Seller refuses to combine postage - profiteering on postage?

[9647ian]

So I am quite prepared to pay the $80 to a seller on two separate sales. The sales are for some spare parts that would fit into the palm of my hand when combined, but he wants $13.80 postage for each sale. That makes an incredible $27.60 postage on items that he will be able to post for half that cost.

And how much do you want to bet, he will post the two sales together in one envelope?

I have told him that if he intends to charge me two lots of postage then I will expect two separate envelopes.

I almost made the mistake of bidding on a third ad of his for another $40. That would have made a combined postage of $41.40 on small items that could be posted for less than half that amount.

Why are some sellers so unreasonable when it comes to combining postage? Are they profiteering on postage? Seems so.

[springyzone]

The way I interpreted the seller's message is that he was saying he had not seen you previous messages but obviously got your last one (where I am assuming you may have mentioned you had messaged earlier about combining postage?).

That would explain how he knew.

My own suspicion is he either had not checked his messages for a couple of days or else he saw all the messages at once, one after the other, and decided to just reply to the last & could not be bothered perhaps re-wrapping or whatever. But I would be convinced the messages did go through.

As for combining postage-I know sellers are not obliged to do it and in fact it can't always necessarily be done cheaper, but I still believe that anytime a buyer asks this question, what they are wanting to know is not-can 2 things be posted together, but -can 2 things be posted together more cheaply, so as to save a little bit on postage.

Now, i am taking it from what you said that the items involved were very small & both could have gone safely in the one postage bag.

In the circumstances, I think it is a shame the seller didn't oblige. It is actually extremely annoying to find something sent in a way that you know definitely could have been significantly cheaper without any extra work on the seller's part. I'd be a bit annoyed too. Definitely takes the gloss off the transactions & doesn't make you inclined to jump in and buy again from that seller.

I'm wondering if he wanted bank deposit because that is normally what he runs past buyers or if he saw your earlier messages and thought if he did you a favour, you could do him one to save him fees etc

But whatever, I am glad you didn't pay into bank deposit, too risky.

As for that other ad of his with 3 items. Definitely suss. Avoid like the plague. be interesting if the 'bidder'  cancels the bid later on when it becomes obvious you aren't going to.

[fixnwear]

OP,  the time to find out about combined postage is before you buy, afterwards is too late.

Stop demanding things like it's your God's given right, seller's store, seller's rules. You just have to respect that.

In fact, asking for stuff you are NOT entitled to will quite possibly get YOU in trouble, not the seller.

Just because he chooses not to give in and sticks by his guns is most definitely not a reason for your outrage that he won't combine postage for you.

The only thing you can ignore is his demand for bank payment, as much as it's his right to ask, so it's your right to pay any way you choose - within Ebay's choices for payments.

And of course, you can also choose not to pay at all. But, so far, there is absolutely no reason why would Ebay remove your strikes.

Aside of that, Ebay told a colegaue of mine the other day, they are planning on having a name and shame buyers catalogue, like lots of companies do have, stores, restaurants, clubs -that sort of thing - so the sellers can pop in ocassionally and choose who they don't want to deal with - this is all in the interest of public safety, so to speak.

[4channel]

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9647ian  said ....

The seller has just put his own foot in his mouth. He sends me a message yesterday to let me know that he did not receive any messages from me AT ALL concerning combined postage. So he says I will just have to wear the costs now.

This is hilarious, for two reasons. Firstly, how would he have known I asked him to combine the postage if he did not receive any messages from me? This speaks for itself. LOL!

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Yes, you have probably caught this seller out. I believe what you're saying here is true! It does speak for itself.

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9647ian  said ....

Secondly, I asked him in one of my messages (which he says he did not receive) if he would have another three pairs of a certain item and, if so, could he please make up a special ad for them. He did not reply, but yesterday I noticed he had made up a special ad with three pairs of the items that I had requested. Coincidence? I think not. Of course he had put an exorbitant amount on them and an exorbitant postage cost. Yet he claims he has received no communications from me. LOL!

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IT seems very covinient that the seller cannot remember when it comes to the issue you addressed. Memory loss kicks in sometimes when people have no grounds to debate.

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9647ian  said ....

...........  Yet he is still crying poor! Some sellers are ungrateful, greedy, and also impossible to please.

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This could indeed be the case. There are some sellers that try to pick up / skim some extra money by doing a few tweaks here and there, bit of slide of hand with the postage (Hoping the buyer does not notice or is too humble). If what you are saying is correct and I'm inclined to believe you, you are merely standing up for your rights to be treated fair and justly. Good on you!

