Seller passing sale to third party

[ca2832]

Hi

I tried buying a blue fold up bed yesterday for $362.00 a fairly heavy cost. But when come time for checkout the seller adds over $500.00 worth of delivery, from Queensland to WA. when asked about that excessive cost he replied the delivery cost was about right. I then asked to arrange freight myself knowing the cost would be much lower.  it was then the truth came out, the seller didn't even stock the item, and worse then tried to get me to reorder through a third party. 

I responded  "Please cancel my purchase as you are by your reply handing direct enquiry about cost of delivery, and the item itself to third parties totally unknown to me. If you do not stock this item, you have no right to sell it on eBay . As a ebay customer I expect to deal with you, not some customer Service Team who i then order from.

I repeat my request for you to provide me with a address for item pick up in this case freight pick up. If that is impossible, please cancel my order "

Seller retreated and cancelled order, so buyers beware of sellers not stocking actual items and trying to off load you to third parties.     

[digital*ghost]

The practice itself (of not stocking the items but purchasing from a third party as orders come in), is known as dropshipping, and is allowable on eBay. A lot of sellers do it. (Though the seller probably should not have directed you to their supplier).

To be honest, I think a much better warning would be to tell people they really need to ask about delivery costs before purchase, if they are not stated clearly in the listing.

[ca2832]

As a follow up, I obtained a quote for a fairly similar fold up bed, no dropshipping and seller replied  POSTAGE FREE  item cost only $84.00. It is being sent Australia post . It really pays to shop around.      / Chris 

[lyndal1838]

Yes, it pays to shop around.   I hope the bed you have settled on is only to be used for emergencies.  I know I would not want to sleep on an 8cm foam mattress for too long.

And it is certainly not similar to the other one....it has a spring mattress and a much more substantial frame.

You get what you pay for.