Jacking the shipping price on Ebay

[Ace-Garageguy]

Recently, we had a thread about what was fair to charge for shipping, and I believe the consensus was to ask a fair price that would cover your expenses...and LIST IT ON THE AUCTION PAGE.

I also recently bid on and won an item, only to have the invoice be for almost $13 MORE for shipping than was stated on the auction page.

Needless to say, I didn't pay it, and contacted the seller about the discrepancy...noting that I ALWAYS bid with the shipping charge in mind, and would NOT have bid on this item if the inflated shipping charge had been displayed.

Anybody else have this happen?

[bbowser]

I have not had that happen, thankfully.  You should contact eBay and lodge a complaint against that seller, that's downright dishonest.

[Ace-Garageguy]

...  You should contact eBay and lodge a complaint against that seller, that's downright dishonest.

I figured I'd give the seller the chance to make it right, as it's just possible it was an honest oversight. If he gets snippy, I will file a complaint.

I usually try to give people the benefit of the doubt first, but I don't actually accept any BS in the long run.

[Mike999]

Something similar happened to me recently on a Buy It Now.   But the high shipping charge was displayed on the page.  I messaged the seller and asked.  Turned out to be an honest mistake and he fixed it.  Hope yours turns out the same.

eBay success story just last night: seller was offering an out-of-production and hard to find 1/48 scale helicopter kit - the Special Hobby Sikorsky R4, with resin and photo-etch parts. (The first US Army helicopter in combat - a couple of those flimsy canvas-covered things were used for scouting at Okinawa in 1945.)  Some eBay sellers ask up to $80, average price is about $30-$40.  This seller was asking $20 Or Best Offer, plus reasonable shipping.  I made an offer of $15, expecting him to counter-offer or refuse.  But he accepted.   

[matthijsgrit]

For me, as I am from outside the USA, it is quite the other way around. Many times the shipping price noted in the ad is high enough to scare me off, even though I know that the rates are way to high for what they were on similar items I had shipped.

For instance: I can't believe that a, say, USD 12 resin chassis would cost USD 40 (!!!) to send to The Netherlands. I really like the chassis but no way I'll pay USD 40 to get it here ...

 

[Mike Chernecki]

I am tired of sellers taking advantage of buyers in Canada with out of this world shipping. Many are charging $20+ for shipping, no matter the size of the package. After you receive the package weeks later because they sent it the slowest cheapest way, you see the postage on the package was under $5. Must have been a very expensive box or envelope.

Worse one was just recently, I have been looking for over 15 years for the '64 Thunderbolt photo-etch set from Performance Detail Products. Found one on eBay a couple weeks ago, bid up to $18 and lost it, I would have gone much higher. The seller quoted me $32 USD ( that is $43 CAD) for shipping a single piece of photo-etch when could have been mail in a small padded envelope for a couple bucks at most.

Another one that makes me laugh is ordering kits from sellers in Japan, not so much the shipping price but how they hide the cost. One seller lists the kit at $50 free shipping, while another is $32 plus $18 shipping (good deal at $32 not, you need to factor the shipping cost in your bid).

[TooOld]

I am tired of sellers taking advantage of buyers in Canada with out of this world shipping. Many are charging $20+ for shipping, no matter the size of the package. After you receive the package weeks later because they sent it the slowest cheapest way, you see the postage on the package was under $5. Must have been a very expensive box or envelope.

Worse one was just recently, I have been looking for over 15 years for the '64 Thunderbolt photo-etch set from Performance Detail Products. Found one on eBay a couple weeks ago, bid up to $18 and lost it, I would have gone much higher. The seller quoted me $32 USD ( that is $43 CAD) for shipping a single piece of photo-etch when could have been mail in a small padded envelope for a couple bucks at most.

Another one that makes me laugh is ordering kits from sellers in Japan, not so much the shipping price but how they hide the cost. One seller lists the kit at $50 free shipping, while another is $32 plus $18 shipping (good deal at $32 not, you need to factor the shipping cost in your bid).

I'm sure you are right that some jack the shipping prices to Canada , but it also isn't as cheap as you think .  I have shipped to friends in Canada and a single part in a small padded envelope (about 5 ounces) costs me about $10 , and an average kit in a 10 x 7 x 5 box weighing less than 2 pounds costs me about 22 dollars . Both are double what it costs me in the U.S. , plus I can't do it on line .  I have to take them to the Post Office to ship them , which may be a real hassle for some people .

