posted on September 5, 2002 07:01:48 AM new
Here's the scoop...I bought an NFL Bobble Head for $10.50...In the description it said "$9 shipping"...Total was $19.50..I sent Paypal payment 2 days later...Yesterday I got the Bobble Head...It was sent standard mail for a cost of $3.85, in an old beat up box...The item was in great shape, have no problem with that...Sent him an email and told him I would think for $9 he would have at least sent it Priority Mail and maybe even insured...I got an email back from him this morning saying he carried in 50 packages to mail and the postal employee didn't follow his orders (whatever they were, he didn't specify), and that he was "sorry"....I just emailed him back and ask if he was "sorry" enough to give me a partial refund on the rediculous amount he charged for shipping...I have yet to hear back...I usually can handle just about anything on ebay, but this has me ticked...He made a profit of $5 on his shipping!!...Yeah I know I bought the item on the terms of his sale, but I still can't hack this rip off...I'm debating on what feedback to leave for him...(He has left me none) which lets me open for a negative retaliation should I neg him...I won't do anything until I hear back from him on the possible partial refund I asked for...What do you all think!?...
posted on September 5, 2002 07:27:23 AM new
I think that you should just bite the bullet and ask questions before bidding next time. This seller got you your item in great condition, it didn't say items would be shipped priority... You can leave a complaint(neg) but then you would more than deserve a neg in return.
Yes this seller made a profit off of you... maybe... but negging because you "assumed" how it would be shipped is not fair to the seller.
Lesson learned: ask questions before bidding.
Ain't Life Grand...
posted on September 5, 2002 07:58:34 AM new
Yes this seller made a profit off of you...
Um...Is there something wrong with making a profit?? Thats what we are ALL here for!
If you read the sellers terms and STILL BID ANYWAY I can only assume that this seller had the ONLY bobble head that you wanted for sale...OR...ALL of the others were priced higher, and you still made out!
A LOT of buyers sure seem to think that if a seller makes a profit it is a bad thing! Do you think we are all millionaire philanthropists<sp> taking a loss on our items (or on shipping) just to do a good deed?
You won the item for $10.50 KNOWING full well that the shipping was going to be $9.00 for a total of $19.50. I can only assume you still felt you got a GOOD deal or you would NEVER have bid that much! Now, because you see that shipping was only $3.85 you are upset because the seller might have made more of a profit then you expected. As long as the seller clearly listed in his TOS what the shipping amount was you could make a informed decision on how much you wanted to bid..knowing full well what your total cost was.
Quit complaining because the seller made a profit...as I said...thats what we are here for!
posted on September 5, 2002 08:02:13 AM new
It could be argued, using eBay Rule 19.3(c)(iv) (refer to Table 19.3a) (Volume 2) that this is "fee avoidance".
However, it appears the buyer agreed to the terms, and the terms were met by the seller.
Best advice? Find another source for the Bobble Heads (Safeway had the NHL ones on for $11.50 Canadian last week).
posted on September 5, 2002 08:17:58 AM new
If the postage meter tape was for $3.85, then according to the domestic mail manual
http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm/r700.htm#X70082834
your item was between 1-2 pounds and was shipped in zone 1-3. The charge to ship the same item via priority mail in the same zones would be $3.95. In other words... the difference in price between the services is $0.10.
In my opinion, he clearly stated the charges in his auction. You agreed to them. The seller was going to make $5.00 on the s/h whether it was shipped priority or parcel post. The fact that the difference in these two services was only $0.10 probably means that the sellers employees did actually make a mistake. However, it is not a mistake that affected you in an adverse way. I don't think you have much of a reason to complain here.
posted on September 5, 2002 08:26:43 AM new
Okay, here we go again. True, this buyer, seeing $9.00 for shipping, should have verified how it would be sent. True, a seller is entitled to make a profit. BUT the shipping charges as listed were misleading and the shipping outcome gave a queer, excessive profit FROM the shipping alone (fee avoidance indeed), which we don't see often on eBay.
I used to be an elected official, and we had a saying, "It may be legal, but it isn't odor-free."
This is the kind of slightly slimy, fee-avoidance behavior that gives buyers a bad impression of eBay.
Give me a break! This was sub-standard seller behavior.
posted on September 5, 2002 08:29:16 AM new
How do you know what profit the seller made on the shipping? Profits are whatever is left after the costs. Even if he got the box in a dumpster, he still may have spent an hour driving around town wasting gas finding it, and that alone could cost the seller a few dollars. So technically it is a loss.
What you're really saying is, the seller charged real world pricing and you're used to commodity pricing and that makes you mad because the seller should lose money not the buyer.
posted on September 5, 2002 08:35:43 AM new
You bid on it knowing how much the shipping cost was. Right or wrong when you placed the bid you agreed to pay the $9.00 if you want to question shipping costs it has to be done before bidding not after.
posted on September 5, 2002 08:48:22 AM new
"BUT the shipping charges as listed were misleading..."
