E-bay and sellers + postage "fee"

BigNick · Oct 10, 2002

This is the second time on e-bay that my shipping total seems odd. The first time I was charged double the cost to ship a arcade PCB. When I e-mailed them upon receiveing the package I was told it was a "fee". No mention of a "fee" in the auction. Today I won some MVS fylers = paper and the seller told me this:

Hi,

The actual cost of shipping for your item via USPS Priority w/delivery confirmation is 5.85 but there is a 2.00 fee for employee time to send to the post office, its the cost of doing business...hope this is not a big problem.

Thanks.

Now call me a jerk but "The cost of Business" ? What the fuck is that? I sell shit on ebay and dont charge people for my time to go to the post office :-/ if anything I charge less than the actual postage and always clearly say Pay actual shipping cost in the item description.

What do you guys think of the hidden "Fees"? Oh, I reported the first seller to ebay and they told me it is not ok to charge fees if they are not listed in the item description. Next time some fuck tells me off a fee... I'll tell him to keep his crap and I'll buy elsewhere

Fox1 · Oct 10, 2002

IE we want more money from you

SNK4EVER · Oct 10, 2002

yea, BLOOD SUCKING BASTARDS!

BigNick · Oct 10, 2002

Yeah, I'm going to pay... upon receiving my goods + positive feedback, I'll e-mail him and tell him to eat a dick <img src="graemlins/blowtop.gif" border="0" alt="[Blow Top]" /> Ebay is turning into a game of feedback? You pay my "fee" or I'll report you to ebay.

Brandon St Randy · Oct 10, 2002

reminds me of that shit where they charge 5 or more dollars for shipping and when you get the stuff, its been shipped with the cheapest possible rate. I often get stuff that only cost THEM only a dollar or two. bullshit >:

BigNick · Oct 10, 2002

Well, I email the guy in question:

No, it's not a problem. I just inquire because there was no mention of a "fee" for employee time listed in the auction. I actually had a problem with a business recently who charged me almost double the actual postage and called it a "fee". E-bay informed me that they would take action against the seller because any "fees" have to be listed in the auction. "its the cost of doing business" :-/ ? I don't want argue with that -> All I ask is that in the future you include any "fees" in the item description- otherwise it looks like you just make up an amount. Anyways, I'll send you paypal payment.

He said that he would list fees from now on :-D

Bluevoodu · Oct 10, 2002

I guess it depends in their context.

When I ship via priority, I make an Estimate. Some estimates are $5.00 over and some are a few $ under (depending on the state it goes to).

It just saves me time from having to look on the Internet for EVERY sale... even then you cannot get it totally right.

I do try to charge $.50-1.20 to cover paypal fees or other small selling expenses(almost all my buyers pay via paypal).

†B†V†

brentsg · Oct 10, 2002

The seller should list the shipping fees in the auction if they're fixed. I don't always approximate shipping correctly, so I can understand when it costs someone a little less.

Also, in terms of insurance some places add a couple extra dollars for insurance then don't buy it from the Post Office. That bothers me a bit, but some folks pocket the extra couple bucks every time and "self insure". If they do a large volume and charge a couple extra insurance bucks they can fork over a refund for the odd lost package and they're still ahead. If you've ever tried to recoup money from UPS or USPS for a loss or damage you'd understand. It's anything but efficient.

Brent

mog · Oct 10, 2002

Wow, you got that shipped for less than 10 dollars? Where did you order that from? I need to start buying from them.

Winston Goh · Oct 10, 2002

Selling who charges extra fees that were not mentioned in description are in the same leaque as seller who ship surface when you pay for airmail.

Claim from insurance are sucky...take mths and you never know if they will refund you the money or not...sometime, only shipping charges are refund...I prefer to self insure, then pray that it will not get lost...chances are, I am alway too broke to do anything if problem crop up

candycab · Oct 10, 2002

I find my self moving farther and farther away from ebay because of things like this.

