Ebay retards are worse than craigslist retards.

[Zthun]

When it comes to buying games and old systems, there is no better place to find them than ebay. You can claim that gamegavel and amazon have great selections, but they are ofter skyrocketed prices. No, ebay is probably the place where you are going to get the best price for your games and systems. That is...if you don't care if they work or not.

I have the worst luck when it comes to dealing with sellers. Has it ever occurred to some people that the reason paypal and ebay side with the buyer more ofter is because some sellers really need to dig their head out of their ass. I just won a Sega Saturn lot that was a great deal (I have been trying to get a good deal on a Saturn lot for a long time now): System, 2 controllers, all hookups (RF Switch for video which is fine for me), and about 12 games (including XMen COTA, Myst, and Darkstalkers). I got it for $38 shipped. In the auction, it was stated that all games were tested and working fine.

When I get the package, there is absolutely no protection for the system or anything else, no bubble wrap, no peanuts, no nothing. It was just thrown in the box, left for the wolves at USPS. Sure enough, the system doesn't read any of the discs, the battery is dead, and the washers that hold the system together are busted. Why does this not surprise me? I have not even been on ebay that long (less than 1 year), and I've ordered probable less than 60 items. Yet, I feel like I am constantly dealing with people who are trying to pass off junk as legit, hoping that the buyer will just remain silent and just accept the loss. I have ruined people's 100% feedback for being retarded and not using simple common sense when dealing with fragile items. When I ship stuff, I am always careful and I package everything will FULL support using bubble wrap, packing peanuts/paper, and brand new boxes/mailers. I did this for the first package I've ever mailed, and I continue to do it whenever I ship things now.

I don't even bother contacting sellers anymore. Unless I'm asking for a partial refund, I just leave them negative feedback, and I'll open a paypal dispute if I want a full refund. The problem with the auction above is that the games are in good condition, and I want to keep the games, but I don't want to ship the system back because it will cost just as much to ship the system back as a partial refund that I will get. What a joke.

I just felt like ranting. This just keeps happening. I would love to completely use sites like this, but getting deals on forums seems to be few and far between as everyone wants 100% market value for their games (even above half the time).

[TRM]

I know your frusteration, and when I sell items, I too pack them really nicely. I remember shipping a few things overseas one time that totalled about $500 or so, and was scared to death when the buyer told me that they didn't work...though he agreed that I packed them so cautiously, that any damage could not have been done due to the post...luckily it was just a hardware problem, and the items then did work for him.

I think that as with anything, there are those who care and those who do not care. I remember hearing about the Ford Pinto(?) case which happened during the 60s or 70s I think, where the executives at Ford discovered that there was a danger with their cars, but decided that a few lawsuits for causing death would be cheaper than to fix everything that was faulty...an extreme situation, but in this case, the business/seller cared more about what was more cost efficient, disregarding the value of human lives, etc.

As you said, there are so many sellers that just want maximum profits, and are not worried about if they rip someone off or not. On the other hand, I have received packages from people which were literally giftwrapped when I opened them up, boxes also loaded with tons of protection. As with any activity that a human performs, some give a shit and some just don't. Unfortunately, this is life, but it doesn't make it any easier for those of us who do care, only to receive poor treatment in return.

[megasdkirby]

Has it ever occurred to some people that the reason paypal and ebay side with the buyer more ofter is because some sellers really need to dig their head out of their ass.

Correct.

If you dare say that on the Ebay message boards, they will attack you mercilessly, as though you are a spawn of evil. But truth be told, what you say is very true. Not every seller is bad, but because there are a few "bad apples" out there, every seller must suffer, similar to a classroom where every student suffers thanks to the mischievous conduct of one.

Is it fair? No, not by a long shot. Ebay should update their rules to only affect those who are in the wrong, not penalize those who do good. But I don't think it will happen, unless Ebay realizes their error, which is surely never going to happen.


When I get the package, there is absolutely no protection for the system or anything else, no bubble wrap, no peanuts, no nothing. It was just thrown in the box, left for the wolves at USPS.