No it's not. The TOS did not say Priority Mail =$9.00; He didn't offer one low price and one high price making one believe the high price is for faster shipping; He didn't say $9.00 equals our fastest shipping method. I don't see anything misleading about "$9.00 shipping."
posted on September 5, 2002 08:58:17 AM new
I thought that is your box weighed between 1-2 pounds it had to go priority mail. Am I missing something.
I feel the charges were high but at least if the seller had to pay $3.85 for postage he could have used a priority box and had it gone priority it probably would have had special handling or at least faster shipping. If I see that high a shipping charge 1st I would not bid. If it was something I wanted I would email the seller and ask how it was going to be mailed. Since I get my packaging things free I charge actual shipping at least as actual as I can get and I always say if insurance is included or not. There are crooks in every game so we need to be aware of it and try and outwit them.
posted on September 5, 2002 10:15:23 AM new
Thanks for the imput you all...As I said in my post I did buy it knowing the terms, but it doesn't help my feeling of being ripped off...I'm chalking it up as a learning experience and moving on, and leaving him no feedback at all...BUT, I'm still ticked off!!!...Happy trails to you, until we meet again...
On the lighter side I saw a good one this morning, will share it with you all...
"When I was a kid I had a quicksand box in my yard...I was an only child, eventually"...
posted on September 5, 2002 11:05:10 AM new
Lemme make this short & sweet.
What you have here is buyer's remorse.
You got precisely what you paid for, but you don't feel "good" about it. You want the seller to make amends, when there is nothing to make amends for.
When you consider the total cost of the transaction and the value provided therein (product as promised delivered directly to your doorstep), did you get a good deal? You know you did.
posted on September 5, 2002 12:43:43 PM new
Hi Jefflh12!
Well, chalk that one up to a lesson learned.
I can definitely relate to your sense of discomfort ~ many eBay seller's like to give their bidders a 'warm fuzzy' feeling. It's nice to feel appreciated by a seller.
The least a Seller should do is let a bidder feel like they got a good enough deal to come back & buy more ~ it's just good business.
Of course a Seller has the right to make a profit. The inherently deceitful manner in which it was achieved is what is getting your panties in a bunch, no?
Odds are pretty good, if it was stated as $4 shipping with a $5 handling fee, you would have passed this auction by.
Sounds like your seller is in it for the quick fix rather than looking for repeat bidders.
IMHO, charging more than double the amount for postage is fee avoidance. Especially when the "extra" amount would practically double the final value fee for this auction!
re:feedback?
don't bother
his overcharge v. your oversight=can of worms
[ edited by zoomin on Sep 5, 2002 12:45 PM ]
posted on September 5, 2002 01:02:35 PM new
Well heerz how eye figger my bidding;
Max I am willing to pay fer the thingy.
Less the stated shipping
That's wut I bid.
I don't care wut the seller sez fer shipping.
If my total is equal to or less than the max I am willing to pay, I am happy.
JEFFLH, if that's the way it worked out fer you, then you have no beef. If you have some other formula fer bidding, I'd like to hear it.
posted on September 5, 2002 01:10:47 PM new
It is so darn nice to know that there are so many psychics and second-guessers out who know to the absolute penny the costs of shipping by somebody whom they have never met, don't know where he lives or his/her shipping situation or methods. If you are all that freakin' good, why don't you just leave eBay and take up picking lottery numbers for a living.
What if he/she HIRES a service to do all his shipping and they charge him $10.00 per address??? Then is he a wonderful seller for giving the customer a break???? Do you know???? Come on you psychics, 'fess up.
He said $9.00, he charged $9.00. He did what he said and he did it well. Only idiots assume......
I see stupid people......
.
A Man will spend $2.00 for a $1.00 item he needs.
A Woman will spend $1.00 for a $2.00 item she doesn't need.
[ edited by mlecher on Sep 5, 2002 01:13 PM ]
posted on September 5, 2002 01:28:28 PM new
Alot of sellers try to make a profit off the shipping in order to list the item at a lower starting bid. When I bid on something I consider the total amount including the shipping I will be paying for the item,I sure everybody else does as well so who cares whether the icing is on the top of the cake or on the bottom.
posted on September 5, 2002 03:28:38 PM new
jefflh12,
It is annoying, but as you said, you did know going into this that the shipping charges were high. Even adding priority mail and insurance still would not go anywhere near $9. I don't understand why sellers do this, the extra profit they are making is minimal (I know I always factor in shipping, if the shipping is high, my max bid is that much lower) and the bad feeling they leave with the customer is just not worth it. I believe I am fair with my charges, and I do have customers who look for my auctions specifically because I am fair.
posted on September 5, 2002 04:33:57 PM new
I had a seller say he shipped UPS and charged accordingly. Then he ships the item usps with no tracking or insurance. He said his shipping system was down and he to drive across town to the post office. Correct me if I'm wrong, but typically when you use a shipping system you get a volume discount. I had another seller say that his shipping price included all his Ebay and paypal fees and that's why he charged $6 shipping and sent the item 3rd class for $.80. Face it, most sellers use the shipping to make their profit and sell the item at cost. It's both dirty and underhanded. I've even seen auctions with $1 buy it now and $50 shipping.
posted on September 6, 2002 05:45:51 AM new
TINDALLJ,,,,,,,,CAN YOU MAKE A CLICKABLE TO A $1 AUCTION WITH $50.00 SHIPPING. I HAVE A LOT OF $1. ITEMS I WOULD LOVE TO SHIP FOR $50.00. I JUST WANT TO SEE A LITTLE MORE WHAT THEY SAY BEFORE I START THAT CAMPAIGN.
