Postnet and the expectation of a buyer when shipping

[Jewbacca]

So, I have recently sold a few things on various platforms in the last few weeks and my experiences have been mostly good, BUT I have been wondering about the whole 'shipping at buyers expense' thing and how it pans out differently between buyers.

Postnet is now R110, as of the start of December just in case anyone wasn't aware.

So my question, or rather my musings, included some of the following;

If someone needs shipping, what are the feelings if the seller says, that will be an extra R150, R110 to cover the Postnet fee and R40 for packaging, fuel and time. 

I have also had people buy things and expect me to then drop everything, find them a box, wrap and get to Postnet NOW. 

'Have you sent the item?'

'Have you sent the item?'

'No, I've been a bit busy, I will get to postnet when I can.'

'That's not good enough, you should have posted it this morning first thing! I paid you!'

Well no, you covered the shipping and paid for the item. You did not pay me to drop everything for you. 

On the other hand, it's a whole lot easier for the buyer to arrange collection via the courier guy on a specific day. But the expectation is generally the above.

As hubbers who buy and sell a lot, is the system somewhat flawed, or has there been a shift in expectation in the buyer recently?

I'm definitely not pointing fingers or having a moan, but more wanting to find out if other hubbers feel the Postnet to Postnet option can cause a bit of strife if the buyer has very high expectations/demands and the seller can't meet them or perhaps doesn't feel he 'should' meet the same demands as he isn't in fact being remunerated.

 

[Barry]

19 minutes ago, Jewbacca said:

So, I have recently sold a few things on various platforms in the last few weeks and my experiences have been mostly good, BUT I have been wondering about the whole 'shipping at buyers expense' thing and how it pans out differently between buyers.

Postnet is now R110, as of the start of December just in case anyone wasn't aware.

So my question, or rather my musings, included some of the following;

If someone needs shipping, what are the feelings if the seller says, that will be an extra R150, R110 to cover the Postnet fee and R40 for packaging, fuel and time. 

I have also had people buy things and expect me to then drop everything, find them a box, wrap and get to Postnet NOW. 

'Have you sent the item?'

'Have you sent the item?'

'No, I've been a bit busy, I will get to postnet when I can.'

'That's not good enough, you should have posted it this morning first thing! I paid you!'

Well no, you covered the shipping and paid for the item. You did not pay me to drop everything for you. 

On the other hand, it's a whole lot easier for the buyer to arrange collection via the courier guy on a specific day. But the expectation is generally the above.

As hubbers who buy and sell a lot, is the system somewhat flawed, or has there been a shift in expectation in the buyer recently?

I'm definitely not pointing fingers or having a moan, but more wanting to find out if other hubbers feel the Postnet to Postnet option can cause a bit of strife if the buyer has very high expectations/demands and the seller can't meet them or perhaps doesn't feel he 'should' meet the same demands as he isn't in fact being remunerated.

 

I find that i use Courier Guy more oftern now days. Postnet is a hassle for R99 now R110 you need to drive and drop. Courier Guy for the same money will collect and deliver next day to door. Convince with loading money on your Courier Guy account and logging a collection no running around. And yes i find more and more people expecting you to jump and going as far as just not paying shipping or insisting you cover half.

[Nico van Loggerenberg]

PUDO is significantly easier and cheaper for me and I use it most of the time, although both the app and the company behind it (Courier Guy) are useless beyond belief. 

 

I've hardly ever had an issue with people expecting things immediately, but it comes down to communication and being clear about which days you'll be able to drop something off. 

[Prince Albert Cycles]

I live in the sticks and use Postnet to buy and sell . My closest Postnet is in Oudtshoorn so I can’t drive there ( 240 km = 24 liters diesel @ R20 ) just to deliver to Postnet so have to do when going for other business . I disclose this to every buyer before accepting money and never had a grumpy buyer . PEP to PEP also works well but some sellers/buyers are reluctant to visit their PEP due to its location

[Barry]

3 minutes ago, Nico van Loggerenberg said:

PUDO is significantly easier and cheaper for me and I use it most of the time, although both the app and the company behind it (Courier Guy) are useless beyond belief. 

