posted on January 25, 2003 08:26:30 AM
This seller wants $16.95 to ship a candlestick, for crying out loud. She only starts her auctions at one dollar and usually that's all she gets but makes up the difference in her shipping. Overall, it could be a good deal for the buyer, but she is screwing, er, cheating, ebay from final value fees. People like this irk me! A buyer sees this and then immediately suspects ALL sellers and questions any money spent over a quarter for shipping as suspect and then the arguing starts! OK, this is my rant of the day.
posted on January 25, 2003 08:28:44 AM
Because I don't know how to edit, I am adding to this. Check this auction out ...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20582&item=2303865310
posted on January 25, 2003 09:08:39 AM
If you check her auctions for the past month you will find that she has listed close to 2000 items. Most were ending with no bids and the listing fees must have been killing her.
You will find that partway through this month she changed her strategy and now has a low starting bid and super high shipping on most and now she is getting bids.
Non paying bidders are subject to legal ramifications as well as the posting of negative feedback to their accounts. HAPPY BIDDING!
Edited to add that I just looked quickly at her auction pages and all I can say is that I'm glad I don't sell these kind of things.
posted on January 25, 2003 09:34:25 AM
These type of listings are getting more common every day. Buyers are looking for such cheap deals that sellers must do this if they want any chance of selling their stuff. High prices and low shipping won't hook bidders, but low prices and high shipping does. Ebay has become a sub-garage sale type market, and has to be the worst place to sell online as far as getting decent prices.
posted on January 25, 2003 09:57:53 AM
I hate ridiculous shipping prices myself and I show so by not bidding on an item by that seller. And not to totally defend this seller, BUT, she/he does say in the listing to note the shipping charges before you bid. So, if a person doesn't like the shipping, then they shouldn't bid (which looks like they are doing with so many auctions going without bids).
posted on January 25, 2003 10:04:52 AMEbay has become a sub-garage sale type market, and has to be the worst place to sell online as far as getting decent prices.
I don't agree that ebay is the worst place to sell online for decent prices. ebay and websites are flooded with all those cheap imports, in fact this whole country is flooded with them.
In the antiques and collectibles market I find that ebay still works okay for me and for most items I get more money than I would locally. I don't know where else online I could attract as many buyers in one week as I do on ebay. It all depends what you sell.
posted on January 25, 2003 10:12:31 AM
JinkiesVelma: I reject your contention that a particular seller's fee practices damage other eBay sellers.
In fact, I cannot see where it damages you (or I) at all.
In an open marketplace, persons who do business in a disagreeable manner (forgive me, I've been reading Dickens again) are easily forced out of business by competitors who offer more favorable terms.
That is the option that is always available to you: Go head-to-head with this seller and put her out of business. If you're not willing to do that, kindly hold your peace.
[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Jan 25, 2003 10:13 AM ]
posted on January 25, 2003 10:20:06 AM
Agree with kiara; this merchandise is ghastly. Clearly a seller who did not research her market before she bought a truckload of Dollar Store items. Hope she didn't bet the rent money.
Her terms make it sound like she's on the ragged edge of cash flow: Payment by PayPal only, and within 5 days.
The only person she's damaging is herself.
[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Jan 25, 2003 10:21 AM ]
posted on January 25, 2003 02:41:41 PM
We can whine about sellers like this or we can do something. eBay does not have the people power to find all these creeps unless we pitch in and help. Turn violators in into the Bay!!! Saw some auctions where the BIN price was a penny shipping was 8.99. Someone sent an email to eBay the auctions were shut down in about 1 hr. Seller relisted eBay took them down again.
eBay will not respond to your email, but they read them and make the judgement of what action to take.
posted on January 25, 2003 05:16:35 PM
Hi Jinkies, I agree with you. Shipping costs which are this inflated are a blatant ploy to avoid ebay FVF. And while it does'nt hurt US directly, it does'nt take a rocket scientist to understand how all of the little things like this deceptive practice, gradually errodes the overall integrity of
ebays reputation of being a relatively safe auction venue, and that does affect every seller (get it? as in The BIG picture, not just the ME ME ME picture.... I know, I know, hard for some to understand.. forgive me, I've been reading Gibran again). If the seller wanted $30.00 for this
item, they should just start bidding at $30.00. Experienced ebayers may know the real deal, but to someone buying on ebay for the first time, they may get the impression that this is how many dealers operate. There is a possibility that the seller is not aware they are doing anything wrong though. You can turn them in to ebay "rules and safety" for fee avoidance. Ebay will contact them if they are in violation.
