We do WE get judged on postage costs??

[kustomizer99]

In the star ratings, the last question is 'How reasonable were the shipping and handling charges?'

Well, isn't that a matter to take up with AUSTRALIA POST?!

Ebay sellers really have no power of what AP wants to charge. And I have never come across and eBay seller who imposes 'handling' charges - all that would do would be to drive away the customers who weren't already balking at the high postage ]:)

[kopenhagen5]

Ebay sellers really have no power of what AP wants to charge.

True, but many sellers don't just charge AP's price for postage, they make up a figure they want to charge. DSRs are designed to keep sellers honest.

I don't mind paying a reasonable handling charge if postage is reasonable. Afterall I wouldn't want the seller to be out of pocket if they needed to buy boxes, tape, bubblewrap etc. to ship my item.

[chezzy]

The question isn't "How reasonable were the Australia Post charges?" but how reasonable were the shipping and handling charges?

Like the time I paid the cost of parcel post for an item to be sent to me (I didn't question it because I honestly thought item would be packed sufficiently and arrive as a parcel). Item turned up just in a FLIMSY envelope with an ordinary postage stamp stuck to it. I don't remember the outcome and whether there were stars to mark down or whether I reported them but I don't recall being offered a partial refund either. Problem is people defend 'handling' fees and sometimes it is beyond what is fair and reasonable.

[kustomizer99]

Chezzy -- well, if someone provides poor packing that's another story, and warrants a complaint, possibly a neg.

[***super_nova***]

When buyer gives low stars for postage they get further several options to tick to explain why they are doing it.  There is no way they can misunderstand what they marking.

Copied&pasted:

- Charge more than the postage cost stated in the listing

- Charge more than the actual costs for mailing, packaging and handling

- Send the item with a less expensive service than you paid for

- Combine multiple items into one box but charge for postage for each item individually

- Other

[jonnjenn]

Charging $6-$10 to send a 6 gram coin in an envelope with a 60 cent stamp attached won't win high stars or repeat business.

[phorum_junkie*]

OP you have 4.9 for your postage cost star so what on earth are you complaining about? There won't be too many mid to high volume sellers who don't have free postage on everything who will have a higher rating.

[nonny_muss]

PJ, the OP's DSRs aren't really the point.  The OP is questioning the legitimacy of the "how reasonable were postage charges"  DSR given that with the current postage prices from AP or other shipping companies most of that is really out of sellers' control.  (Notwithstanding handling prices of course which is at the seller's discretion).  

It is a very legitimate question they are raising.

[wardy079]

I once paid $9.50 for an item's postage, didn't question it because it said it was in the original box and I presumed that it would have been packaged well.

It turn up with the box open so the seller could squash it flat to put into a normal sized envelope with a 60 cent stamp

To say I was unhappy would be an understatement

People charge stupid amounts for 'handling' and for 'postage' despite it being against ebay rules and logic.

[kustomizer99]

I'm not complaining, I know I have high ratings. I'm simply pointing out that sellers should not be held responsible for AustPost's exhorbitant pricing, and the rating system can be easily abused.