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Mark, I think you are right. I ran a test this morning, using the package that I had used a few months ago on this issue to compare the rates.
Going from 80020 to 58973, 2lb box, 16x16x8 the SmartPost cost in March on eBay was $19.89.
Today that rate is $13.83.
So it looks like the SmartPost Rates are back. I will continue to test and if so, move many of our listings back to using SmartPost as the first option.
Thanks for the heads up Mark!
Mark: We will have to try again. When I was working with EBay on my smart post issue earlier this year, the rep said that they were supposed to negotiate better rates with FedEx. Maybe they are in line now.
Our TrueGether site has puked. We can’t access it, and attempts to contact them to fix have failed.
Funny thing is…things keep selling. The PayPal notification is our only notification when something sells.
eBaymom: yep, great point. We have never had anything so bad that we had to report the buyer (in this area…we did report the buyer who kept buying the same pair of pants every month and then never paying for them).
On a positive note, we had our first broken item in transit using the global shipping program. Could not of been easier. Just had the buyer open a return case for item arriving damaged, contacted eBay customer service, and they immediately closed the case (no fault on our end) refunded the buyer, and EBay absorbed the cost. We are not out any money, or have to deal with submitting a claim.
Works like a charm!
Katie: the good news is that this type of behavior is rare. You won’t have to deal with it often.
The bad news is…it happens. This is retail. You will deal with a lot of people. The more you deal with, the more it happens…it is rare…but it happens.
Like the founder of EBay said…”people are generally good”.
You will only deal with this 1% of the time, but you will deal with it.
Just don’t let it get to you, and don’t let it stop you.
AE: I hear your frustrations, but again, there is just not enough on this to really move me. These types of transactions happen very rarely. Our total return rate is less than 2% right now. Of that, INAD is even less. Rather than tilt at the windmill to force a change on a once in a blue moon event, I would rather focus on getting more items listed and sold.
There just isn’t enough here for me to worry about it. We have had 3 returns this month since we went to Free Returns. All for not fitting, even though we put a ton of measurements in the listing. Earlier this year, I would not have paid for the return shipping. And I just don’t care. We paid all of $18 this month on paying for Free Returns on $10,000 in total revenue. Just not worth my time to worry about.
Yes, when I talk to eBay folks, especially in the survey group and at eBay Open, I will voice that my preference is that they update the process and make improvements for sellers. But if it goes forward the way it is now, I’m fine with that as well.
I’m not trying to be dismissive or callous, but (and this is just my opinion), this just doesn’t bother me at all. What I worry about is getting to 3000 listings (our next goal) and getting to $15k in monthly revenue. Then it is on to 4000 and $20k. Not worrying about $20-$30 in Free Returns we are paying for.
AE: Thing is, it is a seller’s choice to offer Free Shipping and Free Returns. We can vote with how we run our shops. Voicing could help when we talk to folks at eBay Open, but at the end of the day, 80% of the items sold on eBay are new items.
So the best way to vote is how you feel you should run your business. Personally, when I look beyond eBay at other platforms, these changes don’t worry me at all.
Yes, we are still in Concierge, but my understanding was that Concierge is where ALL Customer Service is going. It was a beginning program where sellers can call, get knowledgeable reps that have more power to make things happen quickly. We still get that service and love it. This was supposed to be the future of returns.
Regarding returns, we haven’t had an INAD case in a while. Last time I called and I “think” they moved the item from INAD to another issue. I said I wasn’t fighting the return, didn’t care about the cost of return shipping, I just didn’t want an INAD on our account. I think they did that, but I don’t remember.
Since we went Free Returns, no INAD, only “Did Not Fit”, and no fuss. Just purchase the return label and move on.
Agree Retro. That is why I love to fish, hunt, and hike. Doing things in the real world. Grow vegetables, provide food, hike from Point A to Point B with my life on my back, and not needing a phone to get there.
The ability to exist without an electronic leash.
That said, the movie was good…but the book was much better! (as usual!)
I agree with you Retro. The good news is…there aren’t that many buyers like that. They are out there, but not a lot of them.
Don’t let it rile you. These things will happen. Just process and move forward.
Probably easier for me to say since we have had to do this a lot so we are used to it. It may still be worth a call to eBay to see if they will remove it from an INAD to another return type, that way the INAD isn’t on your account.
almasty: ” It is good to have an outwardly professional appearance shown to your buyers, even if you’re only sitting inside your house listing in your pajamas.”
Amen. Also true for many parts of life…
Agree with the rest of your post too. We are on the other side of many of the new sides (we do same day shipping, we do free returns (mostly), and we are tinkering on Free Shipping (again). Does that work for us? Yep. Does that mean everyone should? Nope.
Everyone can do things the way they want to. There will be pluses and minuses to each business based on those decisions, but everyone can decide.
I know on person that has $82k in sales in the past 2 months, 50% margins, on just 87 current listings, with almost 2000 items sold (replenishing multiquantity listings). Way different than most of us. Different model, works great. Do we have to do that? No. Do we want to do that? Maybe.
Always evaluate other ways of doing business. Take what you like, leave what you don’t.
When we have had a dispute on a case in the past, we would message the buyer like you did. The return case on eBay should show that this is Awaiting Buyer’s Response. After 5 days or so, I would contact eBay, tell them the story and why you are disputing the INAD case, show that you have messaged the buyer and are awaiting there response, and ask for their advice on how to move forward.