[ edited by inot on Jan 25, 2003 05:17 PM ]
posted on January 25, 2003 06:00:22 PM
Avoiding FVF's thru inflated shipping fees is something eBay will frown on when it is brought to their attention.
posted on January 25, 2003 06:04:20 PM
This is not only happening on Ebay.
This is even happening on priv. Web sites. The shipping is way, way out of range for the item being shipped. But to see this on Ebay is not unusual, it has been like this since I started.
Only once I got hooked when I placed a bid on two of the same items, and the seller sends me in email that shipping will be 35.00 each item.
Which should have been 10.00 each to ship.............well that was my error in not asking the cost of shipping before I bid. But I told her, she was ripping me off BIG time!.......and im not paying it, so either she adjust the shipping cost or just report me and give me a NEG. I really didn't care.
I was just so upset over this because as a Seller I try hard not to rip off my buyers, and I'm very fair with them, so this Seller just pushed me to the limit..........Even that it was MY MISTAKE for not asking I still was not going to be ripped off. I was paying a very good price for the items that I won so for her to overcharge to that extreme was not acceptable for me.
She finally did reduce the shipping but not by much, and I did complete the transaction but from then on I will not bid on any auction that the Seller overcharges to an extreme on shipping. Handling charges are not a problem for me, it's the over charge on shipping that should not be accepted by bidders. They should not bid on auctions that Sellers over charge on shipping.
If you can't get the price you want for your item, well then your doing something wrong, and trying to make it up on shipping is a big NO Way.........as far as I am concerned.
posted on January 25, 2003 06:10:06 PM
Y'all are doing so well with your righteous indignation that I thought to throw a little fuel on the fire.
They should not bid on auctions that Sellers over charge on shipping.
Not only do I "over charge on shipping", but dear, I don't even combine auctions! Imagine that! Good golly gosh, there should be eBayers lined up out to the sidewalk on my front porch, brandishing torches and pitchforks!
So now you're telling my loyal repeat (and repeat and repeat...) customers they should not bid on my auctions?
posted on January 25, 2003 06:29:09 PMExperienced ebayers may know the real deal, but to someone buying on ebay for the first time, they may get the impression that this is how many dealers operate.
If they get that impression, it will be quickly dispelled simply by looking at other auctions.
What's the matter, folks? Are you afraid some people are out there (say it softly)...making money...and you're mad because you're not?
posted on January 25, 2003 06:34:10 PM
fluffythewondercat
"Excuse me, ma'am, but where do you get off?"
Well, you see.........fluffy........it's like this............
YOU do what you like, and I do what I like,. ..........not saying you should stop...........OVER CHARGING....on your shipping...........and I'm NOT telling you how to run your auctions.
I AM and I WILL always have my opinions, and you don't have to like them, or even listen to what I say...........and I will keep saying what I believe in.
But I am just sorry to see how you reacted to an opinion ......why???????? only you are able to voice your feelings?............
I don't like lots of what you say, but I don't attach you like you just attached ME............
First of all this is a thread for opinions from many different people.
Second......you don't have to like what someone says.........
Third.....Your opinion is exactly what you said........fuel to the fire, which I can handle very hot flames................but
I would have enjoyed your statement much more if you didn't attack ME..........but only my opinion, and that you didn't do.
Again I will say..............DON'T BID ON AUCTIONS IF THE SHIPPING COST IS NOT A FAIR PRICE...............This is my opinion.....
