posted on May 18, 2004 04:54:11 AM new
I think the original situation is bad all around. I would have emailed first to find out, at least, the probable cost to my zip, and possibly, the method of UPS involved (brown store/ next day air/ carrier pigeon).
But I agree that the bidder bid with the TOS the way it was, and should therefore pay what the seller asks.
As a buyer, I always calculate bid + shipping = my total price and make sure that is not over what I want to pay. I don't really appreciate obviously overpriced shipping scams, and I don't charge my buyers much above what my actual costs are for the box and postage (I get most packing materials free, because I recycle the ones I receive.) In fact in some cases, I'm probably losing money if one looks at the S&H I charge alone. But also, as a seller, as long as I'm making sufficient money on shipping + total bid, then I'm satisfied. I guess I'm not hung up on whether I make 90 percent of profits from shipping, or 70 percent of profit from the bid price, etc. I don't see the point in worry about it, so long as I don't lose money on the whole deal.
Yahoo ID: grantje
posted on May 18, 2004 10:05:58 AM new
Oh my, One of fluffy's hot buttons. In the originating scenario the seller includes an innocuous 'actual shipping charges' in the auction and considers the buyer saddled with whatever the seller states after the end of the auction. In the second scenario there is no doubt on the shipping charges, but the buyer tries to alter the terms after the auction. Kinda like apples and oranges.
myoldtoy, refuse to go along with this. DO NOT ENCOURAGE THIS SELLER. No, wait a sec, I want negatives for eBay....aww, just STFU and pay it.
Fluffy, a firm stance always requires a defense, and 'because I say so' encourages arguments. Rather, give them fuzzy boundaries. I will combine shipping if you buy more than 25 items in one day, "I'm sorry, but you did not win 25 auctions today," because you only listed 24, or some such. Of course, if you enjoy antagonizing these types of scammers, don't let me ruin your fun.
posted on May 18, 2004 10:11:50 AM new
Oh, don't worry, parklane. Since I can rarely figure out (to use your terminology) precisely WTF you're talking about, there's little danger of my fun being spoiled.
Yes, flexibility is a marvelous thing. Bend over backwards often enough and pretty soon you won't think anything at all about bending over forwards on demand.
