Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: ebay help, please!

  1. #1
    Veteran Member scarlett623's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Detroit, MI.
    Posts
    225
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Default ebay help, please!

    Ok, so I entered a max bid on some new filters for my Brita water pitcher. On the auction, the seller had a link to figure my shipping. The link figured my shipping at $3.75. I based my max bid accordingly. In the end, I won the auction. I payed the bill and recieved a confirmation and a thanks for fast payment. Now, the next day, I recieve an e-mail from her saying that the Post Office made a mistake and now my shipping is a little over double at $7.85. Should I just suck it up and pay it or does this sound shady to you? Had I known that shipping would be almost $8.00 on a $20 item, I would have bid less to begin with. Maybe I'm just a suspicious person? I've only bought off ebay, never sold so I don't know if the mistake is hers or really the Post Office. What is the opinion of the All Knowing SW members on this? TIA!

  2. #2
    God/dess A_Guy's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Location
    Cleveland
    Posts
    2,188
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    I would refuse to pay... that's a 17% increase in cost to you due to an error that the user claims is a UPS error - shipping should never cost 40% of the product. That's ridiculous.


    How is the users history? any bad marks?

  3. #3
    Banned BigGreenMnM's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Location
    Virginia countryside.
    Posts
    3,299
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    You are well within your rights to refuse.Contact ebay safe harbor and let them know what has happened.
    This is just like any auction,once the sale is made,its final,doesnt matter what they wanted for the item.

    I send full size metal lunchboxes across the country and it runs about 7-9 dollars.

    Im not sure how much filters weigh???Im guessing not as much.

    Im sorry to say,ebay has its fair share of rip off artist.What is the feedback rating for this seller??See if he has had this problem before.
    You can also check on the USPS website to see how much it really cost,the shipping cal on ebay also includes "handling fees"that the buyer cannot see,its added in automatically.

    I have had an ebay store for years.Please dont let this guy get away with anything shady,it affects us all.
    Im more then happy to help if I can,to make sure your buying expierience is a good one.

  4. #4
    Banned BigGreenMnM's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Location
    Virginia countryside.
    Posts
    3,299
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    Quote Originally Posted by A_Guy
    shipping should never cost 40% of the product. That's ridiculous.
    That would depend on size and weight and the cost of the item.

    I sold an old coke cardboard sign that was 3 feet by 5 feet,it weighed about 5lbs.It cost 75 dollars to ship because of the size,not the weight.
    Many items are sold on ebay for 99 cents,the shipping will be more usually.

    Shipping is the hidden cost on ebay of any item.
    Many times,shipping is what ebay sellers are actually selling.
    They will sell an item for 1 cent with a 25 dollar flat rate shipping charge on an item that may be worth 10 dollars.They get the cost of the item,shipping,and a few extra dollars over the items worth.

    The big issue is that the agreed auction was over,then it changed.

    Thats a big no no for ebay and this guy can get in alot of trouble.

  5. #5
    God/dess doc-catfish's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    123 Tornado Alley Way, Hooterville USA
    Posts
    6,322
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 36 Times in 30 Posts

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    Seems to me, the shipper is using a bad rate chart. Can you post a link to your auction by chance?

    Quote Originally Posted by A_Guy
    I would refuse to pay... that's a 17% increase in cost to you due to an error that the user claims is a UPS error - shipping should never cost 40% of the product. That's ridiculous.
    The problem is that shipping costs are determined by the weight of the package and (in most cases) where the package is being shipped from in relation to where its going. On a relatively cheap auction item incurring a relatively high percentage shipping cost (possibly even over 100%) isn't all that unusual if the item if somewhat heavy.

    I don't know what Brita filters weigh, but here are USPS rates for Domestic Priority Mail for up to five pounds.

    0-1 lb. $3.85 (anywhere in the U.S.)
    1-2 lbs. $3.95 - $5.75 (depends on origin and destination of package)
    2-3 lbs. $4.75 - $8.55 (depends on origin and destination of package)
    3-4 lbs. $5.30 - $10.35 (depends on origin and destination of package)
    4-5 lbs. $5.85 - $12.15 (depends on origin and destination of package)

    So $7.85 to have that shipped isn't out of the question. Also keep in mind that the box your package comes in probably cost the sender money, so he/she has to forward that cost on to you as well.

    I haven't bought off eBay in over two years as I think the listings are becoming cluttered with unwanted crap from their so called "Power Sellers", but a good eBayer should have it explicitly written in their auction listing how much an item will cost to ship and by by which means it is going to be sent. If I can't get that information out of a seller, I simply don't buy from them.
    Former SCJ now in rehab.

  6. #6
    God/dess Casual Observer's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Boston MA
    Posts
    5,670
    Thanks
    35
    Thanked 144 Times in 74 Posts

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    Shipping costs should always be determined prior to your payment. Once you've made payment, any "shipping errors" are on the seller.

    Unacceptable and grossly amateur.
    Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

    William F. Buckley, Jr.

  7. #7
    God/dess Rhiannon's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Lil Rhody
    Posts
    10,471
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    Yeah, I'd definitely refuse to pay the extra shipping. The miscalculation was not your fault in any way. The seller should cover the difference to ship your purchase out.

    The same thing happened to me months back.. I received an email saying that the shipping was more than she thought it would be, and I sent one back saying that it wasn't my fault, and that either she could cover the difference, or she could refund my money. She sent it out the next day.

