[WWI] ot: Ebay shipping costs

[Christopher Malany]

Hi, Andy:

Perhaps slightly off the point, but a funny experience
I had on Amazon UK helps show the other extreme:  I
bought a used copy of "Above the Trenches" from a
seller.  Then I waited.  And waited.  For many weeks. 
When I had despaired of getting the book, and the day
I complained to Amazon UK, the Royal Mail parcel
arrived.  The book was packed in a stout cardboard
box, secured with the largest copper staples I've ever
seen.  In order to open the box, I literally had to
take it apart around the staples.  When I got it open,
I discovered the volume was packed with about six
other layers of packing, including multiple layers of
bubble wrap, and a final layer of plastic wrap.  The
book was in brand-new condition.  Shipping cost was
something like 4 pounds, and the poor bloke must have
spent that much in new packing materials.  Unpacking
the book made me understand the reason for the delay: 
He must have spent almost that much time packing it,
and then was too tired to take it to the Post Office. 
I've also gotten shipments from Hong Kong where, for a
hefty shipping cost, the kit is just thrust into a
jiffy bag and sent on its way.  

My own experience on eBay has been overwhelmingly
positive, but I tend to stick to vendors who have
proven reliable, and I do check feedback.    

- Chris Malany
          
--- Andy Bannister <a.bann at ntlworld.com> wrote:

> That's extortion Magnus! I don't mind paying a bit
> extra for postage, especially if I got a good deal
> on the kit but 12 quid is outrageous. It's never
> cost me more than about 8 or 9 pounds to send from
> the UK to anywhere in the world, let alone to
> Europe. I would complain to the guy and if he
> doesn't respond leave him negative feedback.
> Andy
> 
> > 
> > From: "Magnus Berggren" <carius at comhem.se>
> > Date: 2007/03/02 Fri PM 12:29:43 GMT
> > To: "World War I Modeling Mailing List"
> <wwi at wwi-models.org>
> > Subject: [WWI] ot: Ebay shipping costs
> > 
> > Is it just me who have started to become irritaded
> about how people try to 
> > make money on shipping and package-costs?
> > I just bought a kit, bipe, but off-topic. Paid £5,
> which was a decent price. 
> > Then I had to pay £12 for the shipping. I
> accepted, because some people 
> > really put their soul into packaging the stuff in
> a good way, and shipping 
> > tracable and insured.
> > What did I get? Kit packaged in jiffy-bag, postage
> £1.45......
> > 
> > Furious Fury-owner.......
> > /M 
> > 
> > 
> 
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