In every issue, readers soundoff about issues important to them. From feedback to payment services, from increased fees to posting policies, AuctionBytes Soundoff gives you a chance to air your views.

You can also read the AuctionBytes blog, which has a place for reader comments under every posting (http://blog.auctionbytes.com).

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Hi, Ina,
I'm a relatively new subscriber to Auctionbytes and am finding it very interesting.

I've just finished one of today's article dealing with eBay's new price sort issue. You mentioned that by using an "averaged" flat-rate shipping charge, some sellers may get nicked on the new DSR for the shipping.

Solution: Let the sellers refund part of the shipping charges.

We sell a good amount of vintage electronics....heavy, sometimes fragile items. We can never figure an exact weight until we pack it, as the size box and whatever packing materials we need to keep it safe will vary. We do a fair amount of mailing overseas, so even an extra pound can really cost us!

To keep us from losing money on the shipping, we usually add an additional pound or two to the shipping calculator. Once we actually pack, weigh and get the final postage figure, we will refund the excess if need be. This way, we are covered and the buyer feels that we are honest and not trying to gouge them.

So, sellers using a flat rate shipping could easily refund some money if the shipping charges are substantially lower. Much as we hear such nasty things about PayPal, it is very easy to send a refund this way. If your buyer pays with check/MO, you could always slip an envelope in the box just prior to shipping with the cash back and advise them to look for the envelope.

Anyway, this is how we handle the shipping issues so we don't get burned, nor does the buyer feel "taken".

Thanks for doing a great job on this newsletter!
Ilene

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Happy to get your newsletters and flashes, but the number of flashing/changing ads on the page I was just viewing, about PayPal's timestamp, was very distracting. Thought I might have stumbled onto a Christmas tree or something. Ads on most sites sit still after a few seconds, but on your page they continue to flash and change. Very annoying. Just my opinion. I WILL continue to read your articles even so.
Paul

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Hi Ina-
The content of AuctionBytes has changed. I thought you were an ebay seller advocate but now I am wondering if you are now an advocate for ebay. You are not writing the editorials that were so helpful to sellers like me. I am wondering why the change. I used to look forward to your newsletter on Ebay. You were a guiding light.
Linda

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Hi -
This is big, great news to us, not sure why it is a secret :
Alibris.com has vastly improved their CD, VHS, DVD and other movie format listings : now you can simply list by UPC or ISBN # and many times the photo of the item is already there. Sure will give Half.com & Amazon.com some heat.

We think Alibris is great - that's our fave selling site.
john