I just want to add my two cents into this. I have a case now where I sold to a foreign buyer right around Thanksgiving. The shipping must have been a little slow, so he opened a case. Foolishly, I hadn't reqested tracking (used the basic service, which I advertised- always treated tracking as something the customer should request/buy). Now, the item was shipped awhile ago and the funds had been processed (and the shipping used from that). Paypal froze a later transaction until the dispute is over, and the buyer wont reply or leave feedback so I have to wait the next couple of days and hope the case closes. He could potentially escalate, and I'd be out the money and product. Also, combined with ebay, they sure do make a killing don't they? Ebay dictates max shipping and handling charges. Let's say I sell a video game- they say I can only charge up to $3. Now, let's say I am selling a collector's tin box release. Shipping usually costs me $2 and change. Packaging/cushioning costs a couple of more bucks. And now with the near-mandatory need for tracking, that's extra money on top- but I can still only charge $3. I'm starting to think Amazon is the way to go. On larger-value items I actually take on LESS in fees than in Ebay, which hits you for as much or more for insertion-and Amazon charges this only if their is a sale-, roughly the same in FVF, and you don't have to worry about processing through Paypal and paying their fee on top. I also think their return/refund process is 30 days, so this 45 day run around isn't so much of a problem.
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