Warning Ebay Rant

Why would a buyer do a buy it now, pay and then within a few minutes email to ask me to  cancel and not send it?  This buyer tells me its not the right items.  Ummm  you just bought 5 adorable pastel colored Build a Bears for less then $15!!  Why buy it??  So Ok I don't want this person to return it and then make ME pay for the return shipping just because the buyer can too easily check the not as described button.  So I returned the money and then requested for the buyer to mutually end the CONTRACT so I can get my ebay fees back..  And guess what she hasn't.  Why would a buyer do that?  AND oh why can't I leave proper feedback?  And why is it possible for the buyer who cost me money and time (I can't relist it while waiting for this  buyer to do the right thing)  to leave me feedback and quite possible a negative?  Why oh why is that possible?

Last week I sold a game with working batteries..  They received the game and played for a while and the batteries stop working.  This buyer email and demanded a refund because the batteries didn't work.  Fine I don't want a negative over something so simple so she got a partial refund because of batteries.  Ok no more.  I will not be selling anything with batteries again.  I thought I was being nice but I'm not suppling batteries for the life of the game.  So my new phrase in my ads Batteries Not Included.   My fault for even mentioning working batteries. 

Plus ebay is at it again..  they are raising the price on the final fees to 10% across the board..  That includes the shipping!!  That is a lot of money.  And don't forget Paypal has their fees too!  They think giving us 50 fee listings a month is a gift which we have had for a year already but now that includes 30 day buy it nows.  Oh boy..  did you see me running through the streets celebrating.. NOT!  

Ebay you want to make me happy as a seller.  First I want to be able to leave proper feedback for buyers.  If buyers aren't sneaky snakes in the grass they have nothing to worry about with negatives.  But sellers have to give away their items because a buyer can get whatever they want for free plus cost the seller shipping and fees.  And then worry about getting a negative. The other thing that would be make me happy....  All listings should be free.

Sorry about the rant but some times frustration needs to be let out!

Canned Pep Email from Ebay

Ebay sent this email.  It's a canned pep email saying how great things are going for me.  Well it's not my stats that they claim.  I didn't send anything overseas for the Holidays and I had one free shipping item for that same holiday season!  HaHa  they are to funny.. this email is telling me you are doing a great job see...  so when they want to raise fees they can say but we are making it possible for you to do this well.  But these are NOT my numbers at all.  I thought maybe it's was over all ebay sellers but its "your" all over the email.  I take that as me and only me. 

	Your 2012 sales increase over 2011		90%
	Your 2012 holiday* sales over 2011		17%
	Your holiday transactions paid by mobile		12%
	Your holiday listings with international shipping		63%
	Your holiday listings with free shipping		81%

Ebay if you are reading this no matter what you say in email and no matter what you want me to believe if you raise any of my fees I won't like it.  I feel it is unfair what you take for fees.  I don't believe we should have to pay to list at all.  I feel that charging the same fees for shipping as for the sale of the item is not right.  I don't think charging me a fee to cancel an auction when a buyer requests it.  I feel the Parcel Post slip up was a gigantic mistake that the sellers are suffering through.  Ebay nearly forced us to print labels online through Paypal (which ebay owns) and then tell us "oh you can't print the new Parcel type labels through the service we want you to use".  Hey it's not a surprise this was going to happen they knew it at Stamps.com, they updated their software to work with Parcel Select on time.  AND ebay waits until 3 days before the new service which we couldn't print to tell us.  I had just over 140 new listings and didn't know what to do.  It was a wasted day figuring out what to do.  But did Ebay care, nope.  Ebay you need to help your sellers we pay for it dearly.

