The most inane eBay conversation…

cjraleigh · 10-03-2021, 02:03 PM

Had to share this little “Who’s on First” comedy routine I had with a seller.

Me: Hi, may I have a quote to ship to Canada? Here is my postal code. (they’re in the US)

Them: I would not know sorry go to your post office.

Me: Sorry, don’t follow. How would I get a quote here in Canada to have you in the US ship to Canada?

Them: Go to your post office I don't know thank you I don't know prices. How would I know?

I could have continued the charade at this point, but what part of “You are the seller. How/why would I get a quote from another country to tell you how much you will charge to ship to me?” doesn’t make sense?

If you don’t want my bid, just say so. Otherwise, don’t be so lazy.

GOWIFB · 10-03-2021, 02:07 PM

What a dope. Is he a new seller or something? Why would anyone think you need to get your own shipping quote? I mean if you aren't willing to ship to Canada just say so.

cjraleigh · 10-03-2021, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOWIFB

He What a dope. Is he a new seller or something? Why would anyone think you need to get your own shipping quote? I mean if you aren't willing to ship to Canada just say so.

Not a new seller at all. Nearly 2k feedback (100%). Entirely his right if he does not want to ship here, but I felt like he was playing games.

Anyway, just a little comedy for your Sunday afternoon.

Banks8181 · 10-03-2021, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjraleigh

Had to share this little “Who’s on First” comedy routine I had with a seller.

Me: Hi, may I have a quote to ship to Canada? Here is my postal code. (they’re in the US)

Them: I would not know sorry go to your post office.

Me: Sorry, don’t follow. How would I get a quote here in Canada to have you in the US ship to Canada?

Them: Go to your post office I don't know thank you I don't know prices. How would I know?

I could have continued the charade at this point, but what part of “You are the seller. How/why would I get a quote from another country to tell you how much you will charge to ship to me?” doesn’t make sense?

If you don’t want my bid, just say so. Otherwise, don’t be so lazy.

I see a lot of US listing on eBay Canada that don’t have a shipping price. I mean it’s not rocket science lol

whackadoo · 10-03-2021, 05:46 PM

what was his listed shipping for U.S. buyers? maybe he was expecting you to convert that to Canadian dollars? not sure. Regardless, sounds like he wasn't too helpful.

cjraleigh · 10-03-2021, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whackadoo

what was his listed shipping for U.S. buyers? maybe he was expecting you to convert that to Canadian dollars? not sure. Regardless, sounds like he wasn't too helpful.

This was ebay.com, not .ca. Shipping was free for US buyers. Converting to CDN dollars breaks my calculator. haha

Just moving on, but thought it was too strange not to share.

Shadowsonic2004 · 10-03-2021, 05:54 PM

You should have been more blunt with your question or at least word it differently. Something like "How much do you charge to ship to Canada?" Maybe saying quote was throwing him off.

cjraleigh · 10-03-2021, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowsonic2004

You should have been more blunt with your question or at least word it differently. Something like "How much do you charge to ship to Canada?" Maybe saying quote was throwing him off.

Good point, never thought about the phrasing.

It was the first time in probably a hundred requests I’ve had to determine my own shipping. Guess I was the one who was thrown off.

whackadoo · 10-03-2021, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjraleigh

This was ebay.com, not .ca. Shipping was free for US buyers. Converting to CDN dollars breaks my calculator. haha

Just moving on, but thought it was too strange not to share.

yeah, if shipping was listed as free then it's a very valid question. not many folks will buy something without knowing shipping.

LittleJimmies · 10-03-2021, 07:29 PM

I'm curious what Canadian buyers see for shipping cost. I use a $4 flat fee and the global shipping program. Do Canadian buyers see my fee plus some fee from ebay? Had a Canadian buyer ask me yesterday how much shipping would be and I honestly don't have any idea. I know I charge and receive $4, but don't know what they pay.

avicke · 10-03-2021, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleJimmies

I'm curious what Canadian buyers see for shipping cost. I use a $4 flat fee and the global shipping program. Do Canadian buyers see my fee plus some fee from ebay? Had a Canadian buyer ask me yesterday how much shipping would be and I honestly don't have any idea. I know I receive $4, but don't know what they pay.

