Ebay Shipping And Tracking Question

I notice in one of the PayPal requires a tracking number, which implies certified mail if USPS. I intended to use older US stamps as a bonus to the buyer. Obviously, this increases my cost for free shipping. Any thoughts/suggestions on this?

Art, I do not sell on E-Bay, but I do a lot of buying. I also get a lot of lots shipped to me that are definitively NOT trackable, insured or what have you. What is more, I would not want to spend that much money on most run of the mill stamps! Are you sure there is not a cut-off for tracking?

Pete

Dunno' I'll try to find out from Paypal.

As a seller you are liable for the package until receiver says so or you have proof of delivery. This applies from 99c and up so it is at the discretion of the seller to chance it or track it. I mostly send stuff with value $20-40 and risk it and so far have not been obviously burned by any buyers. Maybe 1 in 200 packages do not arrive and I am stuck replacing or refunding but a very small percentage. Problem is if you demand the high cost of tracking you loose buyers so you have to weigh risk and reward. I will say anything out of north america you may want to track if any value

The fun of selling on ebay, if you let they will nickle and dime you.
Just mark the item as shipped use your discount postage and you be fine.
Paypal will most likly hold the funds till the buyer leaves feedback or after 21 days, this is the norm for new seller accounts.

Appreciate the advice. Also, I checked Paypal; their Agreement re Seller Protection, states over $250.00 requires tracking/proof of delivery.

As a new seller, I'm limited to shipping in US, so I don't need to deal with international sales yet.

paypal's CYA requirements are up to $249 requires just tracking. $250 or more requires tracking with a signature.

I just can't see stamp collectors screwing others on ebay like it happens in the sports cards/memorabilia and video games. IMO, the only thing you need to worry about with selling stamps would be the post office delivering it - which they are very good at. In sports cards, there are hounds just waiting for a purchase to show up with no tracking and filing a claim - they will win every time. I'm sure it happens at times with stamps but this seems like a pretty safe hobby at least for the cheaper stuff.

The tracking is for small package, certified, registered, priority, express mail programs. The USPS and ebay have made it affordable to send small packages using the ebay labels. Tracking info is automatically updated and an email is sent to the customer. I charge $2.50 shipping the packages in the US. It is a break even amount with the postage cost ($1.64), bubble envelope, stiffeners, and labels. ebay and Paypal take their bite of that as well. I opened a second account with ebay to sell items with 99 cent shipping for items I estimate will sell for under $10.00. Items over $10.00 me and the customers are comfortable with the shipping cost and ease of tracking.

For larger items that still fit inside a flat rate priority mail envelope, tracking and confirmation are now included in the price. It's now called "tracking confirmation" and no additional forms to fill out.

Nitrolure : I just read that you are a seller. Where can I see what you have to sell?

Art,

You need to look at your buyers. The way ebay is set up, there is lots of opportunity for a buyers to defraud a seller by claiming non receipt, tracking doesn't provide that much additional assistance. In 12 years of buying and selling I have only lost two items, one damaged in the British Mail system (I received half an envelope) and one stolen out of the Canadian postal system that was registered and insured.

Good luck, I only ship with standard postage and don't have any problems (yet).

I'm with 64idgaf, just ship regular first class and be sure to mark the item as shipped. now if we could only get buyers to give feedback.

Koala- I sometimes list my stamps/ lures on ebay but havn't done much on there lately- Really tired of getting beat to death with details such as this post are about. If your a fisherman you can use my avatar name .com and see my wares although I havn't worked on the website for quite sometime either.