posted on August 29, 2000 01:25:21 PM new
I won an auction for $1.50 plus $3.20 shipping. I am not a newby and I'm primarily a seller, so I know rates well and $3.20 = priority shipping under 2 pounds.
I sent payment immediately, he/she left positive feedback promptly. Received the item in about 12 days which was fine.
However, the shipping was .77 cents. I emailed the seller the following:
"I am very disappointed you charged me for priority mail shipping $3.20 and sent it regular mail at 77 cents!"
response:
"I AM SORRY YOU FEEL THAT WAY!! MY SHIPPING NOR MY DESCRIPTION SAID ANYTHING ABOUT PRIORITY SHIPPING."
Me:
You also don't say anything about a handling fee! You charged me more than 4 times the amount it cost for you to ship it! Oh well, it's done and over, I'll not do business again due to honesty
response:
WHAT PART OH HONESTY DID YOU NOT GET?? ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN ON EBAY LONG ENOUGH KNOWS THAT WHEN SHIPPING STATES A PRICE IT IS THE FINAL PRICE
Me:
WHATEVER!!!!! EVERYONE ON EBAY ALSO KNOWS THAT $3.20 IS STANDARD PRIORITY!!!
response:
I GUESS SOMEONE WHO HAS 10.00 OR EVEN 5.00 IS ASSUMING IT IS PRIORITY
Me:
They are the ones that are more than likely under charging for Priority mail, or maybe they say handling fee! It's over! Feedback has been left.
response:
YES AND SO HAS A RESPONSE TO THE FEEDBACK YOU LEFT. CRY BABY
Me:
You can't even get your crap in the right spot! Since we're being immature and name calling, #*!@!!
response:
YOU KNOW IT IS PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO NEED NOT EVEN BID ON THINGS ON EBAY BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT EVEN READ THE DESCRIPTION ON THE ITEMS.
Me:
It's dishonest people like you who shouldn't sell! I've never had a problem until you and I probably never will again. Buyer pays shipping of $3.20, I didn't pay shipping of $3.20, I paid shipping of 77 cents, you pocketed the rest! Are you stupid, or what????!!!! GOOD RIDDANCE
response:
YOU GOT A 2.50 BEANIE FOR A 1.50. YOU SUCK
Me:
NO, I got a $1.50 beanie for $3.93 plus 77 cents shipping because you over charged for shipping. You can't even add! You know you were wrong because otherwise you would've dropped this conversation by now. Well, aren't you a big boy/girl (whatever the heck you are)!!! How would you know if I suck or not? I wouldn't give you the time of day! Don't tell me I suck when you can't get your crap straight!! Face it, you're full of #*!@!
response:
THE COST OF THE BEANIE WAS 2.50 FROM MCDONALDS DUMB-ASS!! YOU KNOW IF YOU WERE NOT SUCH A #*!@ TO BEGIN WITH I WOULD'VE REFUNDED THE SHIPPING!! BUT NO! YOU HAD TO ACT LIKE AN ASS-HOLE AND #*!@ AND CRY!
Ok, this is getting way out of hand. No, I shouldn't of called names but this guy won't let it go! I'm the one who was overcharged. I would never do that to one of my customers.
I am inviting the seller to this thread and sending a cc to the moderator so I can get other opinions. I am trying to not respond to anymore of these childish emails because this is so out of hand.
posted on August 29, 2000 01:30:47 PM new
I think there was another thread about this very same subject very recently. Basically, any seller who puts $3.20 in their add is trying to pull a scam when they don't ship priority. Besides he didn't say $3.20 for shipping and handling he said $3.20 for shipping. In my opinion, that's deceptive and misleading and you deserve a refund of at least $2.00. On the other hand, never assume anything!!! Next time you'll know to ask what that $3.20 covers.
posted on August 29, 2000 01:35:03 PM new
It's over...yes, the seller was being sneaky by charging $3.20, but how much is it all worth to you? Delete his email unread, block his email, do whatever it takes to put it behind you and move on. He/she isn't worth the aggravation.
