Before I list the item I assess how much packaging it needs and because I'm bit of an eco-warrior I will probably have saved some packaging from something else I've bought online. Therefore I will know how much packaging I need to charge (if any) before I list the item. Invariably the most it will be is 50p or so if I've had to buy the packaging from my own store. I do however insist on good packaging so that it arrives to you in good condition.
With the packing complete, I now know the full weight and size of the package. I then check the postage cost on the royal mail special delivery website.
I prefer to use Special Delivery for the following reasons:
delivery is guaranteed, so I know you will get your item
the item is insured
the item can be tracked on the website
it avoids non-delivery arguments and because it is insured, if the item doesn't arrive compensation can be sought.
I am always willing to discuss the post and packing price with potential buyers and if they ask me to reduce to ordinary postage I will do so. However, bidders who ask this, do so at their own risk because although I will obtain proof of posting, this doesn't protect the buyer from non-receipt. You will have already paid for the item and it is yours, I will have done as requested and if the item is then lost, there is no room for compensation. If potential buyers feel I am charging too much for packaging, I will send a breakdown of what it has cost me. It is not my intention to profit from the P&P, I merely want to make sure you receive your item safe and sound.
Overseas parcels
If requested by a bidder prior to the end of the auction to investigate sending the item to an overseas location I will do so. I will attempt to find the most reasonable cost, usually I check with Royal Mail, Parcelforce, or the major carriers DHL, UPS or anyone I think can do the job.
Post & Packing ~ From You To Me
I don't agree with those who use the P&P to make a profit. If I am bidding on an item, I will ask the seller to agree to send Special Delivery before the auction closes for all the reasons above. I reserve the right to withdraw a bid (even if it wins) if I feel the seller, after I have attempted to negotiate is trying to profit from the P&P. I recently won and paid for an item where I asked this, the seller apparently sent it but it didn't arrive, because I'd questioned the postage, they put 2 x £1 coins in the item as a kind of refund. Durrr! This didn't win them good feedback and it has never arrived. Please talk with me about P&P.
Paying for stuff ~ From Me to You
I am happy to go along with most requests for payment. I do have a PayPal account but as I am aware that the seller has to incur a fee for this, I'm happy to send a cheque and wait a time before it clears. I will not expect the seller to send me straight away, as I realise they will want assurance that they have the money. I will be getting concerned however, if I haven't heard from a seller after a fortnight has passed.
Some ebay shops have their own payment processors. This is fine if it is a recognised payment processor. I will expect to see the usual padlock reference and that the page taking my details is through a secure server (denoted with 'https'). If I feel the payment processor is insecure I reserve the right to not pay through this method. If the seller insists that this is the only way they will take payment, then I will ask to withdraw from the purchase. I will raise a query with ebay about the seller if I feel that they are using a 'phishing' site. I am in the internet industry and I hope all consumers will do this for their own protection.
Paying for stuff ~ From You to Me
If you've read the above paragraph, then you'll probably guess what I'll write here. I'm happy to accept payments through PayPal. However, I'm happy to accept cheques, I will bank straight away on receipt and wait for clearance of funds. As soon as the funds clear I will despatch the item to you or arrange a time to collect if I'm selling an item which is pick up only. In this case I'll take cash on collection.
Enjoy
I hope all the above doesn't scare you! I hope buying or selling things with me is an enjoyable process. Please by all means review my feedback, and perhaps have a browse at what I'm currently selling.
Listings
To protect bidder privacy, when the price or highest bid on an item reaches or exceeds a certain level, User IDs will be displayed as anonymous names. For auction items, a bold price means at least one bid has been received.
Note: Anonymous names may appear more than once and may represent different bidders.
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