topic Re: over charge on postage, advice required in Buying

over charge on postage, advice required

b.bight24 — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 20:45:59 GMT

Hi everyone, I recently purchased two items, boots and shoes, this was on the 4/12, I wrote to the buyer the next day, requesting combined postage (which was mentioned on her listing) she sent me an invoice with both @ 13.50 each total $27.00, and told me to pay and she will refund the difference, I sent a 2nd email on the 5/12 and the 3rd on the 7/12, again requesting a combined invoice. On the 8th, I received her reply stating that I was to pay the full amount and if I do not pay by the following day the items would be relisted.

keep in mind before your read her answer below, that the listing ended on the evening of the 4/12 and I paid on the morning of the 8/12

I paid the full amount, the following morning of the 8th. The next day I received a refund of $6, bringing the postage down to 21, still a bit over the top, but acceptable. The parcel has arrived in an ebay 3 kg bag which would be around $12 - 14 her original listing stated postage at 13.50 per item.

I wrote requesting a futher refund as the postage over charge was excessive

HER REPLY IS BELOW

I would like your opinion on this transaction - am I being unreasonsable?

My thoughts are that this is not the ebay way, I have two sites, and have even refunded as little as 95cents rather than overcharge.

Naturally she would like the boots back, as they are worth far more than $45.00

Should this seller be reported and who do I report her too?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

*sparklz* — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 01:47:08 GMT

In the end you got a discount on the postage and it is best to ask what the total combined postage would be before you purchase not after.

You can leave feedback to say what you were charged and what the actual cost was and mark low on the postage costs DSR.

If they items are as described and you are happy then also let that be known in the feedback as well.

But the seller could have sent a combined postage invoice on request so there would be no need to refund any difference.

Sellers are not allowed to profit from postage but are entitled to charge the cost of packaging and postage and some packing can cost a lot depending how well items are packed.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

bsal6160 — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 01:27:49 GMT

Why are you complaining now about postage cost? When you bid on the item you agreed to the sellers postage charge. A refund from the seller is generous but not mandatory so dont complain.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

b.bight24 — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 07:43:33 GMT

Thank you for your comments, if you read my email, I was happy to $21 for postage for a combined invoice, it was not until I received the parcel that I realised that I had actually paid $7 over the actual cost.

I had tried to get the invoice revised, but the seller would not send one and I only paid the total amount of $27 because I was virtually threatened.

I do not believe that the buyer should have to pay for transport for a seller to buy a bag?

Reverse roles, would you accept a $7 overcharge, or if you did the same to a buyer, what would their reaction be?

Yes, in hindsight I should have asked for a postage quote prior to bidding. Lesson learned for me.

My question was/is, is a $7 overcharge on actual postage costs fair?

And yes the product is good, the description acurated, so the seller does not deserve a negative, but there is that old word "principal

Thank you Again everyone

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

green-gifts-mkd — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 09:31:09 GMT

Hi, just wondering if you had to sign for the package? The cost breakdown of an eBay 3kg satchel, as you know, is:

Plastic satchel = $0.35 each (if bought in a 5 pack)

Postage cost = $11.70

Signature Required = $2.95

Were the shoes in a box? A small sum should be allocated to the box and bubble wrap, say $1.50, to safely protect your items.

Total = $16.50

If this was the case, I would definitely accept a $4.50 overcharge for high quality boots etc. If the parcel did require a signature, it might have been lodged at a PO after lining up etc. rather than being placed in the nearest street posting box. A seller's time & effort should be valued in this instance. Of course, this is a speculative explanation...

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

davewil1964 — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 10:29:15 GMT

@b.bight24 wrote:
Thank you for your comments, if you read my email, I was happy to $21 for postage for a combined invoice, it was not until I received the parcel that I realised that I had actually paid $7 over the actual cost.

I had tried to get the invoice revised, but the seller would not send one and I only paid the total amount of $27 because I was virtually threatened.

I do not believe that the buyer should have to pay for transport for a seller to buy a bag?

Reverse roles, would you accept a $7 overcharge, or if you did the same to a buyer, what would their reaction be?

Yes, in hindsight I should have asked for a postage quote prior to bidding. Lesson learned for me.

