Tips for selling a cue on ebay?
- Thread starter SalientBeing
- Start date
As a non-USPS, FedEx, UPS employee, I thought I'd chime in on the shipping issue....
I've never used FedEx. That's not intentional; just the way it's worked out.
I have received items (cues and otherwise) via UPS probably 30 times, and have had WAY too many problems. Damaged & lost items (I've had several packages that looked like they were drug along behind the truck rather than on a shelf inside), long shipping times, delays due to the no Sat delivery. Plus if it's something I need to sign for (ie a high end cue I don't want left on my porch, lol) I either wind up playing tag with the driver for 3 days or making alternate delivery arrangements to my work so I can get the item.
With USPS I can just pick up the package at the local PO the next day. This is one of the reasons I prefer them. I've also never had a problem with a package being damaged even though I've shipped and received probably 20x the number of items as UPS. I'm sure there are instances, but I've never had any myself. The price and speed of Priority Mail are both great in my opinion.
Personally, I'd rather pay a lower shipping fee and have the item sent by a service I trust to get it there in one piece. If a seller only lists UPS shipping, and I can't convince him to use USPS, I won't bid on the item. Bitten too many times. My 2 cents.
~Chris
I've never used FedEx. That's not intentional; just the way it's worked out.
I have received items (cues and otherwise) via UPS probably 30 times, and have had WAY too many problems. Damaged & lost items (I've had several packages that looked like they were drug along behind the truck rather than on a shelf inside), long shipping times, delays due to the no Sat delivery. Plus if it's something I need to sign for (ie a high end cue I don't want left on my porch, lol) I either wind up playing tag with the driver for 3 days or making alternate delivery arrangements to my work so I can get the item.
With USPS I can just pick up the package at the local PO the next day. This is one of the reasons I prefer them. I've also never had a problem with a package being damaged even though I've shipped and received probably 20x the number of items as UPS. I'm sure there are instances, but I've never had any myself. The price and speed of Priority Mail are both great in my opinion.
Personally, I'd rather pay a lower shipping fee and have the item sent by a service I trust to get it there in one piece. If a seller only lists UPS shipping, and I can't convince him to use USPS, I won't bid on the item. Bitten too many times. My 2 cents.
~Chris
Shipping
I DONT WANT TO SOUND BAIS AND HAVE STATED I ALSO USE FEDEX TO SHIP BESIDES THE USPS BUT THE WHOLE POINT I THINK IS COVERAGE OF LOSS DURING TRANSPORTATION AND THE POINT BEING THAT IF YOU READ FEDEX DISCLAIMER YOUR CUE IS ONLY COVERED FOR A CERTAIN LIMIT NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU GET. NO MATTER WHO U USE THERE IS ALWAYS A CHANCE OF DAMAGE SO IF YOU GET 3000 WORTH OF INSURANCE THRU THE POST OFFICE AND YES ITS EXPENSIVE BUT IF ITS LOST YOU GET 3000.00,NOT SOME LIMIT THAT OTHER CARRIERS HAVE IN FINE PRINT.A POOL CUE IS CONSIDERED LIKE JEWERLY OR OTHER THINGS LIKE FURS AND THATS WERE THEY GET YOU,SOME CLAIMS PERSON HAS TO DECIDE IF YOUR CUE ACUALLY WAS WORTH IT AND THEY IMPOSE THE 500 LIMIT ON THESE ITEMS.READ THE FINE PRINT.