Interesting Ebay Return

I sold a Lite Brite on December 14th as a Buy It Now (BIN).  I shipped it the next day, as I always do.  I didn't hear anything until January 2.  I received an email stating that the buyer has started a return because the item was damaged and not as described.  The comment in the email from the buyer stated the box came extremely late and damaged.  However he didn't open it and put it in a new box and is shipping it back. With hopes that the item is not damaged that I could resell it.  As I read this I was stunned.  Why did this person start a return and not contact me about the situation and why wouldn't they open it?  So the wait was on for it to come back.  Because the buyer selected not as described ebay states I must pay for their return shipping.  The other day it arrived at my door.  It was in a new box.  Inside was the box I sent which was damaged but also opened.  I don't know if the contents where dumped out when it was damaged.  But everything was there.  The original box was as described, no new damage.  The lite brite unit it's self was perfect however the bulb was floating around the machine.  So I opened it up and put the bulb back and plugged it in and it worked!! Even tho the bulb floated around inside the machine.  (my auction does state the bulb is included but no guarantees that the bulb will work after shipping)  so thats not it.  I just don't know what the buyer says is not described.  The lateness of arrival?.  Well the date is only an estimation to start with plus is was only a few days late and obviously the PO had some issues.   The outer box is only the shipping box.  Thats why we put items in a shipping box so the original doesn't get damaged in shipping.  This buyer has over 3000 feedback as a buyer and seller, so I don't understand why they didn't contact me to start with.  I have returned the original paypal but I have not returned their shipping back.  I don't feel their reason for return is valid.  I will see how this plays out. 

So if any one is interested in a great vintage lite brite I will be relisting it tomorrow on ebay.  Plus it's getting to be a well traveled toy!

Every year before  Christmas we as a family and a few of the kids friends go out for pizza and then we drive around looking a Christmas displays.  Last year we found this display.. So I came home and watched it again on you tube. It is great!  Love the song.

I think I'm driving my family nuts.  This year I finally got brave enough to ship out large blowmolds in bubble wrap and heavy plastic instead of a box.  By doing this is easier for me, I don't have to find a box and the it saves tonz of money on shipping costs.  So far so good, none damaged yet.  However my uncles first time shipping in this manner the buyer complained that it arrived smashed.  So now my uncle won't ship that way.  I've had my biggest year for blowmolds and I've very happy with the profits of this year because of it.  However I am now blowmold obsessed.  Every display with a blowmold I get excited and try to guess a price and wish that it was mine.  Mental note to myself for next years rummage sales to stop at those houses because they might be in the market to sell theirs!!  LOL!  My family is gonna throw me out of the vehicle!

I've got some cleaning and cooking to do today before the family arrives.  Plus one ebay purchase I made (a santa gift) has not arrived.  It had plenty of time with first class parcel shipping...  Man my fingers and toes are crossed it comes today, it was the crown jewel of her gifts.  They aren't getting much to open it's pretty much all money.  So I really hope it arrives. 

Merry Christmas!

Postage Increase 2013

Merchants to Be Squeezed by Postage Rate Increase in January By Ina Steiner EcommerceBytes.com October 12, 2012

inShare3

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Online merchants are increasingly feeling the pressure to offer free shipping, but, as they are fond of saying, there is no such thing as free shipping. That point is being driven home this week after the U.S. Postal Service announced it would raise postage rates on January 27, 2013, pending review by the Postal Regulatory Commission.
The popular Priority Mail service will increase overall an average of 6.3%. Retail prices will increase an average of 9%, but the approximately 3% of the increase is for free tracking visibility which will now be included at no charge.
The average price increase for Priority Mail Commercial Base will be 3.7%, available to those who use online postage services - clearly this is an incentive for online sellers to investigate such services if they don't use them already. The Commercial Plus price category, which offers even lower prices to large-volume customers, will see an average price increase of 3.8%.

Man!!!

Charles Wysocki

1000 pc puzzle

Birds of a Feather

is listed a ebay!

Charles Wysocki Puzzle

Confection Street

Very cool puzzle I just finished and it will be listed on Ebay later today!!

I Have One of These

I have this Santa and Reindeer  I bought mine new for about $50 on
clearance form Menards about 10 years about.  I would consider
selling my for what this one went for.

