How can a seller state they post worldwide then refuse to post to Oz?

[fourandsixpants]

I read the sellers post descriptions before purchases-they stated/state 'Worldwide', with no exemptions.

I went to make payment and noted that postage charges were seperate for each item and exorbitant and requested a combined postage-over 7 times over the next 7 days. The seller refused to communicate and the post charge/s remained unchanged. On day 7 I received a short message stating : We do not post to Australia.

Opinions please regards my treatment please?!

[lyndal1838]

While they may post Worldwide, did you ask if they gave combined postage discounts?

It is quite probable that they do not and the fact that your kept on asking just annoyed them and that is why it was easier to just say they do not post to Australia.

[lemmayj]

I am assuming they didn't make statements about combined postage in their listing, if they did you can hold them to it. I'm also assuming that each individual postage rate is no more than that quoted in the original listing. If either of these statements are untrue then you have definite grounds for action, and many of my comments below no longer apply.

So, after the above proviso....

Seller is an idiot for explicitly stating  that they don't post to Australia, they are within their rights just to request the expensive postage and offer to cancel the transaction if you don't want to pay up. (Or hit you with unpaid item strikes if you don't pay).

The trouble with buying from the US is that if a seller wants seller protection they have to use expensive postage methods with proof of delivery.  Postage times are intermittently too long and the seller gets hit by a claim of non-delivery. Too many claims and they become reluctant to sell overseas. My guess is that this seller has been hit by some recent claims to Australia and decided they no longer wish to ship there without full seller protection, which is expensive.

If you're making multiple purchases, never assume anything about the total price unless the seller has specifically stated it in the description. 

You're not going to win this one, as you can't force the seller to reduce the postage from the sum of all the individual rates without a prior statement from them that they would do so. So yes, you can force them to send to Australia, but not with a reasonable price.  And you need to be careful that  they don't hit you with unpaid item strikes, though hopefully you could successfully appeal them because of their email.

What do I think about your treatment?

1) Waiting 7 days to tell you that they don't post to Australia is poor communication. 

2) You could hit their postage DSRs if you feel it's warranted, but remember that postage with seller protection is genuinely expensive. (Just because other sellers post without protection doesn't mean they have to.)

3) Having worldwide postage in their listings and then stating that they don't post worldwide is poor description.

You can't name the seller here, but if you were to state the number of purchses made and the date they were made on we could probably work it out. (I made a guess, but it could well be wrong).

[lemmayj]

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@lyndal1838 wrote:

While they may post Worldwide, did you ask if they gave combined postage discounts?

It is quite probable that they do not and the fact that your kept on asking just annoyed them and that is why it was easier to just say they do not post to Australia.

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Good point, that is entirely possible,( though tactless).

[springyzone]

I can understand the communication from the seller has been poor, but I am staggered you actually bid on US items before knowing exactly what the postage charges would be or knowing if the seller would in fact combine postage. Some small items I have looked at on US sites can vary from about $4-$35 for postage of the exact same item, depending on the seller.

I think you may have had a lucky escape, if they aren't going to hold you to the purchases.

I do think they must be pretty poor sellers though if they say world wide then say not to Australia. They need to get their act (or their ad) together.

[fourandsixpants]

I'm over it all after talking to ebay support-being charged/invoiced/expected to make post payment of $160USD for 13 yards of fabric (is unacceptable!).

If the seller chose to open a dispute within 32 or so days from date of transaction for non-payment against me I would be supported by ebay as my messages/emails prove that I was willing to make payment on a fair post charge and the seller rudely ignored or refused to respond.

Ebay support told me that if the seller does not adjust the post charge/does nothing and I don't pay on invoice as it stands then the whole transaction automatically gets voided/disappears after 45 days.

I am an honest person and have found most sellers are fair and honest too.

Thank you to all posters and comments/opinions:)

[springyzone]

Yes, it is dear.

I have seen small punches (for scrapbooking) listed with postage of $35 from US, so I guess I am always wary of their postage now.

A friend over there sent my daughter a wedding gift-6 linen placemats. The postage on that was close to $50!!

[fourandsixpants]

Thought I would keep those interested in this issue 'posted' with an update of how this lil scenario is panning out.

I just finished talking with ebay support(whom have been most helpful) because I have had 7 UPI's (Unpaid Items) cases lodged (automatically thru ebay system) against me. *sheesh*

But I am not concerned as I have record of messages/emails sent to seller as proof that I/buyer intended to purchase with my continual requests for fair and equitable post charges.....ignored for 7 days with seller eventually responding on day 8 from transaction with 'We don't send to Australia Thank you' as their final response (yet the sellers post descriptions state they post to:Worldwide with no exemptions noted)

Ebay support assure me that once I receive emails informing me of my 'STRIKES' x 7 (!!!!!!) that on a further phone call to them I can request that these strikes be wiped.

I was also informed by ebay support that they are more than happy to report this seller to the ebay Trust and Safety Team for further investigation.......

I have sent further message request/s to seller to cancel my purchases

At this point, so as to warn other potential Australian buyers, I/buyer am/is unable to place negative feedback against this seller.

[phorum_junkie*]

It is important to note that a seller can say they combine postage but unless they also state that a discount will be given then there may be no reduction in the total cost. Also unless an exact discount figure is given it can be as little as 5c.

Ebay policy is quite clear, sellers can combine items in one parcel and charge in full unless they stipulate otherwise and ebay only consider it excessive if it is the individual cost that is too high.

If you buy from a seller who offers combied postage but does not give any discount then the obvious solution is to uncombie the items and pay for each one individually, preferably using a friend or neighbours address for at least one of them, then the seller has to send in different parcels or risk an item not received claim.

Any problems can of course be avoided by asking about combining and discounts before buying or bidding and not proceding unless you get a firm quote through an ebay message.

[thecatspjs]

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@phorum_junkie* wrote:

Ebay policy is quite clear, sellers can combine items in one parcel and charge in full unless they stipulate otherwise and ebay only consider it excessive if it is the individual cost that is too high.

.

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Mmmm never ever seen such a policy .... the actual post policies applies to total post and handling costs - whether combined or not

"Actual Postage cost: This must be limited to the actual cost (i.e. postage) for posting the item"