Yet these same selllers try to "pass the buck" and blame the USPS for their own fault. Sure, the USPS has some fault with how they deal with packages, but so does the seller, on how they protect the package during shipping. I've had sellers ship Game Boy games in a padded envelope...and when it arrives damaged and the buyer complains, the seller is quick to blame the Post Office and not themselves. Items deserve a certain degree of protection, even if it's something who's value is less than that of it's packaging.


I have ruined people's 100% feedback for being retarded and not using simple common sense when dealing with fragile items.

Definitely, if you were to say that on the Ebay Message boards, you will be considered Lucifer himself. LOL

But it's necessary to tell the truth, even if it tarnishes the reputation of the seller. Hopefully that way, they will take it into account next time they sell something, no matter what venue they choose.


When I ship stuff, I am always careful and I package everything will FULL support using bubble wrap, packing peanuts/paper, and brand new boxes/mailers. I did this for the first package I've ever mailed, and I continue to do it whenever I ship things now.

Exactly like me.

No matter what it is, I always make sure my items are well protected. This is why I never use bubble mailers nor any other shipping method that may be considered "iffy". I've already stated my ideas about "bubble mailers" many times before, so I won't do it here. But in either case, protecting an item from harm during shipping is essential, yet many of these sellers don't realise that. They just want to make a few bucks of shipping and hope for the best.

[Dark_Sol]

I am sick of retard shit as well. I got some many shit for last years that now i open paypal disputes no matter what. No mercy.

[megasdkirby]

I recently sent out the package, and I purposely weighed it in both a bubble mailer and in a box. It was an Atari 7800 video game with manual.

In the bubble mailer, it seemed as though the package was about to give birth. In other words, the package was "bumpy", so there goes any protection if anything heavy or extreme force is placed on the package. It weighed and priced around $2.40.

Then I tried a small box, enough to protect both the game and manual. Added plenty of packaging peanuts and some bubble wrap on the cartridge. The box was sturdy, did not rattle, and well protected? Price to send that package? $2.60. ONLY 20 CENTS MORE.

Apart from finding the materials, there is really no excuse not to use a small box.

[ryborg]

Then I tried a small box, enough to protect both the game and manual. Added plenty of packaging peanuts and some bubble wrap on the cartridge. The box was sturdy, did not rattle, and well protected?

Yes, and how long did it take you to do that? If you think every seller is going to do that for every item, you are out of touch with reality. This is a ridiculous idea for any seller who sells more than a few things a day. I use boxes myself for anything I find unsuitable to mail in a bubble mailer, and it takes considerably longer.

I have been using bubble mailers for cheap items for almost 12 years now and I honestly can't remember anyone ever complaining about cartridges being cracked or anything similar. I also have received hundreds of games over the years shipped in nothing more than bubble mailers. If something is misshaped like a 7800 game, just throw in a small extra layer of bubblewrap or something and it'll be fine.


Price to send that package? $2.60. ONLY 20 CENTS MORE.

Apart from finding the materials, there is really no excuse not to use a small box.

That must be a very small, light box. Mine are a little larger and add about $.35 to the postage. Add in the cost of the box itself (I buy them in bulk and pay about $.35 each) and you have a considerable charge for EVERY transaction, on top of ebay/Paypal fees. When I know an item will be shipped in a box, I raise shipping $.75 to cover the costs. It seems like the same people who cry about sellers not using boxes are the same ones who cry about sellers having expensive shipping.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Some sellers inflate their shipping costs to make a profit.

They don't deserve positives.

[ryborg]

Some sellers inflate their shipping costs to make a profit.

They don't deserve positives.

Fair enough, but leaving a neutral/negative feedback because of the shipping price is just as bad, assuming shipping/handling costs are specified.

Not to mention that *not* leaving positive feedback isn't a deterrent for anything, unless it's for a new seller with very low feedback. I have three selling accounts and I could care less about feedback on any of them.

As long as ebay/Paypal keep raising their fees, sellers will continue to raise their fees too. I remember when I was able to charge the exact amount for shipping back from 1998-2001 and not a penny more. Those days seem like eons ago. I wish I could do that now, but I sell stuff to make money, not to lose it.

