Yes, I have had something similar happen.
The dead give away is they have no return address, so they know it is risky.
Normally, anyone sending something untracked would put their return address in case it could not be delivered.
In my case, an item was delivered (small, cheap item) but was faulty so I showed the seller a photo and they said they would send replacement. That was fine with me as it was just a decorative throw away type item for a hen's night, not critical.
The replacement didn't arrive in time but about a week later I had a notice from PO that there was a letter with about $3.50 owing. I didn't know what it was so paid then later wished I hadn't bothered.
I didn't do anything about it as after all, the seller had replaced it but had that been the original item, I would have been angry.
I don't care what a seller puts in his ad, if the postage is listed as free, then it should be free (included in the cost).
None of this-buy at your own risk as we are playing Russian roulette with Auspost. If the seller knows it is a bit dodgy how they are posting it (and they DO know) then charge a bit more and pay the proper postage. It's a seller's responsibility to get the goods to you. Full stop.
The only time there should be a difference in postage cost is if you elect for something such as express post. None of this-pay more if you expect to definitely get it. Buyers only have to pay the set cost, why would any buyer pay more. If a seller wants to send untracked, that is their risk, not the buyer's.
The seller's reply to you was plain rude.
So glad you knew not to pick it up and pay the excess and that you claimed item not received. In your place, even if I had paid, not knowing what it was, I would have claimed INR in order to get some of the excess money paid. After all, it came to more than the entire cost of the item/postage. And without tracking, the seller can't prove a thing.
