Sue,

I do'nt know how long eBAy will allow the First Class domestic service with a high charge in it to fly. And then the seller using another service other than what is displayed on the checkout and Paypal payment. There have been some conflicts over it..

You might consider using Standard Flat service as then you can ship FedEx if you so choose.



Judy/blue

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Sue,

I just thought of something else.. Rather than adding the blurp about you are using FedEx in the description field. Add that into the Listing Template Footer. Then if you have to edit it later, one change works globally instead of editing umpteen auction lots.

Just a thought.

Judy/blue

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Yes, that's a good idea. I should alter my large-item templates. These kinds of things account for only maybe 5% of what I sell.

My main worry is that for people on or near the west coast, when search results are sorted for price+shipping, my items will be unfairly low in the list. We just need to get eBay to allow calculated shipping for Fedex and DHL. The only other work-around suggested by some is to go ahead and use the UPS calculated shipping and note in the description that you'll use Fedex and to expect it to be a little cheaper.

Sue

Sue,

YOu could do the UPS shipping and make a note. But I sure would make the "note" in a template footer so if you have to edit later, it is only one editing task instead of a whole bunch of them.

I have several places I do business with, ordering computer components, etc,, When I checkout at their checkout system, I may choose UPS but I get the package delivered FedEx...



Judy/blue

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Sue,

I also wonder how it would work if you used "Expeditied Flat Rate Shipping".. And in the template footer state the Expedited means "FedEx ground with an estimated delivery timeframe of x days... Quicker shipping is available upon request. Email me at <a href mailto"xxxxxxxxxxx>" and put in an Ask me button.

It could work out well.. Might try one or two and see what happens.



Judy/blue

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I revised it. Thanks for pointing this out. Picking Standard Flat Rate serves the same purpose, and it won't raise any ebay eyebrows.

Sue

Hmmm. Interesting. I wonder if the businesses have contracts with UPS (exclusive shipping partner, or some such), and they're just sneaking stuff out via Fedex because the service and prices are better.

Sue

Sue,

I am so glad that will work for you.. Please keep everyone posted on how it works out... With all these changes, if we don't all communicate with each other on the "how to's" "this worked but that didn't" we will all go bonkers...



Judy/blue

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I ran a search, title and description, located in United States, using:

(fedex, dhl)

It resulted in about 612,000 hits (563,000 for just fedex).

I perused a few of them and saw that many sellers select one option for shipping then note in the description they'll ship UPS, USPS, or Fedex at their discretion.

Various other examples:

Lg electronic equip:

Shipping costs:
Other (see description) Service to United States

Description says:
My method of shipment is FedEx ground Insurance included.

------------------------------------

Cat condo:

US Postal Service Parcel Post

Desc says:

Ship to 48 lower states will be via Fedex

------------------------------------

A compressor:

Shipping says: UPS

Description says:

LiquidNation utilizes the eBay shipping calculator, which only provides UPS and USPS rates. LiquidNation always ships FedEx instead of UPS at the same rates shown in the shipping calculator. [and pockets the difference? sheesh!]

------------------------------------

A stereo:

Shipping says: UPS

Description says: Items normally will be shipped FEDEX Ground

------------------------------------

I think the main problem is the lack of calculated shipping for the alternative carriers. Sellers wishing to use Fedex or DHL have to either use the UPS calculator and then contradict it in their descriptions, or they have to state a Flat Rate cost and risk scaring away the nearby bidders with overestimated shipping, especially if search results are sorted by Price + Shipping.

Judy if you have the ear of any of the eBay decision-makers, please tell them there are about 600,000 sellers who'd like to have a shipping calculator for Fedex. However, they'll probably never do it, because just think of the effect on UPS's business if the calculator consistently showed Fedex to be cheaper.

Sue

Sue,

At the eBay webinar, the subjectof DHL and FedEx was brought up. They did say they were looking into adding FedEx and DHL as alternative shipping methods.. I did email my contact a couple of days ago but have yet to hear back. Of course, I emailed on Friday, right before the Labor Day holiday. So the email could very well be buried in the long string of messages received over Labor DAy. I will email them again and see what is up with FedEx and DHL.

Those are interesting statistics...



Judy/blue

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