Thought you might like to see some photos of where I create your items

My two dachshunds, Sadie (the red) and Burrito (the black), my babies!

I was a buyer before I was a seller, so I've learned to treat my customers how I would want to be treated as a buyer. It's been an invaluable experience. I also volunteer on Ebay's community boards, giving accurate and helpful advice to buyers and sellers. I've decided to share a bit of my knowledge, and how I treat my customers, here on my Me Page.

First, make sure you check your seller's feedback, both what they've received and what they've left for their buyers. How do they respond to problem feedback? Do they type in all caps (yelling) or do they curse? That tells you a lot about how they will react to any problems that might arise from your transaction.

Do they have a return policy and if so is it generous? While paying with paypal affords the buyer protection that covers many issues, a seller's return policy or philosophy of returns will tell you whether they are easy to work with or not. Paypal gives the buyer protection against items not as described or not received. Paypal's policy quickly and efficiently negates the seller policy of not being responsible for packages once they leave the seller's hands. According to Paypal, the seller IS responsible.

In order for sellers to be protected by Paypal they MUST follow guidelines. How many times have you read in an auction terms of sale: "I cannot be held responsible for packages once they are dropped off at the post office!" If a buyer does not receive a package and gets no help from the seller (via a return or replacement) then the buyer can easily go to paypal and dispute the transaction. Paypal gives the buyer two choices: SNAD (significantly not as described) claim or INR (Item Not Received) claim. A SNAD claim involves returning the item, proving to Paypal it is not what was listed in the auction, etc. It can be done, but there is work involved.

An INR claim can be disputed very simply. If you don't receive it and the seller cannot provide proof of online tracking or delivery (UPS/Fedex tracking or USPS delivery confirmation) the buyer wins the claim. It's very straightfoward and simple. So when sellers tell you they are not responsible once it leaves their hands, you know they are responsible for getting the item to you.

If you back your paypal payment by a credit card you're giving yourself ultimate protection. Most credit card companies, and even some that issue check cards, will provide a chargeback service for items not received or not as described. If Paypal happens to find in your favor but can't retrieve money from the seller(which does happen if the seller cleans out their account before the claim) then you can go to your credit card company for refunds. If you pay with your checking account or happen to have a paypal balance and paypal forces you to pay with the balance first, paypal will not be able to recover funds for you IF the seller has emptied their paypal account. Credit card overrides that and gives you full protection.

Don't go more than 45 days from date of payment with paypal though. They have a deadline you must follow.

Ebay provides no protection whatsoever for buyers if they pay by money order, check or cash. A seller cannot solicit cash payments. You may receive *some* protection from a United States Postal Service, but only so far as being able to file for mail fraud. It's not guaranteed they can get your money either.

Many sellers in my category will tell you they are not responsible and insurance is your responsibility. With the above information I think you can see that is not completely true. I happen to provide free insurance for my packages. I insure through a third party (not the USPS) so I get a discounted rate, but I don't even add that in to my shipping cost. I provide it as a free service for you, my customers. It's MY responsibility to make sure my buyers get what they pay for. If something happens to a package and I have to replace or refund that's part of doing business and it's just good business sense. My buyers will never be out money or product for something that isn't their fault. So rest assured, that with me, unlike with many other ebay sellers, you are completely and fully protected.

That said, I've had *one* package go missing in ALL the time of my selling career, which is 4 years. I use delivery confirmation on ALL packages, no matter how big or small, no matter how inexpensive or valuable. I hope that instills confidence in you, my buyers.

I provide a generous return policy: simple: you will receive what you paid for or you can receive a replacement or full refund. If the error is mine the postage is paid both ways also. I never think a buyer should be out any money for an issue that was not their fault.

I also provide a repair policy. If an item becomes less than whole through some of my own work defect, I will repair and pay shipping both ways. Again, a buyer should never be out money because of a fault of mine.

I want my buyers happy. The best way to do that is to treat you like I care about you. I do!