People are really cutting corners when it comes to shipping.

[VG_Maniac]

This is something that certainly isn't new...but I have noticed it a lot more lately. What I am talking about are people who ship Media Mail (even though they charge for Parcel Post or Priority). I've been buying on Ebay for almost 10 years now, and I used to run into this only occasionally...but it has now gotten to the point where it seems like over 70% of the items I order off of Ebay are shipped Media Mail (even though it's stuff that doesn't even qualify for Media Mail like 99.9% of the time). Virtually nobody seems to ship Priority anymore, and even Parcel Post shipping is becoming less and less common. I mean, it seems like everyone is trying to be cheap when it comes to shipping now...and what really sucks, is not only does Media take over 10 days to arrive usually, but when the post office opens up a Media Mail package to check the contents (which they do from time to time), I have to pay the extra money to cover the shipping if the item does not qualify for Media. Maybe I'm just having bad luck, but almost everything I have been ordering off of Ebay lately has been shipped to me via Media Mail...when just a few years ago, the majority of stuff I ordered came Priority. Anyone else been noticing a huge increase in people shipping Media?

[Cornelius]

I haven't been buying a whole lot, so I haven't noticed any particular change.

What types of stuff are you purchasing? I mostly sell games, and a single game often costs less to send First-Class than Media, and even when it isn't less, first-class is only a few cents more, so I use First-Class whenever possible.

I've occasionally used Media Mail for non-eBay stuff that doesn't actually qualify, or on qualifying eBay items. I've never heard that the recipient gets charged if its opened, and I'm quite surprised to hear that's happened to you. Actually, twice now I've had packages opened and returned to me, so I don't use it anymore unless it is legitimate.

If people are charging for Parcel or Priority, and shipping Media, that's instant grounds for a neg and zeros on the DSRs to me. I would first contact the seller and express my dissatisfaction, and let them offer acceptable compensation.

[Darren870]

I sell stuff almost every week and only use media mail when the item qualifies for it. Even then I don't really like using it...

[eugenek]

Ha, I thought this thread was going to be about people skimping on packing supplies, which I am seeing more...I recently bought a Turboduo off eBay and it was just thrown in a box and shipped. No packing material whatsoever, just a big box and a Turboduo bouncing around in it. I mean, WTF? Really? Needless to say, it didn't work anymore.

[Bratwurst]

On a related note, the actual shipping materials themselves are of poorer quality now. The USPS issued priority boxes have thinner cardboard and weigh 1 oz less than they did a couple months ago.

[megasdkirby]

I use my own boxes , obtained from stores or past purchases. Same goes with packaging material (I reuse the same ones obtained when I purchase items).

I NEVER use the horribly detestable Media Mail option. It should be banned. Depending on location, it can take a few days to MONTHS to arrive. Hell, the item may NEVER arrive. And I'm not talking solely about PR...I know a friend in NJ who purchased something from a seller in NY and it was shipped Media Mail. My friend got it THREE MONTHS after. What the hell?

First Class Mail and Priority are the only options for me. Screw Media Mail to postal hell.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Well, if you ordered for something and it was supposed to go Parcel/Priority, but you got it Media, open a complaint with eBay and ask for your shipping money back.

This is why I use the shipping calculator on anything over a pound. The problem goes both ways...

Buyers they look for seller who have low prices on their items and who don't charge much for shipping. Sellers have to figure out a way to lower the shipping cost so they get more sales. Some of us simply take a hit on the shipping, but others screw the buyers by going media instead of first class/parcel/priority.

I've been getting a LOT of complaints about the postage cost, even though I explain that that's the price the USPS is asking for... which is why I use shipping calculators. I eat the cost of delivery confirmation most of the time.

The USPS isn't helping, either. -_-

[ryborg]

I NEVER use the horribly detestable Media Mail option. It should be banned. Depending on location, it can take a few days to MONTHS to arrive.

Yeah, agreed 100%.

Whenever I buy something remotely Media Mail eligible, I always tell the seller specifically not to use Media Mail because it's so terrible. I don't mind paying a little more for First Class because I know the item will arrive, and usually within 2-5 days.

I also refuse to buy items shipped only UPS or FedEx (unless it's an absolutely obscene deal), but that's another story.


Well, if you ordered for something and it was supposed to go Parcel/Priority, but you got it Media, open a complaint with eBay and ask for your shipping money back.

Does this work? Several of my buyers over the years didn't like my tiny handling fee (come on, $1.66 on a heavy item going to the Philippines? Give me a break), so they tried whining to Paypal with a dispute. They lost every one when they said the shipping price was the only problem. I know that's not the same as paying for First Class/Priority and having it shipped a slower method, but it's a similar concept.