Qnut said:
I DONT WANT TO SOUND BAIS AND HAVE STATED I ALSO USE FEDEX TO SHIP BESIDES THE USPS BUT THE WHOLE POINT I THINK IS COVERAGE OF LOSS DURING TRANSPORTATION AND THE POINT BEING THAT IF YOU READ FEDEX DISCLAIMER YOUR CUE IS ONLY COVERED FOR A CERTAIN LIMIT NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU GET. NO MATTER WHO U USE THERE IS ALWAYS A CHANCE OF DAMAGE SO IF YOU GET 3000 WORTH OF INSURANCE THRU THE POST OFFICE AND YES ITS EXPENSIVE BUT IF ITS LOST YOU GET 3000.00,NOT SOME LIMIT THAT OTHER CARRIERS HAVE IN FINE PRINT.A POOL CUE IS CONSIDERED LIKE JEWERLY OR OTHER THINGS LIKE FURS AND THATS WERE THEY GET YOU,SOME CLAIMS PERSON HAS TO DECIDE IF YOUR CUE ACUALLY WAS WORTH IT AND THEY IMPOSE THE 500 LIMIT ON THESE ITEMS.READ THE FINE PRINT.
As someone who has shipped alot of cues, I can honestly say I haven't had one "condition" problem. I have had a late problem or two, but never damage.
We only insure at the customers request because we have business insurance that covers retail shipping. (its much better than the insurance from the carriers) Carrier insurance reminds me of casino blackjack insurance.
I will say this about fed ex though.. I shipped a cue to indonesia, one where I got a credit card that cleared. They held the package because they had alot of complaints of fraud, I said I would call them back. I called Visa's main number, got the number of the bank the card was issued from. Let them know I had a 2500 dollar sale and asked them to look into it. They looked at the card and it had $25,000 of transactions in two days. Visa called the cardholder and he didn't know the numbers were ripped. So then I called Fedex and they sent the cue back to me.
Joe
We only insure at the customers request because we have business insurance that covers retail shipping. (its much better than the insurance from the carriers) Carrier insurance reminds me of casino blackjack insurance.
I will say this about fed ex though.. I shipped a cue to indonesia, one where I got a credit card that cleared. They held the package because they had alot of complaints of fraud, I said I would call them back. I called Visa's main number, got the number of the bank the card was issued from. Let them know I had a 2500 dollar sale and asked them to look into it. They looked at the card and it had $25,000 of transactions in two days. Visa called the cardholder and he didn't know the numbers were ripped. So then I called Fedex and they sent the cue back to me.
Joe
TATE said:
Ranting? You're kidding right?
I have systematically poked holes in about every argument you have presented. From their policy---which you neglected to post the crucial aspects of; to actual examples of people getting screwed by Fed-Ex. You're the one who seems to have an issue with it. I could care less. I will handle my matters in the way that best protects my interests. And using Fed-Ex for expensive items certainly isn't the best way, this is clear.
I think you need to go back once again and read the links I posted one more time. That is if you even bothered to read them the first time. And these are only the people found after a quick Google search. How many more Fed-Ex screwings are out there?
The crux of the issue is not how good Fed-Ex is, how many packages they deliver etc. It is how they handle a situation gone bad. There seem to be many instances where they chose to screw over customers because, well, because they could. They are a business after all. Their ambiguous policy is written in such a way that allows them to do this. If that hasn't sunk in yet I don't know what else to tell you.
I do not need to post an example of me getting screwed over by Fed-Ex. I choose not to put myself in a position to be screwed. I have learned from the past examples of this happening to other people. I suggest that you and others reading this do so as well.
I do have a Fed-Ex account and use them often for lower end items. I have yet to have a problem. I have even had great success with them sending cues overseas, most recently to Japan. But, it is only a matter of time until something is lost/damaged/stolen that I will have to be deal with. See the crux of the issue above.
If you choose not to learn from other's mistakes that is your choice, a poor one, but still your choice. Eventually when you get screwed you'll be worse off than the examples I posted because you have been warned in advance. Ignoring reality isn't going to change it, you can keep kidding yourself if you like. Just don't come crying in here when you get burned.
SalientBeing said:
For sure you've got the price pegged. It will sell for at least $1,000. I think $1,000 would be the going low-end rate but I would not be happy with that value if I were a seller.
