2. misc-audio
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Sales: truth in weight?

I see many listings for the same item and weight can go from an actual weight to insane numbers up to triple its actual spec. Do you feel some abuse this estimate in an effort to profit and if so do you call out sellers on this?
I made a purchase once and the shipping quote the seller gave me from their own weight estimate was almost three times its actual value so I asked for the item to be re-calculated. The seller was gracious and all was fine but do many buyers accept what the seller tells them, and if you do when item comes have you ever noticed the item is way off from what you were told?
Should part of a sellers integrity include an honest estimate of weight (knowing that actual double boxing and protective packing can add a bit to the total)? I am mainly talking about items such as Music disc's, CD players, amps and items that typically dont have super high weight and should be fairly easy to estimate accurately.
128x128chadnliz

Showing 2 responses by leedistad

leedistad
104 posts
 
I had a selling transaction just the past week where Canada Post's online estimator gave me an oddly high number. The buyer brought it up, and I agreed to go to the post office, and informed him of the actual cost, which was a third of what Canada Post's website quoted on the same mass and dimensions.

Clear, honest, two-way communication goes a long way towards avoiding hard feelings when anomalies come up.

A separate postal quote for something else was about approximate, so go figure.
leedistad
104 posts
 
In general, I've found Canada Post to be competitive, or a better value than Purolator, UPS (or OOOPS if you prefer), or FedEx.

Servicewise, Puro, UPS and FedEx have angered me on several occassions with mislaid, misdirected or poorly handled packages.

While I'm whinging, UPS' Customs Brokerage coming into Canada from the US conducts borderline piracy. I've been asked with a straight face for $30 in customs charges for a $49.95 item.

Back on the subject of buying and selling on A'Gon I agree with Bdgregory about the inherent value of paying to have something arrive in one piece.
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