[Rickstilwell1]

One time a seller said on their post that they were shipping it to me for $10 and then a week after the auction they told me that after they sent the item it cost them more so pay them the difference in paypal, and I was like no way am I going to pay $18 more just because they decided to ship it priority mail when they said they were shipping it for $10 which would have been parcel post. They listed the item wrong so it was their own fault.

I doublechecked and learned that there was nothing the seller could do to me so I let them call me a loser and cry to themselves that they lost money. I was like, next time use the shipping calculator and actually weigh the item first like they are supposed to.

Anyway, when I list ebay items and ship them I do it only one way: I use parcel post. It's a whole lot easier as I can use any box I want to, and just charge a flat $15 because what I sell usually comes out to about that or just slightly less. I usually use boxes from my work in the bakery that once contained frozen dough. Otherwise I use packages that were shipped to me that were still in good shape. I won't go and buy boxes but I have to buy shipping tape.

As far as box stuffing goes, I like to wrap my sold items in plastic shopping bags so they stay perfectly clean. Then I use any packaging materials from my previous orders to surround them, whether it's bubble wrap or those foam things. If I don't have enough of that I just use paper from ads like many people do with packages I buy. But I make sure the box is 100% filled so things aren't bouncing around.

[VG_Maniac]

What types of stuff are you purchasing?

I buy lots of video game lots. Most of the lots I buy could easily fit inside a Priority Flat-Rate box and be shipped for around $10...but they send it Media instead.

Also, since this was brought up by one of the replies here...I have also noticed people cutting more corners on packaging materials as well lately. I recently bought an SNES with some games, and the person threw it into a box with NO packing material in it whatsoever! The box was also really small, the seller could barely squeeze everything in it. By the time it arrived, the box was ready to fall apart, and I'm surprised it didn't while it was in transit. The SNES system had a huge hole bashed into the side of it as a result of the bad shipping. I emailed the seller demanding a refund, and he just came up with excuses and said, "I work at a post office! I know what I'm doing!" I got PayPal involved and they got me my refund I wanted...although it took them almost two months.

I also have reported a lot of these people to Ebay for shipping Media when they advertised Priority or Parcel...but I have never gotten any money back or anything like that, and I have yet to see any of their accounts get suspended.

[ryborg]

I have also noticed people cutting more corners on packaging materials as well lately.

I don't know why people think this is a recent occurrence. There have always been sellers terrible at packing. I've been buying items consistently on ebay since summer 1998 and the good packing-bad packing ratio is about the same as it was back then.

One of my first purchases was a loose Sidewinder joystick, and the seller simply threw it in a Tyvek Priority bag with absolutely no packing. Not good. Those Tyvek bags are perfect for clothes and documents, not so much for loose sensitive electronics. Needless to say, it was smashed to bits.

I have a million horror stories like that from the early days of ebay, just like we all have our present-day horror stories.

[PingvinBlueJeans]

I've occasionally used Media Mail for non-eBay stuff that doesn't actually qualify, or on qualifying eBay items. I've never heard that the recipient gets charged if its opened, and I'm quite surprised to hear that's happened to you. Actually, twice now I've had packages opened and returned to me, so I don't use it anymore unless it is legitimate.
I really wish people would stop abusing the system...that's why they started this nonsense of opening and inspecting Media Mail packages in the first place. I had heard that this was occurring but never had it happen to me.....until today.

A game was sent to me via Media Mail ($2.41 cost). The parcel was opened by the Post Ofiice and shipping was upgraded to First Class Parcel ($3.22). I received a postage due notice from my mail carrier for the difference ($0.81).

Pain in the ass.

[dendawg]

On a related note, the actual shipping materials themselves are of poorer quality now. The USPS issued priority boxes have thinner cardboard and weigh 1 oz less than they did a couple months ago.

Priority Mail boxes are free. You get what you pay for. (At least the shipper does.)

[VG_Maniac]

I don't know why people think this is a recent occurrence. There have always been sellers terrible at packing. I've been buying items consistently on ebay since summer 1998 and the good packing-bad packing ratio is about the same as it was back then.

I guess it's just been my recent bad luck.