I LIKE IT. IF IT'S IN PRINT, RIGHT UP FRONT. NOTHING HIDDEN. I SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. WOW!!!!! I AM GONNA CLEAN HOUSE.!!!!
THANKS.
AND THE BEAT GOES ON.......
P.S. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TOO DAM HONEST AND ETHICAL. THAT'S WHY I AM STILL BROKE. BUT AFTER COMING TO E BAY AND HERE. $$$$$$$$!!!!!
I'M GETTING INTO THE SHIPPING BUSINESS!!!
WE'LL SEE,,,,,,,,,,,,
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on Sep 6, 2002 05:50 AM ]
posted on September 6, 2002 06:16:36 AM new
SO,,,,,,YA WANNA TALK ABOUT EXCESSIVE SHIPPING? O.K. HERE GOES. LIKE I SAID I WANNA GET INTO THE SHIPPING BUSINESS.
I HAVE A 16 POUND "'ITEM" I SELL ON E BAY.
I JUST TOOK AN EAST COAST ZIP CODE AND DID THE UPS RATE AND THE POST OFFICE RATE PRIORITY WITH D.C.
UPS RATE,,,,ACTUAL, $12.46. NOW I HAVE ALWAYS ADDED $4.00. SO, $16.46. NOW, I AM THINKING WHY NOT,,,,$20.00? DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A RIP OFF? NOW SCROLL DOWN FOR THE REALLY "BIG" SURPRISE.......
BECAUSE, HERE IS THE SAME PACKAGE BEING SENT BY THE GOOD OLE FOLKS AT THE U.S. POST OFFICE,,,,,PRIORITY D.C. $29.50!!!!!!!!! ACTUAL!!!!
ALSO WHY DON'T I OFFER THESE TWO RATES RIGHT IN MY AUCTION? AT PRESENT I NEVER EVEN MENTION SHIPPING AS I REALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THESE ARE GOING. BECAUSE WHAT IF THE ADDRESS ENDS UP BEING 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD FROM ME?
YOU KNOW I FELT TERRIBLE ABOUT THE POST OFFICE RATE. SO DID IT DOING PARCEL POST WITH INSURANCE. $24.71!!!!!
OH! BY THE WAY,,,,,THE THE "ITEM" SELLS FOR $30.00.
HAHAHHAHA, ONE MORE THING,,,,I HAVE A COMPETITOR SELLING THE EXACT SAME THING. THEY STATE RIGHT IN THEIR AUCTION,,,,SHIPPING VIA PRIORITY U.S. MAIL. WHAT AN IDIOT!!!!
AND THE BEAT GOES ON.......
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on Sep 6, 2002 06:34 AM ]
posted on September 6, 2002 06:56:53 AM new
I have set shipping charges that are based on the final auction value. I publish them in every auction and state clearly I ship USPS Priority with insurance and DC. If you were to look at my charges, you would assume I was making extra profit from them. The reality is that when I ship something light and expensive, I do make a profit. On the other hand, when I ship something cheap and heavy, I lose money. It usually washes out in the end. The point is, don't assume anything about this seller from just one auction.
[ edited by TomServo92 on Sep 6, 2002 11:13 AM ]
posted on September 6, 2002 07:03:11 AM new
AS FAR AS THE ORIGINAL POSTER, WHY, OH WHY, IS THIS FEED BACK THING SOOOOOOO, PRESSING. WHO CARES! YOU WHAT HE SAID. YOU BOUGHT. WHY TO THE WHOLE WORLD OVER $5.00! LEAVE HIM ALONE.
GET YOUR SELF ANOTHER POSITIVE. ITEM ARRIVED QUICKLY,,,,,BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. HE WILL RETURN THE SAME. OR,,,,,IF YOU HAD WORDS,,,,,LEAVE IT ALONE!
AND THE BEAT GOES ON.......
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on Sep 6, 2002 07:07 AM ]
posted on September 7, 2002 01:18:17 PM newWe go over this and over this and still people don't get it.
GRAFT IS ADDED COSTS THAT SOME SELLERS ADD TO THEIR SHIPPING COSTS TO MAKE UP FOR THEIR IGNORANCE OF WHAT THEIR ITEM IS REALLY WORTH. SOME SELLERS CALL THIS "HANDLING COSTS". PERIOD.
posted on September 7, 2002 01:51:57 PM new
Your right fluffy and I don't mind the repeating threads. I sometimes can think of new ideas to answer them.
[ edited by mlecher on Sep 5, 2002 01:13 PM ]
WHAT HE SAID. YOU BOUGHT. WHY 
TO THE WHOLE WORLD OVER $5.00! LEAVE HIM ALONE.