IMHO,
Teresa [email protected]
posted on August 29, 2000 01:35:36 PM new
If the seller did not specify priority mail in the auction, and just said "shipping $3.20", he did nothing wrong. Never assume!!
posted on August 29, 2000 01:38:25 PM new
If the seller only said "$3.20 shipping" in their ad, and no mention of a handling fee, it sounds to me like the seller was trying to deceive bidders. "$3.20 shipping" means it will cost $3.20 to ship in my book. And $3.20 is standard Priority Mail rate. Very, very deceiving.
____________________________________
The only place you'll find success before work is in the dictionary.
posted on August 29, 2000 01:50:03 PM new
Let sleeping dogs lie. Frankly I'd forward his verbatim emails to SafeHarbor with a query over abusive treatment. No one should talk like that to anyone.
posted on August 29, 2000 01:54:31 PM new
Unfortunately, Safe Harbour will not get involved in this after-the-fact type dispute. When my seller started to threaten me, I forwarded the threats to Safe Harbour who told be that was a matter between seller and myself, and to go to the Authorities if this should continue to escalate....
posted on August 29, 2000 01:54:39 PM new
Let me get this straight.
You bid $1.50 on an auction that clearly stated the shipping price is $3.20.
You felt at the time you placed that bid that getting this item delevered safely to your door was worth a total of $4.70.
You receive the item and, quite suddenly, it is no longer worth 4.70? Is that what you are saying? That the shipping method determines the value of a beanie baby? I thought it was if they were retired that determined that.
Wow, you learn something new every day! The shipping method will change the value of the item AFTER you receive the item. Something worth $4.70 is no longer worth $4.70 when it arrives.
posted on August 29, 2000 02:00:00 PM newchisholm1943-
Wow, you learn something new every day! The shipping method will change the value of the item AFTER you receive the item.
Thank you thank you thank you. At least one other person seems to understand that the total cost of an item should be more important to a buyer than how the seller allocates a breakdown of that cost.
posted on August 29, 2000 02:00:47 PM new
I am happy with my product... just feel like I was deceived by the $3.20, as I am a seller and would not take advantage of a buyer in this way. I feel that if he would of said .77 to ship + handling fee that is another thing. (won't bid on anything with a handling fee, my personal perogitive) Maybe that is why I feel so strongly that I was overcharged shipping and mislead. I then got terrible treatment from this person, which I do not feel I deserved. I did nothing wrong, I paid immediately. I just feel mislead.
posted on August 29, 2000 02:02:49 PM new
That's true when the seller is not being intentionally deceptive to pad his sale price. Stating $3.20 is sneaky and deceptive. Even if I got a great price for something I'd still be peeved if I got taken on the shipping side of it. Had the seller stated up front that $3.20 was shipping and handling not just shipping then, I wouldn't be so inclined to gripe and would consider the $3.20 part of the price. I guess it's the intent that would guide me on this one and on this one the intent does not seem so innocent.
I'm locking this thread for the required 24 hour period. If the seller indicates he/she is ready to join discussion before the 24 hours has passed, the thread can be opened then.
posted on August 29, 2000 02:50:54 PM new
As I was saying:
The item was bid on at a total cost, delevered safely to the door of the bidder, of $4.70.
The item arrived, and as if by magic, it suddenly was no longer worth $4.70. Even though it was delevered safely, as per the auction text.
And the bidder also left a somewhat nasty neutral.
The seller has every right to be upset.
We at AW see this silly mind set all the time. In the last thirty days this is perhaps the 3rd time this topic has been fought out.
Bidders: Do the math. If an item is worth $4.70 when you bid on it, the method of shipping is no factor as to the value of that item. When it arrives safely, NO MATTER THE METHOD, it is still worth $4.70!
There has been no fraud, no misleading, and no overcharging done by this poor seller. He is within his rights, and is an up-front seller.
posted on August 29, 2000 02:51:13 PM new
While I despise shipping gougers, if the amount was stated in the auction description, then they do not deserve a negative. I would probably leave a neutral stating "Ask about shipping method before bidding" or something like that.
In the case of 1st Class, they would have to purchase a shipping container (box or envelope), so that can add up to a $1 to the cost.
I also take shipping into consideration when bidding and place my bid amount accordingly, adjusting for those charges. However, charging three times the normal shipping amount can be taken as fee avoidance by eBay.