If you have a friend in the states you could always arrange for him to buy and ship parts for you . . . just an idea . 

[Ace-Garageguy]

After I contacted the seller, he sent a revised invoice with shipping more in line with what was shown in the auction, but no explanation as to what happened. 

I honestly don't mind paying enough to cover the shipper's expenses and time, but put it up front so I can see it, and don't try to sneak it past me on the invoice.

It's not the money, but the principle that chaps my behind.

[Mark]

I quit selling there years ago, but it probably hasn't gotten any easier over the years to set up listings.  And once the sale has completed, don't the invoices go out automatically now?  So if the listing is set up with an incorrect shipping amount, the invoice that you get minutes after it ends will be wrong also.  I've gotten those quick invoices for multiple items from one seller without combined shipping when the individual listings do mention that combined shipping is offered.  For me, a quick e-mail to the seller has always cleared that up.  I'd chalk it up as an honest mistake unless the seller replies to the contrary.

[mike 51]

"For me, a quick e-mail to the seller has always cleared that up.  I'd chalk it up as an honest mistake unless the seller replies to the contrary."

 

yep...better to deal directly with the seller to solve such problems.  Seems to have done the trick this time too.

[dublin boy]

For me, as I am from outside the USA, it is quite the other way around. Many times the shipping price noted in the ad is high enough to scare me off, even though I know that the rates are way to high for what they were on similar items I had shipped.

For instance: I can't believe that a, say, USD 12 resin chassis would cost USD 40 (!!!) to send to The Netherlands. I really like the chassis but no way I'll pay USD 40 to get it here ...

 

That's excessive Matthijs, USPS prices have gone up by 50% in the last few years but even so last week I got a single kit in a box from California, cost $22.50 and 2 kits in a box from Detroit 32 bucks. These are actual cost prices as I got them from friends.

Now you're a little bit east of me, but it can't be too much more to post things to Holland.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I quit selling there years ago, but it probably hasn't gotten any easier over the years to set up listings.  And once the sale has completed, don't the invoices go out automatically now?  So if the listing is set up with an incorrect shipping amount, the invoice that you get minutes after it ends will be wrong also.  I've gotten those quick invoices for multiple items from one seller without combined shipping when the individual listings do mention that combined shipping is offered.  For me, a quick e-mail to the seller has always cleared that up.  I'd chalk it up as an honest mistake unless the seller replies to the contrary.

In this case, it was a single item with shipping listed as one price, and the invoice asking an additional $12+. 

As stated, an email to the seller got resolution.

[Edsel-Dan]

I had this happen Many years ago

My first evilbay account

Won a Yellow 74-75 issue Revell 59 Ford Skyliner kit at $15.oo with shipping listed ion the page as $5.oo

When The invoice came shipping was also $!5.oo Doubling the price of the model

I asked what happened

seller Claimed shipping to MY area was such

I told him shipping was listed ON the item at a Certain price and I bid accordingly

He said Take it or leave it

I told him to Relist

I then would send a message to Every top bidder of what happened to me

Many bids were cancelled

Wish I had known about filing a complaint

But bet they would have told me MY fault!!

 

Won 2 built restorable models on that account (62 Thunderbird & 72 Road Runner w/photo-etch sheet)

Never received

over 1 month after the win, And paying Through Pay-The-Bay, I asked the seller when they had been sent

She replied that Hubby had JUST returned from Hospital stay, and would pack then that evening or next day

another month and still NO models, I sent another message asking about them

This time NO reply.

I filed the complaints, and got NO help from evilbay

they closed the complaint after 1 month and the seller closed their account aroound the same time

Needless

I told me friend and told them all to close pay-th-bay and ONLY use US Postal Money Orders!

 

ONLY way I mail order or buy from evilbay sellers now!!!

 

If I do not get the item I order or win

I send the Postal inspector & Police after them

 

Have Not had to do that yet, though Almost did

seller got snotty on me about delay in sending PMO

He had Finally answered my messages (1 EVERY day since win) asking for

Postal address ad How to make out PMO the NIGHT bafre

within 12-18 hours he DEMANDED payment INSTANTLY

I told him His Mistake and said If he had answered me 5 days BEFORE he did he would have had PMO by then

But....