My question was/is, is a $7 overcharge on actual postage costs fair?

And yes the product is good, the description acurated, so the seller does not deserve a negative, but there is that old word "principal

Thank you Again everyone

Yes. Because I purchase having regard to total price and I don't care how much it costs to post as long as I get what I bought in the condition described, in a timely manner, at the PRICE I WAS PREPARED TO PAY.

As green gifts has said, there are a lot of costs associated with postage that don't show up on the label.

If they used a standard AP red and blue 3kg satchel, I think they run $14.30. Before any packaging. Or SOD.

A seller is entitled to charge cost of packaging, AND time to prepare the order for posting, on top of postage charge.

You got your items, in advertised condition, in a timely manner, for the price YOU AGREED TO.

What is the issue? You should be leaving positive feedback with 5 stars across the board.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

springyzone — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 10:49:26 GMT

It seems to me that you expect postage to be an exact match to Aust post charges. You state you have refunded as little as 95c.

I think that is the wrong slant to put on it.

People are entitled to extra because they hd to prepare it for posting, addressing it, getting it to a post ofice etc

It is posting and Handling.

Let's look at it from te point of view of the seller.

She did combine postage, she charged you less than the 2 single charges. You say you got the boots at a bargain price.

You got them in a good time frame.

You paid a bit extra for postage and hndling than you expected.

But on the whole, it asa good transaction. Just mark her down on the postage costs if you still think they are unfair.

She did explain her reasoning to you, that she made a special trip in to post your item..

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

b.bight24 — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 11:10:07 GMT

Hi greengifts, this was a standard 11.70 bag, no signature, boots and shoes simply shoved into the bag. Thank you

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

davewil1964 — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 11:14:32 GMT

Refer my previous post.

As an aside, I don't think I've ever brought a 'problem' to the boards.

A little bit of reading of them will generally give an idea of board-think. And I would never post a question and then ignore the answers from members with more experience than I have. But that's just me.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

b.bight24 — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 23:29:29 GMT

Good morning Sparklz,

Yes you are right, I should have asked the postage prior to bidding, but as it was a last minute (well 20 minutes actually) I just went with it.

Yes, the seller could have been a bit more helpful with a combined invoice, but kept insisting on receiving full payment, I will also add that my copied email was just one of many, and the second last before payment request, made me feel very threatened.

Yes the goods are in excellent order, no problems.

I usually do not take that much notice of postage paid and received, but this one was very obvious, and yes the seller does have the right to add a small amount for packaging etc, but a profit of 7.50 on top of all the hassles, was a bit much.

BUT after reading all of the comments, it appears that I over reacted and most people would accept the over charge. Which is what I will do, I have also said that I will not leave a negative, but will take you advice regarding the rating for postage.

Thank you again.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

b.bight24 — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 23:29:58 GMT

Good morning bsal6 160 – Fair enough, it appears from most people’s comments that I have over reacted to being over charged the 7.50

Thank you

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

b.bight24 — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 23:31:05 GMT

Good morning Davwil1964,

Yes you are right, this is my first time on the board, I have been a member with this account since 2005 and 2004 with our main account, no real dramas, and if this seller had been a bit more helpful and the second last email not so threatening, I would not have even notice that postage cost.

I have not ignore you or any of the other posts, just a busy weekend, and then I needed time to think, did I overreact? Yes I was annoyed, Yes initially I was happy to pay the $21.

I am happy to pay a more few $’s for postage, but I truly believe that $7.50 over the top, many times (and I am sure you have also) I have read the fine print where the seller states a list of extra charges, bubble wrap, packing, etc, This is acceptable, because it is up front.

Anyway, my question to the board, is this fair? And is it acceptable – and it appears that the majority rules and it is fair and it is acceptable.

Thank you again for your advice.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

*crikey*mate* — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 23:40:33 GMT

*hard hat on*

I get really cross when I get charged excessive postage.

Often you don't know until you receive an item exactly how it will be packaged or posted etc.

It irks me a whole heap when a seller charges me for a 3 kg satchel and sends it in a 500g one. I once had a seller wsend over 1kg of stuff in the 500g satchel - to me that's theft and fraud.