I am not sure if Thomas Wayne is still making these kind of players cues, or any cues for that matter. I have heard stories both ways. I think they will rise in value as time goes on. Personally, I would not be selling Thomas Wayne or Tim Scruggs cues unless I was getting a premium. I think both these makers are undervalued at the moment.
Chris
UGOTDA7 said:
Look, if you don't use them, don't knock them. You can find knocks on any companies on Google. I almost didn't sign up with Paypal because some guy with a low credit score was being jerked around by them. That would have been a big mistake - Paypal is the best thing that's ever happened to the small business/individual seller and buyer.
The crux of your argument was the $600 damage claim limit. I've proven that's not true and shared my experiences with you. The majority of the big time collectors, dealers, and makers use either UPS or FedEx air services, both of which have better tracking systems than USPS.
FedEX has a superior online tracking system to UPS, plus they are more careful with the packages. I would say 20% of my UPS packages come in creased or with major marks on them. With FedEx, I had a package I sent with a wrong address. They changed the addresss enroute while it was on the truck. I can actually send my FedEx driver notes via the internet when I need to.
Chris
Ebay buyer or seller beware.
Not all international buyers are fraud. I do agree that most of them are. I only use Paypal for payment as I have a credit record.
Classiccues did his ground work as he saw something wrong even though it was already cleared. Most people don't.
As an international buyer, I find it hard to buy stuff as most international buyers are already categorised as fraudulent or won't accept bids from international buyers. Sometimes, I try my luck to email the seller and state my situation and give them a call too. I've been lucky only ones though.
Hell I've been screwed by a seller ones from a highjacked account and never got my money back. Not even a response from ebay after sending them email and bringing up the matter to them. I just charge it to experience and be very carefull next time.
It's buyer and seller beware.
I myself prefer USPS, even if it's slow, as I haven't had any bad experience with them. With UPS, DHL and Fedex, I've had my share of headaches.
Peace.
classiccues said:As someone who has shipped alot of cues, I can honestly say I haven't had one "condition" problem. I have had a late problem or two, but never damage.
We only insure at the customers request because we have business insurance that covers retail shipping. (its much better than the insurance from the carriers) Carrier insurance reminds me of casino blackjack insurance.
I will say this about fed ex though.. I shipped a cue to indonesia, one where I got a credit card that cleared. They held the package because they had alot of complaints of fraud, I said I would call them back. I called Visa's main number, got the number of the bank the card was issued from. Let them know I had a 2500 dollar sale and asked them to look into it. They looked at the card and it had $25,000 of transactions in two days. Visa called the cardholder and he didn't know the numbers were ripped. So then I called Fedex and they sent the cue back to me.
Joe
Not all international buyers are fraud. I do agree that most of them are. I only use Paypal for payment as I have a credit record.
Classiccues did his ground work as he saw something wrong even though it was already cleared. Most people don't.
As an international buyer, I find it hard to buy stuff as most international buyers are already categorised as fraudulent or won't accept bids from international buyers. Sometimes, I try my luck to email the seller and state my situation and give them a call too. I've been lucky only ones though.
Hell I've been screwed by a seller ones from a highjacked account and never got my money back. Not even a response from ebay after sending them email and bringing up the matter to them. I just charge it to experience and be very carefull next time.
It's buyer and seller beware.
I myself prefer USPS, even if it's slow, as I haven't had any bad experience with them. With UPS, DHL and Fedex, I've had my share of headaches.
Peace.
TATE said:
So I don't use Fed-Ex? Reading comprehension problems?
From one of my prior posts:
"I do have a Fed-Ex account and use them often for lower end items. I have yet to have a problem. I have even had great success with them sending cues overseas, most recently to Japan. But, it is only a matter of time until something is lost/damaged/stolen that I will have to be deal with. See the crux of the issue above."
