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the |
TVglutton | OUR
AUCTIONS > OUR
HALF.COM SHOP > TERMS OF
SERVICE WHO WE ARE > OUR FEEDBACK > AFFILIATE LINKS > JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER 
email
us |
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OUR
INTERESTS
Our main interest is the entertainment industry, particularly what is noted below. We also enjoy gardening, history, collectibles, ice tea, and Tom & Jerry cartoons. |
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| SHOWS |
PERSONALITIES & CELEBRITIES |
MUSIC & MISC | ||||
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* Grey's Anatomy |
* X-Files |
* Robert Patrick |
* Scott Bakula |
* Sela Ward |
* Eagles |
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Want to know why Sellers charge certain fees or have particular
Auction Policies?
THEN READ THIS |
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WHO WE ARE TVglutton.com is a website designed for fans who love the entertainment industry. TVglutton caters to couch potatoes everywhere, offering online fanzines, humor, web hosting and more. If you admire a particular celebrity or love a certain show then share your passion with other fans by becoming a TVglutton. To learn more about TVglutton, its web and email services, please visit http://www.TVglutton.com.
We love television, film, and generally most things entertainment industry related. In 2000, we were honored by TV GUIDE as one of television's #1 fans. Highlights of our winning video entry were seen nationwide during the primetime broadcast of the TV GUIDE AWARDS. In 2006 we were an extra in the Warner Brothers film "WE ARE MARSHALL" starring Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox. In 2007 we served on the crew of the independent short film "B.A.S.I.C. Decisions".
We have over 25 years direct experience in auctions, antiques and collectibles. In our family's estate auction business we have served as sales manager, cashier, and clerk among a variety of other positions. We have worked in public relations and concert promotion, as well as graphic design and composition.
AFFILIATE LINKS We are affiliated with several other eBay auctioneers and enjoy a partnership with several sister websites. Please visit them today.
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Bidders
MUST read & understand all of our TERMS OF SERVICE (TOS) before
bidding.
When you bid or buy you agree to these terms. |
HOW TO CONTACT US
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To contact us use the ASK A QUESTION link under the SELLER INFO section on the item listing page.
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Please include item name & number with ALL correspondence (preferably in SUBJECT line). Without this info it will take longer to process.
PAYMENT
- Buyer is sent an INVOICE at auction end. Invoice contains a link to pay. All payment and shipment is confirmed via email.
- All payment must be in US Dollar$ and must clear bank before shipment. Payment required within 7 days.
- WE ACCEPT PAYPAL & SHIP TO CONFIRMED PAYPAL ADDRESS. PayPal allows you to pay via credit card, debit card, bank account, echeck, or your PayPal balance.
- International buyers MUST read the INTERNATIONAL BUYERS section of our Terms of Service regarding import duties, taxes, and other restrictions.
SHIPPING, HANDLING, INSURANCE
- USA buyers are usually charged a FLAT shipping rate.. (There are some exceptions when it may be calculated.) International buyers are charged CALCULATED shipping based on destination, delivery method, and weight of the package.
- Shipping does NOT normally include insurance, delivery confirmation, or other special services. If insurance is included in S/H costs it will be CLEARLY stated in the SPECIFIC item description, along with MAXIMUM insured value. International packages generally can NOT be insured due to USPS restrictions on delivery method we use to ship.
- INSURANCE NOTE: in Sept 2009 eBay (NOT US!) changed its policy on insurance. Sellers can no longer offer it as an optional service to buyers. If insurance is not included with your item but you really desire it, PLEASE EMAIL US. You can add-in the cost or we can give you a quote. We are happy to accommodate our buyers. Insurance & delivery confirmation prices -- and the availability of such services -- are SET BY THE SHIPPING CARRIER and NOT US.
- Insurance rates are based on declared value of package. Delivery confirmation is a flat fee and gives date, zip code, and time article was delivered. We offer these services at ACTUAL COST and buyer expense.
- We generally ship items via USPS (United States Postal Service) once or twice a week. We use the most economical delivery method in order to keep costs down. This means your item may be shipped via Parcel Post, Media Mail, First Class, or Priority Mail. Allow 2-14 business days for your item to arrive AFTER SHIPMENT, depending on DELIVERY METHOD. You can always UPGRADE delivery method, just email us for quote on additional cost.
- We try to keep S/H costs down by recycling boxes and packing material. S/H can include TIME, LABOR, and MATERIALS (such as tape, envelopes, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap) required to process, pack and ship items. We incur these costs no matter what - even when we offer FREE shipping on an item. We usually charge LESS for S/H than what it actually costs us. Please keep this in mind.
