Postage extortion from seller.

[chameleon54]

I have recently purchased a number of books from a seller who advised that he combined post for multiple purchases. Weight of the books is around 7 - 8 kg. On invoice the seller kindly gave a $10 deduction on postage leaving a post cost of $65. Two 5 kg. satchels would cost around $36 or if boxed and mailed, post cost with tracking would be around the same as the box would weigh maybe 8 kg. ( Aust Post cubing would not affect cost )  I dont mind paying a bit extra for packing and handling but $40 !!!! Have tried to contact seller but no reply. Worst case senario is I pay up and leave multiple Negative feedbacks. Any suggestions on handling this appreciated.  

[zo_bella]

Did you ask about postage before buying ? Did you check all postage deatails in listing before ordering ?

[putney32]

technically,... the seller does not have to give you a discount on the multi lot purchase

I agree he's overcharging, but it is not against ebay rules, and unless you got a ''quote'' for the amount he'd actually charge, you are obliged to pay it.

[digital*ghost]

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@ausflylady wrote:

Did you ask about postage before buying ? 

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Pretty much just this.

You should never assume that a seller is going to package / post / charge what you expect them to based on a "will combine post" line in a listing. Sometimes all that will mean is that they'll post all the items in the same parcel, as combining items means just that, and doesn't atcually mean getting a postage discount.

[chameleon54]

Admittedly just relied on the seller to "do the right thing" as I have never had this problem before and as said dont worry if seller charges a small fee for handling. One small technicality is the seller used file photos of new books for second hand items, so the items will not match the photos. " item not as described " perhaps. ??? Unfortunatly there are a few idiots out there in eBayland  spoiling it for the majority that try to do the right thing.

[phorum_junkie*]

You have no idea how the seller is going to send them, if they want Paypal seller protection they cannot post them in separate satchels, they must be in one parcel. You have no idea if the parcel will be cubed or not, you have no idea what other packaging materials the seller will be using nor what extra tracking and insurance they are going to pay.  They discounted you ten dollars, I don't know how many books you bought but they are perfectly entitled to add a dollar or two for each one on top of the delivery cost.

You should have established a firm quote before buying and if you didn't there is nothing you can do about it, the seller has done as they said they would and given you a discount.

To say that you are prepared to open a not as described dispute just because you perceive an overcharge when you clearly knew very well the seller used stock photos  means you are less than honorable, don't be surprised if you find yourself on a few BBLs!

[digital*ghost]

Were these the 5 manuals you won today at auction for $5 each? (I did a quick search of your bidding history, and these were the only ones I could see that used stock photos).

If so, the seller doesn't atcually state on any of those listings that they combine postage, not that that's any excuse for overcharging or having an excessive P&H cost, just that - while perhaps unfortunate that it's necessary - due diligence really is the key, i.e. making sure you know exactly what you're getting in for before placing a bid. 

I personally would not advocate spurious INAD claims, as the listings do have some description despite the use of stock photos (thankfully, new policies being implemented will mean sellers will not be able to use stock photos for used items). 

[chameleon54]

True I dont know how the seller plans to ship them, because they havnt replied to any of my genuinly polite messages.  Your remarks are a little harsh I feel.

[chameleon54]

Combined postage was noted on other manuals listings. If you go back and check sellers current listings, you will see relisted item with combined post offered.

[polocross58]

Chameleon, there's quite a bit of this 'grab grab' mentality going on

A seller tried it on with me a while back.  So I emailed to ask if they intended to post each item separately.  Then I waited for the response

No.  They intended to put several items in the one receptacle.  Therefore, one lot of postage

I emailed again to ask if they would therefore explain the combined postage cost they were attempting to charge me

A bit of fluffing around in the response, followed by a revised (down) postage quote

I thought that was still too high, so asked for an explanation

There really wasn't one, apart from the fact the seller must have intended to simply take my money in the belief they could get away with it.   In the end, I paid no more than I believed was fair and all was well

This is why ebay provides you the opportunity to rate postage in Feedback

Many sellers have less than perfect stars in their Postage Cost Feedback.  This tells it's own story and indicates previous buyers have believed the seller charged them too much for postage

So right there, you have the opportunity to say your piece in Feedback when it comes to stars for postage.  And if the seller goes ahead and rips you off on postage, I'd be marking down his Feedback stars for postage, first off.  And you'd be justified in doing so.  Takes quite a bit, after going to work, paying tax, to save $40.  That's your $40.  And from what you say, a seller intends to take your $40.   If that happened in a supermarket or anywhere else, you'd be speaking your mind and you'd be justified in doing so AND in making every effort to get your $40 back.  You should do the same on ebay.  It's just a market place after all

So don't be cowed by responses trying to lay the blame on you.  Sellers stick together and it's primarily sellers who respond to people like you.  You are NOT to blame.  You're a decent individual who's being ripped off.  I'm a buyer like you.  Therefore my perspective is far different to sellers covering for each other and treating buyers like a lower life form

If I were you, yes, I'd leave the seller Negs all the way in plain, provable speak, i.e. ' Postage was way too high in my opinion.  Cannot recommend'.  Or, 'Won't buy here again' .  And I'd mark down his postage stars way down in Feedback also.  I'd be getting  my pound of flesh.  After all, books are hard to sell online because of postage. 

Combined postage to me and to most other buyers means all items go in the one bag or box and the only postage cost is what it costs at the post office, plus price of bag or box.  That's what most people assume 'combined post' to mean.  But there are always greedy desperates who take you for a fool.  And I'd be dealing with them via Feedback.  One:  to get even.  Two: to warn others

You're too polite.  I used to be like that.  We're taught not to argue about mere money.  Well, ebay and the Entitlement Brigade weren't raised like us.  They were taught to jump in with both hands and grab everything they can.  So, as you're on ebay, you have to learn the language of the natives ... speak their language and don't assume anyone can be trusted unless they've proved to you they can.  You have to toughen up.  That's your money.  No one has the right to use your innate decency to steal it from you.  And if they manage to do it .... make them pay in the way that will hurt them most ... via their precious Feedback