I see you're still not getting it. My initial argument was not really the amount, but the fact that they do not provide "insurance." It is actually $500 for what I was referencing, not $600, my mistake. I was going off of memory from researching this issue months ago. The amount was referenced to illustrate what their default "declared value" limit is. If you want to cling to that as somehow meaningful to you, by all means, have at it.
Have you actually ever read the back of the Fed-Ex shipping label? If not, I suggest you do so. I ran into a situation where even the Fed-Ex employees at my Fed-Ex here couldn't understand all of that mumbo-jumbo.
The second issue is how they deal with a situation gone bad. From one of my prior posts:
"The crux of the issue is not how good Fed-Ex is, how many packages they deliver etc. It is how they handle a situation gone bad. There seem to be many instances where they chose to screw over customers because, well, because they could. They are a business after all. Their ambiguous policy is written in such a way that allows them to do this. If that hasn't sunk in yet I don't know what else to tell you."
So the majority of big time collectors use UPS and Fed-Ex? And just how are you coming to this conclusion? Have you done a poll or something? Some in-depth research on the matter? Just what is a "big time collector" anyway? Please, share your insights with the rest of us, inquiring minds want to know.
I just traded a Hercek to a guy for a Tascarella and coincidentally we both shipped our cues via USPS, with insurance, real insurance that is. I think it fairly relevant that we both trusted USPS with $6000 in cues. I may not qualify as a "big time collector," maybe mid-range, but the guy I traded with would be considered a "big time collector."
Anyway, this is getting silly at this point. Do what you want with your cues, I'll do what I want, hopefully we'll all be happy. Personally, I like the peace of mind knowing I won't become yet another one of these people with a story on the internet who got screwed by Fed-Ex.
Here is another website I found with some good info, notice number two:
http://www.unitedpackagesmashers.com/?page=newsroom.php
I used Proficient Billiards escrow service to buy a cue from overseas, and was very satisfied. I was pretty nervous about buying a cue from an overseas dealer and Proficient's service made the transaction very secure. Can't remember which shipping service they used, think it was USPS though. Not sure.
TATE said:
Is that really the issue here? Come on, I mean really, is it? One more time, say it out loud as you read this, wait, go slowly, OK, ready? "Reading comprehension."
You really do owe it to yourself to go back and read this thread, to include all posted links, from start to finish.
To say that you just don't get it is a huge understatement.
Here, I'll simplify it for you:
1. Fed-Ex does not offer "insurance." (See policy).
2. Fed-Ex lost/damaged claims are a proven hassle. (See links).
3. Fed-Ex guidelines are ambiguous at best. (See policy).
4. Fed-Ex can choose to screw customers based on these ambiguous guidelines. (See links).
5. Fed-Ex has a history of screwing customers on claims, especially when this amount is over the standard "declared value" limit. (See links).
6. If one chooses Fed-Ex with expensive items, one is playing with fire. (Well informed common sense).
There, that is pretty simple to follow isn't it?
I'm still waiting on your "big time collector" insights I asked about in my last post.
TATE said:
This doesn't apply to pool cues huh?
Well, this guy certainly thinks it does.
http://www.wolfbite.com/wolfbite-policies-terms.htm
Appropriate portion copied and pasted below:
US Shipping Policies:
Pool Cues:
Pool Cues will be shipped one of two ways (buyer's choice):
2-day FedEx (uninsured). FedEx is an incredibly reliable and careful shipper. While they are more expensive than the USPS, they have a much better reputation and service record. If you wish to ship via FedEX AND you would like it to be insured (actual value up to $500 which is the max value that FedEx will insure a pool cue for), please include an additional $3.50 USD and I will take care of the rest.
This again demonstrates how ambiguous the Fed-Ex policy is.
1st, they don't offer "insurance" as has been proven.
2nd, is the limit $500 or not? He thinks that is the case.
Also, what about one of a kind cues that could be considered a work of art? What if they cannot be replaced? Are you aware of what Fed-Ex says about that?