[megasdkirby]

Yes, and how long did it take you to do that? If you think every seller is going to do that for every item, you are out of touch with reality. This is a ridiculous idea for any seller who sells more than a few things a day. I use boxes myself for anything I find unsuitable to mail in a bubble mailer, and it takes considerably longer.

True that. I don't ship many items, I admit. But those I do ship I use only boxes. Maybe it's because of paranoia or not, but I rather use something that, in theory, protects the item better. But that's me anyway.


I have been using bubble mailers for cheap items for almost 12 years now and I honestly can't remember anyone ever complaining about cartridges being cracked or anything similar.

Good point regarding carts, but I've had sellers ship CIB GameBoy games in bubble mailers! And you can only guess what the outcome was: poor, damaged (from flattened) boxes. Carts are pretty resiliant, but do they honestly expect a flimsy bubble mailer to protect a cardboard game box that has not been flattened? This is why I like buying here in DP, because we know about such things, but not the regular seller on Ebay.


When I know an item will be shipped in a box, I raise shipping $.75 to cover the costs.

Speaking of which, I have to do that too. I forgot to take into consideration the new shipping fees and such, so I got to "up" the price a bit. 75 cents seems perfect enough.


It seems like the same people who cry about sellers not using boxes are the same ones who cry about sellers having expensive shipping.

Really depends on the buyer. If I know the item will be shipped and well protected, I don't mind throwing a few bucks extra, as many here on DP know. But I do complain when a seller charges $10 shipping and only use $1. But I don't buy from those sellers anyway.

[ryborg]

but I've had sellers ship CIB GameBoy games in bubble mailers! And you can only guess what the outcome was

Yeah, I think we can all agree that any boxed item like that cannot be mailed in a bubble mailer. I have never been a vintage boxed game collector (I actually prefer cart-only because of shelf/space limitations), but when I do buy boxed games, I make sure to ask before I buy.

[aaron7]

Packaging is a HUGE problem on ebay.

So many times I've bought CIB games, accessories, what have you and they ship them in bubble envelopes. WTF?? It doesn't take a genius to know that flexible packaging and paperboard will amount to failure.

But I do side with sellers sometimes as I have to deal with equally retarded buyers.

Just a few days ago I sold a PIII Dell laptop to a guy. He hit my buy-it-now of $50 and paid $9 shipping.

Guy gets the laptop and says the hard drive is clunking, the screen is messed up, and the battery doesn't charge. The battery issue was covered in my description as I NEVER guarantee a battery on anything used.

I'm a PC tech and co-own a computer store so I know my shit. The laptop was working perfect when it left here... why would I be so stupid as to sell a dying laptop as working?

He wanted a partial refund of $25. I said no, just send it back and I'll give you a full refund plus shipping costs. I don't have time to deal with scammer buyers who make up stuff to get free money; dealt with that in the past a few times.

So the guy leaves me a negative feedback. :2gunfire:

Now my 100% is 99.2 and won't go away for a year. AHHHHHHHHHHH

[megasdkirby]

Some sellers inflate their shipping costs to make a profit.

They don't deserve positives.

True, but at the same time they don't deserve negatives if the buyer agreed to the terms.

Rarely do I ever purchase items from sellers who over-inflate shipping costs to make a profit. When I do (usually because it turns out cheaper anyway or it's something of great importance), I don't complain because I agreed to the terms. I don't like the fact of making an excessive profit of shipping, but if I agreed to it, I really can't complain.

In said circumstances, I don't rate the seller at all.

Now it does aggravate my nerves when I pay a certain amount for one shipping method and the seller in question uses a much cheaper method (usually Media Mail) to ship an item. I've seen sellers advertise $10 for a Flat Rate Priority Mail box, but then ship the item in a smaller box, via First Class Mail (if the weight permits). So the $10 I paid (for example) for Priority is now only $3 for First Class Mail, and the seller profits $7, even though the seller advertised Priority Mail for $10 in the first place!


Packaging is a HUGE problem on ebay.

So many times I've bought CIB games, accessories, what have you and they ship them in bubble envelopes. WTF?? It doesn't take a genius to know that flexible packaging and paperboard will amount to failure.

