Buyers and Sellers: Tips for using the Buy/Sell/Trade Forum

[scoopster]

We would like to announce the Buy/Sell/Trade forum tutorial. Here you'll find some good tips for getting the most out of your transaction activity at B&B. Please note that these are tips & suggestions from people that have used the Buy/Sell/Trade forum, not guidelines or rules that will be enforced by Moderators. If you have any tips you would like to suggest please send the forum Mods a PM.

To start please remember there are posted guidelines about using the Buy/Sell/Trade forum which are enforced.






Tips for Sellers:

• Take good pictures of your stuff. Here is a great tutorial about this by one of B&B's best. Describe as best you can any flaws that do not show up in your photos. If you can't take pictures try to describe the item as accurately as possible. If you are selling a vintage razor with no pictures expect to do a lot of work discussing the item and answering questions. If you are selling a soap, cream or razor blades you can probably get away without pictures; but folks will still ask for them.
  
  
• Indicate the kind of shipping you are going to use (UPS, USPS, Royal Canadian, etc) and offer insurance. If the item gets lost or damaged everyone is protected. If you don't offer insurance or if the buyer refuses and the item is lost/damaged, you'll have to work something out with the buyer. B&B Moderators are not obligated to get involved in these situations. This is your deal with the buyer.
  
  
• It's good courtesy to send the buyer a PM letting them know when the item has shipped. If you have a tracking number send it their way.
  
  
• Respond to PM's as quickly as you can. If you anticipate being out of communication for more than a day let a buyer you are working with know this. If you have items for sale and you'll be away, make a posting to set expectations as to when you'll respond.
  
  
• Be open about positive and negative comments about the price and characterization (i.e. "mint") of your items. It goes both ways. A lot of B&B members are very familiar with the markets at B&B and Ebay.
  
  

Shipping Tips For Sellers:

• Make sure your item is well packaged to prevent damage. Here is a good thread that discusses packaging techniques that have been effective. Tell your buyer how the item will be packaged and make sure they are comfortable with your methods. If they want more secure packaging consider offering to do so if they agree to pick up the added expense.
  
  
• Don't rule out international shipping for your items. Given the global distribution of the B&B membership it will significantly open up your pool of potential buyers. This Thread and This Thread have some good discussion about international shipping.
  
  
• For international shipping, try to be as aware as possible how to properly mark a package to minimize customs/duty fees a buyer will incur. Discuss this with the buyer as they may have a good idea what the best options are. For example, here is a great thread discussing how to declare a vintage razor to minimize VAT fees when shipping to the United Kingdom. The thread contains some other good advice and experience with international shipping.

Tips for Buyers:

• Respond to PM's as quickly as you can. If you anticipate being out of communication for more than a day, let the seller know.
  
  
• It is especially important to not to keep a seller waiting for a final purchase decision. While they are working with you they are also getting PM's from other interested parties. If you ultimately decide not to purchase an item the seller may have lost opportunities with potential buyers.
  
  
• Don't assume the item is being offered at the best price available. Folks are entitled to make some money on items they have found and restored. Many sellers are trying to maximize their trading dollars. Even new, unused items can sometimes be obtained from a vendor at lower prices depending on how much the seller originally paid and what they are trying to recoup. Do a search to see how much similar items have been sold for on B&B. Also take a look at Completed listings on Ebay. As always: Buyer beware.
  
  
• All negotiations with the seller should be through PM's. It is bad courtesy to make counter offers, discuss shipping options etc. in the public forum.
  
  
• Make sure you discuss shipping/packaging options and price with the seller. Also, seriously consider getting insurance for the item being shipped. If the seller is not offering insurance it's a good idea to ask for this and pay the extra charges.
  
  
• Make sure you understand how the item will be packaged. If you are uncomfortable with the packaging the seller is using (i.e padded envelope and you insist on a box) offer to cover the extra charges for more secure packaging. Also be prepared to wait longer for the seller to ship if they agree to change the packaging methods for you. They may not have the packaging on hand. See this thread that discusses packaging techniques that have been effective.
  
  
• When you have received an item it's very good courtesy to leave some positive feedback for the seller about the transaction in the original posting for the item. This is a big help for them if they choose to make additional listings.

• "For those using PayPal, understand that "personal" payments afford you no dispute resolution protection from PayPal. Also note that using personal payments for goods is a violation of the PayPal Terms of Use. B/S/T PayPal purchases should be made as payments for "goods" or "services". Do not honor a seller's request for personal payment.

[Austin]

Sage advice. Thank you.

[cr8n]

Dave,

Great summary, and timely.

Paul

(P.S. Anyone have suggestions re. insurance for an international transaction?)

(P.P.S.) Sticky time!

[Antique Hoosier]

Intelligently written, well thought out advice.

Thanks Dave!


PS Jerry (DoubleE) is responsible for the single BEST SOTD pic I have ever seen on this or any other shaving forum site....

[yomuppet]

Good thread!

J

[kevo]

Thanks for this post, it was very good

[burningdarkness]

Great advice. Thank you very much, Dave.