TATE said:
If I'm wrong there sure are a lot of folks with me. In your opinion they must be wrong as well. This is despite the fact that they themselves have been screwed by Fed-Ex. Hell, by your less than stellar reasoning even Fed-Ex has it wrong since they clearly state in their policy guidelines that they do not provide insurance. Yeah, you're making a whole lot of sense. Why didn't I see it before?
By the way, I'm still waiting on that "big time collector" insight you referenced earlier.
Chris,
Just let him rant and rave...it's really quite funny. Prime example of someone with too much time on their hands. He's just jealous because your logic makes sense.
Sean
Just let him rant and rave...it's really quite funny. Prime example of someone with too much time on their hands. He's just jealous because your logic makes sense.
Sean
cueaddicts said:
You just don't know when to stay away do you? Pretty soon your pal "Honest Joe" will chime in. Why don't you just go ahead and send him an invite so we can make it a nice fun for all.
It seems that not only do the shady cue dealers stick together, but the reading comprehension challenged do as well. The "logic" in saying Fed-Ex offers insurance when their own policy clearly states the contrary really makes me wonder how people like Chris, and apparently you, even got past grade school.
In the immortal words of Tommy Shaw (STYX)......
[UGOTDA7]'s sitting on this barstool talking like a damn fool. Got the twelve o'clock news blues. And [he's] given up hope on the afternoon soaps. And a bottle of cold brew ... got. Too much time on [his] hands, it's ticking away ... Too much time on [his] hands, too much time on [his] hands. etc.
BTW, just so folks don't see this as hijacking a thread, here are my suggestions for overall best price/value, customer service, insurance policies, etc. related to the three shipping companies we have used to ship cues:
1. USPS (bar none we've had the best luck with them and you cannot beat the price)
2. FedEx (also very good luck with everything, including insurance over $500)
3. UPS (love them for ground service but they could use some help on their overnight service, customer service, and insurance claims policies/processing/handling)
Sean
www.cueaddicts.com
[UGOTDA7]'s sitting on this barstool talking like a damn fool. Got the twelve o'clock news blues. And [he's] given up hope on the afternoon soaps. And a bottle of cold brew ... got. Too much time on [his] hands, it's ticking away ... Too much time on [his] hands, too much time on [his] hands. etc.
BTW, just so folks don't see this as hijacking a thread, here are my suggestions for overall best price/value, customer service, insurance policies, etc. related to the three shipping companies we have used to ship cues:
1. USPS (bar none we've had the best luck with them and you cannot beat the price)
2. FedEx (also very good luck with everything, including insurance over $500)
3. UPS (love them for ground service but they could use some help on their overnight service, customer service, and insurance claims policies/processing/handling)
Sean
www.cueaddicts.com
cueaddicts said:
Sean,
Being a business owner, I just hate to see good companies like FedEx with millions of satisfied customers being bad mouthed by a few sqeaky wheels.
I must admit, I am a little surprised by the positive ratings on the USPS considering the poor service I've had with them. Maybe they've improved...
When you send an expensive cue USPS, what services do you use, and how much is the typical cost? Can you easily and accurately track the package online?
Regular Priority mail is inexpensive but my experience has been that if a package doesn't show up, it's very difficult to track.
Chris
Ps. My offer on the Palmer K stands if your interested.
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cueaddicts said:
Yeah, I do have some time on my hands on occasion, but then again, who doesn't? I do admit that working here in the Pentagon does have some slow moments at times. But you know what? I get paid the same paycheck (pretty nice one at that) no matter what I'm doing. I don't really mind this in the slightest. Hell, I probably got paid $10 for the time it took to type this post. I tell you, I just don't know how I stand it.
Regardless, I will always try to find time to try and help those who obviously need it. I'm just a nice guy like that. And based on the "logic" demonstrated in this thread, you and Chris certainly created a need. I'm glad I could be there for the two of you.