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Unless you’re operating under a business name, it’s pretty much a no-brainer in finding an address. Even so with a biz, takes just a little more effort. I use a different ship from zip that adds a little bit of cloaking to the shipping. Not sure if it helps, but then again that’s not why I do it.
The use of business policies will allow you to edit all of your listings in one step. When using it, EB will automatically create a shipping policies for every variation of listing you create and may even duplicate them. Resulting in a few dozen ship policies. The tip is to manually create policies and then only use those when you list. Then when you need to change the handling time, edit the shipping policy and your done.
Also what is a real pisser, In event where a buyer opens a shipping case, EB is starting to look at when you shipped an item, regardless of your handling time. Even if the package arrives within the designated time frame.
They did get mark against them. Refunding was a result of a cancellation on their part, not yours. Regardless if an item was shipped or not. Also to note, in this particular case, the item had free shipping. Which nulls the point, since EB automatically gives a seller 5 stars for free shipping when the transaction occurs. It is unknown if this is retracted when a transaction is cancelled.
Sorry. I misunderstood. Didn’t pickup that a refund was issued. You can take comfort in that fact any transaction cancelled due to sellers action (inaction) is a mark against the seller in EB matrices. I confirm this the other day EB when I cancelled an order because the address I was shipping to had too many charge backs and lost orders. I decided to take the hit rather than lose the product and $$
Talk about an egregious abuses of a sellers ability to skirt the system. I would open a case now. Don’t wait for the package to arrive. If fact it doesn’t have to in order to open a case. Chances are they will send you something that will cost very little to ship so a return will not necessary.
I fully understood. My experience with using drop-shippers is that they include a packing slip on my behalf with information in how to handling returns or customer issues. As it should be. But this is not the case. Our name and address on the shipping label is the only thing indicating where the item came from. My hope is that the vendor has communicated to the customer of the upcoming delivery and it’s origin, and/or if the recipient returns or refuses the package without notifying the vendor, that it’s not going to cause more work and effort than it needs to be. If it works out, that’s fine. It’s just a business practice that I would be uncomfortable doing on an ongoing basis. I would have no problem including in the package a vendors insert.
Thanks. So far all of the addresses have been state-side.
No germophobe here… straight out of the package and right onto my body. That what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. 🙂 However, thinking of the number of people touching clothing reminds me of guy that I often compete for clothing with. He shows up wearing a mask and gloves. I don’t think I need a mask, but gloves would certainly make it cleaner. Now that I think of it, I’ve even noticed employees doing the same.
Another term for blanket policy. Wrap your insurance under one policy rather than many. Generally replaces all other policies, although can be used for specific instances or loss.
Fully understand this. Always wonder if eBay will have your back on a buyers issue with high priced item. Depending on an item and what I have into it, I will put the most stringent buyer requirements that I can place on an item. I only wished I could limit those with low feedback, especially when buyers are new with zero feedback. I request this feature whenever I can with eBay. I guess you need to start somewhere. In two instances I can remember, I have called eBay asking if a buyer has any marks against them. I figured if I really felt uncomfortable with a buyer, that I would cancel the transaction, pay the fees and take a negative hit on my reputation, over losing the item the money completely. Luckily in the handful of high priced transactions with eBay, I’ve not had any problems.
MDC,
Nice explanation, but as a life-time finance/accounting professional including 11 years as a former EA, I have to chime in and caution you the method that I feel you are calculating your COG is inappropriate and unacceptable. Following this method, you are consistently changing the cost basis and the method of how inventory is accounted for on an ongoing basis. This is not allowed and there are strict IRS rules and regulations pertaining to inventory.To simplify the explanation, let use your example. What happens if the $3000 addition to inventory is for only 1 item and/or the item is purchased on 12/31/xx? Does this change the COG of the items sold? It shouldn’t, but in your example it does. Inventory is an asset and not an expense.