I'm just guessing those sellers are trying their best to waste as little on shipping so they can make a profit. Still, a bubble envelope for a CIB game (like the example I gave above with GB games)? WTF?

But like Ryborg stated, I now ask sellers to ship those games in small boxes for protection.

[Zthun]

True, but at the same time they don't deserve negatives if the buyer agreed to the terms.

Rarely do I ever purchase items from sellers who over-inflate shipping costs to make a profit. When I do (usually because it turns out cheaper anyway or it's something of great importance), I don't complain because I agreed to the terms. I don't like the fact of making an excessive profit of shipping, but if I agreed to it, I really can't complain.

In said circumstances, I don't rate the seller at all.


I always take the price of shipping into my final value. Normally, when I buy a wholesale lot of games, I will calculate my total final price that I want to pay. I will then subtract the cost of shipping, or the majority of the shipping. I still win some lots this way, so I've kept it up. I don't really care what the shipping is as long as it doesn't over inflate what I am buying. I only care about the shipped price, not the base price.



Now it does aggravate my nerves when I pay a certain amount for one shipping method and the seller in question uses a much cheaper method (usually Media Mail) to ship an item. I've seen sellers advertise $10 for a Flat Rate Priority Mail box, but then ship the item in a smaller box, via First Class Mail (if the weight permits). So the $10 I paid (for example) for Priority is now only $3 for First Class Mail, and the seller profits $7, even though the seller advertised Priority Mail for $10 in the first place!


I haven't had a problem yet with people doing this (I guess I've been lucky in this regard). Often times, people will up the shipping to priority because they took over a week to ship it.



I'm just guessing those sellers are trying their best to waste as little on shipping so they can make a profit. Still, a bubble envelope for a CIB game (like the example I gave above with GB games)? WTF?

But like Ryborg stated, I now ask sellers to ship those games in small boxes for protection.

Yeah, bubble mailers are for loose cartridges, cds, and dvds. When you put a squishy box in there, you're asking for disaster. All you'd have to do is get a small flat rate priority box (free from usps), and wrap it up with some paper (you can use a brown paper bag), and there you go: squishy proof.

[hamburglar]

Now it does aggravate my nerves when I pay a certain amount for one shipping method and the seller in question uses a much cheaper method (usually Media Mail) to ship an item. I've seen sellers advertise $10 for a Flat Rate Priority Mail box, but then ship the item in a smaller box, via First Class Mail (if the weight permits). So the $10 I paid (for example) for Priority is now only $3 for First Class Mail, and the seller profits $7, even though the seller advertised Priority Mail for $10 in the first place!



.


The most a first class parcel can weigh is 13 ounces, if someone is selling a small item that weighs under 13 ounces and is charging 10.00 for a medium Flat rate Priority mail box then I just won't bid.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Yeah, bubble mailers are for loose cartridges, cds, and dvds. When you put a squishy box in there, you're asking for disaster. All you'd have to do is get a small flat rate priority box (free from usps), and wrap it up with some paper (you can use a brown paper bag), and there you go: squishy proof.

And then you get hit with extra shipping fees AND a yelling from a postal worker because you used a flat rate box in an improper way.

[japancollector]

In the good old days you have the freedom to make your own policy as a seller on ebay .My policy was at the time that i shipped out boxed games only in parcel/boxes (8$ europa and 15 $ worldwide ).And accepted bubblepadded envelopes for cd/dvd type of games.This was for avoiding problems

Some time ago ebay came witch a very stupid policy for international sellers on ebay.com witch doesnt make sense

(International sellers

International sellers listing directly on eBay.com in the U.S. are also required to specify a shipping cost less than or equal to the maximum shipping cost on their first flat rate U.S. shipping cost.)

