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11 comments

Why "Shipping and handling charges" Don't Belong in the New Rating System

Posted May-29-07 14:39:12 PDT
Basically, to put it in a nutshell, I believe that "Shipping and handling charges" don't belong in the new rating system.  The first three categories in the new Feedback system ("Item as described", "Communication", & "Shipping time") make sense.  Why?  Because before I make a purchase, I am not sure weather the item will be as described, weather the seller will communicate well, or weather they will ship in a timely matter.  With the new feedback system, I can see if my seller has a good track record in those areas.  What I do know is weather or not the shipping & handling charges is fair.  The point of the system is to give buyers confidence that the seller is good or warn them that they are not.  Shipping charges are shown in the listing so you know what they are before hand.  If the charges are good, bid.  If they are not, don't bid.  When I make purchases, the "Shipping and handling charges" make no leverage because I know what the charges are.

What about the sellers that don't disclose their shipping costs?  Well, if that's the case, then you should contact the seller for a quote before committing to a purchase anyway.
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Comments
madcat1010
Uh, yeah.

We sellers feel the same. We have no control over the handling, mishandling, loss or damage to the package once it leaves our hands so why hold us responsible?
May-29-07 14:42:27 PDT Report this comment
pr0gr4mm3r
My best guess is that it's another encouragement to lower shipping costs in addition to the tight excessive shipping policies.
May-29-07 14:43:42 PDT Report this comment
observations-of-life
That all sounds good,but what about the seller who chares me for priority mail and then ships media mail?What about the seller who waits for a week to mail out?If they can't ship quickly then they at least need to expressthat in their listings.What about the seller who uses a priority mail box and it contains a very small item thast could be shippeddifferently.There are too many variables that need to be addressed before your ideas can be instituted.
May-29-07 14:43:48 PDT Report this comment
postcards2go
I don't like communication in the new feedback. What is meant by that? Do you want a seller to email you every step of the way? Or do you find that buyers who email you 5 times before you receve the item are clogging your in box?

Shipping time doesn't make sense if the POST OFFICE is in the wrong. Last Fall, I received three packages (one from my own state) that took over a month to get to me. Not the sellers' fault, according to the postmarks, but what if a buyer doesn't LOOK at the postmark?

I would not buy from a seller who does not disclose shipping withing the listing. Period.
May-29-07 14:43:50 PDT Report this comment
madcat1010
The problem is that even if a seller offers FREE shipping, the buyer isn't rating based on that! And I know, I've experienced it. Seller's are being held responsible for factors out of our control REGARDLESS of whether the shipping is reasonable and fair or not.
May-29-07 14:45:24 PDT Report this comment
madcat1010
AND now, buyers will be even more upset about the USPS shipping increases across the board and who will they likely hold responsible? I'm sure we know.
May-29-07 14:47:32 PDT Report this comment
pretty_blue_eyes0
yeah the communication, and shipping, not good. cause what if we forget to email someone, its hard to keep track if you have a big sale or somthing and you sell alot and you forget some. It great if someone emails me, no problem, will email them right back. and the shipping is the post office fault. I mail them the next day, whatever happens after that?? oh well.
May-29-07 14:48:51 PDT Report this comment
darleen1956
I usually ship within 2 days,but I put 5 days,to allow for problems.

This way it's covered.

Everyone get's an issue sometimes come up.
May-29-07 14:50:10 PDT Report this comment
pr0gr4mm3r
@muledaddy357

"What about the seller who waits for a week to mail out?" is covered by the "Shipping time" rating.

I never thought about the sellers that do the switcharoo on the service types, but I believe that's SNAD since you paid for one service and not the other.
May-29-07 14:52:34 PDT Report this comment
jcarolek
I posted for you, my answer to the question.
May-29-07 15:01:21 PDT Report this comment
wendelrae
Maybe the problem isn't the fact that there is a question about shipping and handling, but the fact that the question is too vague. I think the following types of questions are more accurate and in the control of the seller. They are something that buyers could accurately judge the seller on.

Does the seller Charge Too Much Postage compared to the amount that is actually used to ship the item?

Is the seller upfront about their "handling" fees, those fees they charge besides actual postage?

Are the seller's handling fees, those fees charged besides actual postage, fair?
May-29-07 15:06:14 PDT Report this comment

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