Question
Hi everyone!
I am new to the forum and not yet registered on eBay. I want to be as prepared as I can before I jump in. I've learnt so much from eBay books, eBay radio and forums like this one (thank you!).
I would appreciate your honest opinion about perhaps a touchy subject. I am anticipating that the majority of my customers (when I start selling) will be American. I am currently trying to select a user ID and have considered putting the word "Canada" in my name somewhere. I realize that buyers will know where I am from from my listing but am I better off to downplay the fact that I am Canadian?
I have read comments on the Canadian eBay forums suggesting that some American eBayers were upset with Canada over our governments political position. It is unfortunate as MANY Canadians DID support the war.
I would really appreciate the guidance of anyone who would care to comment. My gut feeling is to play down my Canadian status but thought I should ask.
Thanks so much for any comments or advice!
Answer
I don't know anyone who has ill feelings towards canadians for a political reason (now against gabs personally, maybe
when I look at a canadian sellers items on ebay, I just want to know that yes they will sell to me and exactly what it is going to cost to ship to me and a good approximate of the time to arrive. if they don't have an exact shipping quote in the ad to the usa then I'll most likely back out and look elsewhere, I don't like to waste time emailing and asking. or at least have the shipping thingey in your auctions.
Answer
I am not american
but with my experience
they are not going to know you are form caanda form your ads
I have Canada all over it with canadian flags and they still don't get it.
Take whatever name you want, be proud of it, give good customer service and good descriptions and get to it, there is a time to learn and a time to do....tomorrow is nickle listing day, a big savings for your first day.
as they say, you can't please all of the people all of the time.
and just a FYI...the canadian buyers on ebay are growing rapidly this last year.
Answer
Mel-, I would have liked to ask a specific question about this on the eBay Canadian forum but couldn’t as I’m not registered yet. I wondered myself if this perhaps was not accurate. Your advice about being specific with shipping rates and time is EXCELLENT and something I plan to do.
Gabs-a-lot, I have noticed that most Canadian eBayers list their province and country under “item location” which I also plan to do. I never thought of putting Canadian flags on my listing although I plan to include a Canadian flag pin as a gift with all my auctions. As for listing tomorrow, that is FUNNY! I am probably still a few weeks away.
To be honest, I was initially scared off of joining eBay from reading some of the forums on eBay. There seemed to be so many rules ... even more for Canadians. Then I realized how bad negative feedback was so I decided to do my homework before I started.
Answer
Most of my buyers are American and a fine bunch they are! I don't think it matters whether you have Canada in your name. A catchy, easy to spell user id that people can remember is good.
It's great to have the shipping in your description if you can. Items under 1 kg can go Canada Post small packet so you can quote the exact shipping. For heavier items, I just say 'buyer pays actual shipping by Canada Post plus $1.00 handling' Hopefully that reassures buyers that you're not a gouger. FYI, Canada Post has a web site to calculate shipping. When I first started, I had to phone my post office lady for shipping on every parcel that wasn't small packet!!!
Answer
NO way
<imagine a big whip icon right here>
No more procrastinating
register
get at least five items up and running tomorrow
it should only take you 15 or so hours
stop studying and start doing
we'll tell you when you make a mistake
Answer
Hi Littlemattie ... it's pretty tough finding a user ID, hence my idea of adding “Canada” to one other word as an alternative. I am feeling better about that. I have searched at least 50 names with no luck, many assigned to non-registered users. It’s a shame that eBay doesn’t free up some of those.
I have been to the Canada Post website and it looks pretty good! I am also plan on applying for a Venture One card as suggested on the eBay Canada forum (do you have one of those?). Lucky for me, all of my items will be well under 1 kg so calculating shipping should be easy.
Gabs-a-lot ... can’t you tell that I am one of those type A personality people with paralysis of analysis?? I am scared to death to do my first auction!
Answer
just do it, there is nothing to fear but fear itself
if won't hurt you, as much as all that mumbo jumbo in ebays users agreements and help sections say it will
It is physically impossible to read all pertinent information on ebay, trust me, I tried.
When I first started, I printed off all the rules, and regulations and had them in a binder and could reference them any time I wanted, now, I would need a frigging library room of its own to put them in.
hang out here, you'll know every thing you need to know in no time, and the rest is nonsense.
or else you new alias will be ........kentuckycanuckychicken
everything is under 1 kg huh
ok, that's little stuff, that is easy
I want 6 items done now!!!!
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RULES? There are RULES? I didn't read no steeeenking RULES.
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I spent most of the day reading through the posts here and wow are you an easy going bunch (funny too).
Some other eBay forum’s I have perused have put the fear of God in me for sure! On top of that, newbie's asking stupid question (especially those in the archives) are sometimes scolded. Don’t get me wrong, I understand it is tedious answering the same questions over and over but patience and tolerance is a good thing I believe.
It is good that you guys are giving me a “push”. My hubby is also pushing me into action but he knows my way. My biggest worry is that once I have everything figured out, all the rules will change and I’ll have to start over.
Oh and GOOD NEWS gabs-a-lot ... “Kentuckycanuckychicken” is an available User ID!