I then told him he could do what he wanted

return the PMO Unopened, Cash it and send the model I won, or.....

1 Month to the day I send the PMO and was IN the Post Office to file against him the PMO I sent was returned to me

 

Needless, the seller got Off bat JUST barely

and Yes I Did tell the jerk!!!!

 

I alway ask Before bidding or even Looking if a seller accepts Postal Money order

 

I have NO idea what evilbay will say when I list something ad list PMO payment ONLY!!!!!

But I will NEVER use paypay(Pay-The-Bay) to pay for something

or accept it in payment EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I can buy from Canada as US Postal does offer a LIMITED International PMO

but......

 

HAve not been able to buy in some time

 

Might get the chance o look later this year

Sis & I will get foodstamps this month!!

 

ANY help is greatly needed

and by now I am NOT too embarrassed to ask

[Ace-Garageguy]

I'm always surprised by the Ebay horror stories. In now well over 2000 transactions, I have never lost a cent, and have had only a handful turn unpleasant.

Paying through PayPal gives you a money-back protection scheme, and using the "pay after delivery" option allows you to inspect the merchandise PRIOR to forking out any money. PayPal fronts the bucks for the purchase, and then if everything is satisfactory, they deduct the money from YOU after 2 full weeks.

[Johnt671]

This is going back a few years ago, but at some point E-bay raised the amount they took from the sellers, The sellers then lowered the price of the Item they were selling and raised the shipping prices because E-bay didn't take a cut of that money. I always total the two charges and if I think the price is too high I don't bid on it.

[Exotics_Builder]

That's excessive Matthijs, USPS prices have gone up by 50% in the last few years but even so last week I got a single kit in a box from California, cost $22.50 and 2 kits in a box from Detroit 32 bucks. These are actual cost prices as I got them from friends.

Now you're a little bit east of me, but it can't be too much more to post things to Holland.

Just a couple of weeks back I was looking into shipping a kit to Britain.  The package was 3 lbs weight and the lowest USPS rate was about $35.  Other options like FedEx and UPS were obscene.  I talked with the PO manager and she said, at the moment, costs to Europe are high unless you have a corporate rate package (in essence volume shipping).  So, I guess that says individual shippers pay to cover those getting the discount.

[peteski]

I'm always surprised by the Ebay horror stories. In now well over 2000 transactions, I have never lost a cent, and have had only a handful turn unpleasant.

Paying through PayPal gives you a money-back protection scheme, and using the "pay after delivery" option allows you to inspect the merchandise PRIOR to forking out any money. PayPal fronts the bucks for the purchase, and then if everything is satisfactory, they deduct the money from YOU after 2 full weeks.

Same here - on eBay since 1999 (1,164 transactions) and have bought and sold mostly problem-free.  Same with PayPal.

[Mike999]

Same here - on eBay since 1999 (1,164 transactions) and have bought and sold mostly problem-free.  Same with PayPal.

Since 1999 here with very few problems, too. One of the funniest, many years ago, was winning an old Peerless 1/35 scale Dodge Ambulance, advertised as "complete in original box."  Yeah, it was complete...except for the entire chassis and running gear!  Seller refunded my money and told me to keep the incomplete kit.  I still have it. Someday I might mate that Peerless ambulance body to the newer AFV Club/Skybow Dodge chassis.

That did teach me a lesson I still use today.  Before bidding, I often scan all of a seller's listings.  I want to know if they're a "model person" or an "estate sale ghoul Amateur Picker" type person.  Listings of all model-related stuff tells me I'm dealing with a Model Person, who generally know their stuff. 

If they have a lot of non-model listings, they're probably Amateur Pickers and I'll ask detailed questions before bidding. Those people usually don't know much about models.  I always LMAO at listings for "rare 1963 promo," when I'm looking at a 1963 glue-bomb with 6 inches of paint and all the custom parts and decals used.

[crazyjim]

I've been know to contact sellers about what I feel is excessive postage.  Sometimes they agree to lower and sometimes they don't.  If they do, I bid.  Otherwise, not.

[Brett Barrow]

Paypal's great.  Buyer's protected, seller's protected.  I even once had my Paypal hacked and they sent $200 to Russia, I filed a claim and a couple days later I had my money back. A money orders costs a buck plus the stamp to send it and the gas to the Post Office and back.  Paypal costs the buyer nothing.  