It does depend on the price of the item too though, If I paid a fair bit, then $7 extra isn't too bad.

I've also paid some highish prices for things that could have been sent much more cheaply too, but I have to say that the few items I'm thinking about there have been impeccably presented etc, so softened the blow a bit iykwim.

At the end of the day though, unless it is like the blatant postage fraud I mentioned above, I do accept that the postage price is part of the overall cost when I purchase.

I have asked sellers to clarify their postage prices (ie just bought a pair of earrings, postage was regular post for $14. I pointed out they could go as a large letter with registered post for about $5 or even a SOD satchel for a lot less than $14.

They came back with a $6 post charge, so I was happy about that.

I think a lot of sellers aren't really aware of true postage costs and have a bit of a stab in the dark and hope for the best kinda thing.

But to be fair, it is swings and roundabouts a lot of the time, sometimes you get cheap postage, other times you pay a bit more.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

gec2002 — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 00:44:58 GMT

"I have asked sellers to clarify their postage prices (ie just bought a pair of earrings, postage was regular post for $14. I pointed out they could go as a large letter with registered post for about $5 or even a SOD satchel for a lot less than $14"

I would have told you perhaps look elsewhere if you felt the the total price was excessive. Would you still have asked for a price clarification if they had charged ($X +$14) with "FREE POST"" as opposed to $X and $14 post. Similiarly the OP wouldn't had any reduction for multiple items if both had "Free Post", and the buyer wouldn't be suggesting low stars for postage and negs or neutrals but in actual fact would have have paid more for their postage. And guess what the postage is included in the price when its free unless the seller wants to go broke. Seems its OK for eBay to rip off sellers and buyers with the free post myth but if a seller charges above postage face value its a major crime.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

*crikey*mate* — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 03:01:52 GMT

you may want to read my post again.

BTW, it was an auction, I was prepared to spend $80. Otherwise I would not have bid. I asked before the auction concluded, I wanted to know the maximum amount I could bid.

I hope that is ok with you.

I did not wait until I won the auction and then query the postage price.

The seller could quite easily have said, nope, that's the price.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

gec2002 — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 04:28:20 GMT

"BTW, it was an auction, I was prepared to spend $80. Otherwise I would not have bid. I asked before the auction concluded, I wanted to know the maximum amount I could bid."

So what if it was an auction. Why don't you try reading my comments carefully - would you have asked about postage costs if it had have been free post. That was my point.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

*crikey*mate* — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 04:54:16 GMT

why would free post matter in an auction? It doesn't change the amount I am prepared to bid or believe the item to be worth (to me)

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

gec2002 — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 05:20:13 GMT

Like wise Why would postage cost matter in an auction? It doesn't change the amount you are prepared to bid or believe the item to be worth. Except you have to do a subtraction sum to work out your max bid ie 80 - 14 or 80 - 5 or 80 - 0, however with the first example were the postage is more than face value you will get your knickers in a twist, and think you have been ripped off, cf if it was free were you wouldn't know what the seller has costed postage at or care. In each case you paid $80 but somehow paying $66 plus $14 dollars is a ripoff and payying $80 free post is OK.

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

*crikey*mate* — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 05:37:05 GMT

but they were really nice earrings and I really wanted em!

but OK, you're right, I'm wrong. Sorry 'bout that. Will try hard not to express my opinion again, ok?

Re: over charge on postage, advice required

thecatspjs — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 08:47:41 GMT

OP I agree that being overcharged by $7.50 for actual post & packaging used is unfair.

I always assess post costs when deciding to buy goods. Any post pirate sellers do not get my business. Any post pirates that mislead me as to what type of post service I will get - get one PITA buyer 🙂

If I was overcharged $7.50 for 500 of the purchases I made over a couple of years on ebay I would have forked out more than THREE GRAND to line the pockets of post pirates who do more harm than good to the ebay trading environment. Pffft

I consider that post is a separate service cost over and above the costs of the goods purchased - as such the service costs should be fair and transparent in accordance with ebay policy and consumer protection legislation.

I only use total price as a guide in b&m - not on ebay and other internet purchases.

I have both a price In mind that I will pay for goods, in addition to a separate price that I am prepared to pay for shipping.