Please wait Image not available

Last Weeks Deals

Boy I have been busy..  with what you ask.  Well listing and shipping stuff that I have sold on ebay.  Last week was my biggest week dollars sales so far this year.  I sold 3 Thanksgiving blow molds.  They sold high, I was very pleased.  Blowmold Turkey  Blowmold Thanksgiving Indian    Even though it took me hours to create boxes to ship these out in.  They are the oddest sizes and the boxes can't be much bigger because then the cost of shipping skyrockets!!  It's challenging and time consuming.  But I managed.  Don't miss out on these items Current Auctions  
  Vintage Felt Rag Doll Christmas Ornaments

Plus I have been working a lot and I started my Christmas shopping.  I wish I could tell you about what  I already have done but these items are for my daughter and she might be reading my blog.  So I will have to keep it a secret at least for now.  And last but not least I've been reading Rick Springfield's new book Late, Late at Night.  When I heard it was going to be released I put it on my library hold list.  Then I heard about Shannen Doherty  new book Badass.  So I put that on my hold list too, well of course they both come in on the same day and both are new releases they are short loans.  Meaning they have to back in 2 weeks.  So I have reading every spare minute.  Plus I have the new Keith Richards new book on my hold list so that means that will be coming in any day.  So right now I'm very busy so my blogging is down to a minimum.

Is here is last weeks deals
Pick N Save Roundy's Sweetened Condensed milk $1 each~ no coupons, but still a great deal.  Folgers decaf $3.49 for the small can and I used $1 Sunday insert coupon doubled.  Cottonelle 12 pk $4.99 no coupon.  Cheer laundry soap $5 used $2 coupon from the Sunday inserts.  Kibbles and Bits small bag $4.99 used $1/1 from the Sunday inserts doubled.  Steam Fresh Vegs $.88 used $.50/2  from the Sunday inserts doubled.  McCans Potatoes $3 used $1/1 coupon from the Sunday inserts doubled.  Colgate clean toothbrushes for $.49 each with in ad coupon and I used $1/1 coupon on 2.  Fresh Express bagged lettuce $.88 with in ad coupon.  Eggs $.78 after ad coupon.  I spent $22 and saved $22.

Festival Foods deals Hershey choc chips .99 with ad coupon.  2 liter bottles of Coke for $.68 with ad coupon and then I used a B3G1free coupon that was in Pick N Saves ad.  It was a manufacturers coupon and not store specific.  Old Orchard juice $.99 and used a $.50/1 coupon printed from coupons.com  baby carrots $.49 with ad coupon.  Green Giant Steamer $.88 and I used $.50/2 coupons that were from the Sunday inserts and printed from somewhere.  Eggs $.78 with ad coupon.  Spent $14 and saved $24.

Walmart I price matches many of the above deals from Festival Foods.  Plus I bought a trial size Secret $.99 and Olay body wash $5. I used the coupon from the Sunday inserts: buy a Secret product and get $5 off any Olay body wash.  Great deal for $.99 I got the small Secret and the body wash...  great deal. 

I have working on all the Black Friday ads and how to work it with coupons.  I was going to stay home that day because I have work that night.  But the deals are looking to good to stay home..  I still have more then a week to decide.

I have to work on Thanksgiving.  My hubby and son will be hunting and Nicci was going to be alone all day.  So my mom is taking her along with her to lunch with my aunt and uncle.  I explained the plan to everyone and my son and hubby were like we don't get Thanksgiving..  well I'm working they are hunting... nooo...  Ok I will be cooking the day before and then I will have my mom come over a little while before they are done hunting and I get done with work to get things warmed up.  So they will be getting Thanksgiving too.   I know I will be very tired starting the day before Thanksgiving and through the weekend....  I have to work..  Working sure is getting in the way!!