With the global shipping program, yes they do. They also see the cost of shipping from Ebay's facility to their respective country. It can be extensive. Lately when I sell an items - my mobile notification will show me the total price they paid and some times its double the item price.

metallicalex777 · 10-03-2021, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banks8181

I see a lot of US listing on eBay Canada that don’t have a shipping price. I mean it’s not rocket science lol

The Rocket science is when people (seller I. This case) doesn’t know the difference between North America and U.S. Only.

sbfinley · 10-03-2021, 08:15 PM

On the other side of the coin, I’ve probably sold 1000 items in the past decade and never had a Canadian buyer I can recall. If we were doing a deal here and you asked me for a shipping quote I wouldn’t have a clue until I got to PO and they gave me a total. I’d guess as a Canadian buyer you’d have a much clearer idea of associated shipping costs than the average American seller. Then again I haven’t sold on eBay in several years so I’m not sure if it’s simple as clicking a mouse to find out.

Skipscards · 10-03-2021, 08:18 PM

So, to help out I ran over to my post office to see how much it would cost them to mail you something in Canada. But they were closed.

cjraleigh · 10-03-2021, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleJimmies

I'm curious what Canadian buyers see for shipping cost. I use a $4 flat fee and the global shipping program. Do Canadian buyers see my fee plus some fee from ebay? Had a Canadian buyer ask me yesterday how much shipping would be and I honestly don't have any idea. I know I charge and receive $4, but don't know what they pay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by avicke

With the global shipping program, yes they do. They also see the cost of shipping from Ebay's facility to their respective country. It can be extensive. Lately when I sell an items - my mobile notification will show me the total price they paid and some times its double the item price.

This is a rant for another thread/day, but the Global Shipping Program is price gouging pure and simple. It is always exorbitant, and offers no more protection than USPS international priority shipping with tracking.

In my experience, a listing that shows $4 shipping for US buyers usually translates to about $16 shipping plus a variable customs charge starting at $8 based on the winning bid…assuming the seller will even ship to Canada.

A card ending at $50 will typically run a Canadian buyer about $30 shipping through GSP.

Yes, lower priced items can easily have their shipping run double the winning bid.

Not a rule by any means, but that is a common outcome. Back when PWCC listed cards, a $500-$1000 card would run $100+ easy.

When I find a listing I am interested in and the seller offers flat USPS International shipping of $10, I am ecstatic.

So much for not ranting. ha

cjraleigh · 10-03-2021, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbfinley

On the other side of the coin, I’ve probably sold 1000 items in the past decade and never had a Canadian buyer I can recall. If we were doing a deal here and you asked me for a shipping quote I wouldn’t have a clue until I got to PO and they gave me a total. I’d guess as a Canadian buyer you’d have a much clearer idea of associated shipping costs than the average American seller. Then again I haven’t sold on eBay in several years so I’m not sure if it’s simple as clicking a mouse to find out.

I have a general idea, but ultimately, I cannot possibly quote a seller what it will cost them to ship to me.

I’ve asked hundreds of sellers over the past 20 years for a quote (giving them my postal code), and a good 90% will give me a ballpark figure. The other 9.9% will say they will not ship to Canada (even if their listing is not explicit), and the last 0.1% will respond like the OP.

ottobord · 10-03-2021, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjraleigh

This is a rant for another thread/day, but the Global Shipping Program is price gouging pure and simple. It is always exorbitant, and offers no more protection than USPS international priority shipping with tracking.

In my experience, a listing that shows $4 shipping for US buyers usually translates to about $16 shipping plus a variable customs charge starting at $8 based on the winning bid…assuming the seller will even ship to Canada.

A card ending at $50 will typically run a Canadian buyer about $30 shipping through GSP.

Yes, lower priced items can easily have their shipping run double the winning bid.

Not a rule by any means, but that is a common outcome. Back when PWCC listed cards, a $500-$1000 card would run $100+ easy.

When I find a listing I am interested in and the seller offers flat USPS International shipping of $10, I am ecstatic.

So much for not ranting. ha

Can you actually ship a card International with tracking for under a $1?

