Notes about postage, packing, feedback and other stuff:

·         I now list some of my items with “Free p&p” for UK bidders only.   Of course p&p is not really free, the cost is loaded onto the item start price so that the postage cost is totally opaque.  Sellers automatically gain 5 stars DSR feedback this way.   Combining items to save on postage does not apply to free p&p listings.   I dislike this approach however eBay rates sellers on p&p costs yet it also charges sellers 10% of the total.  Moving to “free p&p” is now the only way for sellers to increase their p&p DSR ratings.

·         Free UK p&p disadvantages overseas bidders, who have to pay listed p&p charges.  I will therefore offer a discount off the final value to all overseas bidders who win.  Please do not pay until you receive an invoice from me.  If I significantly overcharge on overseas postage and packing I will refund the difference.

·         For small items I use Royal Mail, I use a mixture of untracked and recorded delivery, usually their second class “small parcel” service.  For medium sized items I use MyHermes and for larger items a courier from Parcel2go, typically TNT or UPS. I avoid Yodel whenever possible as they are completely hopeless. MyHermes is not the fastest courier but they are cost effective and they are reliable. I use the “international tracked and signed” service from Royal Mail for overseas destinations to avoid items going astray.   This is limited to a maximum weight of 2 kg; items exceeding this limit are for UK purchase only.  I no longer allow local pick up as a minority of buyers were selecting this option then demanding that the item be posted (in an attempt to gain free postage at my expense).  Occasionally personal collection may be possible for exceptionally large and bulky items, however my personal circumstances do not normally allow this (sorry).

·         I pack items carefully and securely so that damage does not occur in transit.  I reuse packing materials to keep the cost down.  Due to an increase in the number of non paying bidders I now only pack items after payment has been received.  A further annoyance from buyers is those who pay for an item and leave a note to the effect “I require this to be delivered by <DATE>”.  I ship items promptly after payment – usually within 24 hours – however it keep costs down delivery dates are not guaranteed.  I consider it unreasonable for buyers to try to impose delivery date conditions after purchase and I will not agree to meet these (unless the buyer agrees to an additional fee for a faster postage service, which should be discussed with me before payment is made).

·         I am a private seller and only list on free-listing auctions.   I also list “Buy it Now” as eBay is now offering this format free too.   Sometimes I list “Buy it Now or Best Offer” – please send sensible offers and I am more likely to accept.  Lowball offers are likely to irritate - my margins on most items are not that great and I am not desperate to sell stuff. I am certainly not spending an hour packing something for £1 or £2 profit!    I sell some items specifically for charity.  I sell a mixture of my own items and items I have acquired for the purposes of resale.  I run a small private eBay business, mainly in radios and small electrical items such as tape recorders etc. as these reflect my hobby interests.

·         When I sell electrical items I always state the condition and functionality.  Modern items are generally electrically safe as defined by current legislation whereas vintage items might not be.  I always check and if necessary service items to ensure the correct condition is listed.   All electrical items are sold “as is” and should strictly be PAT tested before being put into service. Although I would never knowingly conceal dangerous electrical faults it is the responsibility of the buyer to comply with this.  All mains leads are checked for frays, nicks, other defects and most importantly that the correct maximum rated fuse is installed.

·         Non paying winning bidders are a nuisance on eBay.  Unfortunately eBay charges its fees from the moment the auction ends, not from when payment is received.  Sellers are then forced to go through a protracted process to reclaim their fees if the sale falls through.   If you do not want an item you won please send a “cancel transaction” request (which I will agree to) otherwise I always initiate the non-payment process after a reasonable period of time and several attempts to make contact.  Non paying bidders who do not make contact will not be able to buy from me in future. I recognise that people change their mind and have no wish to force a sale through against a buyer’s wishes.  Asking to cancel a sale is perfectly acceptable – ignoring messages and not responding so that I do not know what is happening is not !  I am gradually phasing out “best offers”.  This is due to an increasing number of non paying buyers whom have had best offers accepted and then fail to pay.  All “buy it now” listings feature immediate payment and will be subject to gradual price reductions as I feel appropriate.

·         I do accept returns, normally within a 14 day period (after which it is assumed that you happy to keep the item).  I ask buyers who no longer wish to keep items to please return the item in the same condition as sent, and to pay the return postage (the exception is if items are unusually not up to standard and fail to meet my description – please just contact me in this case).  Refunds are most easily processed via PayPal.

·         I used to acknowledge all purchasers with a thank-you message, however I found out that eBay disadvantages sellers who do this.  I have therefore stopped this practice.  I am not being rude, just following another requirement imposed on sellers from eBay.  I try to ship items within a 2 working day period.

·         If you are a new member with 0 feedback please contact me prior to bidding.   I reserve the right to cancel bids from members with 0 feedback because it is often these bidders who fail to pay.

·         I now require instant payment for “Buy It Now” purchases.  I have had to move over to this because of time-wasting non-payers who force sellers to initiate the non payment process.

·         If you live outside of the UK please do not bid on my UK only auctions as this causes postage problems.  Since I only post to Paypal registered addresses it is not sufficient to have a UK address if you live abroad and have your accounts registered abroad.  Bidders who do not observe this will have their bids cancelled and their usernames added to my blocked bidder list.  For smaller items such problems do not arise so worldwide bidders are welcome.  “Problem” buyers – e.g. buyers who purchase items listed as “for parts or not working” and then complain that the item does not work – will also be added to my blocked buyer list to prevent them from causing me future problems.

·         I am totally honest and I will try to resolve problems the best I can – sometimes things do go wrong but I am ready to put them right.

·         If you have ever left negative feedback for another seller please contact me prior to bidding.  I reserve the right to cancel bids for buyers who have left sellers negative feedback.

·         If I discover my DSR ratings falling due to low star ratings and I can trace it to you your eBay ID will be placed in my blocked list preventing you from buying from me again.  I work hard to ensure that items are dispatched in good time – if a courier is slow to deliver that is beyond my control. Postage costs are determined by the service offered and are typically higher for overseas destinations where I now insist on tracking.  Please do not complain about the postage costs afterwards as I do not make any profit on postage and packing;  in fact when fees are factored in I usually make a small loss.

·         If you leave negative feedback for me our transaction is over and you will never buy from me again.

·         I periodically turn on and off my shop holiday settings to manage my workload.  If too many items are sold in a short period of time I cannot cope !   If you find the shop “closed” please check back later.

·         Finally, apologies for having to state all the above – most buyers are perfectly reasonable but there is a minority who cause unnecessary trouble for sellers.  If a problem arises just contact me to work out a solution.  Thank you, good luck bidding and enjoy using eBay.  It’s fun !