SHIPPING DISCOUNTS
- Shipping discounts for SIMILAR or LIKE items are sometimes offered - but not always.
- Items must be purchased within a 5-7 day period, be paid for AT THE SAME TIME, and shipped TOGETHER.
- If a shipping discount is offered it will be mentioned on the specific item listing page - and BUYER may need to MODIFY INVOICE accordingly.
INTERNATIONAL BUYERS - PLEASE NOTE
- Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping/handling charges. These charges are the BUYER'S responsibility.
- Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be PRIOR to bidding/buying.
- These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up.
- Do NOT confuse them for additional shipping charges.
- We do not mark merchandise values below value or mark items as ‘gifts’ - US and International government regulations prohibit such behavior.
- Generally, international packages can NOT be insured due to USPS restrictions on the delivery method we use to ship. Please email use BEFORE bidding if you have questions.
RETURN POLICY
- Buyer must notify us about any problem within 24 HOURS OF RECEIPT.
- We must receive the return WITHIN 7 DAYS, and in the same condition as it was sent.
- Once return is RECEIVED BY US we will issue a FULL REFUND (sale price + original shipping). BUYER is required to pay all RETURN SHIPPING back to us.
- Any exceptions will be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis and buyer may only receive a PARTIAL REFUND.
- We generally only issue refunds if item is materially different than item description. We do NOT issue refunds because a buyer changed his or her mind (buyer’s remorse), failed to read FULL item description or COMPLETE Terms of Service, or failed to ask and resolve questions prior to bidding or buying.
OTHER POLICIES ... and fine print
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All items sold AS IS and should be considered USED unless specifically stated otherwise. No warranties are expressed or implied.
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An item's specific Shipping & Handling, Return Policy, and Payment details are stated on the item listing page under the SHIPPING & PAYMENTS tab.
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Feedback issued after transaction is finalized & we know buyer has received, and is happy with, the item. We appreciate feedback in return.
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We strive to make our customers happy. We believe 99.9% of buyers and sellers are honest people. If you have a question or problem please CONTACT US so we can mutually work to resolve the issue. We are willing to work with you.
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Any questions about a particular item or our Terms of Sale should be resolved PRIOR to bidding or buying.
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COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH EBAY SELLING |
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Not many bidders realize the numerous fees and other costs associated with selling on eBay. Too often many bidders tend to think sellers are making huge profits, starting items too high, or charging outrageous shipping and handling. For most sellers, nothing could be further from the truth. Fact is, eBay, PayPal and Half.com have become so intertwined with one another -- and costs and fees keep escalating across the board -- that it is almost impossible for sellers to keep up, much less pay themselves a living wage, let alone a decent wage. I'm beginning to think I'm nuts for trying to sell on eBay. Here's why ...
TO ILLUSTRATE MY POINT, below is a VERY BASIC breakdown of costs for a seller listing something VERY SIMPLE, such as a DVD. Keep in mind that a DVD is relatively easy to describe and pack, compared to other items or collectibles, which are more time and labor intensive.
Please also read this Addendum about Shipping and Insurance Rates that follows the DVD example.
