Chris' eBay page

2) Shipping options

I am very flexible as far as shipping options are concerned. I have been shipping nationally/internationally for almost a decade now, and am comfortable using just about any shipping option you prefer.

If you don't have a preference, I do have the following recommendations:
For US customers:

• Small packages, such as those under 10lbs, are easiest for me to ship by USPS Priority mail. You can get free packing materials from the post office, including boxes, packing tape, and labels, if you go to the USPS website.
• Anything over 10lbs starts becoming worthwhile to ship by UPS Ground. The problem with UPS Ground is that going from New York to the West Coast can take over a week to arrive, whereas USPS Priority Mail is 2-3 days for a little more cost.
• I don't generally insure packages shipped by USPS Priority Mail because, frankly, I pack things so well that I've never had any shipping damage by USPS. USPS insurance is expensive, and the post office doesn't lose packages.
• Given that UPS includes the first $100 of insurance in the delivery fee, any time there's something expensive being shipped, I will usually go with UPS Ground. I do occasionally double-box an item, and the post office isn't as keen on large packages as UPS.

• Almost exclusively USPS Airmail for smaller packages, such as those under 10lbs (~4.5kg). Surprisingly, USPS Express service is not much more expensive than USPS Airmail, so I generally recommend this service because it is faster, includes a tracking number, and includes $100 of insurance by default.
• Larger packages become very expensive, very quickly, and are usually handled on a case-by-case basis. In fact, I have had a number of very serious complications with UPS regarding international shipments, so I will only ship by UPS for international packages under very extenuating circumstances. And sizable fees will be incurred by the purchaser.

Links to shipping costs:

• UPS Quick Cost -- Plug in my zip code 14120, your zip code, "Customer Counter", "Your Packaging", the approximate weight, and click on "Calculate".
• USPS Domestic Rate Calculator -- Plug in my zip code 14120, your zip code, the approximate weight, and click on "Continue".
• USPS International Rate Calculator -- Select your country in the drop-down list box, key in the approximate weight, and click on "OK".

How I package items to be shipped, and suggestions for those that don't know much about shipping...

3) Contact information

E-mail address: chris@ckcomputersystems.com

An address for mailing payments will be supplied upon request. Please remember that paying by check will delay your package for up to 2 weeks while we wait for your check to clear.


4) Return policy and other financial matters

After dealing with a handful of undesirables, I have basically been forced to include this section.

• First, I don't attempt to make profits on shipping costs, unlike other sellers that charge, say, $7 per memory stick, regardless of quantity. On small items, USPS Priority Mail is a fixed cost, and is very easy to predict. Just follow the links above, and you'll see that the shipping costs I charge are within about a dollar of the actual cost. On large items, I weigh the finished package and email the buyer with a shipping cost. On medium size items, sometimes I will estimate the cost. I have been known to undercharge for shipping. If I overcharge by more than $7 or $8, then I will actually issue a partial refund to the buyer.
• Second, no, I don't have a UPS account, so I don't have access to the rates offered to those with a UPS account. I don't ship often enough to justify setting up a UPS account and having UPS come out every day.

• I will generally guarantee all of my items against DOA, but that's about it. I test most everything I sell before I list it, with few exceptions. And those exceptions are stated in the auction. Sometimes I don't have the facilities to test something, or maybe I'm actually selling something I know to be malfunctioning, so I'll say so. Other, disreputable, sellers may do otherwise, but my feedback speaks for itself.
• My no-DOA guarantee is fairly simple. Once the item arrives at the mailing address given to me, you, as the purchaser, have three days to inspect an item to make sure it works. I always ship with a delivery confirmation number if shipping by USPS, and UPS Ground includes a tracking number, so I can verify delivery of all of the packages I ship. If there is a problem with the item, you need to contact me within three days to make arrangements for the return of the item. In the unlikely event of a failure, I will refund the purchase price of the item upon return receipt.
• Once return authorization has been given, the item must be packed as though it were functional, and must be shipped with a tracking number of some sort to confirm the shipping date. The package must be shipped within one week of authorizing the return or the offer to refund the purchase price will be void.
• If the returned item is obviously mishandled (for example, an overclocking experiment gone horribly wrong) or is poorly packed for its return trip, refund will be at my discretion. I have yet to exercise this particular clause in my return policy, but I have come very close one occasion.