I bid on a dutch auction... There were CDR Blank Disk (15 - ten packs) in this dutch auction.
Bidding started at $1.00 per 1 item (1 - Ten Pack of CDR's)
I set my bid at $1.57 for all 15 - 10 packs of CDR's (this would be 150 CDR's)
In the ad the seller wrote the following...
Item Description :
10 RICOH CDR's [GOLD], Compact Disk Recordable, each
in sleeve, 10each packaged & shrink-sealed in factory
hinged jewel case. 1x-8x Speed; Type 74 [min]; 650MB;
"CD-R Type 74
3030610". Made in Taiwan,
USPS Media Mail add $2.50. Paypal,
certified checks or money orders ship ASAP.
So the seller e-mails me to tell me I won... He does not send me a total on shipping. So I write back and ask that he send me the shipping charge and sent him my address.
He comes back and tells me the total with shipping is $50.00 ($23.55 winning bid and $26.45 for media shipping fees) and says he is giving me a break on shipping...
So my mouth drops open and I cannot believe the shipping charges. I think ok... he is planning to charge me $2.50 on each box $2.50 x $15 = $37.50 and he drops it by $11.05 and this is his so called discount)
I understand that he should charge $2.50 per box if he has 15 different buyers for 15 - 10 packs. As that would be 15 mailings going out to 15 bidders.
I did a check on how much the package would end up weighing and it should weigh around 8 to 9 pounds...(this is an excessive weight figure) The shipping would be around $4.30 to $4.60.
I write the guy back and tell him that there is no way that I will pay such a high shipping charge when he will be mailing all the items to one buyer in one box. I offered to pay $10.00 for Shipping and Handling and no more. (this will give him a $5.00+ handling fee)
Am I wrong here? Did I error? I think I assumed that the $2.50 per pack was if he ended up with 15 different bidders for all 15 packs.
I wrote this in the e-mail I sent him...
You should seriously refigure and reconsider your shipping charges and get back to me with a fair and accurate Shipping & Handling Fee since these are all going to one winning bidder in one box. As I stated above the most you will be able to get from me is $33.45. ($26.55 wining bid & $10.00 for S&H)
He wrote back...
Nighty-night, smile
(yes just that, nothing more)
I checked this guys feedback before and after the bidding. He had one Neg before I bidded and then he earned another one after I won the auction.
What should I do?
Personally I am not worried about getting a negative from him, but it will be my first one ever on my bidding account. I refuse to pay the high shipping charges he is asking for, but at the same time I feel maybe I should have read the ad better or asked questions first.
BTW... he is pretty new to eBay... under 30 feedbacks. I am not new to eBay and have 2 accounts a bidding account (300+ feedbacks) and seller account (500+ feedbacks)
posted on February 2, 2001 04:33:09 AM new
You should have emailed him prior to bidding and asked him what the shipping charge should be on the multiple wins.
Since you did not do that, you are now obligated to pay what he states.
The fault was yours for not asking and assuming things that are not correct.
The whole problem with ebay is idiots who ASSUME something without asking and then get mad when they ASSUMED wrong.
posted on February 2, 2001 04:40:06 AM new
The seller may actually come back with a more reasonable rate... IF not...
I was in the same boat a few yrs back. the seller wanted 9 bucks to Pri Mail a small book, less than 2lbs. I balked. (should be 3-4 bucks) we went round and round. He said he would neg me if I didn't pay, I said I would neg him if he didn't reduce s&h. I gotta make a few bucks he whined. Not by riping me off on shipping I said. bottomline he gave a no pay neutral I gave him a high shipping one back. I stood by my guns then and I would do it again. Tell the clown to play fair or get out of the game. I read the reasons why sellers/buyers get a neg. In this case, I could consider it a big plus in your favor as a seller/buyer because you obviously have good business ethics!
posted on February 2, 2001 04:53:51 AM new
If the shipping costs are clearly stated in the auctions, you have no right to try to re-negotiate the shipping cost after you win the auction !!!!
If there is any questions as to multiple item shipping cost or any questions about shipping at all, you should email the seller and ask prior to bidding.
DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING !
If you are careless enough to bid on an auction in which you are not for sure how the shipping cost will be calculated then you are obligated to pay the seller what he ask.
I NEVER bid on any multiple auctions from sellers until I email them and ask if I will get a discount for mutliple items being shipped.
I NEVER bid on an auction that does not state what the shipping will be.
I NEVER assume anything about what a seller might be thinking or how he determines what shipping cost are.
When bidding on an auction on ebay (or any other auction site for that matter) ALWAYS read carefully and ask questions.
posted on February 2, 2001 05:08:50 AM new
Cix, will you or a moderator please tell me why you are being allowed to tell other posters on this board that they are idiots and/or idiotic (as in brighid's Paypal thread)? Do you have some special status that the rest of us are unaware of?
Brigette, just for the record: Selling items at a reduced cost and trying to recoup in shipping charges is considered "fee evasion" by eBay; however, in your particular case, it might be a really difficult one to call, especially since the seller is making some concessions, and the costs aren't really exorbitant. (Would it still be a good deal at what he is asking you to pay?)
I do agree that you should have inquired, prior to bidding, if the seller would combine shipments, etc., even if I do not agree that you are an idiot for not having done so.
posted on February 2, 2001 05:15:02 AM new
cix is right. If he won't come down , pay it and eat it! It will teach you to find out in advance next time.You can still positive or neutral him and state excessive handling fees and postage.
I skip many auctions where I don't want to be bothered emailing for rates and I try as much as possible to clearly state the rate in my ad. If I can't state the rate, I put in the weight and my zip and if there would be a handling. I never used to use handling but now with multiple dish sets I have to.But then I try to offset as much as possible by not using priority as much anymore.
Your comments have come very close to crossing the line. I suggest you acquaint yourself with the AW Community Guidelines, particularly concerning basic etiquette, before posting again. To continue in this manner may jeopardize your posting privileges.
posted on February 2, 2001 05:45:13 AM new
Make him ship EVERY ONE separately. If that is what you are paying for, that is what you should get. If he is not willing to combine auctions, then don't let him!
This happened to me once. I got a bunch of magazines, about 5 different auctions, from the same bidder. I neglected to read the shipping terms and he was charging $5.00 shipping on each auction and this is what he charged me. Therefore, I requested that each auction be sent separately - 5 different boxes.
Myself, I am all too happy to combine auctions for my bidders! Less work and less packages to tote to the PO.
posted on February 2, 2001 06:11:26 AM new
You're paying $3.33 (including shipping) for each 10 pack of CD-Rs. Aren't you getting a good deal? Don't these usually sell for about TWICE that much (plus shipping if ordered, or sales tax if purchased locally)?
Seller could have charged you $2.50 for each and every 10-pack and sent them to you media mail. The $2.50 was plainly stated in the auction.
If you don't agree with it, go buy your CD-Rs at Walmart... where you'll pay $69 for three 50-packs.
posted on February 2, 2001 06:23:00 AM new
I really can't stand bidders who WHINE about the shipping AFTER the auction ends! You bid; you won; you pay!
posted on February 2, 2001 06:26:01 AM new
In a dutch auction, each item listed is really a separate auction, meaning that each item can be and often is bought by a different bidder. Therefore the separate shipping charges. The seller is actually giving you a break by not charging the entire quoted shipping charge per item. The seller is completely within his rights to require you to pay the shipping charge that he sent you.
That having been said, from a customer service point of view, he would be a fool to do so unless he wants one-shot customers instead of repeat business. If he refuses to adjust the shipping charge, I would pay it. And yes I would leave positive lukewarm feedback. The seller deserves it because he did follow through on his TOS that YOU agreed to by bidding on his auction (assuming of course that he ships the merchandise).
But I would NEVER bid on another auction by this seller again.
Bottom line:
Is the seller within his rights to charge the shipping fee quoted? Absolutely. You agreed to them by bidding on the auction.
Does it make good long-term business sense for him to charge this much? Not at all. My guess is that his days of selling on ebaY are numbered.
posted on February 2, 2001 10:53:00 AM newbrigette, I don't think you're being unreasonable (or "idiotic" in your assumption that "combined shipping" would be a reasonable amount. A $20 handling fee is outrageous on a shipment of this type. I wouldn't fault you for walking away from this deal if that's your decision.
I'm in the middle of somewhat the same situation myself. I recently won 5 different auctions from a seller (five different items of a set, each auctioned individually). These items each weigh less than 1 ounce and are not fragile (not requiring any special packing or expensive packing materials). All 5 will easily fit into a priority mail box, the postage for which should be less than $4.00.
Stated shipping in each auction was $5.00. This is pretty high but I generally figure some sellers are locked into sending items via priority mail (even if they can go for a fraction of the cost via 1st class) because of the "free" boxes.
When I get the EOA the seller asks me if I want them each shipped separately or do I want them all sent in one box? If he sends them all in 1 box he will charge me "only $10.00" shipping and "save me $15.00." Huh? Why on earth would I want each of them sent separately? Seems to me more like he's gouging me an extra $5, not saving me $15.
I email back and tell him of course I want them sent together, and that $10.00 is pretty steep for a box that should be about $4.00 actual shipping cost. He replied yes, he thought it was high, but he's paying someone to pack his shipments for him. And they charge him according to the number of items put in the box, not the number of boxes packed? Sounds like a bunch of bullsh*t to me.
I went ahead and sent the payment, but the best feedback from me this seller can hope for is a neutral. And I'm certainly not going to be a repeat customer.
posted on February 2, 2001 12:03:02 PM new
All of you that complain about posted shipping and handling charges AFTER the auction is over are completely off base. You should read the listing. If you are not sure then either email the seller or don't bid on their auctions. The only time you really have a right to complain is when they don't show the S&H charges. Then you are foolish for bidding. When you make the bid, you are agreeing to the charges -- if you don't complete the purchase you are reneging.
Regular vendors have to pay employees to pack your goods, pay for supplies, enter your invoices, process your payments, take your items to the post office, etc.
My listings all show the S&H charges quite clearly. U.S. is $3.95 for 1 to 4 software items and $.50 for each additional item. I still get moronic emails that state I had no right to charge more then the acutal postage. Get real people. You wouldn't work for nothing -- why do you expect others to work for nothing?
posted on February 2, 2001 12:05:19 PM new
CIX ... No Response to you !
ALLDINGS... I am going to stick to my guns! I will not pay it, but I will pay $10.00 in shipping. Let him neg me I have 300+ positives, he has 15 feedbacks with 2 negs and 1 neutral.
GC2... Thanks for pointing out the idiot statement. Yes I should have contacted the guy before hand. But I never thought beforehand that this was what he was going to do.
DECO100... no matter what he will be getting a negative. I still have not heard from him and I assume he does not wish discuss it. There I go assuming again!
PAINTPOWER... Thanks I think I will try that, I want to get what I am paying for. He should ship them seperately at $2.50 a pop.
VARGAS... I agree and disagree with you! I come to eBay to get good deals. There are others sellers on ebay that can beat this price and I would have went to them if I had known he planned to charged $2.50 a pack on top of the winning bid. So no... it is not a deal on eBay. Am I still feeling ripped off? YES I still feel thats what he is doing.
TOMWIII... I am not whining, I simply asked for people thoughts on what they would do or how they would feel. I did ask for people to assume I was whining.
DUBYASDAMAN... From his history (as his feedback is changing daily) he does not have goods seller skills
TRIPLESNACK... Thanks... I know exactly how you feel!
posted on February 2, 2001 12:13:10 PM new
REDDEAR... LOL
PADA... It is nice that clearly state you TOS in your auctions, This guy really did not, but then again I should have e-mailed him. The thing is he tried to sell me more before he shot me with the shipping fees. I am glad I did not take him up on the offer for more. (maybe I made him mad, because I thought the 150 CDR's was enough)
posted on February 2, 2001 12:33:22 PM new
Bridgette:
You're right, he's wrong. Dead wrong. He's the only one who made assumptions here. He assumed either that bidders would take one each, or he assumed that bidders would misunderstand as you did, and then he could gouge you. I'm guessing the latter, for if it was the former, he would have stepped up to the plate and accommodated you. The same thinking allows us to know one thing for certain: This situation was not caused by naively written instructions. For if that was the case, he would have immediately accommodated you and properly assumed the blame.
