Anyone here done business with Chris Long Management?

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Cheater....

I know. I know. But I'm better now that I have two teenage drivers. Too many questions that were too hard to answer.

The problem I have with an issue like this is, how do you know where to draw the line? If it's OK to cheat Ebay because you don't like their rules, is it OK to cheat State and Local governments that expect sales tax? Then, is it OK to cheat the IRS by not reporting any profits? If it's not OK to cheat those you sell to, is it OK to cheat those you buy from (suppliers, vendors, grading companies, other sellers)?

I fine definitive lines only in two places. It's not OK to cheat anyone, or it's OK to cheat them all.

As I say, with two kids in the house, I have to say the only answer is the first choice.

[T206Collector]

We all draw our lines. I do not seek to deprive ebay of its hard-earned fees. But, if you ask me what my shipping fee is, I'll tell you bubble mailer+postage+pain-in-the-ass fees (including, but not limited to time and costs associated with buying the bubble envelope at Staples and making my way to a post office and paper packing slip and printer ink, and some reasonable portion of the ebay/paypal fees).

If ebay wants to collect $5 from me as a seller, I see nothing wrong in an up front deferral of some or all of those fees to the buyer.

I make no represetations one way or the other regarding a penny auction with an $800 shipping charge for an $800 card. That's between seller and ebay. The buyer should be indifferent.

[mdschulze]

When I started selling a few weeks ago, I played by Ebay's rules. By the time I relisted one of the larger items multiple times at $3.00 a pop, I knew I had to change things. Ebay never offered to refund my listing fees because my item didn't sell... nor did I expect them to. If you take the amount of listing fees I spent on items that didn't sell, minus what I "screwed" Ebay out of on Final Value Fees... Ebay still comes out the winner. I do not shed any tears for Ebay nor do I lose any sleep over feelings of guilt. My priorities on selling first goes to the Buyer, then myself. Ebay still makes money on my listings... just not as much!

BTW: On 3 of my posted items, I had questions asked by potential bidders, about the higher shipping costs. I responded to their questions, and posted all correspondence for anyone to see... including Ebay. My answers were along the lines of, "I posted a higher shipping cost to maintain the value of the item but to also minimize Ebay's Final Value Fees". Not once did I have anyone object to this statement, nor did I receive an infraction from Ebay.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by mdschulze

Not once did I have anyone object to this statement, nor did I receive an infraction from Ebay.

Most buyers shouldn't care, which is why no one will be objecting. The only issue will be if someone on this board doesn't like your tone and decides to rat you out to eBay. Some of the people who view these threads are really closely aligned with ebay, either as power sellers, or as fraud police. One of them could go out of their way to rat you out, but I would hope that wouldn't happen.

The fact that ebay has made a profit on you is probably not the best motivation for self-helping yourself to some of their expected profit. At least, it's not particularly persuasive. You found a way around the ebay listing fees. Eventually ebay might catch on and penalize you. Or not. I don't really care one way or the other.

[mdschulze]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Most buyers shouldn't care, which is why no one will be objecting. The only issue will be if someone on this board doesn't like your tone and decides to rat you out to eBay. Some of the people who view these threads are really closely aligned with ebay, either as power sellers, or as fraud police. One of them could go out of their way to rat you out, but I would hope that wouldn't happen.

The fact that ebay has made a profit on you is probably not the best motivation for self-helping yourself to some of their expected profit. At least, it's not particularly persuasive. You found a way around the ebay listing fees. Eventually ebay might catch on and penalize you. Or not. I don't really care one way or the other.

Yeah, I don't really care either... that's why I had no problem listing my Ebay ID on here. If Ebay deems me a terrorist and cancels my account... Oh well! As long as I'm open an honest with the Buyer and they are happy...I'm happy. It doesn't hurt to make a little cash either!!

[Jim VB]

Paul, Mike,

Fair enough.

Just to be clear, I'm not trying to exert my will, or values on anyone else. I was just expressing my opinions.

[bobbyw8469]

My two cents....it is silly to argue about a $4 shipping charge, unless it comes in a plain, white envlope with a 44 cent stamps. I know buyers want shipping as cheap as possible, but the only way I know of to ship it cheaply is to affix a stamp and an address label straight on the PSA slab itself (and even then, I think the slab is considered too small to just put a stamp on and mail it by itself).

[mdschulze]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

Paul, Mike,

Fair enough.

Just to be clear, I'm not trying to exert my will, or values on anyone else. I was just expressing my opinions.

Jim,

I respect your opinion and you make valid points, not just on this thread but others that I've read as well. I don't get to participate much in this forum since I know very little about pre-war cards so I thought I would jump in and share my recent experiences with Ebay regarding shipping practices. Although we share different opinions on this, I appreciate the honesty and keeping everything civil. You're a top notch guy and I look forward to reading more of your posts. BTW... this helps my posting percentages as well! Check it out Leon!!!