Stamps.com just released a new online reports feature...details are here:
"The new Reports feature gives you reporting on all your postage balances,
expenses, and prints.
| "Create tables showing your postage balance over time including postage printed, purchased, or credited." |
I use Stamps.com all the time for my business, along with the PayPal print postage feature. Another thing I love about it is that you can save the addresses of people you ship to frequently.
I've been using the CouponMom "stack your coupons" system and have been making a real dent in my grocery and drugstore bills. I'll make a full report soon, but with combining store specials, 2-for-1 deals and manufacturers' coupons, I'd estimate I've saved $50-$80 this past week.
One of the big secrets of the CouponMom system is you save all the newspaper coupon circulars for each Sunday in a box, then the couponmom.com site alerts you to when grocery and other store deals match up with those coupons, so you can "stack" your coupons and get the most off for a purchase.
Also, I wanted to mention another coupon site someone suggested to me a while back: http://www.webbyplanet.com/ (WEBBY planet). You can search for coupons on all sorts of stuff from one search box.
Why would eBay count even cases resolved in the sellers' favor? Their answer, per one of the pages about the new Summer changes, explains it thusly:
"Why is eBay even including a count of all cases, including those ultimately found in the seller's favor, or cases I resolve promptly with my customer?
"Sellers are always expected to follow best practices that result in smooth transactions and high buyer satisfaction. Likewise, buyers are always encouraged to contact sellers first with any issues. For the vast majority of transactions, this direct buyer-seller communication works just the way it should. When a buyer is motivated to open a case with eBay or PayPal this is a clear sign of dissatisfaction. A high rate of opened cases is an indication that some aspect of a seller's service requires attention�regardless of the outcome of the case."
So they believe that whenever it gets to the point of a buyer being unsatisfied enough to open a case, it does not reflect well on the seller. In many cases that may be fair. I can think of at least one instance where this would have hurt me when I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I sent a buyer a necklace. She claimed she never received it. I sent it USPS and had the tracking info; the tracking info clearly indicated it was delivered. She denied it was ever delivered and was pushing for my assuming responsibility and giving her a full refund. I was prepared to do that even though I do not think it was my fault, but I did ask her to at least look around her house, ask around, etc. She said she was going to file a PayPal case anyway in the meantime.
I did wind up giving her a full refund, by the way. Evidently the necklace was never found.
Now, this does not happen often, fingers crossed, but that kind of thing could be one thing that could hurt honest sellers. I assume eBay has reasons for instituting this policy..they may see a large number of opened cases and think it is not necessarily being reflected in sellers' DSR ratings. I don't know.
I just hope they keep an eye on how this new policy goes and if buyers abuse it.
I must add that the vast majority of my buyers are wonderful people...and sellers too. I am consistently impressed by the honesty and good quality of items I receive on eBay. But the percentage of things that go wrong - and things inevitably go wrong, I do believe -- are so small, that even a great seller may get burned by some buyers who abuse the system.
Other changes coming this summer, per the personal phone call I received today from an eBay employee:
- "Starting July 27, many categories will require specified item condition when you list or relist.
[ I am fine with that; it makes sense to me]
- "Also buyer protection cases will count toward your seller status"
[ we talked about this]
- "Other updates include bulk editing, email changes, featured first retirement, and your rewards for catalog photos."
You can get the details at http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/news/SummerUpdate2010.html.
Starting in September, cases filed through the eBay and PayPal Buyer Protection programs will be considered along with DSRs in evaluating seller performance.
The concept of swaps is growing and gaining in popularity -- no doubt aided by the still ailing economy. But even in better economic times, swaps make sense for a lot of reasons. They're easy, free and environmentally friendly.
I just found out about a new group called "peace. love. swap." at, yes, peaceloveswap.com. You can bring your kids' outgrown or no longer needed clothing and sporting goods here and pick up new-to-you stuff. They started in Northern California but are branching out to other states this summer.
I'll let Meg, the founder, tell it:
My name is Meg & I am the founder of peace. love. swap.
We are a one of a
kind organization that produces ongoing Kid�s Clothing & Gear Swaps ~ moms,
getting together with other moms and exchanging their kid�s stuff - nothing is
for sale - it�s all FREE for the taking.
We already provide this event for
moms in several areas of Northern California, and we are branching out into
other states in the late spring and early summer. It�s hard to read a
newspaper, magazine or blog nowadays and not find some mention of clothing swaps
� they are sprouting up everywhere- even cyberspace.
