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I offer free returns on clothing but have few returns. Once every month or so for doesn’t fit even though I provide detailed measurements.
Anything “dimensional,” buyer pays return.
I tried free shipping. Got no boost in sales, so stopped. I don’t feel that my clothing items can absorb the cost of free ship both ways.
The free returns offer a certain level of protection from INAD.
I just recently started listing women’s shoes and sandals. I quickly realized that storage and organization was going to be a challenge.
I’ve found a system that is working pretty good. I have a super large storage tub with a lid. I place the pair of shoes/sandals in a padded flat rate envelope for “vertical” storage. On a strip of sticky note paper, I write the brand, size and anything notable and staple it to the inside of the pull tab flap of the padded envelope. I place it where I can easily read it.
Next, I organized my padded shoe bags alphabetically by brand, vertically in the tub. The tub holds two rows, appoximately 16 or so pairs, depending on the size/heels etc. The tops of the bags are open. Because the tub is deep, the lid fits and the bags remain vertical.
I’m not necessarily using the padded envelope to ship the shoes. I remove the stapled sticky note when I pull the shoes to ship and reuse the bag. I staple it because sticky notes don’t always stick.
On really large shoes, I use a poly mailer, folded in to expose the tops of the shoes. Sometimes, the Ebay padded mailers are large enough for sandals. I feel the padding helps protect the shoes during storage.
I also purchased two inexpensive shoe racks from Walmart for $6 each. Each one holds 12 pairs. I’m using them in my staging area for photography. I got tired of the shoes being in my way and vertical storage is the way to go when working in tight spaces.
Hope this helps someone….
My OCD would be: c for clothes, s for shoes, e for electronics, t for toys and m for misc! LOL
Like you, I’ve shipped a lot of fragile items over the years. One thing I always do is fill any “void” open/hollow space with tissue paper or packing paper. Even the center of handles. I do this before wrapping in large bubble wrap.
For figurines, I place styrofoam peanuts in small spaces, then wrap with tissue or flexible packing paper in a spiral direction, starting at the corner of a square of paper or tissue. Bubble after that. I’m a big believer in large bubble wrap as the final layer before boxing.
Yes, I never knew that we could add another label to a combined purchase. Never had to use this step. Thanks for clarifying.
I would never suggest shipping multiple purchases from one buyer separately. A buyer can easily claim item(s) not received as I don’t believe we are unable to list multiple tracking numbers for one purchase. Unless there is something I don’t know about shipping. If I’m wrong, someone correct me. Thanks.
For a host of reasons, we prefer not to have anyone come to our rural home except for the rare sale of furniture. For smalls, I meet up at a store parking lot 10 minutes away or in town if running errands.
When arrangements are made for the next day, time and place confirmed, I give a buyer the benefit of my doubt that they forgot to do the final “I’m on my way” and I go to the meeting place anyway. It’s now been the pattern that if they don’t do the final confirmation, they don’t show up and they disappear. But if I don’t show up and they do, I’m 10-15 minutes behind schedule. Such a simple thing to communicate but apparently the new norm, to not.
Thanks for sharing your routine. Another house, another area, I might have considered the same.
Wow! That’s a new one! I too have had people just sit in their cars and have me hand the item to them through the window. They just wanna grab the item, pay and get on their way. The worse part for me is the ghosting and the wasted time and energy. I lost a sale the other day because I held the deal open for another buyer who requested a shipping quote. I was quoting shipping for both people. The first never showed the courtesy of a reply and the second lost interest and didn’t respond. All within just 24 hours.
I listed wall art for the first time today on FB Marketplace. Wish me luck….
Oh, have you noticed the change? We no longer can see views on our FBM listings until we click on each one. I sure don’t like that.
Interesting survey. I charge for shipping but offer free returns. I sell lower priced items so free shipping AND free returns is not feasible. Ebay loves to give buyers what they want. Can’t help but wonder if they’ll require free shipping both ways someday. I know many sellers can work it in on high priced items and since there are few returns, it works out. Small ticket items is where it would hurt the most. Hope it doesnt go that direction. Thanks for sharing.
I’m starting to believe that the Facebook Marketplace is a ruse. Although Facebook users are invited to advertise, I believe it was really set up to for big business advertising. I’ve searched key words for some of the items I was flagged on and found large sellers, selling new product.
I know you don’t care for conspiracy theorists but it went through my mind last night when I did this search (before my post on SL) that someone may be reporting my listings to Facebook because they sell the same brand or similar shirt. Or, it could be since mine is an older style, it was reported as fake (or the word turtleneck kicked it out). Anyone can easily report a listing or seller. While I’m in no way “competition”, it’s ironic to me that one particular listing was good for a week then suddenly under review” right after I had an inquiry on it for “Is this still available?”
No matter why it’s under review, I don’t think Facebook is yet prepared to run a professional, e-commerce site without a lot of improvements. As an “advertising site” directing buyers to big box businesses who process their own payments. Yes.
Messenger allows for payments but some buyers do not like the debit card only requirement. Personally, I setup a separate checking account for just “Messenger” transactions.
For small sellers, it is just another Craigslist with a payment option that many buyers will not opt in too. Just my thoughts.
Poshmark shipping increased in Feb 2019 to $6.79 for up to a 5-pound package. It is a great deal for heavier items that require Priority mail but not so good for lightweight clothing and jewelry that could easily mail 1st class for under $4.
If a package or bundle of items exceeds 5-pounds, the seller has to request a new shipping label from Posh. Haven’t had to do that but some sellers say that the cost can almost double. The seller eats the additional cost of shipping when a savvy buyer bundles heavy items.
Yes, Poshmark is probably subsidizing the low postage cost but it probably won’t last forever. Not having a 1st class option really does stifle sales of fashion and handmade jewelry; thus, why many sellers set up their titles in their jewelry listings, 3/$__, in order to make the shipping cost worthwhile when purchasing low cost items.
@pythonesk
Almost bought a log cabin in Elizabethton. Nice area. Wanted to be close to Wautaga Lake. Alas, it was really too small anyway and we ended up a little further north.@daisy
We moved here for a lower cost of living. No state income tax and lowered our property taxes to 1/4 of what we paid in OH. Sales tax is higher (9.5%) but some thrift stores collect zero.Not to mention, less snow, beautiful views and friendly people. Loving it here! Best thing we’ve ever done.
@pythonesk
Good is relative. I’m still learning my brands but I do manage to find good deals at church sales and garage sales. The thrift stores usually have poor quality as they cherry pick the best for their own on-line sales. Some consignment shops do the same thing (cherry pick the top brands from their consignees to sell on eBay).
