eBay

halfgweilo · ‎16-02-2019

I recently bought 2 sets of stamps, same set and same time. At the end of my purchase my receipt show I been charged twice for shipping cost. Seller adveritised he had 4 sets available, because I wanted 2 sets I clicked 2 in the little box. I contacted seller seeking reason for same. He advice that was because I bought 2 sets. He said he would refund one shipping cost but will minus eBay's commission as this has already taken out. I asked seller if I had bought 4 sets would the shipping cost be times 4 then? He didn't reply. One would believe the sysytem, can recognise, regardless on the numbers of sets I bought, it would still be one transaction and only one shipping cost should be charged.

kopenhagen5 · ‎16-02-2019

One would believe the sysytem, can recognise, regardless on the numbers of sets I bought, it would still be one transaction and only one shipping cost should be charged.

That would depend on how the seller has the listing set up.

And some sellers don't necessarily discount postage for multiples.

davewil1964 · ‎17-02-2019

I discount for multiples, but the system usually won't allow me to discount prior to purchase. Like you, most buyers just pay then expect the difference to be refunded. Which I do, less the extra fees incurred.

eBay makes it difficult to combine postage unless you have postage rules set up - things like $x for the first item, $y for subsequent items.

I sell books. 2 books could go in a 500g satchel, or a 1kg one, or a 3kg one. I don't know what postage will be until I know what the buyer wants, and they rarely message me beforehand about it.

shoppingbag* · ‎17-02-2019

Did you not see two lots of postage during checkout? Unless you ask for combined postage, or the postage automatically combines (some do) then of course you pay postage on each item. This is something to sort out before you buy, see if they offer a discount on multible purchases, and if not mentioned about combining postage, then ask before buying.

enigmabear · ‎17-02-2019

I too am surprised it did not show you the correct total before hitting the confirm order button

Did the listing indeed state that the seller offers combined postage or discounted postage if buying more than one item?

Many times it is not an automatic thing (although many buyers believe it should be) just because 2 things are mailed together does not always mean it is cheaper, you would be aware that Australia Post have different rates for different weight ranges. I doubt the 'system' can tell the difference between two lost of stamps being sent together or one lot of stamps and one elephant foot

Even posting two cds together is likely to end up costing more than 2 cds seperately as the thickness of two would put it from the 'large letter' to the 'small parcel' range

I am aware in this case two lots of stamps is still 'flat' but as mentioned, the postage in the listing set-up can't tell the difference

halfgweilo · ‎17-02-2019

Who sets up the system? The seller or eBay? 2 sets of stamps (24) weighs less than one normal sheet of paper. A letter normally has 2 sheets. So where is the need to charge double shipping cost. Fraud. Why is eBay allowing this to happen. What amazes is how some sellers can charge over US$18.00 which in most cases is dearer than the stamps itself. Who does this benefits? Are there extra guarantee that items would not go astray &/or it will arrive quicker than normal. Those sellers would never get any business from me. Guaranteed.

enigmabear · ‎17-02-2019

eBay does not have a set up to distinguish if the two items the buyer is buying are 'the same' or close enough

As I have said in my post so I am not explaining it again

Does the listing state the seller in question will send 1,2,3 or 4 for the same price?

If not, how is it fraud? because a buyer expects it/demands it ?

If it does and the seller turns around and refuses, report it

Did you send the seller a message prior and ask?

And if sellers in Australia charge a ridiculous amount for postage, more fool them seeings as fees are also paid on postage, the higher charged for postage, the higher the fee

davewil1964 · ‎17-02-2019

@halfgweilo wrote:
Who sets up the system? The seller or eBay? 2 sets of stamps (24) weighs less than one normal sheet of paper. A letter normally has 2 sheets. So where is the need to charge double shipping cost. Fraud. Why is eBay allowing this to happen. What amazes is how some sellers can charge over US$18.00 which in most cases is dearer than the stamps itself. Who does this benefits? Are there extra guarantee that items would not go astray &/or it will arrive quicker than normal. Those sellers would never get any business from me. Guaranteed.

You will probably find that those sellers are in the USA and are using the Global Shipping Program. In which case they only have to deliver to the depot in the US, after which they have no responsibility for delivery. This means they can't get negs or need to refund if the item/s don't arrive or don't arrive within eBay's unrealistic timeframes.

Without the GSP you would probably not have access to a lot of those items anyway, so I doubt the seller cares. You could always message them, prepurchase, and tell them how you want stuff posted, for how much and how soon. Whether you use the fraud card would be up to you, but I doubt it would change the result.

kopenhagen5 · ‎17-02-2019

@halfgweilo wrote:
Who sets up the system? The seller or eBay? 2 sets of stamps (24) weighs less than one normal sheet of paper. A letter normally has 2 sheets. So where is the need to charge double shipping cost. Fraud. Why is eBay allowing this to happen. What amazes is how some sellers can charge over US$18.00 which in most cases is dearer than the stamps itself. Who does this benefits? Are there extra guarantee that items would not go astray &/or it will arrive quicker than normal. Those sellers would never get any business from me. Guaranteed.

The seller sets up the listing. There are multiple ways it can be done. Buyers can also choose the wrong method of purchase no matter what system is in place. Sounds like in your case you should have used the cart.

Overseas sellers will often only post if they have protection, Tracking, signature, Insurance or all of those mentioned. eBay are not to know what type of postal or courier service will be used.

US and UK sellers have been opted into the GSP which is a very expensive service for small items and many sellers are not aware it is showing for International buyers.

YOU have the choice, if total price is not suitable then just backpage or ask the seller for a postage price for combined items before buying.

shoppingbag* · ‎17-02-2019

I really cannot see what the problem is. I always find out the cost of posage before I purchase, and to me this is the logical thing to do. It only takes to ask the seller if they combine postage if they don't already say so in their listing. Some do, some don't. You are not forced to use the ones that don't, that is your choice. Some sellers have ligitimate reasons for not combining, like the items are already packed and ready to send with stamps already in place. If you don't llike it or don't agree it is your option to go elsewhere. If they do combine postage then it is a simple matter to request a total, and pay when you get the invoice. It seems totally counter productive to me to create a problem for yourself that you could have easily avoided and then blame everyone else because you didn't like the outcome. The system cannot possibly know that your two items could be sent as one postage. How could a computer program know the weight and size of your items and then figure out if the two would post as one, and then figure that out for every single item that is for sale, and every single combination of all of those items. I am not surprised the Seller didn't answer your question about four items.

Just one more thing, if you don't like the eBay system then don't use it.