Pre-Shipment? How About Shipment? (1 Viewer)

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Give me the tracking when you finally get to the post office…

Im gonna send the tracking when I pay for & print the shipping, and I'll drop it off in the next few days. Its not worth me refinding it and copy and pasting it into a message while sitting in the post office parking lot.

 

[merkong]

Im gonna send the tracking when I pay for & print the shipping, and I'll drop it off in the next few days. Its not worth me refinding it and copy and pasting it into a message while sitting in the post office parking lot.

Let me ask you this then… And I think we’ve transacted…

When you send the pre label do you tell the recipient, “I should be to the PO this week sometime?”

Because that’s oddly acceptable v. just the pre label and little else.

Again, the boo birds will somehow make it seem that as buyers we should just be thankful that someone is willing to take our hundreds of dollars and let us receive chips they no longer have a use for.

Not so… Both parties have obligations and responsibilities.

 

[merkong]

PCF Public Court has heard the case, and we rule in favor of anyone but OP.

This thread has been declared:
View attachment 1482579

Not the first time I’ve been convicted.

 

[merkong]

I’d rather have the tracking info ahead of time than radio silence until someone can make it to the PO.

There’s that or, or, hear me out now…

The seller communicating?

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Let me ask you this then… And I think we’ve transacted…

When you send the pre label do you tell the recipient, “I should be to the PO this week sometime?”

Because that’s oddly acceptable v. just the pre label and little else.

Again, the boo birds will somehow make it seem that as buyers we should just be thankful that someone is willing to take our hundreds of dollars and let us receive chips they no longer have a use for.

Not so… Both parties have obligations and responsibilities.

We have, I definitely trust you. Agreed on communication, just explaining why I and many others will send the number well before dropping off. Sure, I'll definitely mention my timeline.

 

[TheBigTater]

There’s that or, or, hear me out now…

The seller communicating?

View attachment 1482586

Sending me a pre-shipment tracking number is communication.

 

[JeepologyOffroad]

One trend that sticks out after 1000ish transactions - the people who care the most on shipping are usually situations with the lowest cost packages.

I just know when I’m cleaning out drawers and giving stuff away free or selling a cheap barrel, I better get that out instantly.

So true lol

 

[merkong]

Sending me a pre-shipment tracking number is communication.

Lol

You know I’m a decent guy…

I’m looking for chips. That’s not really giving me much about when your schedule frees up to mail them.

I bought from you pre “Pre-Shipment Label Era” (PSLE) and I’m glad for that.

 

[merkong]

We have, I definitely trust you. Agreed on communication, just explaining why I and many others will send the number well before dropping off. Sure, I'll definitely mention my timeline.

Most do NRNNS…

I was trying to explain to a non-member but semi-frequent host and GFC recruit who I turned onto the website that our entire community is based on trust.

That’s why this is a non-issue aside from the annoyance factor and what I see as a little deficiency in communicating something I can actually use.

 

[upNdown]

I usually send that tracking number the second I print that label. But it usually goes to post office very quickly after that. If I’m going to drag my feet or just be busy to deal with it, that’s going to happen before I get chips packaged. Getting them padded and packaged and taped and printed - that’s the real work. Dropping that package at the post office is the simple part.

 

[merkong]

I think we close PCF… We are close… So…

 

[Benjaminotaur]

Yes, when I print a label at home, I always send it to whomever I’m shipping it to. But I also tell them exactly when I’m going to drop the package off at the post office and then do that when I say I am going to do it. If there are ever any delays on that part, I’ll let them know that as well.

Sounds like this is more of a communication problem than a tracking number provision problem.

I'm trying to be real here.
And, for what it's worth, I do try to ship as quickly as possible (and if it is not the next day, I do tell when I can expect it to be done).

I just like quick (honest) communication…I always give out the tracking as soon as I print the label, but let the buyer know when to expect it at the post office.

Sending payment and then getting any of the following are all disrespectful to the buyer:

A.) no response
2.) a pre shipment label then no response
D.) no response, then wait, then shipping label once it hits the post office

The seller should be responsible for closed loop communication since they are the ones driving the sale. If someone claims dibs and I don’t reach out via message to close, that’s on me. If I don’t respond after payment is made, that’s on me. If I send tracking info and then left that package linger for any reason, that’s on me.

This is why for every transaction as seller I will always do the following at the earliest possible moment:

- Initiate message, if not already done, detailing specific payment instructions, making it clear the buyer is now in control of the timeframe
- Confirm I have received payment and let them know when to expect tracking info
- Get the package ready and then send tracking info along with and expectation of when the package will be hitting the post office counter
- Further expectations of possible delays (if any) that may occur as well as what information the buyer can expect if those extenuating circumstances come to pass.
- I request the buyer give me confirmation of when the package arrives to close the loop on the transaction

While some of these might be over the top, someone has entrusted me with $5 - $5000 of their hard earned money and I feel I owe them that much. This is also the reason I won’t bump a thread if I can’t get the package ready to go in the next 24 hours. I also think this approach gives me the latitude to be honest with the buyer about what to expect if they purchase something that hasn’t been bumped in a day or more.

Long post long, this is all about transparency and trust. While I understand the frustration of the shipping equivalent of leaving someone on read, I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, within the parameters of what’s above.

If the pre shipment is an annoyance regardless of the communication angle, have you considered leading with that preference as a buyer? If I knew that’s what you wanted, I’d happily oblige

 

[merkong]

If the pre shipment is an annoyance regardless of the communication angle, have you considered leading with that preference as a buyer? If I knew that’s what you wanted, I’d happily oblige

Honestly, I’ve faded these darn things until recently. They seem a little more prevalent lately.