[Mark]

If they have a lot of non-model listings, they're probably Amateur Pickers and I'll ask detailed questions before bidding. Those people usually don't know much about models.  I always LMAO at listings for "rare 1963 promo," when I'm looking at a 1963 glue-bomb with 6 inches of paint and all the custom parts and decals used.

A lot of these folks will have the non-model listings only until they figure out that a lot of that other stuff doesn't sell.  They'll still grab model cars at the flea markets and garage sales because they are small, easy to ship, and cheap if they luck into a bunch of them all at once.  But you'll still see that "I don't know much about these things" language even when that's all they are selling!  They usually do master the fine art of photography for the purpose of hiding major problems with built models, like glue-welded windshields.  It doesn't take long to spot these sellers though.

If I don't see it in the pictures, I assume it isn't there.  "I haven't checked this, but it looks complete" usually translates to "it isn't complete".  It's just dumb luck that the only ones that aren't complete are the ones they didn't check!

[gtx6970]

Paypal sucks.

 

I quit sellign a few years ago because of it . True strory.

 

I sold 3 dealer promos all to one guy via ebay. Total with postage was right at $450 .  A week goes buy and he contacts me stating all 3 cars got damaged in transient . My mistake but I  failed to put insurance on them even after he asked me to . Turned out to be a HUGE mistake on my part.

 

So I asked for pictures of the damages, and gave him my email address,  days turn into weeks of messaging back and forth with excuse after excuse why I got no photos to verify damages. it was either his email provided was filtering out the pictures, he was out of the country on business , or my email was filtering out the pics. NOT once did I get pictures of anything . Then on  the very last day he was eligible to file a claim via PayPal buyer protection , sure enough he did.

Paypal contacted me stating he claimed damaged goods and wanted to send them back . I plead my side , but finally ended up having to take back said 'damaged' cars.  Then about a week goes by I get this strange box with nothing but a # and a zip code in the return address section. But because it was insured I had to sign for it, and without opening it to see the contents. 

 

Sure enough he sent back 2 cars to me worth about $20 total. and STOLE the 3 I sent him.

I filed a claim with PayPal with pictures of what I sent him and what he sent me. PayPals  reply, I signed for them case was over. And refunded the money to him.  So he got my 3 cars, and all his money back.

I sent him several  nasty emails saying If I ever get to Los Angeles I WILL pay him a visit.

I watched his feedback for the next month or 2. And you could read the feedback he got he did the exact same thing to several people

 

I started closing down my store and ultimately quit selling on eBay altogether and closed my PayPal account. Now I only use Ebay  to buy and usually pay with USPS money orders if the buyer will let me . Otherwise I use my wife's PayPal account .

Am I taking a risk seller will send what  I bought?  Probably ,,, but I haven't had any issues to date btw .  I know  it adds a few days to the time I get my item . But I take comfort in the fact PayPal gets absolutely nothing from the sale .

[John Pol]

What I don`t understand is I been buying from ebay since 1990 some where around there no problems. Now some sellers have import charges I`m not import just over the boarder. Its bad enough our dollar sucks so I don`t buy much outside canada.

[Xingu]

I will defend sellers (just a little). There is a glitch (or purposeful shady code) in how eBay calculates some shipping costs. When I sell, I put in the weight and box dimensions. Folks on the West Coast, I am on the East, were regularly accusing me of outrageous shipping costs. eBay was quoting them well over $30 for shipping a single 1/25 scale kit. When I would plug in the exact information directly to the USPS site the cost was closer to $15. They are using weight and dimensions when calculating postage, so you are also penalized for using an oversize box and shipping safely.

[iBorg]

The price to ship to Canada has changed drastically over the past ten years as has US rates. At one time I could ship to Canada for a few bucks more than US. Then US Post went to regions. It then cost less to ship to Canada for me on the east coast than the west coast of the US. This is about the same time eBay started wanting you to list shipping prices. To decrease the fraud on shipping (I once saw a motorcycle with a $9.95 starting price and a $24,995 shipping price.....item MUST be shipped), they started taking a percentage of shipping. eBay has made it very hard on individuals to sell. They'd rather you be mass merchant.