Sales

I have sold so many things this week.  I'm having a hard time keeping track, but I think I'm doing it.  I took a bunch of stuff out of my store which had been in there for over a year.  Those things I took to the rummage sale.  Only a few of those things didn't sell and will go back in the store.  So I have been deleting things right and left.  I also have had quite a few things sell out of my store too.  I love it!!  Plus I have been selling things on ebay.  Today when I sat down with my blog and scanned the last things I talked about I saw photos of stuff that I have already sold.  So things that you see available might not be any more.  But I will be listing more stuff this week.  Don't worry I have plenty of new stuff to put in my store.

This was going to be listed on ebay...

Isn't he adorable... scary!  However I can't find a shipping box.  I went through my boxes and nothing big enough.  Then I went to my moms huge stash of boxes and I found one that would work.   So I got busy and started a listing on ebay and got to the part shipping part and things fell apart.  The box was only a few inches bigger then the blowmold, however the shipping for this item in that box would have been $96!!!!  NO kidding.  I was shocked, I mean shocked.  Ok, no way will that sell with that shipping.  So I played with the shipping calculator and if the box was 2 smaller the shipping would be less then $20 depending on where it was shipped to.  I can't cut down this box.  I have to find a new one some where.  I had to be exact or it won't work.  Well wish me luck, I only have a week or 2 to find one or it will be to late for the auction to run and have it arrive on time for Halloween!!  

This week should be getting back to normal.  My posts should even out.  Take care until next time!

Thursdays Rummage Sale Finds

I know I know I'm behind on posting my Thursday Rummage Sale Finds. There was so very little last week, I actually forgot about blogging it.  Anyway better late then never!

4 jello jiggler egg molds (sell)

pampered chef measure all (sell)

Styrofoam balls (keep)

American Eagle shirt and sweatshirt (keep)

Free vintage book about organic gardening (sell)

Attitude is Everything stone (keep)

pampered chef cookie mold (sell)

weight watchers measuring cups and spoons (sell)

pampered chef corn cob nobs (sell)

pampered chef pie server guard only (sell)

making memories metal alphabet stamps (keep)

Thats it, the sales were lousy on Thursday.  Friday I didn't feel well so I stayed in bed.  This weekend being labor day I don't expect to much but we'll see.  My mom's rental house is just about done.  The flooring will be installed starting Thursday and it should be complete next Tuesday so then we wash the wood work etc...  Everything is coved with plaster dust.  Then it will be on the market again.  So I have finally found a little time to list some stuff on ebay and Different Things  Take a few minutes and checkout my stuff!!

Whats New?

 Whats new?? I'm now a power seller on Ebay.  Late last night I checked my ebay and I found the power seller logo next to my feedback score!!  I had no idea that was coming.  Nice surprise.  

This is a click about link to my ebay   Things Listed on Ebay 

 My eBay

Member id toniah-half ( Feedback Score Of 1204)

West Bend Poppery II Hot Air Popcorn Popper

West Bend Poppery II Hot Air Popcorn Popper

NEW LOWER Price

Cottage Living Magazines

Cottage Living Magazines on Ebay

Last day to bid is May 3rd!!

Ebay Buyers That Don't Pay

Some time ago Ebay changed their rules on sellers leaving feedback for buyers.  We as sellers can not leave a buyer a negative.  This is not a big deal until a seller gets a buyer that refuses to pay for their auction that they won.  To me this is a binding contract, no one made them bid and win an auction.  Buyers expect the seller to describe the items correctly, answer endless questions that are many times answered in the listing (if only they would read the entire thing), wait for payment with some unbelievable reasons why we should wait or ship even tho it's a holiday or Sunday.  And the biggest one have it to them in a speed of light.  The buyer can leave a negative and ding away your stars, for reasons that are not the fault of the seller.  Additionally the buyer never even contacts the seller for a solution to their problem.  However the seller can only leave a positive.  I have a buyer right now that has not paid even tho I've sent a invoice, a friendly reminder email asking for them to contact me when I should expect payment.  I'm a reasonable patient person, talk to me and I will work things out.  Well after 8 days of waiting and no reply to my requests for communication or payment.  I filed a non payment against the buyer.  This action will have ebay contact the buyer and ask them in the nicest way to pay.  The buyer still has not paid and no communication.  Now I can close the case and at least get my seller fees back.  However I do not get the listing fee or the time it sat on the shelf waiting for the buyer to pay.  And the biggest one I can't leave a negative for the buyer so others can see this person bids and win but doesn't pay.  So the buyer can move on with her 100% feedback as if this person is a valued buyer.  This is wrong.  Why didn't  this person contact me and ask me to cancel??  I would have.  Can't beat a dead horse.  Plus I would have been able to relist this item right away instead of waiting 2 weeks to move on....  I value my customers and work hard to get items out throughout the day.  Even when I have something going on in my family.  I take the time to ship the item asap.    Here is a wonderful email that was sent to me just yesterday...

