topic Re: Overcharged shipping cost in Selling

Overcharged shipping cost

geeky-meeks — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 23:19:39 GMT

Advice please.

I charge shipping on most of my listings, quite often using the Australia Post calculator. I sold a board game over the weekend where the calculated postage was $18.95. It wouldn't fit in a large satchel so I just double wrapped it in brown paper to post. I was only charged $14.95. I will no doubt give the buyer a $4 refund out of good faith but was wondering what others would do in this situation.

Is it best to include shipping in the total cost with free shipping or have the shipping separately ? Any breakable/easily damaged items I have sold, I have gone a little overboard with bubble wrap & don't charge for that.

Re: Overcharged shipping cost

springyzone — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:07:55 GMT

You're allowed to charge for postage and handling and it doesn't have to be to the exact cent that Australia Post charges.

I wouldn't do a thing as you paid for brown paper and bubble wrap.

If the buyer complains in feedback (they probably won't) just reply that $14.95 was the Australia Post charge but you supplied all the extra materials, such as bubble wrap.

If you feel you must refund anything, only refund for a couple of dollars & explain about the extra materials you paid for.

But I know how you feel in that some buyers never consider that, they expect postage price to match pretty much to the cent.

If you decide to list with shipping included in the total cost, that would save this sort of dilemma as buyers would never know the actual postage component.

I suppose the negative side is it bumps up the price.

However, from what I have observed with friends etc, they love the free postage or should I say, the at a glance aspect, where the listed price is the total price.

I have to admit even I get like that if I see something, glance down and think, oh no, it's an extra $11.50 with postage, or whatever.

It's not as if you mention combined postage in your listings, so that's not a drawcard.

I'd probably go with 'free postage', given the nature of your items, but I no longer sell so I may not be the best guide.

Maybe try free postage on more of your items and see how it goes.

Re: Overcharged shipping cost

geeky-meeks — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:47:49 GMT

Thank you.

I actually didn't use bubble wrap on this particular item, just double wrapped in brown paper.

Re: Overcharged shipping cost

lezned-toycollector — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 01:57:29 GMT

@geeky-meeks wrote:
Thank you.
I actually didn't use bubble wrap on this particular item, just double wrapped in brown paper.

IMHO, that's really poor form indeed. I hope you're prepared to receive appropriate feedback.

It's a fact that paper wrapping does not provide any protection for the parcel contents - unless you use 200+ layers. Why anyone would think a couple of sheets of paper would protect anything in the event of having a 22kg box dropped on it is beyond me.

This is a real pet hate of mine. Anyone who skimps on packaging to save themselves a couple of dollars is 100% guaranteed to get a red dot from me every time - and many eBay buyers share this practice.

Re: Overcharged shipping cost

twyngwyn — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 02:06:29 GMT

Oh dear! I hope it gets there with only the original damage......Drinkopoly?

from your listing:

All items are packaged with extreme care, using bubble wrap (breakable) & paper, to avoid any damage in transit.

Re: Overcharged shipping cost

lezned-toycollector — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 02:39:13 GMT

That looks as though the OP may have a potential "not as described" case ahead of them... full refund and return postage are also in play 😯

Re: Overcharged shipping cost

geeky-meeks — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 02:40:51 GMT

To be honest, I almost forgot to send it so it was a rushed job & was not thinking. Not my best moment, I know!! Now you & lezned-toycollector have me worried.

Re: Overcharged shipping cost

geeky-meeks — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 02:51:01 GMT

Yes I know, I failed terribly with this one. A rushed send off - my bad - but as you can see from reviews, my packaging has been well received in the past. So I will just have to cross fingers with this one. I am sure many selling on EBay has an off day here & there.

Re: Overcharged shipping cost

springyzone — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:13:40 GMT

Just wait to see, it may get through with no worries.

With board games though, I am not sure even bubble wrap would give the protection needed either, if by chance a lot of weight got put on it or it got knocked around. Possibly a small cardboard box would be safer.

But what is done is done, deal with problems when & if they happen.