****************************
That's Flunky Gerbiltush to you!
posted on August 29, 2000 02:52:12 PM new
Maybe I'd be wrong, but if I paid $3.20 shipping for a 'Beanie Baby', I'd assume I was getting the item sent priority mail. When I arrived I'd be a bit irked to see 77 cents postage.
There are some low rent tricks to make some extra change at the expense of future business... this is one of them in my opinion.
posted on August 29, 2000 02:54:36 PM new
This is a rerun of another thread going on right now. If it did not state 'priority', then he did not have any obligation to mail it priority.
I agree that what he did is somewhat deceptive, but so are most adds-look at the automobile adds where they hide the balloon payment in the small print! Whether you like it or not, he fulfilled his part of the sale.
posted on August 29, 2000 02:55:38 PM newMaybe I'd be wrong, but if I paid $3.20 shipping for a 'Beanie Baby', I'd assume I was getting the item sent priority mail. When I arrived I'd be a bit irked to see 77 cents postage.
Yep, uaru, you'd be wrong. Wrong to assume, wrong to be irked. Unless, of course, you were irked at yourself for assuming in the first place.
posted on August 29, 2000 02:59:58 PM new
I am of the opinion that this seller is technically correct, but ethically wrong. What burns me about it, is that a fair amount of sellers seem to be doing doing this sort of thing. Inexperienced and unsuspecting buyers are turned away from eBay over practices like this. It hurts us all in the long run.
posted on August 29, 2000 03:01:23 PM new
He DIDN"T fulfill his part of the sale. He said send $3.20 for shipping. He didn't use the shipping money for shipping. He lied. He gouged. Period. Dishonest.
Now we have posters here telling us we are wrong to assume that when a seller tells us to send "X" dollars to ship, that they mean that is what they need to ship it. It's right there in black and white. Sheesh!
posted on August 29, 2000 03:08:07 PM new
Ladies, it's not about emotions. It's about value.
How could an item worth $4.70, delevered to your door, at the time a bid was placed no longer be worth $4.70 when it arrives.
Easy answer. Sour Grapes. Nobody wants a seller to make a profit.
There was NO deception. The total cost was known to both parties in this contract. That total cost was $4.70, safely delevered. The item WAS safely delevered.
It is the BIDDER who is in the wrong to attempt to re-negotiate the price after the fact.
[ edited by chisholm1943 on Aug 29, 2000 03:13 PM ]
posted on August 29, 2000 03:10:43 PM new
Hi KatyD,
I think that you are confusing 'shipping' and 'actual shipping cost'. The seller may be including gas, box or envelope, etc.,
posted on August 29, 2000 03:17:14 PM newaschmits, oh and let's not forget "lunch" on the way to the Post Office. Really folks, gas, waiting in line, etc. ARE NOT shipping costs. Those are the cost of doing business, period, and if you need to recoup those costs, and you insist on selling your merchandise in an auction format, you should consider those costs when specifying your opening bid or reserve.
Chisolm, it's been awhile. How nice to "see" you again. I hope you won't think me rude if I tell you that you are "WRONG WRONG WRONG!
posted on August 29, 2000 03:19:53 PM new
Nobody WAS taken advantage of.
Both parties knew the price would be $4.70 for a safely delevered beanie baby.
It is the SELLER who is being taken advantage of, here.
First he receives a browbeating from the buyer, because the buyer is wrongly attempting to re-negotiate the price. Second, the buyer drags this into a public forum, further browbeating this honest and upfront seller. Third, our own group of AW morality police (As Amy calls them) get to browbeat him.
The seller is right, the buyer is wrong. Black and white. Clear cut. Open and shut case.
I have to say this seller was WRONG! He said $3.20 shipping, not .77 cents shipping and $2.43 extra in my pocket! If their is a handling fee then he SHOULD of mentioned it!
Anyone who agrees with this seller must pad their sales themselves!
Really folks, gas, waiting in line, etc. ARE NOT shipping costs. Those are the cost of doing business, period, and if you need to recoup those costs, and you insist on selling your merchandise in an auction format, you should consider those costs when specifying your opening bid or reserve.