Wow! Thank you for the quick service! After ~10 years of shopping on eBay, I've gradually slowed down because of the declining service and quality of the eBay experience. Boy, did you break the mold with your quick service. It warms my heart that you're from WI; I grew up in IA. There's something about the Midwest work ethic ... . :-)

It's one the nicest emails from a buyer that I have received.   Here are another..

Hi Toni
I have just received the pattern by this morning's post. It arived in good order and beautifully wrapped! Thankyou very much for all your effort, it would be lovely to deal with you again.
Must go now, can't wait to get cutting out!
All the best

Here's another memorable email...  great, friendly lady!!

Toni,

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I just got off the phone with you and as soon as I hung up I called my mother. She was SO EXCITED when I told her that you were going to scan the recipe for the brownies and send it via email in advance of getting the cookbook in the mail. Her first words were "We can make them for New Years! How exciting!" For just a moment I felt like I was a 9 year old little girl again talking to my mom.

It sounds utterly crazy I know, but that brownie recipe holds so many memories for my family. Whenever we had a family "celebration" be it a school achievement, any kind of "award", the first day of summer vacation, the first day of school and even my parents wedding anniversary, those brownies where made. 

I can't wait to get the cookbook!  Have a very Happy New Year! 

And another

Toni, Thanks alot for the quick ship on the MOPAR can/cloth. I have listed you as a favorite for future use. Keep me in mind if you get any more MOPAR or PLYMOUTH items. I am going to use the can as a prop with my MOPAR cars at carshows. I see your email has mustang in it. I also have a classic '70 Stang. Thought you might enjoy a couple of pics. Take care.

This above buyer actually sent me pictures of his car.  I loved it.  Over all most buyers are wonderful people and solidify the reason I sell online. However today I'm more disappointed in ebay then the buyer, all I wanted was to tell others this buyer doesn't pay for items they won.

Ebay Search Service Not Working

RANT...Ebay searching function wasn't working yesterday.  I'm not happy about this! I have 30 things listed on ebay.  I need as many people looking, buying and adding my items to their watched list as I can.  Yesterday many people were xmas shopping online.  I wanted to be found.  However eBay's search function wasn't working during the entire day yesterday.  This is very upsetting.  E bay is saying "sorry".  Well this eBay glitch kept 30 of my items that are up for sale and auction hidden from potential buyers for 12 hours.  That's like Walmart closing the doors for 12 hours during the day.  Walmart would never let that happen, heads would roll.  But from eBay the sellers and buyers get "sorry".    I understand technical issue, however eBay tried to hide the fact that the search function was not working.  As a seller I expect eBay to notify me of technical issues, but they didn't contact me.  E bay has all my contact numbers and email.  Why did they try to hide the fact that this happened?  I can't stand it when a company acts like they can't reach you when you have given them all your contact numbers!!  You can't sign up for anything without giving our phone numbers and email address's however they only use things when they are selling something.  Not when there is a problem.  Hiding a problem rarely ever works!!  I'm done ranting...  Since all is working over at ebay I'm going to move on...  but it still stings!!