posted on February 24, 2002 01:31:42 PM new
Just need information or advice on how to proceed with a buying issue encountered for the first time on Ebay auctions.
I won an auction and shipping charge was $15.00. Now I did think the shipping charge was kind of steep considering what I believe the package size would be. It is a vinyl doll available only in Japan. The listing quotes $15.00 for shipping and handling. Seller lists in auction that location is Michigan. Well, the item was something I knew to be HTF domestically so I figured "okay, this is fine because I really want this item". The seller shipped very quickly from Michigan and I am in the Midwest as well. I wasn't able to accept delivery (seller made it a signature needed delivery) because I work full-time. I left a note on the pink slip for the mailman to deliver to my neighbor and they would accept it. The PO sent it back to the seller who now has it. The seller and I emailed back and forth, me letting her know that I believed the PO was shipping it back to her. She now has the package again and is prepared to ship it back to me.
Now, here is the issue: She is asking for $15.00 AGAIN to re-ship item. I emailed her stating "are you shipping USPS and is it being mailed from Michigan?". I can understand or "justify" to myself that she probably originally had the item shipped to her from Japan so she could resell and she paid an international shipping rate and she passed that on to the buyer. That is fine. BUT, do I need to pay $15 AGAIN when now it should really only be $5-$7 realistically.
Advice or suggestions welcome. I either am going to blow it off and just take the hit, or question her about it. S/H originally would have covered packaging materials, etc. but she shouldn't be having to incur that cost again, right?! Thank you all for any reasonable advice or thoughts on this matter!
posted on February 24, 2002 01:36:25 PM new
How about a carefully and nicely worded email to the seller saying that while you understood that the original shipping charges included a handling fee, you wonder if she might quote exact shipping this time since this was unforseen. I am not sure but can't she even just take it to the post office and explain that it should have been delivered to you and that the PO ought to reship it w/o further cost. That might be worth trying first.
At any rate I would nicely ask her to forego the handling fees the second time around.
Hope it works out for you.
posted on February 24, 2002 01:42:00 PM new
Thank you Ash! I have been communicating with her very nicely and would not think of changing my tone. Because if I let this turn out negatively, I just won't enjoy the purchase when I eventually receive it. I will look at it and just remember the effort it took to get it.
Another piece I forgot to include: I sell as well on Ebay and recently shipped an item to NJ in a monitor box. That is the largest thing I had ever shipped. Shipping it priority mail, with delivery confirmation and insurance, the total was $15.50. Now, I just can't imagine that item I purchased is that large or weighs that much to incur a $15.00 shipping charge! LOL!
posted on February 24, 2002 01:43:28 PM new
As long as you instructed your postal carrier to leave it with the neighbors and the postal carrier didn't pursue it further with you the post office should redeliver free. I've had two sent back to me recently with absolutely no problem with the address and all I had to do was ask the post office clerk to resend it (free).
dendude
posted on February 24, 2002 01:54:11 PM new
I agree with walhalla, as long as the address was correct, the USPS should redeliver for free. seller is just trying a double ripoff here if they insist on more shipping charges.
posted on February 24, 2002 03:09:05 PM new
Recently I sent a package to someone and it was returned to me with a note that they had moved and left no forwarding address.
This was not the case and we re-shipped for no added expense because it was a USPS goof up. We took the email correspondence with us to the P.O. showing the buyer had communicated with their post office and their p.o. said 'oops'.
You shouldn't have to pay again, nor should the seller. Edited to add that the seller may not be aware they can re-ship for free.
B'
Angels 'n Stuff
[ edited by bestattic on Feb 24, 2002 03:09 PM ]
posted on February 24, 2002 08:23:52 PM new
If the address is verifiable they should have kept the package at the PO for you to pick up. At worst. USPS must redeliver the package for free.