Yes probably greed is the factor here. However there could be a small chance that ego is the issue. There are some sellers, a very small minority that have a feeling of superiority above their fellow man. Like racists, their feeling is just all in their own minds and they are victims of their own self importance. Because a buyer asks them (nearly all the of the time politely) to combine, they  treat the buyer like they have comitted some offence. Also there are some sellers, (and again ego is the issue) that canot be corrected. If a buyer asks them to combine, or picks up on a small error thay have made, they treat the buyer with comtempt. Again, this is a small minority. We just have to be aware that in this world, there are people who cannot be corrected, no matter how gently, no matter how kindly you try. There are also people who just treat people badly to make themselves feel better.

Anyway, enough of my rambling on. I think it's just a case of a seller trying to make some extra quid at your expense.    

I've been on ebay since the early 2000s or whenever it was and I've seen it all and I know where you're coming from.

9647ian , I hope your future buys are more pleasent. keep the faith.  

Spoiler

Sometimes a bad deal happens and then you get a real great one with a great seller that makes you forget the dud one. I can vouch for that.  Cheers 

[collect247]

I'll make a point and that is a seller does not have to combine postage and you're making out as if the sellers have to combine when a buyer requests.

And if they don't then the buyer is being treated unfair and the seller is some how racist **bleep**?

My heart bleeds for you.

Don't bloody buy from a seller that doesn't meet your criteria of getting something cheap,you're not forced to buy so why buy and then whinge.

Sellers choice of what they want to do with their listings and when a buyer comes along just to stir trouble after the fact then you and whoever else can just bugger off.

Don't like the cost off postage then don't buy period!

[4channel]

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@collect247 wrote:

I'll make a point and that is a seller does not have to combine postage and you're making out as if the sellers have to combine when a buyer requests.

And if they don't then the buyer is being treated unfair and the seller is some how racist **bleep**?

My heart bleeds for you.

Don't bloody buy from a seller that doesn't meet your criteria of getting something cheap,you're not forced to buy so why buy and then whinge.

Sellers choice of what they want to do with their listings and when a buyer comes along just to stir trouble after the fact then you and whoever else can just bugger off.

Don't like the cost off postage then don't buy period!

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No, not saying seller is a racist or anyhing of the sort. In my long winded type of post, I  just mentioned that a small minority of sellers on an ego trip. Some people in general who view themselves as being higher than their fellow man are like racists when they think they are above other people that's all.

From what I can see, 9647ian  has been treated unfairly and has every right to expect a seller to combine when most of the sellers here do it automatically and with a smile.

BTW: I doubt very much that 9647ian is here to "stir trouble".

[chameleon54]

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@countessalmirena wrote:

Chameleon does not look cheap! (No flashy bemsilk purple trousers, no fake-gold fake-Rolex...)

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More like very worn footy shorts with holes in the pockets, ( true, I lost my car keys last night ) khahki work shirt and thongs and as Cold Chisel famously sang " a three day growth."  Ah the joys of self employment and working from home....

[collect247]

No OP doesn't have every right to expect a seller to combine postage as it's not a policy that ebay demands and if a buyer can't just move on and put it down to experience for future purchasing and demand that a seller combines then that is definitely stirring up trouble.

Move on and let it be,there's more than enough people on SL's.

[springyzone]

You are right, sellers don't have to combine postage. And the best time to ask is before a sale, which is what i usually do if by chance I am buying 2 things from a seller. 

All the same I have to admit, it's nice when a seller can do it, if it is just a matter of popping the things into one bag and isn't going to make a lot of extra trouble for them.

Just adds up to more personalised service, generates more good will.

The OP is just venting, sort of like some of my friends do to me if they feel postage was a bit steep. They know they agreed to it etc but if they find the cost was only half what they paid, they are not happy little vegemites, I am afraid. Human nature.

[countessalmirena]

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@4channel wrote:

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@collect247 wrote:

I'll make a point and that is a seller does not have to combine postage and you're making out as if the sellers have to combine when a buyer requests.

And if they don't then the buyer is being treated unfair and the seller is some how racist **bleep**?

My heart bleeds for you.

Don't bloody buy from a seller that doesn't meet your criteria of getting something cheap,you're not forced to buy so why buy and then whinge.