| EXAMPLE
BASED ON SELLING A DVD: -- Starting Price of $9.99 -- Final High Bid Of $9.99 -- Seller Offered FREE S/H |
Auction Style | Fixed Price | |
| Insertion Fee | $0.35 | $0.35 | $0.35 |
| Final
Value Fee Auction Style = 8.75% Fixed Price = varies from 6.00%-15.00% (depending on category item is listed in) |
8.75% x $9.99 = $0.87 |
6.00% x $9.99 = $0.60 |
15.00% x $9.99 = $1.50 |
| PayPal
Fee to Accept Payment = 2.9% + $0.30 charge on ALL money received (bid + S/H) since seller offered FREE S/H money received was only $9.99 - the high bid |
$0.59 | $0.59 | $0.59 |
| Actual
Cost of Shipping/Packing Materials assume seller can buy & ship in a standard USPS Ready Post 6"x9" bubble mailer - AND - does not need extra packing material such as foam peanuts (normally, packing materials would be needed, so there would be more cost here) |
$1.49 | $1.49 | $1.49 |
| Labor
Fees time allocated for taking pictures, writing description, answering questions/emails, corresponding with buyer, packing item, a taking it to Post Office to ship, etc. Let's assume seller pays himself
$5.00/hour (that's not even close
to minimum wage) |
$2.50 | $2.50 | $2.50 |
| Actual
Shipping Costs 1st Class Mail - the cheapest rate for an item of this size & weight
REMEMBER: just because the seller offered bidders FREE S/H
does NOT mean |
$1.85 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| Optional
Features/Listing Upgrades Let's assume seller does not use any of these features (such as subtitle, Buy It Now, etc) to make the item stand out or push it up higher in eBay search results. YEP, eBay charges sellers for all that stuff. Bet lots of bidders don't know that. |
-?- | -?- | -?- |
| Cost
of Inventory None of the above takes into account the cost of actually obtaining the inventory item offered for sale in the first place (i.e, the DVD). We'll assume it magically appeared without cost to seller, although this is impractical. |
-?- | -?- | -?- |
| TOTAL COST (not counting things we could have added in) | $7.65 | $7.38 | $8.28 |
| PROFIT on selling DVD ($9.99 bid - total costs) | $2.34 | $2.61 | $1.71 |
| PERCENT
of Starting Price that went towards costs & fees
This percentage should actually be
closer to 100% (which translates into ZERO profit - |
76% | 74% | 83% |
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** IF YOU CAN DO BETTER I'D LIKE TO
KNOW ** SHIPPING
RATE NOTE: shipping,
insurance & delivery confirmation prices are set
by shipping carrier
(i.e., USPS and UPS) - NOT US!
These
rates are based on destination, zip code, weight, delivery method, declared
value (i.e., insurance), and other special services. And they are always
being raised!
INSURANCE
NOTE: in Sept 2009 eBay (again, NOT
US!) changed its policy on insurance
and sellers can no longer offer it as an optional service to buyers.
We find this absolutely
ludicrous but eBay has tied our hands - yet again.
According to eBay, if a seller wants to insure an item he must guess - YES! GUESS!?!? it's final value or high bid BEFORE listing the item for sale. This is impossible to accurately, and consistently, do in auction style listings -- particularly if a seller is offering a rare, unique, one-of-a-kind, or collectible item. Furthermore, eBay blatantly suggests, and I quote, to "consider folding the cost of insurance into your handling fee or item price." Well, that just raises costs for BOTH the buyer and seller across the board. Buyer's loose their RIGHT to accept or decline the service and, if insurance is required, encounter higher starting, or overall, prices. If a seller guesses Final Bid too high, the buyer pays more for insurance than needed. Guess too low and the buyer's item is UNDER-insured and not fully protected.
In any situation, the Seller has to recover the Cost of Doing Business somehow and/or assume unfair risk. If the seller "folds" the insurance cost into starting price, or S/H (as eBay suggests to do) then he risks any or ALL of the following:
1) starting price or S/H fees that turns buyers AWAY (because it is unattractive and/or they don't understand eBay's fee and price structure cost to Sellers)
2) seller incurs HIGHER insertion fees and final value fees because of "folding" in the insurance cost
3) seller
incurs HIGHER PayPal fees because starting price or S/H has been raised -
and - FYI: PayPal CHARGES SELLERS for ALL MONIES RECEIVED -(high bid + S/H).
Since PayPal is OWNED BY eBay, many consider this "double-dipping"
and, effectively, eBay's way of accessing a fee on top a fee.
4) is the seller is nice and refunds over-guessed insurance costs, or makes up the difference for under-guess insurance/final bid, he might make the buyer happy but he still does not recover his higher insertion, higher final value fees, or straight out-of-the-pocket extra expenses. HE EATS THEM. EBay doesn't do that kind of thing. They don't eat crow, just serve it.
You don't have to be an economist to know that a marketplace takes BOTH buyers and sellers. And there must be a general sense of happiness, and mutual respect, for the marketplace to succeed. The positives must outweigh the negatives on both sides or else Supply and Demand ceases to exist. EBay and PayPal were supposed to be venues for INDIVIDUAL Buyers and Sellers to transact and conduct business between themselves. However, eBay and PayPal's actions over the last several years have consistently, and increasingly, shown far too many independent entrepreneurs that both entities appear to be money grubbing mongers. They care very LITTLE about being a VENUE and, instead, prove they want their business to be one that sticks its nose into yours. They cannot leave what was once a good thing, well enough alone. They are fee-baying and pricing themselves slowly out of business. And taking far too many good, honest, hard-working people with them. People who are not trying to get rich, but just make ends meet.
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