[Jim]

Well said Dave,Thank you.

[redbike]

This is very helpful info for buyers & sellers alike. Thanks for putting it together.

I will differ though with the comment that shipping razors in a padded envelope is not a good idea. I have sold a number of razors to members and, unless I'm shipping internationally, wrapped them in bubble wrap and mailed them via USPS in a padded envelope. All have been well received. When shipping internationally (except for Canada) I will use a box.

I do this to keep my packaging and postage costs, and hence my prices to members, as low as possible. I would not use a padded envelope without also using the bubble wrap.

jim

[BigRich]

Great comments!

[scoopster]

This is very helpful info for buyers & sellers alike. Thanks for putting it together.

I will differ though with the comment that shipping razors in a padded envelope is not a good idea. I have sold a number of razors to members and, unless I'm shipping internationally, wrapped them in bubble wrap and mailed them via USPS in a padded envelope. All have been well received. When shipping internationally (except for Canada) I will use a box.

I do this to keep my packaging and postage costs, and hence my prices to members, as low as possible. I would not use a padded envelope without also using the bubble wrap.

jim

Jim, Thanks much for the input. I've had similar feedback from another member. I went the conservative route when I crafted these tips as I've read numerous posts where padded envelopes didn't cut it and a razor got dammaged.

I am going to think about this, re-read some posts and perhaps try to better represent that the envelope-only method isn't so hot but that additional safeguards (more padding) can make this a viable option.

[johnniegold]

This is a must-read for all members who are about to embark on a journey into the world of BST. Also, a nice outline for the seasoned vet of the BST Forum.

Well done Dave. Thanks.

[Ltltony]

...I will differ though with the comment that shipping razors in a padded envelope is not a good idea. I have sold a number of razors to members and, ... All have been well received....
I do this to keep my packaging and postage costs, and hence my prices to members, as low as possible.

jim

+1

I can understand warning caution but even with going the conservative route I would think that a disassembled three piece like a tech would never need more that a little bubble wrap and a padded envelop.


Great guide though, thanks Dave!!!

[badboris]

i have received over 200 straight razors mostly in enveloppes
none damaged some where badly package and i guess i was lucky
but the ones that where well pack were secure
specialy the ones sent by tommyrazor on ebay he wraps some cardoard around the razor and staple it a little foam around and fill the enveloppe so it will not move

[1969Fatboy]

Very good info. Yes I know that my f/s threads make no sense but 13 of 13 have sold so I am doing something right i guess!!!!!

[redbike]

Jim, Thanks much for the input. I've had similar feedback from another member. I went the conservative route when I crafted these tips as I've read numerous posts where padded envelopes didn't cut it and a razor got dammaged.

I am going to think about this, re-read some posts and perhaps try to better represent that the envelope-only method isn't so hot but that additional safeguards (more padding) can make this a viable option.

Dave,

My choice to pack the razors I sell in bubble wrap and a padded envelope is strictly a cost-benefit decision. I agree that a cardboard box is probably a more secure way to ship - with the proviso that anything in that box should also be well secured with bubblewrap, plastic peanuts, or some other kind of protective filler.

Most of the razors I sell go for less than $20 and do not have cases. For those few that I've sold that have cases or cost more than $20 I use a cardboard box with the razor protected by bubble wrap.

I ship three piece razors disassembled and protected with bubble wrap. Again, no damage reported by numerous buyers. It can be done.

I'm not trying to debate this issue, but simply to describe what I do to make for a low cost, trouble free transaction.

Thanks,

jim

[yomuppet]

Dave,

My choice to pack the razors I sell in bubble wrap and a padded envelope is strictly a cost-benefit decision. I agree that a cardboard box is probably a more secure way to ship - with the proviso that anything in that box should also be well secured with bubblewrap, plastic peanuts, or some other kind of protective filler.

Most of the razors I sell go for less than $20 and do not have cases. For those few that I've sold that have cases or cost more than $20 I use a cardboard box with the razor protected by bubble wrap.

I ship three piece razors disassembled and protected with bubble wrap. Again, no damage reported by numerous buyers. It can be done.

I'm not trying to debate this issue, but simply to describe what I do to make for a low cost, trouble free transaction.

Thanks,

jim

+1

[Duckster]

If you are going to ship metal tubes of shave cream in a padded envelope, please put the tube in a box or something to protect it. I just received a messy padded envelope with a half tube of Ingrams with a hole in the tube.

[laconic1]

These are good tips. I have done a few transactions on BST and while all ended up ok, I probably still have a little to learn about the proper way to ship items.

[scoopster]

Folks I updated these guidelines after a number of PM's and some good discussions in the forums about what kinds of packaging options have proven effective vs. risky. The main point of debate is whether padded envelops are an effective method to ship a razor. Essentially the guideline have become "packaging agnostic". In the guidelines I point you to a good thread on this topic. Some have had success using padded mailers (with some additional layers of packaging) while others have shared experiences where the mailer didn't work so well and their goods were dammaged. Buyer and Seller get to read up on this and work it out together.