the shipping rate so I stopped doing that.

[thebarterersdog]

Also I noticed that lettermail that is over 250 is better not to put a file folder for protection....I would rather do so but I've noticed that the buyers seem to think I'm padding the shipping rate so I stopped doing that.

I do this all the time, because they get real ticked when their item breaks or comes back to us because customs refused to allow it through packaged the way it was.

[rainbow71113]

Hello,

I make sure it's in a plastic that covers and seals and tape top, bottom and across flap and if it's a harder cover than magazine that might break through I tape sides of the envelope.  I've never had customs send anything back to me...knocking on wood now...LOL

[thebarterersdog]

Shipping and handling charges   3.40% (20)

This is the only thing we are getting hit on and it's affecting everything. We changed many of our item listings to show free shipping, charge very little if any handling charges and charge only what the post office charges, or if we are higher, always refund the difference, always.

Stupid! Best describes this.

grrr

[pierrelebel]

"charge very little if any handling charges"

That is a choice you make.  Most sellers today do not charge a handling charge.  The cost of handling an item for sale can easily be included in the selling price.

"many of our item listings to show free shipping,"

That works and guarantee you DSRs of 5 for shipping cost every time.

I took the liberty to check one of your listings (111039199261) and the shipping charges show: 

US $3.80 Canada Standard Shipping (Canada Post Regular Parcel)

US $7.80 N. and S. America, United States, Mexico Canada Post Tracked Packet - USA

US $11.87 Mexico, United Kingdom, Australia Canada Post Expedited Parcel - USA

It is not my intention to dump on you but these charges do not make any sense and tell me you have much to learn about understanding shipping charges when listing on eBay.

In the meantime, as stated earlier, your description does NOT describe the item or sell your service.  On the contrary, it is filled for negative possibilities:

"Immediate payment is expected"

"...opportunity to resolve an issues..."

"...giving negative feedback..."

"...We do not ship on ..."

"Any over payment... "

"after handling and item cost is deducted"

"taxes if in Ontario"

"All shipping, customs, return shipping is covered by the buyer"

As stated several times over the years, use the description portion of your listings to SELL your products and SELL your service, not to give reasons for potential buyers to hit the back button and check the next seller.

Good Luck.

[pierrelebel]

Then I looked at a recent listing 111039916392 where the shipping charge may really work against you should you sell the item

US $5.99 Canada Economy Shipping (Canada Post Lettermail)

The cost of mailing a 500g lettermail within Canada is only $3.75.  Your handling charge is about 50% of the shipping charge.

US $8.76 N. and S. America, United States Canada Post Light Packet USA

While the shipping charge is in line if shipping to the USA, you would lose your shirt if the buyer is from anywhewre in South America.  Shipping 500g is $17.75

US $11.76 United Kingdom, Australia Small Packets - International - Air

All I can say is Good Luck with that!  Have you checked the actual shipping cost for that service to those destinations by Canada Post?

Are you making any money selling on eBay?  Is it worth your time and effort?

[thebarterersdog]

I took the liberty to check one of your listings (111039199261) and the shipping charges show:

US $3.80 Canada Standard Shipping (Canada Post Regular Parcel)

US $7.80 N. and S. America, United States, Mexico Canada Post Tracked Packet - USA

US $11.87 Mexico, United Kingdom, Australia Canada Post Expedited Parcel - USA

What doesn't make sense. They pay the amount listed above at a reduced amount than the actual, and we cover the rest. Good business incentive for potential buyers.

As for the buyer information, we have learned over the years that this information is always needed to avoid claims. Some may agree (as thousands have shown in their own listings across the boards by having the same information) and some, like you, may not. I believe it's a matter of opinion as to what works for each seller. It would be great if there was a separate "Conditions of Sale" category that ebay would provide but they don't. But to go without would be selling suicide.

We have taken much advice given to improve our listings within the description category and many suggestions have actually really helped with reducing complaints, potential claims, etc. So we don't consider anything offered as being dumped on :). 

"Much to learn..." Well of course, anyone who thinks they have learned all that there is, is fooling themselves and opens the door to becoming out-dated.  As we go, we learn. We learn what works and what doesn't for that particular time, but like many things, change is inevitable. And you must change with the times, be flexible in order to succeed.

We are NOT getting hit as we once were for our descriptions. It is ALL about shipping, costs of shipping and time for shipping. And that my friend, is stupid when we cannot control these things once the item is packed (same day) and sent to the post office. From there, how long things take are not up to us, yet we are punished for this. The costs are what they are, we do not control this, yet we are punished for this being high????  Charging handling is part of the business since our time is money earned or lost. Can we incorporate it into our listing price? Well let see.

High Costs of CP shipping - incorporated into listing price

Item Price - at cost with at least a 2% profit increase (low) incorporated in listing price,

Handling Fees- Incorporated in listing price

eBay's fee - incorporated in listing price

Pay Pal's fee- incorporated in listing price

= unrealistic listing for widget

I might as well hand the item over for free since I'm intended to be working for free at that rate.

Realistic Charges:

The buyer pays the shipping as it is

The buyer pays for the item as it should be priced

The buyer pays for time and safety to pack item (we sell collectibles) so this should be expected from the buyer if they want their item in one piece.

Shipping times and costs should not penalize the seller. No one should dictate the item price to the seller. If it's too high, the buyer will dictate this fact by going somewhere else, so research into item values is necessary to ensure they don't.

Dumping onto the item price means lowing profit if you realisticly want a buyer to buy from you?? If you DUMP  too much, they won't bother with your items. And in the end, eBay gets their fees.

We are not working for eBay, we are in a partnership with eBay.

[pierrelebel]

"What doesn't make sense. They pay the amount listed above at a reduced amount than the actual, and we cover the rest."

What does not make sense is that your cost of mailing your item to South America (for example) if more that the price of the item and the shipping charge.  In other words, you are guaranteed to pay money to sell your item, let alone the fees payable to eBay and PayPal and give your item for free!

What does not make sense is that the shipping charge is wrongly calculated (South America should not be grouped with USA).  It is not a matter of absorbing a few cents to make a sale.