topic DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE in Selling

DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

wjdh — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 02:26:37 GMT

I've had a buyer complain and threaten to issue a black mark because having ACCEPTED what eBay calculated as the postage, $23.85, the actual label was $13.95. He knows that because, stupidly, I told him so instead of making it clear that he accepted that postage cost in the first place. Buyer now expects me to refund the difference (which went to eBay, not to me) or will issue a black mark. How do I resolve this with the robots at eBay?

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

domino-710 — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 03:18:01 GMT

That overall figure would have been in your sale.

How did the extra go to eBay??

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

lezned-toycollector — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 03:27:07 GMT

If it were me, I'd refund the difference without hesitation. That being said, you are under no obligation to do so.

If the buyer paid the postage amount as displayed in the listing, then they've agreed to said amount. By demanding something that wasn't in the listing (as in a partial refund of postage paid) the buyer is breaching the "Abusive buyer policy".

Threatening negative feedback unless you comply with their request is breaching the "Feedback policy". Any negative feedback they leave will be removed upon request.

I would suggest reporting the buyer immediately. Their behaviour is totally unacceptable.

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

wjdh — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 03:28:31 GMT

Very many thanks for that. I think I have been a bit naive when it comes to dealing with fractious buyers - well, this one anyway. I'm glad I know what to do next time, thanks to you.

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

imastawka — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 04:28:18 GMT

Feedback policy | eBay

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

springyzone — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 23:07:09 GMT

I wouldn't issue any refund.

I would explain that it was an ebay calculated cost, that it was in the listing and he bought it under those conditions. And I would add that threatening me with bad feedback if I did not make a refund that was never menioned in the ad amounted to feedback extortion, which was against ebay policy and they could be reported for that.

I agree with what lezned said

Threatening negative feedback unless you comply with their request is breaching the "Feedback policy". Any negative feedback they leave will be removed upon request.

I would suggest reporting the buyer immediately. Their behaviour is totally unacceptable.

Go ahead now, report them.

If they do go ahead and give a neg, get onto ebay help line chat and ask to have it repmoved under their policy of no extortion and offer to show them the exchange. Explain it is a neg because they bought and now demand a refund on the previously listed postage.

You'd have a good chance of having it removed but even if you didn't, it won't kill you to have 1 neg and you can always reply to it.

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

padi*0409 — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 23:28:52 GMT

@springyzone wrote:

I wouldn't issue any refund.

I have to disagree with you there Springy, if the difference was just a couple of dollars then yes, no refund, but we are talking of over $10.00 here - almost double the real cost.

Sure, any refund should be less the eBay fees incurred on the $23.85 and some postage and packing.......

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

jellybirddesigns — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 01:01:06 GMT

A customer won't know what it actually cost until they get the parcel, no matter that they had "accepted" it at checkout. I would be annoyed if I saw a $10 difference and no communication from you - I would think you're simply price gouging at my expense. Writing to the customer and refunding a significant difference can only result in goodwill and a customer who is more likely to return another time.

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

lezned-toycollector — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 03:07:46 GMT

@jellybirddesigns wrote:
A customer won't know what it actually cost until they get the parcel, no matter that they had "accepted" it at checkout.

The OP disclosed the postage cost, so I'm pretty sure the buyer would know at that point in time.

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

*casey* — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 03:16:28 GMT

@wdjh

"He knows that because, stupidly, I told him so"

Was there a reason why you didn't refund at this point, before the buyer contacted you ?

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

shoppingbag* — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 05:15:21 GMT

Are you talking about calculated postage with Australia Post? If so, I cannot understand how you could get the wrong price unless you put in the wrong weight and size of the parcel. Did you print a label? The postage cost was paid by the Buyer to YOU, not to Australia Post as you seem to think. Ebay will take this out of your funds and it will only be the cost of the label, not what you have quoted. Why not just refund the Buyer the difference? I can't blame the Buyer for being annoyed, I would be too. Why pocket money you are not entitled to just because the Buyer agreed to it? That is just plain dishonest in my opinion. I have signature on delivery on all my items, and I refund for that if the Buyer has a Post Office Box, even though they do not ask. I do not take selling costs out of the refund either, as some do, it makes you look bad, better to absorb that in your selling price. I would rather have a return customer than annoy one who will never buy from you again and make sure their friends never buy from you as well.

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

davewil1964 — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 06:23:23 GMT

I do not take selling costs out of the refund either, as some do, it makes you look bad,

Given eBay refund the fees on any refunds, that is good.

Re: DIFFERENCES IN POSTAGE

domino-710 — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 06:26:12 GMT

@shoppingbag* wrote:
Are you talking about calculated postage with Australia Post? If so, I cannot understand how you could get the wrong price unless you put in the wrong weight and size of the parcel. Did you print a label? The postage cost was paid by the Buyer to YOU, not to Australia Post as you seem to think. Ebay will take this out of your funds and it will only be the cost of the label, not what you have quoted. Why not just refund the Buyer the difference? I can't blame the Buyer for being annoyed, I would be too. Why pocket money you are not entitled to just because the Buyer agreed to it? That is just plain dishonest in my opinion. I have signature on delivery on all my items, and I refund for that if the Buyer has a Post Office Box, even though they do not ask. I do not take selling costs out of the refund either, as some do, it makes you look bad, better to absorb that in your selling price. I would rather have a return customer than annoy one who will never buy from you again and make sure their friends never buy from you as well.

What ??