Witch actally force me to offer bubble padded envelopes .Its actally impossible to send a super famicom in a bubble padded envelope to united states for 4$.Because it doesnt fit in a mailbox(size is just little bit too big(1 cm).My father has a postoffice near his work that see it trough the fingers.It cost then 8 $. This policy has hughe effect on how everything is packed and also the item price .And is litterly good for nothing policy what only bring bad for both sellers and buyer.Hopefull it get removed fast.That they based maxium shipping on the seller country estimates to united states

The second problem is offering japan import items on ebay.nl dont work.I sell zero items a year then. Because they arent visible worldwide.So auctally i am forced to offer my ebay items on ebay.com /ebay.co.uk if i want to sell them.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Um.

Can't you use calculated shipping costs? Because we can, and we get around the idiotic $4 shipping cost limitation that way.

[SamuraiSmurfette]

No we cannot. If you are shipping from OUTSIDE US, you are SOL.

Really sucks. Cheapest small package rate for me from Canada to US is $5.44.
I eat the difference and packaging costs.

[j1e]

Yeah, bubble mailers are for loose cartridges, cds, and dvds. When you put a squishy box in there, you're asking for disaster. All you'd have to do is get a small flat rate priority box (free from usps), and wrap it up with some paper (you can use a brown paper bag), and there you go: squishy proof.

I agree with you and everyone else about the cardboard box in a bubble mailer. But you can't "brown bag" those flat rate boxes. I believe it's illegal; considered mail fraud.

[Jorpho]

No we cannot. If you are shipping from OUTSIDE US, you are SOL.

Really sucks. Cheapest small package rate for me from Canada to US is $5.44.
I eat the difference and packaging costs.
List on eBay.ca and there's no problem - and it makes no difference to the listing, no?

[Icarus Moonsight]

I agree with you and everyone else about the cardboard box in a bubble mailer. But you can't "brown bag" those flat rate boxes. I believe it's illegal; considered mail fraud.

Well, what if you reuse a box? I split them at the seam, turn them inside out, tape the box and wrap it for reuse. Maybe 1/5 times I send it priority again... I mean, the post office is very wasteful as a standard (read: junk mail) but going against green-hysteria is not something anyone wants to do these days. How do you prove such a charge? :hmm:

[j1e]

Well, what if you reuse a box? I split them at the seam, turn them inside out, tape the box and wrap it for reuse. Maybe 1/5 times I send it priority again... I mean, the post office is very wasteful as a standard (read: junk mail) but going against green-hysteria is not something anyone wants to do these days. How do you prove such a charge? :hmm:

Hmm. Good point. I was thinking of people who go get the flat rate boxes from the PO and wrap brown paper or whatever else around it to avoid higher shipping costs.

I'm sure people try that. And I'm pretty sure some of those PO workers know the dimensions of those flat rate boxes and can be a little suspect about it.

I wouldn't want to fuck over the mail system.

[ryborg]

Hmm. Good point. I was thinking of people who go get the flat rate boxes from the PO and wrap brown paper or whatever else around it to avoid higher shipping costs.

That's a lot of time and effort just to get a free box. You can buy boxes in bulk for next to nothing.

[GarrettCRW]

Why wrap a flat-rate box with brown paper when you can simply turn it inside-out? It's very easy to do with the smaller boxes.

[Legend Of Zelda]

Got a Mega Man III boxed in the mail today in a bubble mailer, boxed was crushed on a corner and indented on the front on all sides. Needless to say, it sucked.

[Ed Oscuro]

The PO is pretty serious about the Priority Boxes. They see you trying to ship something out in one without paying the rate, they'll make you get another box. I'd not want to find out what would happen if an inspector found your package halfway to its destination. Doubtful anybody's likely to waste the time looking, but you probably can rather easily tell a Priority Box turned inside-out from the white printing.

And yes, if you reuse enough Priority Boxes, they will get you (http://consumerist.com/2008/05/dont-reuse-that-usps-priority-box-its-illegal.html).

It seems dumb in this green-obsessed age, but simple economics dictates they have to stand by this rule. If people grab the free Priority boxes and use them for other forms of shipping, they won't be able to offer them to Priority customers at that low rate, and the Priority service would be subsidizing other forms of shipping which do not have the cost of the shipping box factored in. A simple "it's already been used, let them use common sense to show that it's not generating this harm" would apply but that's more complicated than simply enforcing a "don't use these boxes for anything but shipping Priority" rule.