Bottom line, is that you need to have a fair amount of certainty as to the date purchased and amount of an item in inventory. Then you can decide if you want to use FIFO, LIFO, or average cost on similar items. However, you can’t change that method annually.
Hope this helps.
My Musings of Podcast 292 regarding finance. A topic I’m all too happy to chime in on.
Everyone should take a look at their insurance needs annually. If beginning of the year is best for you, then by all means. Personal auto and HO insurance is of public record from the insurance business, so when your policy is coming up for renewal is the better time to shop for insurance so that you can pit each company against each other and get a better rate. Also best to compare apples to apples, so compare companies with similar insurance ratings. This is a highly regulated industry so the variance in COI is very slim. What stands out will be services and additional benefits. When I hear someone has saved a bundle on insurance without changing coverage is translation that they went with a lower rating insurance company.
Rule of insurance is always insure what would devastate you financially if you have to fix or replace it. Do you really need that warranty coverage on that flat screen you just bought?
$100 deductible… ARE YOU JOKING? No doubt for grounds for questioning the intent of the agent.
$10,000 deductible… AGAIN, ARE YOU JOKING? Just kidding, actually quite interesting. I never thought of catastrophic insurance (high deductible). I will have to look at that for my assets. My personal concern is having asset too close together (read tornado, stream weather damage, etc).
I’m sure you’re taking advantage of the multiple polices discount… Have you thought about a “Blanket” policy? One policy covers all of your assets… Always good to look at that as an option as well.
On a side note, you’re probably still have not incorporated or LLC yourself for your properties. My opinion is you’re driving without a seat belt on. When you meet with your accountant, start that conversation.
Also remember, business assets (computers, printers, furniture & fixtures, inventory…) are not covered under regular homeowner’s insurance. These are typically covered under a rider or separate policy.
I’m not of fan of sellers charging a restocking fees, unless the item is new or the value of the item returned could vastly be changed by doing so. I think this is an overly zealous inappropriate practice and I stay clear of sellers and retailers that have them. Personal preference.
Lastly, on the topic of taxes. It’s a pet peeve of mine with individuals that want to run a successful business but don’t understand the different between a deduction and a credit and how it applies to them. Oh, and also for marginal tax rate. Not saying you don’t… just thinking out-loud.
Sorry for the rant, but as a financial maniac, again, I can’t help myself in adding my 2c worth when the topic arises.
No. Just a crack that google was able to penetrate. I had a similar issue some months ago. Strange referral site of m.g.ebay.com however when I clicked on it I received a 204 error code… No content. Not sure how what happened there.
MDCG, File and folder names are more or less for human consumption. Computers don’t much care and search engines don’t put a lot of weight on them as they use to. This is because the html header size limits encountered with Ubuntu and Apache. Personally, I name my photos the same as the product SKU and add metadata to the description and keywords. Then I use the computer’s search capabilities to find the photos when I need to. But then again, all of the files are stored in one directory. Not right or wrong… just a personal preference.
To answer your question with including metadata tagged images in the description would (should) only benefit eBay search and only if the search description box is checked. Seems Google is still stopped in its tracks by eBay with any attempt to index anything more than sellers and categories.
Of course this is mostly anecdotal evidence because very little is known of the mechanics of eBay search. I do it because it is a standard SEO practice in doing so. Does it work? Anecdotally, yes. I’ve seen a bump up of 18% in my eBay search impressions over the last eight months I’ve been doing this. Only constant is a level 435+ listings. Obviously, many factors play into this which eBay limits the available data to analyze. What is fact though, Google represents only .005 of the 136K search results done for the 30 days ended 1/2/17. Sadly, this represents that eBay still has not made any headway in improving external search.
So what is an eBayer to do in being found. Work smarter not harder. Adopted all of the SEO best practices allowed within eBay. Utilize all available eBay tools offered, even if they don’t make sense and lastly, take a guerrilla marketing tack by using tips, tricks and hacks for assisting potential buyers in finding you.
