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And hopefully you have a 20% restocking fee in your business policies and apply that. It is cases like this that the fee is good for.
Frostys, I think maybe this would be best posted in the “Shipping – Final Frontier” Topic area but will reply here and maybe Jay or Ryan can and will maybe move the topic over to that section.
In any case having had a ton of experience with shipping and trucking / freight through the years at my other companies there is not good news, but who knows.
I have posted on this topic before but that is probably buried deep in the old Blog Format.
Here is the reason. On larger claims all of the carriers [incl. USPS, UPS, FedEx, Delta, etc], will assign reps to investigate larger claims. I am unsure what that set point is but the bottom line is that they look for reasons to not pay off. They in almost all cases of when I spoke to reps, they wanted to know if we had our packing procedures submitted for approval [which we did=we were a large company that shipped to world class companies], and did we follow our SOP [standard operating procedures.
They will always point back to their online processes and ask did you pack the way you were supposed to and if so would it pass the infamous DROP TEST!
Here are a couple of links. FedEx assumes you, your staff or your in house training provides the systems for proper packing in order to withstand the following. Once you check out these links, I think you will get the idea.
http://images.fedex.com/us/services/pdf/PKG_Package_Test_Application.pdf
And the last two above are simply amazing plus very educational videos of what these guys really can do and how amazing they really are. Well worth the 20 minutes in length on the last one. the others are just a minute or two.and the Chinese guys are hilarious, especially as compared to the high tech of the FedEx and UPS guys, but they are aware, they must PASS THE TEST!. They are just trying to see if their package will pass that “infamous drop test”.
Considering what all that these guys do, it is really amazing.. BUT I have been told numerous times face to face on the floor of our plant that it is up to us as sellers, shippers to make sure our packages can withstand these types of conditions. They can’t baby us. The do 25 million packages a day. That means every person in the USA every 10 days.
Bottom line, they will questions us as to how well we packed, especially if you are a small home business doing something like Ebay. I use a method I call the “Cocoon” method [sort of like a sarcopagus concept] and my breakables have a 7 layer process my wife and I use. We DO TEST occasionally and take items we are going to donate and pack then up and do the following: 3 foot high drop test on a corner from 3 ft. up on the garage concrete, we roll boxes down our office stairs, we even have stood on top on a test box. AND be fore warned those FREE USPS boxes are not 175 Test Rated burst strength. The flutes are thin and so is the overall wall thickness. The Ebay boxes are much better.
A design problem we had in art school decades ago was to design a package that had nice graphics and exterior design but had to contain one raw egg and to get a passing grade for that assignment it had to pass a drop from the classroom window down to the outside ground [concrete]. I passed!! 🙂
But with a box showing no exterior damage and no photos to prove it. Well, you can try.
We have only had 4 items broken since 2002 using our method and that fourth one was just last week. A tall glass compote 16″ high. But I made sure to ask the customer for a photo of the outside of the box. It was crushed. I included that along with two other photos and a written description of our 7 layer “cocoon” process. We have gotten reimbursed the first 3 times and still waiting on this last one, but am confident.
Good luck..
Mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
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This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by
MDC Galleries & Fine Art.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by
MDC Galleries & Fine Art.
Yes me too pythonesk. We use bubble mailers at times to keep items in either sharp or delicate items separated. With the knives I mentioned, those are all boxed sets. But we do have hand tools and such, again use some padded envelopes.
Wonder what it’s like to dig through a bin or box full of 25 all red trucker hats, all snapbacks, all used with some slight wear and only the logo to identify each one. Fun, o Fun. I remember something Jay saying that is funny about how he sent two left shoes to a customer. Digging through a full box of all brown men’s shoes. Rumbling through the box trying to find the matching right shoe and the correct brand and size. Funny. LOL
Yep.. We do the same now. We got the foam plate tip from Linda Shields. Great tip. We also use stretch wrap to hold several associated pieces all together [with bubble wrap padding of coarse]. Also we use the stretch wrap in our packing process also. On almost every item we ship. Holds everything tightly together. We buy it in 5″ wide rolls and it comes with a small hand holder. we just wrap it around and around. It is also good for bridging spaces between even even areas of an irregular shaped object. Great stuff. A main stay in our packing area.
