Ebay - Overcharing on postage

[LDR]

I think this happens quite alot, and was interested in what you peeps think.

I won something on ebay, postage was stated as £10, which i thought the item could possible weigh, but probably not. Anyway, still paid the postage charge.

When the item arrived the actual cost was £4.30. I realise you need to cover packing materials, but in this case it was just in a black bin liner...so not hugely expensive. I've emailed the seller, and not had a reply.

Do you think i am wrong asking for a partial refund on the postage? Or do you think its my own fault for paying the postage cost which was clearly stated?

Should i leave negavitve feedback?

lewis

[zakkfan]

ask for part refund
tell ebay,i doubt they will respond but worth a try
and leave bad feedback to warn other buyers if you dont have any joy

[Dave Tree]

I recently had this last week.

5 loose figures and was charged £5.80, although this was high, I do appreciate that there are packaging materials and perhaps this coverd recorded delviery too.

What was recieved was a re-used jiffy bag and my address stuck over the top of the previous address. The postage cost £1.45


When I asked as to how the postage cost was calculated I got this response:

"I usually work it out as follows
Each item list 30p X 5, Final value fee 10% of cost 50p X 5 Paypal fee 5% of payment 25p X 5 postage cost £1.45. I usually charage for envolopes but in this case I had ran out of new ones.

Total handling and postage fees work acutaully add up to £6.70

The total cost I could have charged was £11 however I reduced this to £5.80 to combine the shipping."


This really annoyed me for two reasons, first mentioning the postage charge could have been higher, when the descriptions and details of the auction state the additional costs for additional purchases, so that statement has no validity as he could not have charged more.

Second, you simply cannot charge listing, final value fees and Paypal fees to a buyer through postage charges, that has to come out of your selling item price.
If it means raising the selling price, fine, but to invisibly charge in such away to maintain profitability is wrong and also against ebay policy.

Although the items were good (other than 2 accessories were missing) I left neutral feedback highlighting that buyers pay ebay and Paypal fees. I did notice that a previous buyer had highlighted the seller profits from postage too.

Sorry you're having to go through this.

Dave.

[LDR]

Thanks Dave, maybe i'll do that to.

I think its very unfair to cahrge for all the fees etc to. Unfortunately i dont think ebay or paypal get involved in over charging postage. which is wrong.



Oh Dave, do you still want those figures etc? Not heard from you.

Cheers

elwis

[zakkfan]

i remember someone charging me for paypal fees and petrol to get to the post office!

[The Baron]

While it does suck, I don't feel a neative is warranted - that should be left for non-delivery of products and/or threatening behaviour, otherwise the impact of the negative is diminished. The seller could argue that he has kept up his end of the bargain and that charges were listed prior to payment being made. If you get no reply then I'd go for a neutral, mentioning he has refused to discuss it further and highlighting the hidden charges.

In Dave's case the seller has no business expecting to both make a profit and for the buyer to foot the bill. He iseither new to the 'bay or trying to be sneaky.

[Chopper]

Well, being in woop woop gives me the benefit of having this issue all the time. I always consider the freight charge as part of the listing's overall price. If its too high I just don't bother. I have had some things sent that were obviously cheaper to send than charged. I just think its tough titties. If it arrives in good nick then all is good. If the price was agreed upon then its ok for a little profiteering, as long as there are no hidden charges. I've never sold on ebay mind you.

Recently stuff from the US seems to be climbing too. $60us for delivery of a $2 accessory to Aussie? Get f*cked is all I can think of. Conversely the last 2 Battle annuals I got from Queensland, the freight exceeded the cost of both the book's and freight charged. The seller actually lost cash because it wasn't calculated correctly. I got them at such a good price I emailed to see if the wanted some more cash to cover it. They didn't. Some people just deserve good Karma and some don't

I just wish it was cheaper to get a 25th Battle pack to Aussie. Sigh.

[Dave Tree]

Sneaky in my case as they have a ebay business shop, but totally agree, other than not recieving two accessories that were included in the listing, I left neutral feedback.

Negative feedback is only in extreme circumstances these days.

[SteveD]

After seeing how much Ebay are charging me for some of my auctions in the past few weeks I fear it's not only the sellers overcharging for postage! I've sold just over £300 worth of stuff, and my account is showing as over £50 of fees. And that's before they steal some off me through Paypal. Robbing swines (chunter chunter)

[LDR]

I agree Steve, the fees are getting silly.