[qbertandernie]

the reason for this is simple...

ebay institutes a shipping cap, and usps raises costs. this makes sellers less money, so they cut corners. i havent bought off ebay too much in years, due to the ridiculously often amount of 'mint' games coming with half labels or stckers all over... that, and with the onset of stock pictures, noone has to really show what they are selling.

add that to paypal not refunding money or allowing returns for condition issues, and im out.

i think ebay is honestly becoming much too big for themselves and are really getting greedy. with the ads from sellers at the bottoms of the pages, raising fees, stopping good sales (i.e. the sales lately are 'save 9 cents per listing!')... capping shipping(so they can charge more fees on higher percentages of sales), requiring people use paypal(because 'sellers complained about fake money orders', but more so they can charge paypal fees on EVERY order)... its becoming a less fun place to sell. when its no longer fun, more people on there are there to make money only, and youll find the issues you talked about...

granted, theres always been sellers like 'raregamergirl' (who has since opened a new account because her feedback was crap), and others who are just plain dishonest, or 'dont have time to test every game or describe it accurately'... thats what you have to deal with.

my only recommendation to avoid poorly shipped items is to tell the seller how you want the item packaged - to make sure it has packaging material in the box(or that it ships in a box) - prior to paying. its a pain in the ass for seller and may piss them off, but they cant do anything to you anymore anwyay.

[SpyHunter]

If the auction clearly states that an item will be shipped one way and the seller ships it a cheaper way, then they get a neg.

What I hate is the "standard shipping" and when I ask the seller what method they are using for that price and they answer USPS, then they are either too stupid or being evasive on purpose. Either way, they don't get my business.

[ryborg]

that, and with the onset of stock pictures, noone has to really show what they are selling.

Once again, I'm showing my age, because it's a hell of a lot easier to buy "mint condition" games today than it was a decade ago or so on ebay. Back then, VERY few people had access to a digital camera or a scanner, so you just had to take their word for it. No photos of any kind. Yeah, a lot of dumb and/or lazy people today use only stock photos, but an overwhelming majority have their own pics.


I received a postage due notice from my mail carrier for the difference ($0.81).

You can refuse that, you know. That's happened to me a few times over the years and I just say no and send it back. That way, the seller has to pay the remainder, as opposed to me paying it and trying to get my money back from the seller without it being a huge ordeal (yeah right).

[duo_r]

the last thing I bought from someone via media mail never showed up. Screw cheap media mail!

[megasdkirby]

What I hate is the "standard shipping" and when I ask the seller what method they are using for that price and they answer USPS, then they are either too stupid or being evasive on purpose. Either way, they don't get my business.

I do that too. But I ask them to tell me the EXACT method, and not a generic term like:

USPS
Flat Rate

Or some shit like that. I ask them to tell me if it's something like:

Priority Mail
First Class Mail

And so forth. So far, no problems.

[fishsandwich]

granted, theres always been sellers like 'raregamergirl' (who has since opened a new account because her feedback was crap), and others who are just plain dishonest, or 'dont have time to test every game or describe it accurately'... thats what you have to deal with.

Amen to THAT brother. I remember when she *openly admitted* to bidding on her own stuff under another account (something cheap like pens or paperclips) and then leaving tons of feedback for herself until the negatives fell off the first feedback page. Anyone know her newest name?


I've been slowly selling off my entire collection on ebay. I have gotten really creative with discarded cardboard and shredded paper. You can build a pretty good box out of discarded pieces.

I use the PayPal shipping (so easy) and I ship first class unless it's too heavy (which is rare).

My point is that buyers LOVE getting stuff fast. Fast shipping is far and away the number #1 thing that is mentioned in my feedback. PayPal (much as I hate it) has a good mailing system and those bar codes on the labels really speed things along.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

I can understand the anger if you need a package shipped by priority (and it's listed as such), and the seller ships parcel or media mail.

Maybe I'm the odd man out, but I rarely pay attention to the method of shipping. I just want a box well packed, and the item to be as described. That doesn't mean I don't care about shipping costs, but when I shop ebay I bid on auctions taking into account shipping costs. The higher an item costs to ship, the less likely I am to bid. If the item arrives in a reasonable amount of time, I could really care less if it was shipped the way it was stated in the auction. I've been on ebay a long time, almost 10 years now, and it's been a mostly pleasant experience. If I want to buy something, and I want it now- I don't do it over the internet. Birthday's and Christmas are a year away, buying something off of ebay 5 days before that holiday is really just bad time management.

No matter what method the packages are shipped, they are treated the same by the USPS. I've gotten equally torn up packages in media mail, parcel post, 1st class, and priority. Also media mail and parcel post both take 2-9 days, so complaints about treatment or shipping time between the two are moot. I also don't believe the notion that the post office is more likely to lose your mail if you ship via a lower priced shipping method. If someone could show me the page on their website where they say media mail is less important than other types, maybe I'll change my mind.

[megasdkirby]

Also media mail and parcel post both take 2-9 days, so complaints about treatment or shipping time between the two are moot. I also don't believe the notion that the post office is more likely to lose your mail if you ship via a lower priced shipping method. If someone could show me the page on their website where they say media mail is less important than other types, maybe I'll change my mind.

