I like to browse the auctions and often see stamps i can use...but the roadblocks are just too much...some say NO EBAY, others NO Checks, another says contact me for shipping charges..why should i have to do that if i am a collector with good credentials ? They do not make it easy !
That's a big gripe of mine on SOR. I haven't looked at that many lots here, but the ones I have looked at for one country in particular are often from the same seller, and it always says "contact me for shipping charges."
For US shipping, for a single stamp, I would think a seller would know by now how much s/he wants to charge. I've never gone to the trouble to contact that seller, because I don't want the item(s) that badly, and it annoys me that I'd have to ask.
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"You gotta put down the duckie if you wanna play the saxophone. (Hoots the Owl -- Sesame Street)"
I agree. A seller should be required to state all terms and conditions of sales. It is not a mystery game, and lends itself to criticism towards the selling process, after a buyer has made the obligation to purchase an item, as a seller can manipulate the shipping fees to make up for any loss in the sale price.
Our rules are clear... You may list any charges you want, but in the absence od something else specified, sellers can only charge cost of shipping. I must assume a seller asking others to ask is only going to say what the scale says... One ounce is 49c.
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"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"
They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin 20 May 2014 07:46:51am
re: Do they really want to sell stamps ?
I do not know about the auction in question where the seller stated "contact me for shipping charges," but I can surmise it is part of his/her "set up terms" and is not specific to any single transaction, but rather aimed at addressing shipping charges for all possible auctions where weight and/or packaging requirements can vary the charges. In my terms, I state:
" Actual postage...For items which fit into a #6 or #10 envelope this is easy to calculate at http://postcalc.usps.com/. If you are unsure about weight and size, CONTACT ME BEFORE BIDDING. "
Same thing.
As to "no checks," I also do not accept checks. Over the years I have been burned once too often by checks drawn on insufficient funds, resulting in charges by my bank to me for something over which I have no control. Considering the fact that most transactions here are less than $10, I do not see this as a great inconvenience to the buyer. Plus, I accept PayPal on ALL purchases, regardless of amount, with no surcharges (I just eat the fees as they are minimal).
PayPal: I can almost understand why Sellers do not accept PayPal (especially on small orders) because of fees to the Seller. But I absolutely cannot understand why a Buyer refuses to use PayPal (where it is an option) to pay for items as there are no fees involved. In fact, Buyers who use PayPal save the cost of envelopes, postage and their time - I see no negatives here (perhaps someone can educate me).
-Bobby
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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. -Edmund Burke"
Generally speaking, it is a pain to constantly deal with registering with this or that web site and mess about trying to remember usernames, passwords, and sometimes multiple emails. But when it comes to paying for on-line purchases, I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't use PayPal. It's well designed, seems as secure as anything can be these days (certainly no less secure than giving your credit card number over the phone or your credit card itself to a restaurant waiter in a restaurant), and saves a great deal of hassle. Since so many dealers require PayPal, it seems masochistic to me to deny its advantages.
The past is a foreign country, they do things different there. 20 May 2014 05:07:23pm
re: Do they really want to sell stamps ?
Nor am I a salesman for "payPal", but I have to agree with Bob.
A wide array of commercial institutes accept payPal, not just sellers
on the internet. Security, convenience and outright usefulness make
it a must-have for me.
John Derry (who still has a slide-rule)
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"Much happiness is overlooked because it doesn't cost anything. "
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent). 20 May 2014 06:15:22pm
re: Do they really want to sell stamps ?
Very true about PayPal - many online merchants now use PayPal. Some give buyers an option of using their credit card directly to their secured site but may say that for extra security the buyer may choose PayPal instead. I think this is because they cannot give a guarantee of their site security as much as PayPal can.
As for sellers here, I don't see why anyone would not list their postage fees. They can always state that larger purchases may come to a higher fee due to weight which should be obvious to the buyer if they are purchasing 100 stamps as opposed to one.
Just my nickel's worth of thoughts (thoughts aren't worth a penny anymore here in Canada!)
Kelly
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"Let's find a cure for Still's Disease, Breast Cancer and Canine Addison's Disease. We CAN find a cure and save lives!!"
Thanks for all the responses...Bobstamp i did mean Paypal not Ebay..sorry, i think its early dementia..its a good day if i only forget my shampoo at the gym !
I stopped in the Dollar store the other day and when I went to slide my card, (who uses cash anymore) I was surprised to see the Paypal option on their card machine. I'm sure there must be plenty of other businesses that accept Paypal, but I don't get out much anymore, by choice.
Mike
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"It's been three years now, since I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven't met yet..."
I'll have to pay attention next time I'm in there.
You can pay with PayPal without having a PayPal card? Does anyone know if it's possible to get cash back that way? That would be faster than waiting for funds to be transferred to my bank account. (Although it does only seem to take 1-2 days -- faster than what they say in their confirmation message.)
-- Dave
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"You gotta put down the duckie if you wanna play the saxophone. (Hoots the Owl -- Sesame Street)"