Its almost getting to the point where it is more of a headache than its worth.

Wolf · Oct 10, 2002

Yeah, shipping priority does NOT cost that little.

Most sellers charge a rough estimate of shipping and take a loss.

I get pissed off when a buyer asks me why my shipping is so expensive (I was charging about 8.50 for a neo game) when it cost me about 12.00 per game to ship.

mog · Oct 10, 2002

Originally posted by Wolf:
Yeah, shipping priority does NOT cost that little.

Most sellers charge a rough estimate of shipping and take a loss.

I get pissed off when a buyer asks me why my shipping is so expensive (I was charging about 8.50 for a neo game) when it cost me about 12.00 per game to ship.<hr></blockquote>

I agree. Having to ship stuff really sucks financially. Whenever I sell something on ebay they can damn well expect to pay for the entire cost of shipping, plus an additional fee for making me drive across town to the post office during time I could be playing games or working. Time isn't free.

candycab · Oct 10, 2002

I feel that even if shipping is only say $5.00 and you charge $10.00 its cool as long as it is made known up front. That way if I dont like it I dont have to bid on the item.
I agree that my time is worth money and so should yours be as a seller.

But this should be factored into the price { the time and packing issue }you want for the item to begin with , that way there is no problem and it can be shipped for the price it actually costs to ship it.

That way there is no reason for the buyer to be upset beacuse they paid too much for shipping.

makes since to me anyway.

[ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: candycab ]

[ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: candycab ]

BigNick · Oct 10, 2002

I agree. Having to ship stuff really sucks financially. Whenever I sell something on ebay they can damn well expect to pay for the entire cost of shipping, plus an additional fee for making me drive across town to the post office during time I could be playing games or working. Time isn't free. <hr></blockquote>

WTF are you guys talking about? You charge the buyer the exact shipping price- nothing more <img src="graemlins/veryangry.gif" border="0" alt="[Very Angry]" /> If you don't want to deal with going to the post office when you sell something- keep you crap to yourself then <img src="graemlins/angry.gif" border="0" alt="[Angry]" /> Why should I be charged for something extra?

Time isn't free <hr></blockquote>
this is a foolish statement- You are profiting from the sale and then being reimbursed for the shipping- I know how hard it is to get a shipping total- I drive to the post office to get the total + then come back to my house to give the buyer a total and then drive back to the Post offiice- sure it sucks, If i dont want to do that I say give me 5 bucks- Not 10$ so that I can cover gass/time etc.. If anything I usually take a loss and then provide a delivery conf# and insurance for "free" delivery conf# beniftis me by knowing that a custome has recived the goods and insurance incase it gets fucked up- doesn't come out my pocket. Why should I expect more from the buyer? This is one of many reasons why I wont be dealing with the general public/ebya any longer outside of a few decent sellers that i have much respect for- many from this very forum

Click to expand...

chainsawyak · Oct 10, 2002

If he didn't say anything about a "fee" in his auction, than you can refuse to pay. This will most likely cause some trouble, result in negative feedback or whatever, but in the long run if reported to eBay you would most likely be justified. They have to clearly state all terms in the auction listing, if they add a bunch of shit on after it ends you can refuse to pay it... Of course, it's only a couple of bucks so it might not be worth it... Or that might just be what they want you to think so you'll give them your money... <img src="graemlins/spock.gif" border="0" alt="[Spock]" />

If they listed the "fee" in the auction though, you're screwed. When you become the winner of an auction, you've entered a legal agreement to comply with whatever costs they include...

It's all one big pain in the ass, and it's the reason I don't use eBay all that often. I highly suggest telling that guy to fuck off and die... Or what might be funny is to just send him the amount agreed upon and see how he goes about forcing you to send the rest... That could result in you not getting your item, but what the hell?