You've been very lucky.

Many of my friends detest lower shipping methods of the same problems you mentioned. Specially if the package is not insured.

Also remember that if the location of the item is somewhat close to the destination, a cheaper method *MAY* suffice. But if it's destination is long, specially according to the postal zone layout, it can take a very, VERY long time to receive something via Parcel Post and Media Crap Mail. Not good when you have to wait TWO MONTHS to get something from California to New York

I've had many packages get lost due to these horrible shipping methods...if they are not insured. If they are, they almost always arrive. Fun, eh?

You have to be in the situation in order to appreciate why many complain about those shipping services. It's cool that you haven't encountered any significant problems, but if you were in the situations others are/were in, things would be different. I just hope you never get to experience the horrors of those postal services.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

You've been very lucky.

Many of my friends detest lower shipping methods of the same problems you mentioned. Specially if the package is not insured.

Also remember that if the location of the item is somewhat close to the destination, a cheaper method *MAY* suffice. But if it's destination is long, specially according to the postal zone layout, it can take a very, VERY long time to receive something via Parcel Post and Media Crap Mail. Not good when you have to wait TWO MONTHS to get something from California to New York

I've had many packages get lost due to these horrible shipping methods...if they are not insured. If they are, they almost always arrive. Fun, eh?

You have to be in the situation in order to appreciate why many complain about those shipping services. It's cool that you haven't encountered any significant problems, but if you were in the situations others are/were in, things would be different. I just hope you never get to experience the horrors of those postal services.


Insuring is an altogether different service and can be done regardless of shipping method. If something costs a great deal or has a lot of personal value- I won't hesitate to insure the item. And again, I have had items shipped via Priority that have been damaged. The postal service has not always had the variety of Flat Rate boxes that they do now- and even so there are quite a few items one can't send in a flat-rate box.

Also I was comparing parcel to media mail, which are really handled in the same way and take the same amount of time.

Priority mail is guaranteed to get to it's destination, and therefore hasn't had the time to be damaged as much as other methods- I'll give you that. But complaining about 1st class vs. media vs. parcel doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Now the physical handling of all mail is pretty much the same. The same careless individual who handles priority mail can handle media mail and vice versa. That's why insurance is optional on all packages. If you're worried about damaged packages insurance is infinitely more valuable than worrying about the difference between media mail and parcel post.

[megasdkirby]

Insuring is an altogether different service and can be done regardless of shipping method. If something costs a great deal or has a lot of personal value- I won't hesitate to insure the item. And again, I have had items shipped via Priority that have been damaged. The postal service has not always had the variety of Flat Rate boxes that they do now- and even so there are quite a few items one can't send in a flat-rate box.

Agreed. When it's something that is high in price, I will insure it no matter what. It's a safety precaution I take. Also, while many argue that I am wasting my money insuring a package when I buy on Ebay (because supposedly insured or not, the seller is responsible, which I don't agree 100%), I add insurance because I know it will arrive to me. Sure, I've had packages beaten the crap out of, even using Priority Mail. But I can't deny that in many instances, this is because of poor packaging, although there have been times that, even when packaged perfectly, it arrives a mess. O_o


Also I was comparing parcel to media mail, which are really handled in the same way and take the same amount of time.

I noticed that. There aren't many differences between the two. What I don't understand is this: say two packages are sent from the same location to the same destination, at the same time, using the same service. How can one take a few days and another take a month to arrive!? It doesn't make sense...


Priority mail is guaranteed to get to it's destination, and therefore hasn't had the time to be damaged as much as other methods- I'll give you that. But complaining about 1st class vs. media vs. parcel doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

I argue (concerning the shipping method) because I've noticed that, whenver things are sent via First Class Mail, it's usually taken better care of and arrives quicker than anything sent Media or Parcel Post. I can't vouch for everyone, but at least from personal experience and experiences my friends have had, this has been the case. 1st class arrives in a few days, however if said package would have been sent Media or Parcel Post, it would have taken a VERY long time...and possible end up all beat up and with gross things all over it (I don't want to even fathom what the gross things are when I see it LOL).


Now the physical handling of all mail is pretty much the same. The same careless individual who handles priority mail can handle media mail and vice versa. That's why insurance is optional on all packages. If you're worried about damaged packages insurance is infinitely more valuable than worrying about the difference between media mail and parcel post.

Agreed.

I've noticed something as well...if you send something Parcel Post or Media Mail, and it's insured, it arrives much faster than without insurance. Weird, but still surprises me... O_o