Speaking of dishes, and I knew better and could kick myself in the butt for just the reason you mention. We had a stack of 12 Limoges Made in France dinner plates in one bin and my wife said go ahead and put the salad plates and saucers in the one bin. I knew that was going to be too heavy for the structure of the bin and also for my arm that high up. So I split the set up. Dinner plates in this bin, found a partially empty second bin for the salad plates and again same thing for the cups and saucers.
We also use a metal rolling cart that we pull in between the rows and down the aisles when we pull bins so we don’t have to lower them all the way to the floor when pulling. So, I had to use our 3 step small ladder to put it up there and did OK. But we went to pull it one day to take them all out to our antique booths and BAM! While I was lifting the bin with the dinner plates down, the top [it was latched-we only use snap over latches on our bins. Pop on lids without latches just don’t cut it] and latch snapped off due to the weight and it fell off my right hand, hit the cart and dumped all the plates out and they all broke as they hit the concrete floor.
What I should have done is only put 4 in a bin, spread them around, then just put 4 bin numbers on my spread sheet for the location. But nope, and all was lost on the plates. Just had to sweep them up and dump.
But point is many like kind items can weigh a ton and a numerical system allows you to pace any where for any reason. I will admit most of our items are one of a kind [I dislike plates due to weight and length of time to pack and protect. But we have wine goblets, Asian vases, ash trays, many drinkware sets and they are all spread around in various bins.
We have only had 3 breakages since 2002 [one just the other day] and only 2 items not located in 14 years, so think the system works fairly well.
to 1sourcesales: “Why wouldn’t you”:
Couple of reasons
* Weight. If you have heavy items like we do the boxes get heavy. We have a few bins already clocking in at 40 plus pounds. If we put all “like kind items” that were also heavy in one bin, it might grow too heavy. I have a pair of Men’s Shoes Dr. Martens on my table right now and they weigh 2.6 lbs. Now multiply that times 25 pair in a bin and it will weigh 65 lbs. Our shelves are 7 feet high and we put bins on top, so we would have a 65 lb. bin to pull down and put back up at 7 plus feet over our heads?? Or have to just leave them down low close to the floor and again, if we had a lot of heavy bins we would only using the lower areas we would be wasting a lot of over head space. But this all depends on the type of inventory people have. Lrg. Mfg. [like we used to be], always utilize overhead space as high up as they can. Just like Jay’s second story on there building.* to conserve storage space. You mention “a” bin. Our numerical bins are up to number 536. If we had them all just partially full do you have any idea how much space that would take up. Example, steak knives sets, we have about 4 or 6 sets, they would only take up about half a bin. But they are gently laying elsewhere on top of some jeans, or shirts, etc.
536 boxes “half” full would mean over a thousand bins which would mean we would have to go “rent” outside storage at $75 per month.* Putting things in the wrong box can happen to anybody at any time for any reason. I could see a like kind seller accidently putting a pair of brown men’s shoe’s into the black box just as easily.
* If you hire someone or you are away on a trip and have another person pull something for you it is easy to say, on your phone or text, go to bin 423 and take out item 3853. They don’t have to know what it is, what it looks like. Just execute two manuevers based on a numerical system. And yes, mistakes can happen with any system, garbage in = garbage out.
So, barring human error for a moment, we think, in our opinion that there is just more benefits to using the numerical placement system. There are some benefits also to the “like Kind” but we personally [ioho] think the number system far outweighs them.
Many MBA programs and LEAN Mfg. programs advocate, the numerical systems over like kind systems and there is a lot that can be searched on Google about the benefits of numerical computerized control systems, perpetual inventory systems, year end inventory control by way of numerical date control for calculating cost of goods sold, and things along those lines.
But if space / storage is no issue, weight is no issue, and no long range plans to grow ones business to a larger size by using helpers, no plans for computerization, then other systems that work for a personal preference is fine.