BigNick · Oct 10, 2002

Or what might be funny is to just send him the amount agreed upon and see how he goes about forcing you to send the rest... That could result in you not getting your item, but what the hell? <hr></blockquote>

He didn't list any "fees" same thing with the pcb guy who I reported to ebay. I will pay the mvs guy the exact amount and tell him to send me my crap in the condition show or else I'll paypal chargeback + report him to e-bay.

This will ba a pain in the ass + if I get my stuff it will probably be all torn up cuz of my actions- So what <img src="graemlins/smirk.gif" border="0" alt="[Smirk]" /> - It's principal, No one is doing me a favor when I win their auction- I can find most anything outside of ebay for little $ more. The same is true for MVS games. I'm disapointed with most of your responses- I feel bad that people can't tell right from wrong <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[Crying]" />

Crovax · Oct 10, 2002

Originally posted by BigNick:

WTF are you guys talking about? You charge the buyer the exact shipping price- nothing more If you don't want to deal with going to the post office when you sell something- keep you crap to yourself then Why should I be charged for something extra?
<hr></blockquote>

Technically, it is a standard business practice to factor in postage, packing materials AND the time required to take it somewhere to mail it. I know you might not like it or agree with it, but that's the harsh reality. To expect a seller to take a loss on the even just the packing materials is naive.

In this particular case, I agree that the hidden fee is messed up, all the costs that factor into a combined shipping cost need to be told up front.

BigNick · Oct 10, 2002

My e-mail to seller:

Hi, I'm prepared to send you the 18.40 for my items. I will not pay the "Fee". If you check ebay selling/buying policy it clearly states that you have to list all conditions in the auction. You have stated the shipping total in the last e-mail which I have stored in my records. You can except my payment and ship the goods priority as promised + in the condition shown- {or} I can notify ebay of a non-seller. If my goods arrive in any form other than the shown picure -> I will issue a charge back through pay-pal for the full amount and take any further steps to receive compensation, be it e-bay, pay-pal or both. I hope we don't have any problems with this transaction- I'm sure the hassle that could arise will not be worth either of our time or the 2$
thanks!
-Nick

mog · Oct 10, 2002

Originally posted by BigNick:

WTF are you guys talking about? You charge the buyer the exact shipping price- nothing more If you don't want to deal with going to the post office when you sell something- keep you crap to yourself then Why should I be charged for something extra? <hr></blockquote>

See, we live in America. And in America when you want something you have to pay for it. People don't just give you their time, money and packing materials for nothing. So if you want something that someone else has you have to provide them with monetary compensation. Restaurants don't charge you exactly what the food you're eating cost for them to buy. If they did they would be taking what we call a "loss". In a market economy, you cannot take a "loss" and still remain in business. Additionally, the fact that you don't understand how the exchange of money for services works doesn't mean that people aren't going to continue selling their products.

Kids, it's cool to stay in school.

[ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: mog ]

[ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: mog ]

BigNick · Oct 10, 2002

well, I talked to the guy and payed his "fee" because I didn't find it unreasonable + he wasn't a dick about it... just angry that it was not in the item disc. MOG, I wont arguee with you any longer and I dont really have a problem with your terms

believ me when I say I understand how the economy works. Money money money make this sad world go round. personal attacks aside- I have never had the need or want to charge for packing materials or gass. Priority boxes are free where I live and the post office usually has a waste basket full of peoples discarded papers/junk mail- or maybe I should charge the buyer for the 25 cent newspaper I read and no longer need? You can read my terms... I stand by them <img src="graemlins/smirk.gif" border="0" alt="[Smirk]" /> + feel better knowing I do a decent job when selling. All I hoped to acomplish with this thread is to point out how little effort it takes to pack something and get a shipping total. I find it sad when people sell something for a profit and then ask for more than they are owed- a "fee" or made up number inorder to feel compinsated for their time effort that went into taking my money. This is only my opinion and I dont expect the world to change- maybe I should just give away all my worldy goods and enjoy life without expensive Neo games? on second thought- I'll keep them

[ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: BigNick ]

E-bay and sellers + postage "fee"

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