Banks8181 · 10-03-2021, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjraleigh

This was ebay.com, not .ca. Shipping was free for US buyers. Converting to CDN dollars breaks my calculator. haha

Just moving on, but thought it was too strange not to share.

Are you sure the seller even wants to ship to Canada? That’s why I only use .ca. I guess I can’t really blame buddy unless the listing is on .ca

cjraleigh · 10-03-2021, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banks8181

Are you sure the seller even wants to ship to Canada? That’s why I only use .ca. I guess I can’t really blame buddy unless the listing is on .ca

Because a shipping rate wasn’t posted, I wasn’t 100% sure.

However, the listing did not show Canada among the list of excluded countries and even said to contact the seller for a quote.

That’s what I did.

Banks8181 · 10-03-2021, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjraleigh

Because a shipping rate wasn’t posted, I wasn’t 100% sure.

However, the listing did not show Canada among the list of excluded countries and even said to contact the seller for a quote.

That’s what I did.

Yeah I hear you. I just exclusively use .ca because I know the seller when making the listing added Canada as a place they’d ship. If you use .com you run the risk of having interactions like you had. That being said, sometimes US items on .ca don’t have a shipping price. Not sure how that’s possible honestly

10-03-2021, 02:03 PM	#1
cjraleigh Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,046 cjraleigh	The most inane eBay conversation… Had to share this little “Who’s on First” comedy routine I had with a seller. Me: Hi, may I have a quote to ship to Canada? Here is my postal code. (they’re in the US) Them: I would not know sorry go to your post office. Me: Sorry, don’t follow. How would I get a quote here in Canada to have you in the US ship to Canada? Them: Go to your post office I don't know thank you I don't know prices. How would I know? I could have continued the charade at this point, but what part of “You are the seller. How/why would I get a quote from another country to tell you how much you will charge to ship to me?” doesn’t make sense? If you don’t want my bid, just say so. Otherwise, don’t be so lazy.

10-03-2021, 02:07 PM	#2
GOWIFB Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 5,931	What a dope. Is he a new seller or something? Why would anyone think you need to get your own shipping quote? I mean if you aren't willing to ship to Canada just say so. __________________ Collecting 2007 Sweet Spot Classic Patches and anything Wisconsin! My photobucket: http://s451.photobucket.com/albums/qq239/GOWIFB/ Last edited by GOWIFB; 10-03-2021 at 02:13 PM.

10-03-2021, 07:29 PM	#10
LittleJimmies Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Chicago Posts: 5,555	I'm curious what Canadian buyers see for shipping cost. I use a $4 flat fee and the global shipping program. Do Canadian buyers see my fee plus some fee from ebay? Had a Canadian buyer ask me yesterday how much shipping would be and I honestly don't have any idea. I know I charge and receive $4, but don't know what they pay. Last edited by LittleJimmies; 10-03-2021 at 07:31 PM.

10-03-2021, 08:18 PM	#14
Skipscards Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: In Tribute To The Great Ryno Posts: 30,249 jlankf2 jmp4	So, to help out I ran over to my post office to see how much it would cost them to mail you something in Canada. But they were closed. __________________ Go Royals!! #RoyalsIn2015 <---It Happened!! #TEAMZinck Sometimes it is astounding that we are able to persist in a world so full of morons.

10-03-2021, 05:46 PM	#5
whackadoo Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Texas Posts: 390	what was his listed shipping for U.S. buyers? maybe he was expecting you to convert that to Canadian dollars? not sure. Regardless, sounds like he wasn't too helpful.

10-03-2021, 05:54 PM	#7
Shadowsonic2004 Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 3,596 Shadowsonic2004	You should have been more blunt with your question or at least word it differently. Something like "How much do you charge to ship to Canada?" Maybe saying quote was throwing him off.

10-03-2021, 08:15 PM	#13
sbfinley Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 1,326	On the other side of the coin, I’ve probably sold 1000 items in the past decade and never had a Canadian buyer I can recall. If we were doing a deal here and you asked me for a shipping quote I wouldn’t have a clue until I got to PO and they gave me a total. I’d guess as a Canadian buyer you’d have a much clearer idea of associated shipping costs than the average American seller. Then again I haven’t sold on eBay in several years so I’m not sure if it’s simple as clicking a mouse to find out.