Postage cost higher than stated, what to do?

[sireniam16]

Hi there,

I bought an item, for which the (stated) postage was £12.50, from a private UK-based seller. I have already paid the total amount. However, the seller is now requesting I pay an additional £17 for postage as he miscalculated it, although he has already dispatched the item. I'm presuming he tried to send it by Royal Mail small packet and it wasn't, which is kind of obvious as they are crampons.

The seller is as new to eBay as I. I would feel bad not paying it, but it does make the whole cost annoyingly more expensive. I wouldn't have bought it if I knew the postage were this high; other items I need could have all been shipped together from a single seller/online store. Is there an eBay policy on this that makes me obliged to pay? What happens about feedback, as he will obviously be frustrated (as am I)?

Kind regards

[digital*ghost]

Technically and officially, you are not obliged to pay any extra than what was stated in the listing, and buyers are only able to receive positive feedback (if that is your concern), and any comments deemed to be negative that have been left with a positive rating are removable.

That aside, just speaking personally, while I understand that total price was a determining factor in the decision to buy, I would consider at least meeting the seller half-way (perhaps once the item arrives and you can confirm the postage cost). They're new and made a mistake, but honoured their incorrect quote and sent the item anyway, possibly knowing there's nothing they can do to recoup the loss. Something to think about, anyway. 

[kopenhagen5]

As suggested, message them and let them know you will contact them as soon as it arrives to work out a solution.

If the products are A1 and postage shows considerably different, I would either PayPal the difference or ask if they will meet half way as you didn't expect the overall cost to be more than quoted in the listing.

Normally if a seller offers a compromise before I need to, I say it's ok and pay the full amount simply for being decent. Don't want them to be out of pocket.

[motherbear2003]

I disagree with the previous posters.  The seller has made a fundamental error which most sellers make when they first start out.  If the correct postage cost was stated the OP most likely wouldn't have purchased the item.  Unfortunately as it's been sent there's nothing you can do.  Being on the receiving end of making a substantial loss on one sale (when I first started), it was an expensive way to learn a lesson, however I've rarely made the same mistake again:-)  IMO the seller has to accept responsibility for his mistake.

[shepherdsrule]

I am a little more with MB here, but in the interest of fair play, perhaps you and the seller could agree on half the additional postage cost as suggested by kopenhagen.

[sillysillysheep]

I'm with MB;-), the seller made the mistake, you purchased the item and paid for postage, enjoy your item and wipe your hands of it all.

[janeababe]

Your seller terms clearly state: 12.50 (pounds) to Australia - Royal Mail International signed for. ( i cant find my pound symbol LOL)

His calculation error, not yours. therefore... his cross to bear ( and his lesson to learn)

listing: Grivel G12 Crampon Newmatic (Brand New)

Wait until it arrives first, before making any further decissions. It may not even turn up yet... If he hasnt posted it (even though he states he has, you dont want to be bullied into paying extra postage than what was stated)

Good luck with it all.  🙂

[thecatspjs]

If the seller wasn't seeking to cancel the transaction due to this error, then I don't think the seller should have even advised you of their post cost error when they have already sent it. 

They have taken away some of your choices if they had held off on postage and communicated about their error - prior to post you would have had a choice to pay a higher cost or not.

Great that they honored the sale and sent, but the way they have gone about it, just seeks to rely on a bit of a buyer guilt trip if you are that way inclined, to recover their post cost. 

[sireniam16]

Thank you all very much for your responses 🙂

I'll probably do as most recommended by contacting the seller and then waiting until I actually receive the item, before sending any extra money for postage.

[zenremix777]

Yeah, I'd basically just recommend the same, e.g. waiting to see for yourself if it is indeed an extra 17 pounds or thereabouts. Just let the seller nicely know that you do appreciate their situation and it's an easy mistake, but that you'll just wait until you're sure that the postage was indeed more than stated.