You can tell from some of the feedback that most feel a buyer is fortunate to get what they get; pre-label, items getting to the PO at their absolute convenience, and at some point a tracking number.

The vast majority of transactions are solid. I agree with you though, the seller shouldn’t take buyers and their leap of faith for granted.

I guess that’s what feedback is for. I mean we’re a tight knit community and I think a lot of us don’t want weigh in in a less than positive nature on our forum colleagues.

Let’s just say, like The Chairman of the Board, I do it my way; bombproof packaging, in the system within 24 hours and a tracking number timing out with my trip to the PO and a delivery date.

Whaddya gonna do?

 

[ekricket]

Sending payment and then getting any of the following are all disrespectful to the buyer:

A.) no response
2.) a pre shipment label then no response
D.) no response, then wait, then shipping label once it hits the post office

The seller should be responsible for closed loop communication since they are the ones driving the sale. If someone claims dibs and I don’t reach out via message to close, that’s on me. If I don’t respond after payment is made, that’s on me. If I send tracking info and then left that package linger for any reason, that’s on me.

This is why for every transaction as seller I will always do the following at the earliest possible moment:

- Initiate message, if not already done, detailing specific payment instructions, making it clear the buyer is now in control of the timeframe
- Confirm I have received payment and let them know when to expect tracking info
- Get the package ready and then send tracking info along with and expectation of when the package will be hitting the post office counter
- Further expectations of possible delays (if any) that may occur as well as what information the buyer can expect if those extenuating circumstances come to pass.
- I request the buyer give me confirmation of when the package arrives to close the loop on the transaction

While some of these might be over the top, someone has entrusted me with $5 - $5000 of their hard earned money and I feel I owe them that much. This is also the reason I won’t bump a thread if I can’t get the package ready to go in the next 24 hours. I also think this approach gives me the latitude to be honest with the buyer about what to expect if they purchase something that hasn’t been bumped in a day or more.

Long post long, this is all about transparency and trust. While I understand the frustration of the shipping equivalent of leaving someone on read, I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, within the parameters of what’s above.

If the pre shipment is an annoyance regardless of the communication angle, have you considered leading with that preference as a buyer? If I knew that’s what you wanted, I’d happily oblige

It just feels like this response needs at least two flowcharts/decision trees and a intro slide

 

[Benjaminotaur]

Let’s just say, like The Chairman of the Board, I do it my way; bombproof packaging, in the system within 24 hours and a tracking number timing out with my trip to the PO and a delivery date.

This is everything you can ask for, and I think anything less requires a heads up, at minimum.

On the other hand, I don't host more than once a month, so I've never been bitten by something needing to be to me that's still hanging in the balance.

I've also never been bitten by a bad transaction. I went from being anxiety ridden over sending $235 to someone (via G&S no less) for my first set to handing someone $1000 cash in a parking lot and then not opening the box for verification, all inside of two weeks. The amount of trust extended to each other here is truly commendable, and it deserves our respect. It also why I hoard anything resembling packing material and buy my shipping tape in bulk from Costco

 

[Benjaminotaur]

It just feels like this response needs at least two flowcharts/decision trees and a intro slide

 

[Benjaminotaur]

Welcome to my PCF shipping etiquette TED Talk

In summary, talk to each other and DBAA

 

[Geremie]

 

[merkong]

I’ll restart the rant when the pre-shipping label is still just a pre-shipping label at the one week mark, waiting to become a real boy…

 

[Tonystark137]

One trend that sticks out after 1000ish transactions - the people who care the most on shipping are usually situations with the lowest cost packages.

I just know when I’m cleaning out drawers and giving stuff away free or selling a cheap barrel, I better get that out instantly.

Pre dibs.

 

[merkong]

Pre dibs.

Back up

 

[Benjaminotaur]

Pre dibs.

Back up

Pre releasing dibs post back up pre dibs pending clarification of pre shipment rant post pre shipment policy status challenge

 

[BarrieJ3]

Packing up and shipping off some sfrbs.

Straight raw d****ing the shipping experience.

For most of these:

• Did I provide pre shipment?
  • Nope
• Will I provide tracking number?
  • No
• Will I ask them later if it was received?
  • Naw

(I’m going to start reading PCF comments in moiras voice)

 

[merkong]

Packing up and shipping off some sfrbs.

Straight raw d****ing the shipping experience.

For most of these:

• Did I provide pre shipment?
  • Nope
• Will I provide tracking number?
  • No
• Will I ask them later if it was received?
  • Naw

View attachment 1484378

(I’m going to start reading PCF comments in moiras voice)

View attachment 1484380

 

[merkong]

For most of these:

 

[BarrieJ3]

I could use this way too often here, and I'm still not sure what the answer is

 

[demonnic]

I give folks the shipping number as soon as I have it packed up and a label printed. And also tell them when I'm planning to drop it off at the post office. But if it's a business leaving things in 'label printed' for several days or more without any communication my eye does start to twitch a little.

I give more slack to individuals than businesses in that regard.

 

[merkong]

I could use this way too often here, and I'm still not sure what the answer is

View attachment 1484405

I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong but as a Gen X’er and thanks exclusively to my (lack of) upbringing, I absolutely put my survival skills in the wild against anyone’s any day of the week.

So if proper use of memes and gifs is the barometer nowadays so be it.

 

[BarrieJ3]

I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong but as a Gen X’er and thanks exclusively to my (lack of) upbringing, I absolutely put my survival skills in the wild against anyone’s any day of the week.

So if proper use of memes and gifs is the barometer nowadays so be it.

View attachment 1484435

I think through loose interpretation, we're part of the same-ish generation!

 

[merkong]

I think through loose interpretation, we're part of the same-ish generation!

Everyone wants to be Gen X…
Just having the small pox ain’t enough sir.