But if we had mixed our customer’s [Walmart, Home Depot, Stanley Tools, General Electric Co., Michelain Tires, etc., etc.] items all together because the hangers, hooks, headers, end cap displays, printed banners were all like kinds we would have been in a world of hurt both from an inventory cost point and also from a FIFO / FILO Re-order, Purchasing and stocking point. We just use the same inventory control logic we did in our large business on a very small scale now we are retired and doing this as our full time living. Spent 40 years tracking stuff before so why scrap a perfectly good system we work out years ago, just because we are smaller now.
BTW, we have about 3,000 items in a 20 x 20 space and it is only about half full. We think we will be able to fit approx. 6,000 items in that 20×20 space eventually. BTW we sell mostly vintage ceramic, glass, metal, hard goods, some small furniture & mirrors, artwork. The paper goods, stamps and jewelry we keep in metal file cabinets in our admin. office which is approx. 15′ x 22′.
Mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
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This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by
MDC Galleries & Fine Art.
Same here Pythonesk. Think we discussed some of this a while back and is probably searchable on the new forum format.
* Clear bins so we can see how full and which bins to put new stuff in.
* Consecutively number the bins and the bin number then gets added to our sku number in the custom note field in Ebay and also our Spread sheet as a back-up
* Each item is assigned it’s own custome sku number that includes the item no., price paid fot it, buy date and final bin where placed.
* Agree, like items create space voids in the over all space management. Amazon has a Star Wars toy in a bin right along with a chocolate mold and a neck tie. Doesn’t matter as long as the items custom sku number is associated with that bin number. [How we did it in our large printing company which we also did fullfilment for our major customers].
* If you want to put “some” similar things together then just look up where you put your last two sweaters and go put your new purchase in that bin.
* We strongly suggest some type of written log, ledger book or especially a spread sheet. Very quick and easy to use.mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
You can also check it at any time directly from your selling manager dashboard.
My eBay
Manage My Store
Subscriber discounts
eBay Shipping SuppliesUse the shopping cart to apply the code and use your one-time code in a single purchase or you will lose the balance.
Mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
Just had my first sale for a lighter item. Most of our hard goods are mostly well over a pound. But occassionaly we have some lighter weight items.
The item I just printed out a label for was dead on 1.00 lbs. so I printed out a First Class Package label and the Packing List showed the customer’s retail price of $6.65 but my cost was less a 35% discount so, my cost was only $4.30. I used Ebay’s online label printing.
So, I thought I would, for fun, just start at 1 oz. and go through all 16 ounce tiers and see what the costs would be showing under the new rates.
Here are the results:
Retail New Cost Old Costs Increase
1-4 oz.= $2.67 less 2% = $2.61 $2.60 = $.01 more
per ounce from here up:
5 oz. = $2.85 less 3% = $2.77 $2.60 = $.17 more
6 oz. = $2.85 less 9% = $2.77 $2.60 = $.17 more
7 oz. = $3.21 less 14% = $2.77 $2.60 = $.17 more
8 oz. = $3.39 less 18% = $2.77 $2.60 = $.17 more
9 oz. = $3.57 less 7% = $3.32 $3.30 = $.02 more
10 oz. = $3.75 less 8% = $3.46 $3.35 = $.12 more
11 oz. = $3.93 less 8% = $3.60 $3.40 = $.20 more
12 oz. = $4.11 less 9% = $3.74 $3.45 = $.29 more
13 oz. = $4.29 less 10% = $3.88 $3.50 = $.38 more
14 oz. = $6.65 less 40% = $4.02 $3.55 = $.47 more
15 oz. = $6.65 less 37% = $4.16 $3.60 = $.56 more
16 oz. = $6.65 less 35% = $4.30 $3.60 =Note * When I shipped this package I put in 16 ozs. [1 lb.] even. When I printed out my Ebay label, it said 15.9 ozs. on the USPS label.
So we guess that Ebay has a few “special” situations with the USPS. 1st: Maybe that as a Top Rated Plus Seller and a Premium Store Owner, Ebay says we get USPS Commercial rates. 2nd.: Maybe the discounts fluctuate by seller level. 3rd: Maybe that the 14 oz. and up (over the 13 oz) rate is also a special deal between Ebay and the USPS????