So � what makes peace.
love. swap different? peace. love. swap was created by a mom � for moms. We
help moms get successful ongoing swaps started in their own communities across
the country. These events are held regularly in cities everywhere, not online,
not once in awhile - and we always host the events in a �kid-friendly�
environment � where they can play while their moms swap.
Our swaps are large �
anywhere from 50-100 attend our swaps (regularly!), and they are set up as if
you were shopping in a store - everything is organized on clothing racks and
tables. We also invite mom/home-based businesses to set up a table at our swaps
to connect with other moms, or donate to our raffles.
We are green families
that are connecting, swapping, and helping other families. Leftover items from
swaps always go to local charities and families in need. We are trying to get
the word out to families everywhere, because moms & dads want and need an
event like this close to home, and it's my vision to see a peace. love. swap
event going on every other month in cities everywhere.
If you get a few minutes
you can get more info, read our mission statement & see what moms are saying
at: www.peaceloveswap.com. In this
economic climate & in a time when recycling and keeping stuff out of our
landfills is so important, we need to make families aware of something so
special. Swaps are catching on fast, however, smaller at home swaps,
online swap websites, or even consignment sales can�t compare to our events.
There are no forms to fill out, no pricing your stuff, no taking pictures,
posting online, keeping track of online credits or points, & no mailing
stuff or having strangers coming to your house. Moms
just show up bring the stuff they want to get rid of and take the things you
need. Kids play while moms get �offline� & socialize with other moms. When
the kid's swap is over, we are helping families in need.
peace. love. swap ~ It�s green, fun, philanthropic &
catching on fast!
Meg Franz
peace. love. swap
The concept of swaps is growing and gaining in popularity -- no doubt aided by the still ailing economy. But even in better economic times, swaps make sense for a lot of reasons. They're easy, free and environmentally friendly.
I just found out about a new group called "peace. love. swap." at, yes, peaceloveswap.com. You can bring your kids' outgrown or no longer needed clothing and sporting goods here and pick up new-to-you stuff. They started in Northern California but are branching out to other states this summer.
I'll let Meg, the founder, tell it:
My name is Meg & I am the founder of peace. love. swap.
We are a one of a
kind organization that produces ongoing Kid�s Clothing & Gear Swaps ~ moms,
getting together with other moms and exchanging their kid�s stuff - nothing is
for sale - it�s all FREE for the taking.
We already provide this event for
moms in several areas of Northern California, and we are branching out into
other states in the late spring and early summer. It�s hard to read a
newspaper, magazine or blog nowadays and not find some mention of clothing swaps
� they are sprouting up everywhere- even cyberspace.
So � what makes peace.
love. swap different? peace. love. swap was created by a mom � for moms. We
help moms get successful ongoing swaps started in their own communities across
the country. These events are held regularly in cities everywhere, not online,
not once in awhile - and we always host the events in a �kid-friendly�
environment � where they can play while their moms swap.
Our swaps are large �
anywhere from 50-100 attend our swaps (regularly!), and they are set up as if
you were shopping in a store - everything is organized on clothing racks and
tables. We also invite mom/home-based businesses to set up a table at our swaps
to connect with other moms, or donate to our raffles.
We are green families
that are connecting, swapping, and helping other families. Leftover items from
swaps always go to local charities and families in need. We are trying to get
the word out to families everywhere, because moms & dads want and need an
event like this close to home, and it's my vision to see a peace. love. swap
event going on every other month in cities everywhere.
If you get a few minutes
you can get more info, read our mission statement & see what moms are saying
at: www.peaceloveswap.com. In this
economic climate & in a time when recycling and keeping stuff out of our
landfills is so important, we need to make families aware of something so
special. Swaps are catching on fast, however, smaller at home swaps,
online swap websites, or even consignment sales can�t compare to our events.
There are no forms to fill out, no pricing your stuff, no taking pictures,
posting online, keeping track of online credits or points, & no mailing
stuff or having strangers coming to your house. Moms
just show up bring the stuff they want to get rid of and take the things you
need. Kids play while moms get �offline� & socialize with other moms. When
the kid's swap is over, we are helping families in need.
peace. love. swap ~ It�s green, fun, philanthropic &
catching on fast!
Meg Franz
peace. love. swap