    Sellers need to invest in a postal scale. Most online postal services even offer a free scale at signup for their service. That's what I did a couple years ago, and received a free 10 lb. scale. Anything over that should be brought to the Post Office in the packing that it will be sent out in, to get weighed so they'll know the exact weight before they even list it.

    The packing cost is applied to the shipping cost, like Doc said. But then again, the seller would know right away the grand total of the package, as it's set at the time that the product is listed for auction. It's not something he or she would just find out about. I've always added about $2.50 for the package & handling fee. That pretty much covers the cost of the envelope/box and the extra packing materials that I need.

    Good luck to you.

  8. #8
    Veteran Member scarlett623's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Detroit, MI.
    Posts
    225
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    doc-catfish- below is the link to the completed auction. My zip is 48066. If you enter it in the shipping calculator it comes up $3.75. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWN:IT


    Everyone- thanks so much for your feedback! I got really pissed when I got her e-mail and didn't plan to pay but wanted to check with others to see if I was overreacting! Her approval rating is almost perfect with a fair amount of sales but her mail came almost sounding accusitory as if I purposely underpaid. I understand the cost of boxes and such but she should have figured this stuff before she listed, not after I already paid! I'm going to send her a note back and tell her what you said Rhi. She can either send it to me and eat the loss or refund and relist. Whatever. Thanks again!

  9. #9
    God/dess Rhiannon's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Lil Rhody
    Posts
    10,471
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    No problem hon.. I also went on the USPS website and calculated the shipping there, to see if there would be any difference (If she had already added in her packing and handling fee). It was the same. So, my bet is that she's trying to charge you for the packaging and handling, because she forgot to at the time of listing.

    Lovely, isn't it? LOL

  10. #10
    God/dess doc-catfish's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    123 Tornado Alley Way, Hooterville USA
    Posts
    6,322
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 36 Times in 30 Posts

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    Here's the USPS shipping chart for Parcel Post.

    http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm/R700.htm#Xih82834

    Here's the USPS calculator: http://postcalc.usps.gov/

    $3.75 is the machineable PP rate for less than a pound. That whole package pitchers and all has to weigh more than a pound.

    I entered zip codes from: 98101, to: 48066, and got a rate of $7.87 for four pounds which seems more realistic.

    I noticed that shipping chart is eBay's. I wonder in order for the seller to use that chart if they have to put in the weight of the item. Perhaps its default setting is on 1 pound and the seller forgot to change the weight before they submitted the listing? I've heard of shippers using handling charges to pad their profits before, but $5.10 just for packaging is ridiculous.

    Scarlett, before you send your money I would reply to the sender politely inquiring about the discrepancy in the shipping rates, as it explicitly says on the listing:Actual cost of UPS or Parcel Post -- your choice. Nothing about packaging. Having the seller say that and charge you more is outright lying to you.
    Former SCJ now in rehab.

  11. #11
    Featured Member showgirlschloe's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Somewhere in Ohio
    Posts
    907
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    I would defintely check the seller's feedback like someone said earlier. If I was the seller, I would suck it up due to the fact that I wouldn't want bad feedback. It's just a few dollars on her side. She can take it out of the profit she made off the filter you bought.

  12. #12
    Banned BigGreenMnM's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2004
    Location
    Virginia countryside.
    Posts
    3,299
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    Quote Originally Posted by doc-catfish
    I noticed that shipping chart is eBay's. I wonder in order for the seller to use that chart if they have to put in the weight of the item. Perhaps its default setting is on 1 pound and the seller forgot to change the weight before they submitted the listing? I've heard of shippers using handling charges to pad their profits before, but $5.10 just for packaging is ridiculous.
    Each sale requires the seller to add the weight,different types of shipping choices,and the option of insurance.
    Any handeling fee is added into the shipping charge and it isnt shown to the buyer as S&H,it just shows the total.

  13. #13
    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    13,598
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 28 Times in 23 Posts

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    Looks like they are charging you the UPS rate and not the USPS rate. Look...USPS is 3.75, UPS is 7.75...did you maybe pick the wrong shipping by mistake?

    Definitely email the seller before you pay...and keep ALL emails just in case you need to take it to ebay.

  14. #14
    Veteran Member scarlett623's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Detroit, MI.
    Posts
    225
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    Actually, that's what upset me the most. I had recieved the invoice and paid it. I had also recieved an email from the seller thanking me for prompt payment and letting me know that the item would ship the next day. It wasn't 'til the next day after that that I recieved the email about the raised shipping. I replied to the seller last night saying that I had already paid the billed amount and that he had accepted it so trying to add charges after the fact was a breach of contract. I haven't heard back from them yet. They didn't offer shipping insurance so I better get my filters and pitchers in good shape! Thanks again for everyones help!

  15. #15
    Featured Member tootsie's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2005
    Location
    on my couch
    Posts
    1,305
    Thanks
    26
    Thanked 38 Times in 19 Posts

    Default Re: ebay help, please!

    if the post office made the mistake, it's not your fault! tell that to the lady.

Similar Threads

  1. Ebay help
    By NewMoon in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 09-14-2008, 01:03 PM
  2. Replies: 14
    Last Post: 10-16-2007, 07:15 PM
  3. i <3<3 ebay!!
    By blayze in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-12-2007, 01:40 AM
  4. Ebay
    By Ravin in forum Recycle Bin
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12-07-2003, 03:57 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •