sandraj
|
posted on January 2, 2002 10:45:02 AM new
My Aunt won 10 auctions from the same seller withing a 1 hour time frame New Years Eve. She was unpleasently surprised when the seller wrote her and gave her a shipping total ($35.05) as if she was having each auction shipped seprately. The seller does not say "combined shipping" in her auctions, but she is a new seller with feedback of 14. This seller closed her craft store. The stuff can't weigh more than 8 pounds total and priority mail would be $10.00. This is a $25.00 handling charge for some craft stuff. My Aunt realizes now she made a huge mistake not asking first about combined shipping. The seller has not written back. Any suggestions? Thank you and Happy New Year
|
eauctionmgnt
|
posted on January 2, 2002 10:54:43 AM new
Tell your aunt to Always ask questions BEFORE bidding!
If more bidders followed this advice and did not simply make false assumptions... many problems could be avoided. That said... I would wait a few days to see if the seller responds to the e-mail your Aunt sent. If they DO choose to give your Aunt a reduced rate on combined shipping... take a deep sigh of relief. If they refuse... your Aunt should use it as a learning experience and ask about combined shipping next time before bidding.
|
mrfoxy76
|
posted on January 2, 2002 12:12:01 PM new
you should ask however I HATE it when sellers make excess charges on shipping its a joke....if something is going to cost say $10-15 for shipping there is no need to charge $25 plus......
|
technerd
|
posted on January 2, 2002 12:28:23 PM new
I had the same problem.
The seller refused to work with me. So, I wrote:
"After, thinking about it, I see you are right. Now that I have thought more about it, your terms are actually better for me. Instead of having them all mailed directly to me, I will have you mail them directly to the people who I intend to give them to and I will send them a card separately."
I then sent a separate Paypal with a different address for each item (6 of them). (Remember, Paypal will refund your money if the seller has no proof that the item was received at the address you specify.)
In any event, always be nice.
|
rarriffle
|
posted on January 2, 2002 01:10:36 PM new
technerd is absolutely right. if seller refuses to combine shipping (which is easier for them), then make sure each item is shipped seperately.
|
pelorus
|
posted on January 2, 2002 01:16:07 PM new
Send the seller an email with your request, and BE VERY NICE. Do not be negative or threatening in any way. Also, don't ask to pay only exact postage. Many sellers (e.g., me) have shipping material costs and like to get a pittance for our packing time as well.
|
mrspock
|
posted on January 2, 2002 01:36:26 PM new
If the sellers TOS said s&h 3.50 and made no mention of combining then you need to pay what you agreed on which was 3.50 x 10 35.00
Remeber what they say about the word ASSUME.
spock here......
Live long and Prosper
[
|
sandraj
|
posted on January 2, 2002 02:21:22 PM new
Thank you for replies. I learned 2 years ago to ask first before bidding. I am sure my Aunt has learned now also. She wrote: Hello,
I am very surprised on the shipping total. I do not need each of the 10
auctions shipped seprately. Could I have everything shipped in one
box cheaper? I realize you are a new seller, but most sellers combine
auctions. Thank you .........
She does expect a large handling charge but $25 is a lot for $22.27 in auction bids.
I know live and learn.
[ edited by sandraj on Jan 2, 2002 04:38 PM ]
|
richierich
|
posted on January 2, 2002 04:06:41 PM new
If she is going to charge for them beening shipped individually, I hope that is how she ships them. I have seen seller that say that do not combine shipping because it is already packed. BUT $35.00 is at of this world. If she does pay it and it is shipped individually, well it will be like CHRISTMAS all over again, with 10 presents to open.
I hope the seller sees the light! Did see get 10 different notices from the seller? Or just one. She is saving the seller work by combining the auction shipments - 1 box to pack is less time than 10 boxes.
If the seller don't see the light, pay for each one separately via PayPal. After all, that's what the seller wanted each individual!
|
dixiebee
|
posted on January 2, 2002 04:13:14 PM new
I have been on eBay for several years now and I know not to assume that someone will combine auctions for you....but let's get real. I recently bought two items from the same seller and when she sent me EOA notice, she said the items were a "pain" to package and she could not combine. I wrote her back and told her that I would be expecting them to be shipped separately in two different packages. I really don't think she had ever sold two items to the same person before. She agreed to ship together and they both fit perfectly in a large priority box. It never hurts to ask/question the seller one more time. This does seem a little excessive.
Edited to add, if I were your aunt, I would just deadbeat on the seller. I know that's not going to be a popular opinion on this board but that's what I would probably do and I've never deadbeated on an item even when I purchased a movie poster when I thought I was purchasing the actual movie.
[ edited by dixiebee on Jan 2, 2002 04:15 PM ]
|
sandraj
|
posted on January 2, 2002 04:31:12 PM new
I would certainly understand if there was anything breakable, but these are plastic beads and chenille sticks. My Aunt would insure 1 box but not pay $11 for 10 little packages. My gosh that would raise the $22.74 auction wins to $68.32!! This is a new seller, I wrote again, being very nice adding that she is getting very few bids and possibly "combining auctions for shipment" would raise her bid rate. I added that I was NOT trying to avoid a handling fee but $25 for handing a $22 auctions total was a bit steep (figuring $10 (high for estimating) for the mailing).
|
mrspock
|
posted on January 2, 2002 07:42:37 PM new
if I were your aunt, I would just deadbeat on the seller. I know that's not going to be a popular opinion on this board but that's what I would probably do
lets 10 items deadbeat =10 negs and better yet 10 fvf with ebay (perment suspension after 4}
No I don't think i would persue this course of action....
spock here......
Live long and Prosper
[
|
litlux
|
posted on January 2, 2002 08:09:28 PM new
I am always disappointed when sellers are so short sighted as to not combine shipping and make a new friend of the customer.
But as some others have suggested, perhaps your aunt could serve up a little lesson for the seller by paying for them one at a time, spread over 10 days, via Paypal. And have each shipped to a different address. That way, Paypal will charge the maximum fee to the seller, and the seller will have to package and mail each item individually.
And forget the insurance, Paypal requires proof of delivery from the seller if a buyer does a chargeback. It is up to the seller to get the DC. Insurance is totally unneccessary.
And your Aunt has ten feedbacks to fill out. Enough for a detailed story.
|
sandraj
|
posted on January 2, 2002 09:40:04 PM new
Thanks again but this seller has only Citibank C2IT, AOL quick cash or M.O. or personal check, no Paypal. It has been 48 hours now since we have first written her and asked to combine auctions with NO reply, not a yes or no way . Could be the New Years Flu or maybe Auntie is being ignored. I know she will pay and not play "deadbeat". My Aunt is not a Cheat by any means, she just likes being Fair. She is the type to send money AFTER she gets an auction item when she sees the seller spent more on postage than was told. Old School, isn't it COOL?
|
shawnb1
|
posted on January 3, 2002 09:54:02 AM new
Has anyone ever belonged to one of those music clubs? They charge a shipping and handling fee for each item, even if they are mailed together. I always will combine shipping and do whatever I can to save the buyer money (they are more likely to bid on my stuff again) BUT...if it was not stated in the auction then don't assume.
|
quickdraw29
|
posted on January 3, 2002 11:17:12 AM new
This happened to me too (but the TOS said no combining order, and I figured I'd wiggle my way through it), but with a lesser amount of money involved. After I won, I just offered the seller a $1.00 per item handling which is far more than he needed because the items are small and easy to package. He was also a new seller but has a website, so he probably wasn't new in the business. Anyway, he accepted my offer, and I really got a bargain because his TOS saying no combining scared away buyers. What I exactly told him was that he can ship the items for $x, and use $x amount for handling and I will include $x amount so he can pad his profits, and I'll still leave him a nice positive feedback.
Now, some may say that a buyer shouldn't give in like that etc etc, but this is about maturity. You have someone (the seller) well positioned to destroy you even if you try to destroy them. Compromise is the answer. Peace not war. Amen.
Tell the seller yu like to do repeat business with the same seller and you want both you and the seller happy. It should work unless the seller is a sick individual.
[ edited by quickdraw29 on Jan 3, 2002 11:22 AM ]
|
computerboy
|
posted on January 3, 2002 01:31:08 PM new
Regardless of what position you have regarding this situation, it is clear that a reputable seller would combine shipping if they are able to do so. Sure there a a few circumstances that can prevent this from being done, but not many.
As a high volume seller on eBay, I always combine shipping for multiple bid winners. After all, these multiple bid customers should be view as good and desirable new business. The few dollars that can be squandered by overcharging for shipping are not worth losing a potential long term customer and possibly jeopardizing a reputation.
Just my 2 cents. The above policy has put us way ahead in the long run.
|
ok4leather
|
posted on January 3, 2002 01:44:26 PM new
Your seller probably uses a bulk launch service that combines auctions won by a single bidder and automatically emails an invoice - My service gives the option of adding all shipping totals together or discounting a percentage of the total- or billing only the highest shipping amt of all the listings won. I Always give a break on combined shipping (30% of the total) It costs time, packing materials and gas to the post office so a little extra is ok. If its in the terms your obligated to pay unless the seller agrees to give you a break.
Best of luck !
|
sandraj
|
posted on January 3, 2002 02:22:14 PM new
Auntie heard from seller. She will ship all in one box but will not reduce shipping and handling. Talk about a favor! Now it is decided to have each little package mailed seprately and INSURED. If anyone is going to make out on this auction JOKE will be our hard working Postal Workers. Like Richierich said "open 10 presents is like Christmas" all over again. Would rather spend hard to come by money on something more worth wild but refuse to be taken advantage of by greed. Live and Learn. Seller thinks reason for no bids is not belonging to Paypal, I told her not all buyers are "dim" Our family lost some "watts" I guess! Thanks again people!
|
ccaswell
|
posted on January 3, 2002 02:52:18 PM new
Sorry, but I don't agree with some...
Unless it specifically states otherwise, If you apply the "Reasonable Man Rule - now known as the "Reasonable Person Rule" it would be reasonable to think that in this case, combined and discounted shipping would be appropiate and reasonable.
As in "What would a resonable person believe would happen"
If its stated specifically no combined shipping then this rule would not apply, but if its left unstated then it does.
I would honor the auction because the contract was made but you have reasonable resolution in that you(or your Aunt)have 10 feedbacks that you can leave.
Give one postive for the completed auction(s) and 9 negatives explaining the unreasonable shipping charges. Make sure they all flow in a row, so that the next buyers will see them together and will immediately see how this person conducts business. That would be alot of red paint and would be hard for a buyer to ignore.
You might just save somebody else the same heartache you're going through now.
Changed my mind - Give them 10 negs so it will show up in the stat box at the top. This will pull buyers down to look.
It's people like this that give those who try to get 50 cents or a dollar to cover gas a bad name.
chc
|
quickdraw29
|
posted on January 3, 2002 03:14:08 PM new
The seller is a crook. Don't get carried away with feedback. Leave one negative stating the facts: you won 10 of sellers auctions, postage is $x, handling is $25.
|
sandraj
|
posted on January 3, 2002 03:21:50 PM new
Even a $10 handling charge would be acceptable but WHO WANTS TO PAY $25 handling charge (postage would be about $10) for a $22.74 auction. She offered to ship everything all in one box but stands with her shipping charge of $35.05. All for plastic beads and chennile sticks. This is going to help her future auctions she claims. Charge very heavy shipping and forget if you only get 1 lousy bid. CRAFTS! And I give mostly everything I make away.
|
richierich
|
posted on January 3, 2002 05:50:08 PM new
If your aunt decides to pay this. Tell her to demand each be shipped separately as that is what she is paying for. That will teach the seller a lesson. Otherwise the seller learned nothing and gain a huge profit in handling charges.
I would leave only one NEUTRAL feedback - Won 10 auction, paid $35.05 in shipping!
If the seller negs you have 9 more feedback to tell you story on.
|
mrspock
|
posted on January 3, 2002 05:54:56 PM new
If the seller negs you have 9 more feedback to tell you story on.
lets see what could you say ? Seller expected me to abide by stated terms ....
spock here......
Live long and Prosper
[
|
capolady
|
posted on January 3, 2002 09:24:00 PM new
mrspock give me a break. I've been selling for 2 years and always ship the cheapest and most convenient way for the buyer. That's why I have over 600 positives and only one negative in 2 years. Any reputable seller will combine shipping whenever possible. The seller here is obviously attempting to make their money on shipping. If this seller continues in this fashion he/she won't last long. I would insist that all auctions be shipped individually. If the seller does ship individually then I would forget it and move on. If he/she refuses to ship individually and still charges the 35.00 charge I would leave a neg. It's just bad business. Yes, all buyers should ask questions prior to bidding but that would happen in a perfect world. This isn't a perfect world. I see no reason to overcharge a buyer simply because they didn't ask a question. It is the sellers responsibility to quote the shipping charges in their auction. Leaving shipping charges out of an auction and then hammering the buyer is lousy no matter how you cut it.
|
Libra63
|
posted on January 4, 2002 09:23:38 AM new
sandraj - What was the final outcome of the mailing. Did the seller combine or not...
|
bettylou
|
posted on January 4, 2002 09:39:31 AM new
Most of you are blowing smoke, and here's why:
In the three-some years I've been haunting AW, there has never been a person complaining that they were charged TOO LITTLE for shipping. Obviously, people are biased in favor of their pocketbooks. I would even go so far as to say that many of the people posting here would happily cheat sellers out of a shipping charge if they could find a way to do it and get their item, too. Funny how people know EXACTLY how to do it using PayPal.
So I don't believe the "reasonable" or "moral" argument. "Reasonable" is what you want the other person to GIVE you. "Unreasonable" is what the other person WANTS from you. All such terms are defined by self-interest. Always.
It would be best to drop the "most eBay sellers combine shipping" argument as well.
eBay sellers aren't monolithic. If we were, you'd be able to find that prized collectible you're looking for from every seller. The beauty of eBay is that it isn't WalMart; there isn't one set way of doing business or just one inventory to choose from.
And while we're discarding hackneyed notions, let's get rid of "the seller's not getting many bids, so she needs the business". Experienced sellers know that some bids are not worth the cost. And a buyer who has an overblown notion of her importance sometimes needs to be reminded that there are 32 million other bidders with open purses out there. Sellers, if you're kissing up to attitude bidders because you're afraid, compute the time, money and opportunity cost of smooching. You might find that the bids are not worth what you're paying for them.
Finally: A lot of you would be dissing the seller in question even if she had said "no combined shipping" in her auctions. With such blatant prejudice, should anyone listen to what you say?
|
sandraj
|
posted on January 4, 2002 10:38:59 AM new
I am replying to Libra63 and bettylou. We heard from seller and she WILL COMBINE AUCTIONS (already send payment of $69.42 for the $22.74 auction, which is suppose to be refused and we will send right payment.) She reduced the S&H with insurance from $48.42 to $5.00. Instead of 10 seprate shipping and insurance we will pay for 1 box and 1 insurance. Now for you answer Ms. bettylou, My Aunt will pay an additional $10.00 handling fee which was NOT asked for (if you want proof of this let me know). WHY you ask? We liked "quickdraw29" suggestion of offering $1 auction handling fee for each of the 10 auctions. We are FAIR - HONEST people. If anyone tried to take advantage of us, they will get their moneys worth. My Aunt sent this post along and I am sure all you guys made the difference with your helpful comments. THANK YOU! and I will let you know the out come.
|
sandraj
|
posted on January 4, 2002 10:39:08 AM new
[ edited by sandraj on Jan 4, 2002 10:49 AM ]
|
quickdraw29
|
posted on January 4, 2002 11:04:45 AM new
bettylou, it's refreshing to hear a subjective POV for a change.
I always find it quite odd that consumers always look for bargains, haggle a sellers profits down, or complain when a price is too high, yet they go to their boss at the company they work for, and demand pay raises or quit for a similar job that pays more.
It is the ultimate of self centeredness and selfishness. But the market place, being what it is, will force companies out of business, putting those workers out of a job, and eventually bringing prices back up. Everyoe will have a chance to be a loser in this win-lose game.
|
