topic Re: Free Shipping which is not. in Selling

Free Shipping which is not.

autoseak — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 02:14:52 GMT

Why is that EBay allows sellers to advertise with photos that read 'FREE SHIPPING' and actually charge shipping when you open it up. Just checked 4 sellers stores , and found on the first 2 pages of each site several items being falsely advertised. 4 sites, 2 pages from each, it totaled 79 items which breach Australian Law. On 16/02/2024 Ebay were advised of this and I forwarded them 4 sites that were not complying to Law. Since then the practice is getting worse. Obviously EBay did nothing. What should I do? Go to ACCC or Current Affair or both?

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

sandypebbles — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 02:24:40 GMT

Go for both I say

But first, have all info ready for the questions they will ask

Were the sellers registered in Australia?

Are you on the app or the real site?

Was the 'free' shipping referring to local pick up?

If the seller(s) were not in Australia, was the 'free' shipping also for international sales?

Do you have the items numbers you can share?

If you want an eBay answer. you will will need to ask eBay

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

imastawka — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 03:06:29 GMT

I'll bet you're using the app.

Use the full site on your phone's browser.

The app is notorious for being a pain in the a

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

sugar249 — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 11:28:04 GMT

What should you do?

Avoid those sellers and dont get so worked up. Move on, you are obviously smart enough not to get scammed by it, so dont worry.

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

sandypebbles — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 21:26:29 GMT

We do not even know it *is* a scam in this case, since the OP did'nt want to let us know items numbers or if they are using the app

Same as with the person who posted the same thing very recently

Possibly scammy sellers, possible totally innocent sellers who do not offer free postage at all but using the app shows that they do

No way of knowing in these cases

(At the time of replying)

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

brickworksmarket — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 22:20:28 GMT

I agree that without more information there are so many things this could be.

Reading the OP it sounds like the seller has free shipping pasted into the photo. But could just be the add as a whole and they call it a photo.

I used to offer local pick up and pay on pick up but would always get questions that the add said free shipping from google search. Also noticed the other day one of my listings on showing in the adds at the bottom of another sellers listing on ebay showing free shipping. Go to my listing and it shows free local pick up and then the postage option with price.

Clearly an issue and hopefully the OP comes back with an item number.

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

sugar249 — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 22:36:30 GMT

@sandypebbles wrote:
We do not even know it *is* a scam in this case, since the OP did'nt want to let us know items numbers or if they are using the app

Same as with the person who posted the same thing very recently

Possibly scammy sellers, possible totally innocent sellers who do not offer free postage at all but using the app shows that they do

No way of knowing in these cases

(At the time of replying)

I agree it may not be, my reply was more based on OP's emotive response to something they should just be getting in with life about.

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

sugar249 — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 01:22:17 GMT

Did have another thought maybe OP did buy and pay the postage, but even than I dont think ACCC or a current affair, would be interested, because before they hit the big pay button Ebay shows them the totals.

And personally I think OP would be better of with Judge Judy than a current affair, she gets things done, a current affair just do it for the story and than nothing happens

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

paper-jack — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 01:43:41 GMT

There is no such thing as free shipping. Far better to search using "price and postage lowest first", especially if you are wanting to buy more than one item from a seller.

This is what I do as a buyer. As a seller I rarely use free postage.

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

sugar249 — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 02:36:08 GMT

@paper-jack wrote:
As a seller I rarely use free postage.

I've experimented with both, doesnt seem to make much difference in sales.

With a couple of items I had the same listing, one with free and one with postage , both same total price of course (nothing is free). In the end both had sold about the same amount. And I am talking listing with many many items, so it was a good test.

There is one benefit I can see from free, if they purchase more than one item, technically you don't need to reduce the postage, so you could make a little extra there if you still put them in one parcel. I just ask them and still refund some postage. But others I notice say they wont.

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

autoseak — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 06:02:17 GMT

I am not using the app.

Check: Plastic Straws. eBay item number:

Located NSW (I know that means the stock but not necessarily the seller)

Stock photo used. (which is not truthful)

Many of them use this same photo so one would presume that they are actually all the same seller, using different names.

It does not really irritate me but annoys me a little because it is deceptive.

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

padi*0409 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 02:36:08 GMT

Shipping shows $11.99 and it's a Chinese registered seller with horrible feedback.

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

sandypebbles — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 02:45:14 GMT

The item which you said says free postage

The item number you gave clearly shows the postage cost as $12.90 to me, near Sydney

Totally stock photos just lifted from the web

Given the seller of the item is registered in China and their feedback is in the toilet, and the claim is 'reusable plastic' when it is clearly normal plastic straws shown in the photos (which are banned here anyway)

The 'postage' should be a moot point since the seller is not one anyone should be choosing to support in the first place

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

cam-2793 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 03:25:21 GMT

The ad lists postage but the photo list free shipping. I reckon the seller is not checking the stock photo used before uploading. I agree best avoiding a seller who can't be bothered listing properly.

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

ambercat16 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 03:44:45 GMT

It says free postage to me:

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

domino-710 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 03:47:26 GMT

Reusable straws - let's have a party.

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

autoseak — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 05:04:01 GMT

It clearly reads cost $12.90 and below that Postage $5.99.

This is the problem with eBay when on the PC it reads one thing and then on the phone it reads another.

I stopped using the phone internet and the app several years ago.

I agree 'reusable' is also misrepresenting the truth.

I know that they are banned in AU (so you have to buy from OS) but the environmentally versions are 3cm shorter and basically useless.

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

sugar249 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 05:05:28 GMT

Free shipping for me, unless you want express post. ACCC will have a good laugh at you

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

sugar249 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 05:12:53 GMT

@autoseak wrote:

I agree 'reusable' is also misrepresenting the truth.

Why, if its plastic they are reusable

Re: Free Shipping which is not.

love_of_cars — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 04:26:34 GMT

Yeah, we keep plenty of plastic straws from the olden days around to re-use them at home now.