 

I've hardly ever had an issue with people expecting things immediately, but it comes down to communication and being clear about which days you'll be able to drop something off. 

Yes PUDO is a good option for the small stuff and the Courier Guy kiosk's are quick and easy and convint.

[TheoG]

So far I must have been lucky, no issues with guys hassling to send stuff or the other way around.

 @Jewbacca  I'm with you on this one.  there's no reason not to wait patiently until one finds the time to send.

[buckstopper]

PN2PN is now R109 ( for the first 5kg measured volumetric), having increased by R10 for the first time since the product took off in 2014 (when the SAPO strike took care of the Speed Services option.) CG or any courier could be an option to collect providing you're OK to wait for the driver to come and collect from you whereas you can do PN on your run around route, and if course, they can help you with packaging material instore. I would argue it's about communication before the transaction goes down. The seller could indicate that they would go to PN on the day the money clears, or the next day or whatever. Thus the expectation of next day or drop it and run service is not an issue. A guy that buys stuff online surely is not needing said stuff super urgently... One just needs to communicate the terms and then stick to them. 

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

12 minutes ago, Prince Albert Cycles said:

I live in the sticks and use Postnet to buy and sell . My closest Postnet is in Oudtshoorn so I can’t drive there ( 240 km = 24 liters diesel @ R20 ) just to deliver to Postnet so have to do when going for other business . I disclose this to every buyer before accepting money and never had a grumpy buyer . PEP to PEP also works well but some sellers/buyers are reluctant to visit their PEP due to its location

I think upfront communication to avoid unrealistic expectations is key.
If you use Courier Guy it would still mean packaging and having the item ready for collection.

I think this speaks to a general impatience, everything needs to happen now.
I have advertised items, then get asked if it is available. I say yes and they say they want to collect now. I am at work now, the item is at home so you can collect after 5pm and sometimes this is an issue. People are complicated.............

[Bub Marley]

53 minutes ago, Jewbacca said:

So, I have recently sold a few things on various platforms in the last few weeks and my experiences have been mostly good, BUT I have been wondering about the whole 'shipping at buyers expense' thing and how it pans out differently between buyers.

Postnet is now R110, as of the start of December just in case anyone wasn't aware.

So my question, or rather my musings, included some of the following;

If someone needs shipping, what are the feelings if the seller says, that will be an extra R150, R110 to cover the Postnet fee and R40 for packaging, fuel and time. 

I have also had people buy things and expect me to then drop everything, find them a box, wrap and get to Postnet NOW. 

'Have you sent the item?'

'Have you sent the item?'

'No, I've been a bit busy, I will get to postnet when I can.'

'That's not good enough, you should have posted it this morning first thing! I paid you!'

Well no, you covered the shipping and paid for the item. You did not pay me to drop everything for you. 

On the other hand, it's a whole lot easier for the buyer to arrange collection via the courier guy on a specific day. But the expectation is generally the above.

As hubbers who buy and sell a lot, is the system somewhat flawed, or has there been a shift in expectation in the buyer recently?

I'm definitely not pointing fingers or having a moan, but more wanting to find out if other hubbers feel the Postnet to Postnet option can cause a bit of strife if the buyer has very high expectations/demands and the seller can't meet them or perhaps doesn't feel he 'should' meet the same demands as he isn't in fact being remunerated.

 

The only time I honestly had frustrations is when I sold a pair for wheels and needed a box to ship it. Because of the size of the package I then ended up driving to different bike shops trying to locate a box. 

I suppose it comes down how desperate you are to sell the item. If it’s an item that’s struggling to sell, and you find a buyer then chances you will probably accept the frustrations that go with it.

Otherwise just be upfront and charge extra for your time if you go that route.

