Selling anything on ebay is tough and selling cardboard...I mean sports cards is no different. What is "acceptable" to one collector may be "intolerable" to another; therefore, the wide range of varying DSR left for the seller. Trying to satisfy everyone is virtually impossible, but when you try hard enough, you may be able to have all happy customers. There are a lot of links and videos of people complaining about ebay's DSR, but here's a story of understanding it and coming close to achieving the "impossible."
If you know about my Personal Collection, then surely you've seen the dozen of "packaging/shipping disasters" stories that I've posted in the past. No I don't complain about "a little nick here or a slight corner lift there", but rather "received broken frame, creased cards, or 50% of lot damaged". Having that much bad luck, makes me strive to package cards (and other items) with proper care and supplies.
To me, I try my darnest to take care of the buyer the best that I can (within my control). Whether it be answering questions, packaging, shipping quickly, etc.
My approach (which is far from perfect, but it has worked so far):
Description: I do not ever list a card that is less than Nrmt (unless the flaw is described whether it is visible or not in the scan/picture). I do not claim "Mint" or otherwise in my description as "condition" is seen so differently among all collectors.
Communication: Get back with an answer to the buyer within 24hrs. Let them know when payment was received and when item is being sent. Leave a "thank you" note with the item.
Shipping Time: I have an advantage to some degree since I live on the West Coast as I can get out packages as late as 5:55 PM at my local PO. "I ship most items the same day provided it is paid before 6PM EST/3PM PST" is in my mission statement. Another advantage is paypal shipping labels because metered mail travels faster than stamped mail. Many times a package that was paid for at 6:30PM EST on Sat will arrive from coast to coast on Monday...now that's fast (and is a big surprise to most buyers)
Shipping and Handling Charges: This is the toughest category. I've seen people offer "Free Shipping" and still get less than a "5". Package a card securely/wisely while accounting for "normal to above average" handling by the carrier. Package the card so that it is SAFE rather than fast and convienent.
I'm not a bulk seller, but getting 155 people to agree that "5 Stars" is apporpriate in Description, Communication, and Shipping is a major feat for me. Shipping & Handling is at 4.8 which is still in the top tier of sellers.
I'm posting this, not to brag, but rather to show it is possible to be 5 Stars when you try hard enough. It's a rating that might not even last til tomorrow, but for one moment in time (9/3/09)....I was as close to 5/5/5/5 as I will ever be...perhaps!
Based on 155 buyers who used the DSR system
If you know about my Personal Collection, then surely you've seen the dozen of "packaging/shipping disasters" stories that I've posted in the past. No I don't complain about "a little nick here or a slight corner lift there", but rather "received broken frame, creased cards, or 50% of lot damaged". Having that much bad luck, makes me strive to package cards (and other items) with proper care and supplies.
To me, I try my darnest to take care of the buyer the best that I can (within my control). Whether it be answering questions, packaging, shipping quickly, etc.
My approach (which is far from perfect, but it has worked so far):
Description: I do not ever list a card that is less than Nrmt (unless the flaw is described whether it is visible or not in the scan/picture). I do not claim "Mint" or otherwise in my description as "condition" is seen so differently among all collectors.
Communication: Get back with an answer to the buyer within 24hrs. Let them know when payment was received and when item is being sent. Leave a "thank you" note with the item.
Shipping Time: I have an advantage to some degree since I live on the West Coast as I can get out packages as late as 5:55 PM at my local PO. "I ship most items the same day provided it is paid before 6PM EST/3PM PST" is in my mission statement. Another advantage is paypal shipping labels because metered mail travels faster than stamped mail. Many times a package that was paid for at 6:30PM EST on Sat will arrive from coast to coast on Monday...now that's fast (and is a big surprise to most buyers)
Shipping and Handling Charges: This is the toughest category. I've seen people offer "Free Shipping" and still get less than a "5". Package a card securely/wisely while accounting for "normal to above average" handling by the carrier. Package the card so that it is SAFE rather than fast and convienent.
I'm not a bulk seller, but getting 155 people to agree that "5 Stars" is apporpriate in Description, Communication, and Shipping is a major feat for me. Shipping & Handling is at 4.8 which is still in the top tier of sellers.
I'm posting this, not to brag, but rather to show it is possible to be 5 Stars when you try hard enough. It's a rating that might not even last til tomorrow, but for one moment in time (9/3/09)....I was as close to 5/5/5/5 as I will ever be...perhaps!
Based on 155 buyers who used the DSR system
