Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hello
I am an eBay seller and the DSR ratings are unfair and eBay doesn't plan on revising them any time soon.  Sellers ratings are calculated to TWO decimal points however, buyers can only leave round numbers - ex: 4 or 5

What many of us have done, is note this in our listings.  This is what I have in EVERY listing:
"Please remember I am in CANADA and I do not set Canada Post rates which can be high.  When leaving seller feedback though a 4 out of 5 rating may seem good (says "satisfied") eBay considers ANY seller star rating below 5 as under par and punishes the seller with extra charges!  Please email concerns to be resolved before leaving under par feedback!!"

The shipping charge DSR is always the hardest hit.  I always refund if I am able to save on postage and never "make money" on shipping.  Other than a small $2 S&H fee which I note up front and doesn't really cover all the tape, boxes, peanuts, bubblewrap, gas to go to the post office, printer ink etc etc., at least most don't seem to mind this small fee once it is explained (if they ask).

In addition, when I send an invoice I ask for 5 stars and use a similar statement to the one above, and ask for an email prior to a buyer leaving underpar feedback to resolve any issues.

I put a note on my packing slip inside each parcel I ship, also talking about the 5 stars and what the implications are to a seller.

As most of you have indicated, buyers don't understand how important giving 5 stars is to a seller and 4 out of 5 does seem good to the average person!  Explaining the realities has increased my ratings so that I can continue selling!

I use the SALE tab on items in my store frequently, and usually have at least one category "on sale" at any given time.  I combine shipping for buyers to help them save on the shipping postage.

eBAy is certainly geared toward the buyer rather than the seller though they would have NO SALES without sellers!

Hi!
I think you mean the large bear near the lamp?  She is a vintage Wendy Boston bear, and she has her seam tag that simply says Wendy Boston, which is unusual.  She is in lovely condition and I found her at an Antique Market Mall in St Jacobs Ontario!

I have been collecting for several years and YES, they have taken over my home!  Our "guest" bedroom is basically the Teddy Room, with the glass cabinets and all other surfaces populated by teddies!  Some have crept into our bedroom on little chairs and shelves and some are now in our computer room!

Bosley is a new collector's club edition I bought recently, directly from Merrythought from their website.  Being in Canada I save the VAT!

....and to answer another's question, yes, there are LOTS of Steiff!  Also a lot of Hermann, who like to issue Royal bears too!

Thanks for all your messages!  I am quite proud of my hug!

The little dark brown bear under the lamp is an older Knickerbocker, made in the USA!

My Steiff chow dogs are from the 1920's - the original guys!

The biggest Steiff koala holding Eucalyptus leaves is a LE in honour of the San Diego Zoo.

Some of the other makers featured is Wendy Boston, Chiltern, Twyford, JK Farnell, Jackas, Lefray, Hermann, Merrythought, a possible Peacock, a couple of possible Pedigrees, some artist bears, etc etc!!!!

Hi
This guy is very furry fluffy almost curly mohair, he has a HUGE bushy tail nearly as tall as he is, a chain around his neck, and is stuffed with kapok.  He's pretty old/vintage, but in great shape except his velveteen foot pads which are worn thru and you can see the inner dark lining they sometimes used under the real pads, and the cardboard inserts.  He is unjointed and stands about 10 inches tall.  Open mouth, glass eyes, velveteen hands with defined fingers!  His ears are kind of pointy stubs that are very furry and his face is short plush mohair.  I had thought he was Billy possum but not with that huge furry tail, but he face is rather rodent like, though very cute!
Any suggestions?  I haven't found anything in my reference books.....

Sorry, I don't know how to make my photos smaller to post.  Oh well.....

OK here it goes...I think I've learned how to resize!!!

The Scottish dressed bear person is stuffed with kapok as can be attested because her leg seams are opened and need repair!  The little bear needs a scrub, but has lush curly fur, though I'm not sure what it is?  It doesn't seem to be mohair, but is not the typical fake fur.....He is quite old with glass eyes, and is fully jointed.  His ears have wires inside and are big but not stuffed.

Sorry, I don't know how to make my photos smaller to post.....

i found these bears at a recent Antique Show in Ontario.  Does anyone have any ID ideas?

I've tried to post photos but I don't see any of them.  Am I doing something wrong?
New try with Windows Picture Manager that I didn't even know I had!!

OK I've been successful!!  As you can see I focus on koala bears, older bears, and Steiff Royal Bears!!  On the tower, the one at the top is my childhood teddy whom I think could be a Chiltern, or Twyford?

Hi
I'm a collector and LOVE teddies!  I have not tried to make a bear (yet), but I do admire the talent!!  I have a house full of teddies.  Here are some of them for those that are interested!!

Any Aussies out there who can tell me where to get a book that details the real fur koalas and their ID etc?  I had one friendly ebayer say such a book existed as she had one.  One of my fur koalas is jointed and some fur has rubbed off but he is in amazing condition and she said he could be quite valuable according to her reference book.  I've never found one on any book sites or anything!!!