What would you do?

[dotcomdotayu]

Hi all,

I am posting under this account because I don't want to "out" my buyer.

Here's my issue.

I sold an item recently which was a pair of bulky sculptures. Each weighs 1.9kg and measure approximately 45cm high (each).

Due to their dimensions, I clearly stated in my listing that I preferred pick up, however I would post if the buyer wanted me to. I mentioned that due to the statue weight and dimensions, postage could cost up to $50 depending on the buyers location, and to contact me before they bid with their postcode so I could give them an exact price. I explained that I would only charge the exact rate, no packaging or handling fee. I also said, if a buyer didn't contact me prior to bidding, they are accepting the postage price I will add to their invoice once I have their postcode after the sale.

Ok, so, the item sold. I'm in NSW. They are in QLD. I packaged up the items, taking extra care because they are fragile. I put them in the smallest box I could (trying to keep costs down). The Australia Post quote I got was for $42.45 from NSW to QLD as the box is 43x24x39 and weighs 4.5kg. I even tried getting cheaper from several courier companies so I could give my buyer a choice, but they were all practically the same or even more.

I added the $42.45 postage onto the invoice for the buyer. She responded today, outraged, at the postage cost. She told me I must have got my prices wrong as they could go into a 5kg satchel. She also told me if I don't get the postage down, "she'll cancel the sale and tell eBay why". So I replied.

They can't go into a satchel. Firstly, they won't fit (weight and measurement of the sculptures are on the listing) and secondly, they are breakable. They must go in a box. I pointed out my terms in the listing regarding postage, and she didn't contact me prior and that I can't change the price. It is what it is.

So, that's the situation. My question is. Should I agree to cancel the sale, or should I tell her to pay or face a non payment dispute so she "learns a lesson" here to read the listing. She's got 1000 FB so she isn't silly so I'm highly frustrated.

I am not making one extra cent on postage, and I knew shipping them would be expensive which is why I said as such, so I'm frustrated that this buyer, who knows her way around eBay, is playing stupid and wasting my time.

Do I agree to cancel? Your thoughts?

[fourandsixpants]

..." You do not need to cube Australia Post prepaid or flat rate satchels."

3rd paragraph, last sentence

ref.http://auspost.com.au/media/documents/Helpful-guide-to-cubing-Apr13.pdf (thanks to Kazbar

[*new2vintage]

From what I have seen PJ has not said that satchels need to be cubed. She has mentioned parcels and not all parcels are boxes. You can wrap clothing up in plastic or paper and that can be a parcel.

[the-kazbar]

I think the confusion is concerning pre-paid satchels and tough bags

Any item that is prepaid (or uses a click and send promo code) is not cubed. Its dimensions are set by the packaging and that has been calculated in to the price.

Anything else can be cubed, including odd shaped items in tough bags/padded bags/ wrapped in garbage bags/ burlap sacks/shrink wrapped etc

[the-kazbar]

... and to answer the OP, I would cease all communication, blaock the buyers ID, wait 4 days then open a dispute, close it 4 days later and relist with calculated postage.

[a_beautiful_room]

I'm with kazbar. Why give such a skanky buyer an easy ticket out of her problem.

Just a tip from a longtime seller of large, fragile items which require expensive postage - don't waste your time packaging anything first. The money comes first, then I package. You can either just put them in a box so you know the dimensions without packaging them, or hazard a good guess based on their size. I's rather be out a couple of dollars that to spend a long time packaging something only to have them not pay, quite often some of my items would take a couple of hours to correctly pack up.

[2106greencat]

Cat among the pigeons here, sorry.

Let the buyer cancel, re list and sell as pick up only.

If they get broken in transit you lose out.

I would not trust this buyer not to damage them once received and again you lose out.

Paypal will not require the buyer to send back and only a photo will be needed as proof.

Don't risk it.

[chezzy]

Thanks kazbar for putting up the link for the cubing info. Admittedly, the last time I visited my sensible little post office was in April around the time of the price/service changes. At that time they were still saying that odd shaped would not be cubed (I was putting out a general feeler as I contemplated getting back into ebay selling - haven't bitten the bullet yet).

Am disappointed about the whole cubing thing actually - looks like a real money spinner for AP, customers less happy.

I wonder how much extra time AP employees are going to have to spend whipping out their tape measures and cubing so many items now - while the queque of frustrated time poor other customers grows and grows. Frustrating times ahead.

[beach_and_home]

Cubing is not new. I remember when it came in, probably around 10 years ago.

[chezzy]

NO, cubing is quite old. I am talking about the cubing of odd shaped packages, those without straight sides etc. That is all new and in my book very disappointing and time wasting.

[arnl7178]

Guys, the OP said up there ^ way back, the buyer paid.