posted on June 2, 2005 07:39:54 PM new
Here's a fun one for you.
I won an item last week off of an experience eBay seller for much less than the item should have sold for. Aparently the seller decided that in order to make up for the difference between their expectations and the reality they decided to double the shipping amount over what was indicated in the auction.
When I got the new invoice I politely pointed out the "typo" and requested a corrected invoice. Two days later I get the same invoice with an email stating that this was a very heavy and fragile object and required additional packaging and shipping. Since I collect these items I know EXACTLY how much they weigh (And that you would have to forcably through it at a brick wall to damage it) and I know that the new postage amount reflected a 200% profit margin over actual shipping and that's assuming they were buying a shipping box and not using a free Priority Mail box (which is the stated method of shipping). They also informed me that the under bidder was more than willing to pay the stated shipping.
I informed them that I was also quite willing to pay the STATED shipping but was not willing to pay the new arbitrary shipping and if they sold to the under bidder I was also quite willing to report them to ebay (negative feedback doesn't mean squat but I have a Power Seller/Stores Rep calling me weekly right now to give and get input on store and keyword issues once they realized I have two stores in two countries selling the same items at dramatically different prices) based on refusal to sell and bait and switch on their shipping.
Finally yesterday my little charmer "relents" and "graciously" agrees to abide by their stated terms except of course the have now sent me three more supposedy corrected invoices, none of which have correct shipping amounts. None of them have the same amounts but none are actually right either.
I think he's hoping I will eventually get frustrated and just pay one.
Obviously he does not understand just what a hard headed person I can be.
One good thing about these delays.... Lots of time to consider appropriate feedback wording.
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No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
- Ann Coulter
[ edited by fenix03 on Jun 2, 2005 07:40 PM ]
posted on June 2, 2005 08:43:08 PM new
It seems buyers are getting gun shy when it comes to shipping issues. Every now and then I state Buyer pays exact shipping because it could vary so much depending on the zipcode and I hate to make someone in Ohio pay a California rate on shipping. Buyers get very leary of the auction when you do that.
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Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
posted on June 2, 2005 10:00:16 PM new
I'm with you fenix. No question the seller should honor their original shipping quote as stated in the auction listing.
Seeing as how they're doing a dance on the revised shipping amount and you might not ever get an invoice for the correct amount, I'll ask this (though it sounds like you already have of yourself).
How badly do you want this item? Did you win the item real cheaply? Cheaply enough to be willing to pay the lowest amount of shipping of the 3 new invoices (4 counting the original) sent by the seller.
Of course, if neither of you are willing to budge, you get to keep your money and your pride, AND the seller gets to relist again (probably after negging you as a npb and blocking you as a future bidder).
That being said, as a buyer I'd probably refuse to budge too...unless the item was a rare "must-have".
posted on June 2, 2005 10:09:30 PM new
Just be sure to keep all the emails you have received where he was attempting to extort more money out of you for shipping in his attempt to defraud you. It will be necessary to remove the strike he may file for when you implement Phase two, which is to simply send him a check for the final price plus the stated shipping. Minus a nickle. When he calls the shortfall to your attention, Paypal the nickle to him
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on June 2, 2005 10:26:53 PM new
I'm probably going to PayPal the payment directly tomorrow. As for how badly I want this item... I can turn around tomorrow and double my money on it but I'm going to stick it in a drawer til Christmas when I can easily triple it instead.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on June 3, 2005 04:26:58 AM new
As usual sparkz has the perfect answer. Love the nickle part.
Fenix - don't pay a dime more than the stated shipping. It is jerks like this that give all sellers a bad name. It hurts us all in the long run.
posted on June 3, 2005 05:16:33 AM new
After all the seller has done to you ,I wouldn't pay extra for shipping either.You can always go to paypal and send the payment with the right amount of shipping yourself ,you don't need the seller to send an invoice. If they refuse the payment you have proof the seller won't sell at the advertised shipping/sell price.
posted on June 3, 2005 12:00:02 PM new
It is a judgement call. If it is something you can make a fair amount of money from, then pay the extra shipping and live with it. Otherwise, request that the transaction be cancelled due to unfair shipping.
Filing a complaint with eBay is an option, but problably won't do much good.
In any case, I'd make note of the extra shipping fees if feedback is posted to let other buyers know.
posted on June 3, 2005 05:15:15 PM new
I agree ,I would just pay the inflated shipping and move on.
As much as I like a bargain,i hate to see another seller lose money.
The poor guy is trying to breakeven,cant you tell??
-sig file -------
Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
[ edited by stopwhining on Jun 3, 2005 05:27 PM ]
posted on June 3, 2005 05:59:19 PM new
Uh Stop - the "poor guy" is a thief and a liar and is now accusing me of trying to pull a scam on him.
Sorry but if you want a better price either do the research and know what it is you are selling or start the auction at what you want to get for the item. If you want to play with your shipping, don't include a shipping calculater.
If on the otherhand, you decide to roll the dice and they come up craps, don't expect me subsidize your stupidity. I don't play that game.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on June 3, 2005 06:25:06 PM new
I agree with Fenix, the seller set the terms of the auction now its time for him to following his own terms. He has no right to change the shipping charges once they are stated in the auction.
A buyer bids according to all the terms of the Sellers auction.
I would just make payment for the amount stated in the auction. If he accepts paypal then make payment for the amount stated in the auction and pay no attention to his incorrect invoices.