That leaves us with the only other available option. He's deliberate in his descriptions. He's less than honest and you caught him in the act.
Good for you. Shame on him and his defenders.
[ edited by mjh2 on Feb 2, 2001 12:38 PM ]
posted on February 2, 2001 12:37:01 PM new
MrJim... Not that it is really any of your business. But I had planned to use them to burn copies of my sons art portfolio (scanned images of his art) and include his resume on the disks and so he could send these off to potential employers, as he is job hunting. He is a Commercial Artist
I think your question was a loaded question, but just so you don't think I am doing anything illegal I answered your question.
posted on February 2, 2001 12:50:27 PM new
MJH2... I totally agree with you...! I NEG'D him after the nasty e-mails he has sent me. I am reporting him to Safeharbor/Ebay as he tried to sell me more under the table before he sent me the shipping total, I refused and then got the high shipping fees. He knew what he was doing all along. I am his 3rd NEG since Jan 21, 2001, and he also has neutral since Jan 21, 2001. I guess he will be suspended ?
posted on February 2, 2001 01:04:42 PM new
Careful about negging seller before you receive the items especially if it's a relatively small amount.
An unethical seller may simpley keep the items and your money and figure there is very little you can do.
After all you should have asked shipping rate first.
Just a warning
It's always better to take a day and cool off before writing emails.
You stated I will only pay $10 shipping.
If a buyer emailed me and stated what they were going to pay I would file NPB form for all the items under failure to comply with auction rules.
Granted it is high shipping but you were the one who bid without asking
posted on February 2, 2001 01:18:24 PM new
JRB3...
Everything is coming to a head now, the guy is a rip-off artist. 3 Negs and 1 Neutral since 1/21/01 says it all, this includes my 1 NEG. (that is out 19 total feedbacks)
I will be reporting him to Ebay/Safeharbor on top of it.
Besides he is pretty nasty in his e-mails...
Let him NFB me & NEG me... He is not getting my money, I will not pay his high shipping fees.
[ edited by brigette on Feb 2, 2001 01:20 PM ]
posted on February 2, 2001 01:22:19 PM new
I'm quite surprised that someone with your ebay experience made such a "rookie" error as to bid on 10 items at a dutch auction and assume the seller would ship according to your perception of 'fair' S&H.
I'm certain that you know that there are sellers who do NOT "combine shipments to save S&H". And in fact this person did do this, just not enough to satisfy you.
Now, is this a nice seller? Not according to what you've reported here. Is he a smart seller? Not according to what you've reported here.
However, I still don't see why you have ANY reason to expect (note that key word, expect) him to sell you these items at less than bid price + full S&H. It would be nice if he would (and he did offer to do so), but
he has no legal or moral obligation to do so, and your degree of anger here at that situation is unwarrented.
Frankly, if I were in your shoes, and didn't want to pay what he asked, I'd consider myself lucky to get out of the transaction without a negative FB. Of course, having reacted emotionally and left him a neg already, you can probably count on one.
MJH2: "less than honest"? Are you referring to the "under the table" sales offers, which may or may not be allowable according to the latest set of every-changing ebay rules? If not, is there some specifics you can point to where the seller was dishonest?
posted on February 2, 2001 01:26:51 PM new
I cannot believe all of you who are blaming the *buyer* in this situation. Who in their right mind would assume they would be charged $25 shipping for a package that should go for $4???????? That's just asinine!
If the seller had said, you owe $5 shipping plus a $20 handling fee, how many of you would have been screaming bloody murder?!?!
If the seller didn't come down to a more reasonable shipping charge, you can bet I'd cancel my purchase and take my neg, respond to my neg and leave him a blistering one of his own.
in your assumption that "combined shipping" would be a reasonable amount. A $20 handling fee is outrageous on a shipment of this type. I wouldn't fault you for walking away from this deal if that's your decision.
