topic Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error in Buying

Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

bjmonty28 — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 22:55:37 GMT

Im trying to buy 727756-001 SPS-SERVICE DOOR 13.3 however as you can see in the listing, the postage cost says $51.60 USD ($71.89 AUD + GST).
This item measures small enough to fit in an envelope so why should the seller expect so much for postage?

I sent the seller a message asking if what is the price to Australia and got the response saying...

"We only offer the shipping options and rates that are provided at time of checkout. eBay is setup as an automated process for us and we have no way to change the shipping rates. Thank you!"
So, is this postage piracy? Or really an eBay error.
Im thinking along the lines that the seller hasnt entered the correct measurements into the eBay system knowing they can make a huige profit on postage.
I am not able to find this item anywhere else and I dont feel its right for sellers to do this.

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

bjmonty28 — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 22:58:17 GMT

And when you go to the sellers website they are charging even more for stuff this size !!!!!

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

jellybirddesigns — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 23:24:03 GMT

It might be becuase they've entered the dimensions and weight wrong, but I see they're using Priority Mail which might be the same as Express Post.

Or maybe it also includes tracking?

Does seem pretty high for a small part though.

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

bjmonty28 — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 00:15:13 GMT

Well they have entered incorrect dimensions etc on all of their ebay listings, and all their website items.
eBay have opened an investigation and have found multiple issues they are going to act on with this seller.

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

go-tazz — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 00:27:07 GMT

They do have one neutral feedback that says that they received a small part in a big box and all their listings

seem to have the high postage charge (so maybe they use a certain size box for all or most smaller items).

Going by feedback they are a bit dodgy anyway (eg: wrong/broken/missing parts,less data,etc),

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

eol-products — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 00:29:58 GMT

Due to the postage cost I think you will find this is why they have one in stock.

If you know someone that has a US mail forwarder or try something like Aust. Post Shopmate and this may work out slightly cheaper.

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

gutterpunkz05 — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 00:43:04 GMT

The minimum charge for international parcels, is usually set at 1kg rate, no matter what the actual size is. So most sellers will

box/bulk up small items to reduce the risk of loss. They may also be including handling and insurance fees.

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

bluebudgies — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 01:01:47 GMT

As it's available in Australia for a bit under $100 (plus post) for a new one, they're possibly padding the postage a bit to make up for the fact that their refurbished one is so cheap.

They probably only send priority so that you have to sign for it, which means bulking it up to the minimum size for parcels (as has already been said).

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

bjmonty28 — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 05:43:17 GMT

Thanks E1,

I just cant see what they dont slide it into a small padded envelope and add tracking surely it would only be like $15.00 USD.
All their website items like this have extremely higher freight to Oz too. Far out.
Not sure about using forwarding service. Might not end up much cheaper.
Lets see what the eBay investigation brings.

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

imastawka — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 06:13:24 GMT

You say you can't find this item anywhere else, but a quick google search turns up a few.

Aussie price is around the $90 mark plus postage.

The item you're looking at is $6.95?

Have I got that right?

Seems too cheap to be right. Plus postage is still cheaper.

And why would ebay investigate a seller for quoting the correct postage?

Ebay don't care. They still get their % of the postage.

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

bjmonty28 — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 07:27:59 GMT

Yeah we all know about eBay not caring. FVF are the only way to go as far as they are concerned.
However live chat seemed interested but its not the first time they have given that appearance.

Never really used google for these items before. Should be cheap anough on eBay. But not a common item unfortunately.

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

digital*ghost — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 23:30:03 GMT

Seems to be a common rate for these items - first page of search results for similar items had at least 5 different US sellers with shipping to Australia in excess of AUD$70 (GSP items were around the $20-$40 mark). One seller in Germany has P&H set at $150-odd.

I'm guessing that means there's a reason for it - presuming they're all different sellers, anyway - what that reason is (aside from what's already been suggested), I could barely speculate, though.

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

gutterpunkz05 — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 02:39:59 GMT

@bjmonty28 wrote:
Thanks E1,

I just cant see what they dont slide it into a small padded envelope and add tracking surely it would only be like $15.00 USD.
All their website items like this have extremely higher freight to Oz too. Far out.
Not sure about using forwarding service. Might not end up much cheaper.
Lets see what the eBay investigation brings.

USPS International charges to Australia. Flat rate envelopes max weight 4lb

Priority Mail Express 3 - 5 working days $67.00 USD

Priority Mail 6 - 10 working days $36.70 USD

Flat rate boxes with maximum weight 4lb is slightly more expensive

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

bjmonty28 — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 07:41:14 GMT

Thats not right. Postage for a large padded envelope less than 1/6 inch thick from US to Oz is less than $10.00 USD and international tracking is only $5.40 USD extra.

Postage from Oz to USA for the same service is only $17.40 AUD (as per AusPost website).

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

davewil1964 — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 07:51:03 GMT

1/6 inch is 4mm. Even if the thing is wafer thin, that doesn't allow much to protect it while travelling halfway around the world.

These things are probably available in-country. After all, HP is not exactly a boutique company.

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

bjmonty28 — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 07:56:11 GMT

well thats the size of the item, easily fits in an envelope mate

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

davewil1964 — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 08:10:22 GMT

Well, mate, all the US sellers don't seem to agree.

Buy from HP or a dealer in Australia. The first page of a search gave several.

1/6 inch is half the thickness of a smartphone. Any sort of padding is going to use that up. Mate.

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

bjmonty28 — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 08:17:32 GMT

tx mate, didnt mean anything sarcastic with "mate", sry if it appeared that way.
known you on these boards for like decades and you have been one of the most helpful around, thanks on behalf of e1.
been spending too much time on this piece of **bleep** plastic, will just leave it now

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

gutterpunkz05 — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 08:55:48 GMT

@bjmonty28 wrote:
Thats not right. Postage for a large padded envelope less than 1/6 inch thick from US to Oz is less than $10.00 USD and international tracking is only $5.40 USD extra.

Postage from Oz to USA for the same service is only $17.40 AUD (as per AusPost website).

You will find that is for documents only. The item has to be sent as a parcel, with the contents and value declared.

From Australia to USA Parcel 0 - 1 kg Express Post $41.35 Standard Post $ 24.00

Economy Air $17.00 (Not recommended as there is no tracking and no Seller protection)

Re: Postage Piracy or eBay Checkout Error

bjmonty28 — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 22:51:24 GMT

So, parcel, Aus to USA is only $24.00 AUD.
Parcel USA to Aus should be cheaper.