[megasdkirby]

And yes, if you reuse enough Priority Boxes, they will get you (http://consumerist.com/2008/05/dont-reuse-that-usps-priority-box-its-illegal.html).



I read the article, and while interesting to see that it might be considered "illegal", it's emphasis deals on using the boxes for anything other than Priority Mail. The person in question was turning the box inside out, but I don't think the Post Office would mind recycling the box if used for the same, correct purpose.

For instance, whenever I get a Priority Mail box, I save it and reuse it for Priority Mail. I don't turn the box "inside out" or anything of the like. I just use it for the same service in question. I doubt that's "illegal" in their eyes.

[Icarus Moonsight]

It's so stupid, when you reuse the boxes by inside-out'ing them, you can tell that they've been used once already... One would be able to get it all thrown out on abuse of process, perhaps even malicious prosecution.

[megasdkirby]

I've had Ebay sellers place the item inside a Priority Mail box, then place the box inside an envelope to ship via First Class Mail!

[ryborg]

Why wrap a flat-rate box with brown paper when you can simply turn it inside-out? It's very easy to do with the smaller boxes.

Because the brown innards are stamped with "PRIORITY MAIL" all over to prevent just this.


For instance, whenever I get a Priority Mail box, I save it and reuse it for Priority Mail. I don't turn the box "inside out" or anything of the like. I just use it for the same service in question. I doubt that's "illegal" in their eyes.

This is allowed, so no need to worry about doing it.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I once had a seller send me something in a Priority Mail Flat Rate box, and I was charged the difference in postage because he used media. I asked that he refund the money they charged -me- because of what he did. And well, he did.

There's nothing wrong with reusing Priority boxes for Priority. Back in the day, I used to get used ones, flip them over, put Priority stickers on 'em and ship them. (This was before the boxes had "Priority Mail" stamped on the inside.)


It's so stupid, when you reuse the boxes by inside-out'ing them, you can tell that they've been used once already... One would be able to get it all thrown out on abuse of process, perhaps even malicious prosecution.

Except that this is a federal crime, so it's not that easy.

[Icarus Moonsight]

That explains the stupid part. LOL

So much for the USPS being a private entity... USPIS? I wonder if UPS or FedEx has Mail Police. :roll:

Lysander Spooner, Wise Fwum you gwave... or roll in it.

They actually believe these are still Postal property, even when used as specified? I'm sorry, possession trumps that BS. I mean, I could say, "I own every box that the post office doesn't own. If you use those boxes to ship through USPS, my boxes, I'll kidnap you, take the money and credit cards in your wallet and lock you in my closet until you learn your lesson." Just as credible, and makes about as much sense. All this over boxes... Jeez.

I'm going to go put a priority box on my head and play Mail Cop now... :p

[Zthun]

And yes, if you reuse enough Priority Boxes, they will get you (http://consumerist.com/2008/05/dont-reuse-that-usps-priority-box-its-illegal.html).


Wow, I never actually knew that. Doesn't surprise me though. Shipping a box that you recycled? Post office can't have that!

I always get brown wrapped priority mail boxes and never thought anything of it. I've also seen and had many games media mailed to me successfully without me having to pay anything extra (I wouldn't anyway - and you can't ship video games media mail, period - it's written in their rules).

[darkslime]

OP is the stupid I'm always right douchebag buyer that doesn't deserve to use eBay. Occasionally sellers make mistakes. If you contact me and show me some pictures of the damaged item I'll refund right away, but if you leave me a negative feedback and file a claim I will do everything I can to keep my money even if the item was actually broken.

If I got a system that was packaged badly and damaged I would first contact the seller with pictures of the damage and reasonably explain it to him. If he doesn't do anything then I will file a claim but a lot of the time most sellers are apologetic and will refund you without having to wait for paypal to refund you if you explain it to them calmly.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I just realized we're arguing about this same thing over at GameTZ. sup. :P

[darkslime]

Not much, you? :D

Thanks for the Dreamcast Rumble pack BTW

[Zthun]

OP is the stupid I'm always right douchebag buyer that doesn't deserve to use eBay. Occasionally sellers make mistakes. If you contact me and show me some pictures of the damaged item I'll refund right away, but if you leave me a negative feedback and file a claim I will do everything I can to keep my money even if the item was actually broken.