[Barry]

24 minutes ago, buckstopper said:

PN2PN is now R109 ( for the first 5kg measured volumetric), having increased by R10 for the first time since the product took off in 2014 (when the SAPO strike took care of the Speed Services option.) CG or any courier could be an option to collect providing you're OK to wait for the driver to come and collect from you whereas you can do PN on your run around route, and if course, they can help you with packaging material instore. I would argue it's about communication before the transaction goes down. The seller could indicate that they would go to PN on the day the money clears, or the next day or whatever. Thus the expectation of next day or drop it and run service is not an issue. A guy that buys stuff online surely is not needing said stuff super urgently... One just needs to communicate the terms and then stick to them. 

Courier Guy also have the drop option same as Postnet they have Kiosks all over they also have a few packaging options box's overnight bags etc.

Edited December 6, 2022 by Barry

[ACE Cycles]

59 minutes ago, Jewbacca said:

So, I have recently sold a few things on various platforms in the last few weeks and my experiences have been mostly good, BUT I have been wondering about the whole 'shipping at buyers expense' thing and how it pans out differently between buyers.

Postnet is now R110, as of the start of December just in case anyone wasn't aware.

So my question, or rather my musings, included some of the following;

If someone needs shipping, what are the feelings if the seller says, that will be an extra R150, R110 to cover the Postnet fee and R40 for packaging, fuel and time. 

I have also had people buy things and expect me to then drop everything, find them a box, wrap and get to Postnet NOW. 

'Have you sent the item?'

'Have you sent the item?'

'No, I've been a bit busy, I will get to postnet when I can.'

'That's not good enough, you should have posted it this morning first thing! I paid you!'

Well no, you covered the shipping and paid for the item. You did not pay me to drop everything for you. 

On the other hand, it's a whole lot easier for the buyer to arrange collection via the courier guy on a specific day. But the expectation is generally the above.

As hubbers who buy and sell a lot, is the system somewhat flawed, or has there been a shift in expectation in the buyer recently?

I'm definitely not pointing fingers or having a moan, but more wanting to find out if other hubbers feel the Postnet to Postnet option can cause a bit of strife if the buyer has very high expectations/demands and the seller can't meet them or perhaps doesn't feel he 'should' meet the same demands as he isn't in fact being remunerated.

 

I ship items often, both via postnet and via The Courier Guy. I usually ask the client which they prefer, as not everyone lives near a Postnet.

As far as turnaround time, I book the courier immediately when payment is received. When buying an item I ask if and when the item will be ready for collection and book the courier the same time as making payment.

If the seller cant make it to the postnet the same day, or the next, then I wait before making payment. 

Timelines need to be agreed upon before making payment 

[Jewbacca]

I guess I am well aware of all the options, but I kind of feel that the buyer should take more of an active roll in organising it.

Not just pay an extra hundred bucks and make it my problem, which so often becomes the case

[Jewbacca]

2 minutes ago, ACE Cycles said:

I ship items often, both via postnet and via The Courier Guy. I usually ask the client which they prefer, as not everyone lives near a Postnet.

As far as turnaround time, I book the courier immediately when payment is received. When buying an item I ask if and when the item will be ready for collection and book the courier the same time as making payment.

If the seller cant make it to the postnet the same day, or the next, then I wait before making payment. 

Timelines need to be agreed upon before making payment 

I see you as an outlier. It's a business, not just an exchange of goods between 2 private people on an open trading platform

[ACE Cycles]

Just now, Jewbacca said:

I guess I am well aware of all the options, but I kind of feel that the buyer should take more of an active roll in organising it.

Not just pay an extra hundred bucks and make it my problem, which so often becomes the case

I disagree, completely. If I paid you for it, then the least you can do is get it shipped, as soon as possible. Alternatively, dont offer courier as an option

[ACE Cycles]

1 minute ago, Jewbacca said:

I see you as an outlier. It's a business, not just an exchange of goods between 2 private people on an open trading platform

Same level of professionalism should apply. As with all transactions 

[RobertWhitehead]

Hmmm, I buy way more than sell because I only sell once I am done with a build but I find it way more convenient to tell the seller to drop it off at Postnet or Aramex if and when the funds clear. Even if the seller is just up the road, I prefer collecting from Postnet when I am free to do so, it is probably why I have a crap ton of parts and don't advertise 😁.