Sellers choice of what they want to do with their listings and when a buyer comes along just to stir trouble after the fact then you and whoever else can just bugger off.

Don't like the cost off postage then don't buy period!

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No, not saying seller is a racist or anyhing of the sort. In my long winded type of post, I  just mentioned that a small minority of sellers on an ego trip. Some people in general who view themselves as being higher than their fellow man are like racists when they think they are above other people that's all.

From what I can see, 9647ian  has been treated unfairly and has every right to expect a seller to combine when most of the sellers here do it automatically and with a smile.

BTW: I doubt very much that 9647ian is here to "stir trouble".

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4channel, I honestly do not "get" your comparison with a racist. There's probably a better way to convey what you wanted to say - perhaps along the lines of "Some people in general who view themselves as being higher than their fellow man are like corporate dictators / mediaeval barons / Brahmins, when they think they are above other people that's all."

That point is inarguable. There are some individuals who feel contempt or - perhaps even worse - complete lack of interest in the plight of less powerful people or poor people. Many studies demonstrate this lack of empathy: e.g., How Wealth Reduces Compassion (Scientific American.

Spoiler

Whether that is exemplified in the average eBay seller is arguable, though. I see lack of understanding about the human condition and lack of empathy in the very wealthy and the very powerful, but the average eBay seller doesn't come into that category. I'm sure they wish that they did. Among the sellers on eBay are sure to be some horrible people, fraudulent people, and arrogant people, just as among the buyer on eBay. It's not limited to eBay users. That's how it is, being human. The potential for good and evil exist in us, and ultimately it is our choice how we live (with rare exceptions). And that's all way beyond the scope of an eBay discussion board, which is why I've put this into a spoiler and am stopping myself from writing an essay on human nature!

You say 9747ian was treated unfairly; you make an apparent corollary with your statement that he "has every right to expect a seller to combine". As has been said, that is simply not correct. Why do you say that 9747ian has every right to expect a seller to combine? There is no eBay policy saying that a seller must combine. In a non-eBay online store, shipping/postage is applied to an entire order, but then the entire online buying process is designed by the seller for that store. The seller in that case has full control over store visibility, handling of out of stock items and back orders, any feedback situation, how refunds or returns are handled, and communication with the buyer. The eBay seller doesn't. Much of what the eBay seller must cope with is, in my view, unfair - but it's eBay's site and eBay's rules. eBay rule that a seller does not have to offer combined postage or to reduce the overall postage price if s/he does offer combined postage.

Spoiler

If a buyer is happy not to be charged a surcharge for paying by a particular method, is happy to be prevented from communicating with a seller before the sale, is happy to have the right to give honest feedback while the seller is prevented from doing so, is happy to be able to put dents into the seller's DSRs, and is happy to be covered by eBay's Money Back Guarantee (where refunded moneys are recovered from the seller in almost every case), then let us be equally happy if a seller does not offer combined postage or discounted postage.

You say "most sellers do [combine postage] automatically and with a smile". I haven't seen any evidence to support that, nor do I think we can assume whether sellers respond to requests for combined postage with a smile or with a grimace. It may be suitable - well, it IS suitable for some sellers and for some items. It's not suitable for other sellers. As long as I know the postage cost upfront, I believe that if I proceed with a purchase, I've no adequate cause for disgruntled complaints afterwards - or for contacting a seller to request a lower postage total after I've clicked BUY IT NOW. If I violently disagree with the postage or am not prepared to pay it, I don't buy.

[digital*ghost]

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@4channel wrote:

From what I can see, 9647ian  has been treated unfairly and has every right to expect a seller to combine when most of the sellers here do it automatically and with a smile.

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I agree that the OP hasn't been treated well, by all accounts (which are limited, but I have no reason to suspect them as missing too much info that would make a huge amount of difference), but like others, I think "every right to expect a seller to combine" is probably a step too far in the wrong direction, though I think I understand where that direction started from.

By which I mean if something is largely a commonly experienced practice, so much so that it's a surprise when it doesn't occur, it's easy to understand how that practice may be expected, but there's a really big difference between growing accustomed to something, and having the right to expect that something. "A right to expect" goes hand in hand with "a seller is obliged to provide", and neither statement is true. 

The expectation is rife, though. Back when I sold items that cost more to send two in one parcel than it did to send on one its own as a letter, I wound up having to accomodate this frequent expectation by inflating the P&H cost for a single item so I could offer a token discount on 2 items. My buyers were oddly a lot happier after that - go figure. 😕