If I got a system that was packaged badly and damaged I would first contact the seller with pictures of the damage and reasonably explain it to him. If he doesn't do anything then I will file a claim but a lot of the time most sellers are apologetic and will refund you without having to wait for paypal to refund you if you explain it to them calmly.

Ebay is a buyers market. The cost of shipping back certain items is the same as the refund you will receive. The seller would avoid this problem if they would describe their items accurately in the first place. Shipping something without any protection just means a buyer now has the hassle of dealing with a seller who probably knows that they were shipping junk in the first place and will usually ignore you hoping that you will be a complete wuss and back out.

Sellers do make mistakes, but there are certain common sense things that should be followed when shipping. I can see sellers not knowing that you can't ship games media mail, or that you can't do certain things when shipping boxes. Nobody really reads the 100000 page rule book. But shipping something that is fragile WITHOUT any protection is about as dumb as you can get. Even a seller that has never shipped anything before will most likely know this.

[SamuraiSmurfette]

List on eBay.ca and there's no problem - and it makes no difference to the listing, no?

Well, yeas it does, because I don't WANT to ship to Canada. It costs me anywhere from %25-%200 more to ship domestically, because the shipping methods are all screwy here. They took away small packet rate for domestic shipping. I have to ship everything as a parcel, meaning the MINIMUM charge for anything that won't fit through a letterbox is $7-8. Sending a strat guide within Canada costs me on average $13.

[Achika]

Now it does aggravate my nerves when I pay a certain amount for one shipping method and the seller in question uses a much cheaper method (usually Media Mail) to ship an item. I've seen sellers advertise $10 for a Flat Rate Priority Mail box, but then ship the item in a smaller box, via First Class Mail (if the weight permits). So the $10 I paid (for example) for Priority is now only $3 for First Class Mail, and the seller profits $7, even though the seller advertised Priority Mail for $10 in the first place!

I do believe this is a HUGE no-no on eBay. I can't find the specific eBay rule at the moment, but I do remember seeing it at some point (does Help really need to be such a pain to navigate?). This has happened to me before and I contacted the seller and they refunded my money. If it happens again, I'll be contacting the seller again.

As a seller/buyer on eBay I don't mind if things are sent in a bubble mailer as long as the shipping price reflect that. What I mean is, if I'm paying for first class mail, that's what I expect but if I'm paying for Priority then I expect a box since they are FREE. I often ship games in a bubble mailer, but I make it a point to specify in the auction whether it will show up at your doorstep in a box or a bubble mailer. When I started selling, I didn't ship FCM but now that shipping costs have gone up, I find myself shipping out more and more packages that way. It's either, I use a sturdy box and get few bids, all the money goes to an overinflated shipping charge or I charge less for shipping in a bubble mailer and the final bid seems to go higher.

I rely mostly on recycled materials, I don't buy small boxes in bulk so if I buy a few small boxes at Staples and have to buy peanuts for all those small boxes, I might as well have shipped it Priority with free boxes. Bubble mailers I can grab at the $1 store for 3/$1. At the same time, because of the recycled materials what I charge is the actual shipping cost in most cases, not excess because I don't have to constantly buy materials.

As for the "Priority boxes aren't really YOUR boxes discussion". It says on the Priority/Express mail boxes what they are to be used for. If you think that's stupid, you need to look into mailbox specifications (yes the ones on the street, not PO boxes). The mailbox you buy is governed by their regulations.

[ryborg]

...so if I buy a few small boxes at Staples and have to buy peanuts for all those small boxes....

There is literally never a reason to buy shipping peanuts, unless you're a massive seller. Crumpled newspaper or anything similar is free and does just as fine of a job.

[megasdkirby]

There is literally never a reason to buy shipping peanuts, unless you're a massive seller. Crumpled newspaper or anything similar is free and does just as fine of a job.

Yup.