But in any case, to us it is just a cost of doing business and all of it is some type of expense or overhead in our chart of accounts and we account for everything. On an average price sold per item of approx. $25 and we DO NOT PASS our hard earned discount on to the buyer, $.50 per item over all is no big deal.
Mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
Just thinking about this with a fresh cup of coffee. Would not a “squeak” depend on where the flex takes place and to what degree. If a person with a higher instep, different arch curve, longer toes, fatter toes, heavier body weight, lighter body weight, thicker socks, and many other variables, change the inside dynamics of any shoe even though the size-fit is correct?
Then if so, maybe those shoes didn’t squeak on you [just saying as an example], but did on someone else with different foot dynamics, then how would you know and that would make their comment invalid. Maybe ask him to try them on someone else, [which he isn’t going to take the time], and then present this argument to an Ebay rep. State this comment needs to be removed because it may be just due to this buyers body size and weight which invalidates his insinuations that you knew about it prior and sold anyway.
Just a thought.
Mike at mdc galleries in Atlanta
Ryanne: I checked the English / Oxford Dictionary and also a site called “Abbreviations”.com and seems like there is no Abbv. for “Antique”. Guess u will have to just give up the Title Real Estate Space if u want to use it. Other variations use even more space, like, real old, very old, old as dirt, before you were born, before time, circa: 18??, LOL :-), so just out of luck I guess
mike at mdc galleries in atlanta
Something sort of similiar. Remember last week I reported that I had my coupon code copied in place in the discount box but I went backwards to look at the other items for a minute to see if I wanted to add one more item to my order. Well thwe coupon code dropped out, so when I clicked proceed to checkout, I got charged for the whole order.
When I called Ebay, they said, it was a glitch in there system and once you go to your cart, you couldn’t do anything else but proceed to check out. if you did a “continue shopping” for a minute your coupon disappeared. So she checked and said, my coupon was still good, so I had to pay for the first order [$55] but I still have the coupon to use on another order if I wished to do so. Oh course I will, but don’t really need anything right now, but will decide on something this weekend and use it up.
mike in atl.
Yes, I do the same only a little quicker. I send a short email notice after 24 hrs +/- a little that also contains a fair warning that Ebay will step in and take over after 48 hours. Then if no reply between that 24 hr. notice and the next 24 hr. [48 hr. mark], I too, like Ryanne open a case. I don’t dilly dally around with any of this drag your feet, wait to reply to us, wait forever on your business with us. We move as fast as allowed.
I think you get the point for your “future reference”. We are here to run a business and time is money and most of are pressed for both.
Mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
So Cal Joe: I hate to dash your hopes and dreams, but your “planned” store upgrade “I had planned on making the transition to the 2500 store, when I hit 1500 listings. Paying 10 cents a listing per month, really makes you think twice about listing certain items” does not exist, which is the point of this topic.
There is NOT a 2500 item store, if I understand your comment correctly, for you to transition to. There is a Premium store at 1,000 then the only place for you to go as far as a “transition” is to an “Anchor” store level at 10,000 and from $75 per month cost to $350 cost per month.
So if you are looking for a 2,500 item store to move up to when you get to 1,500 items, it doesn’t exist. That is unless you are in another country other than the USA and you do have several other tiers that we don’t have here in the USA.
MIke at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
Oh, I totally agree. And so we get a $50 or $100 coupon but Ebay is only having to fork over less than half of that and that way they are only out half or less of that face value amount. But we would still have to pay retail any place else we went to buy, so still OK for us sellers.
Wish they would expand their selection, but considering the “Advertising / Branding” concept, they will probably only offer products that can be seen by the public as the package moves through the public system and thus can be seen from the outside of the package. No body can see “newsprint” stuffed inside of a box for dunnage, and certainly no reason to have it “custom imprinted” with their Ebay logo.
Mike at MDC Galleries in Atlanta
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This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by
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