I just recycle whatever packaging materials used when I receive packages. It could be bubble wrap, peanuts, "air pockets" (like those in Amazon). But if not, crumpled newspaper is perfect.

It might take up space, but at least I save time and money. $_$

[Jorpho]

Well, yeas it does, because I don't WANT to ship to Canada. It costs me anywhere from %25-%200 more to ship domestically, because the shipping methods are all screwy here. They took away small packet rate for domestic shipping. I have to ship everything as a parcel, meaning the MINIMUM charge for anything that won't fit through a letterbox is $7-8. Sending a strat guide within Canada costs me on average $13.Whaa? Unless you're sending stuff thicker than a DVD case or insisting on some kind of delivery confirmation, domestic Canadian shipping rates are a trifle in my experience.

[pseudonym]

That's really expensive, even for Canada Post. Shipping a strat guide doesn't cost any more than $5 or so here.

[Cornelius]

There is literally never a reason to buy shipping peanuts, unless you're a massive seller. Crumpled newspaper or anything similar is free and does just as fine of a job.


Yup.

I just recycle whatever packaging materials used when I receive packages. It could be bubble wrap, peanuts, "air pockets" (like those in Amazon). But if not, crumpled newspaper is perfect.



This I disagree with. For something light, maybe, but for something like a system or other largish, heavyish item, crumpled newspaper packs down and leaves a larger cavity. They don't 'rebound' from compression like packing peanuts or air pouches. It is a pretty terrible packing material. Same (or worse) with plastic bags.



at least I save time and money. $_$
This is the exact reason people use bubble mailers, which you criticize.

I don't especially care about all this, I just think a lot of people use newspaper thinking it is great without ever really evaluating its effectiveness. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and the like were invented for a reason, after all.

[Icarus Moonsight]

As for the "Priority boxes aren't really YOUR boxes discussion". It says on the Priority/Express mail boxes what they are to be used for. If you think that's stupid, you need to look into mailbox specifications (yes the ones on the street, not PO boxes). The mailbox you buy is governed by their regulations.

Yes, I'm aware of that idiocy as well. Trust me, if I could receive letter-mail any other way, I would.

[darkslime]

I don't especially care about all this, I just think a lot of people use newspaper thinking it is great without ever really evaluating its effectiveness. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and the like were invented for a reason, after all.Agreed. Newspaper and bags are terrible packing materials. My PS3 came packed in a bunch of plastic bags (from a member here) and got dinged up during shipping but luckily still worked.

I used to buy big bags of packing peanuts for like 30 bucks shipped but when our house flooded the insurance company moved all our stuff into storage, and when they moved it back they left all the boxes and bubble wrap it was packed with and I have bubble wrap to last a lifetime, it is stuffed inside my dad's broken Firebird (costs more money to fix than its worth) and fills up the whole cab.

[ryborg]

I don't especially care about all this, I just think a lot of people use newspaper thinking it is great without ever really evaluating its effectiveness.

I've shipped hundreds, possibly thousands of packages over the years (including some here) using crumpled newspaper and I've never received a single complaint. I've also received many, many packages over the years packed with nothing but newspaper and I've never had a problem. The only issue I could ever see arising is the newsprint leaking onto the item, which is why I always make sure to place the item in a bag first.

Yeah, plastic bags should never be used as packing. I don't think anyone's arguing that point.

[megasdkirby]

This I disagree with. For something light, maybe, but for something like a system or other largish, heavyish item, crumpled newspaper packs down and leaves a larger cavity. They don't 'rebound' from compression like packing peanuts or air pouches. It is a pretty terrible packing material. Same (or worse) with plastic bags.

That's true. The only solution was to tightly pack something (and I mean REALLY tight, with an excessive amount of newspaper) so that it won't move, even if it compresses. However, this raises shipping quite a bit, as there is more mass in the specified volume.



This is the exact reason people use bubble mailers, which you criticize.

My bad. I meant that comment for materials I receive and recycle, like peanuts and boxes. I don't recycle bags or newspapers. If I recycle peanuts and boxes, I save time and money, as I have everything saved up from before.

By the way, using bags as packing material is horrible, in my opinion.