So what are we going to do? Make ebay decide our shipping and handling rates? That's the last thing I want and the last thing I'd ask for.
If a buyer gets ripped on shipping do you think he will never shop on the internet ever again or do you think he will smarten up and become an informed buyer?
posted on January 25, 2003 07:48:38 PM
IT IS SPELLED OUT LOUD AND CLEAR,,,,,,WHAT'S THE PROB..... IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT,,,,DON'T BUY,,,SOMEONE CARES LESS,,THEY BID.....(AND THEY WILL MORE THAN LIKELY B%&*H LATER WHEN THE ACTUALLY ,,,,,,,,READ!!!!!!! WHAT WAS STATED!!!!!!!) IDIOTS!!!!!!
EDITED TO SAY,,,,IT WAS A LONG DAY,,,,,SCREW THEY TYPOS........I WORKED!!!!! WELL,,THEY WORKED AN I WATCHED...HAHAHHAHAHA.......
AND THE BEAT GOES ON,,,,,
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on Jan 25, 2003 08:03 PM ]
posted on January 25, 2003 08:27:02 PM
Fluffy pussy-wussy...Because others don't CONSTANTLY choose to discuss how much money they make, you asume they make nothing..sad... and so simple minded of you.
I did'nt mention ANYTHING in my posts about anyone making money or not. I assume that is the intention of all ebay sellers. I make very good money, I buy very low and I sell very high.... Jes lik a reel biznis person do! and I somehow manage to do it all by charging actual shipping and a small handling fee to cover expenses and time. Just a reminder...I'm talking about MY customers, not your suckers...errr I mean customers, and not everyone's customers in all of ebayland, just mine. I like to provide an honest deal,
and good VALUE for MY customers,and ( say THIS softly) I'll even go OUT OF MY WAY for them & I combine shipping and everything! Oh MY GOD! Say it Ain't so! Shucks.. Guess I jest better mosey on over to the ol poor house....
posted on January 25, 2003 09:13:14 PM
You know people, there is a middle ground. I'm sitting here with over 600 pieces of body jewelry to unload - because that particular catagory is OVER RUN with item and the cheapest of the cheapskates I have to charge double what actually shipping costs are and offer only a small discount on combined or I end up paying ebay for the privledge of giving these items away. Add that to the 15 current deadbeats (including one thats flaking on 15 items) and I have zero incentive to be kind and helpful. If you can't break loose with a lousy $3.26 to get your $30 retail item then I have no pity, no heart and no desire to try to "work with you". I could understand if I was charging $15.95 shipping but PLEASE!
And by the way - it's not fee avoidance. Between listing fee and closing fee, ebay makes more off these items than I do. The only thing I'm avoiding is bankruptcy.
BTW - Anyone want a deal on a large lot of navel and toungue rings? I'll toss in a bottle of asprin gratis.
[ edited by neonmania on Jan 25, 2003 09:14 PM ]
posted on January 27, 2003 03:08:50 PM
It kind of depends on what you sell as to whether a buyer thinks your overcharging on shipping.On books, jewelry and music just about every Seller hits the buyer on shipping,so most buyers don't really pay it much attention because most Sellers are asking about the same figure for shipping.
posted on January 27, 2003 05:29:21 PMThis IS in direct violation of ebay policy. No two ways about it. Follow the rules or don't participate.
Cite the rule.
Oh never mind, I'll do it myself:
Users may not use systems or techniques to circumvent eBay fees. Some examples include: Listings with low prices but unreasonably high shipping or handling costs
eBay, quite deliberately I am sure, has refrained from defining either "low prices" or "unreasonably high" in their policy.
In other words, it's not a clear violation unless eBay says it is.
Go ahead, report the seller. Let us know how much success you have getting her kicked off eBay.
[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Jan 27, 2003 05:30 PM ]
posted on January 28, 2003 09:19:42 AM
Good grief lets get something constructive in here!
I dont know about you but I relist lots. I have had lots listed for $49.00 no sale, later $25.00 no sale, later still 12.00 no sale. So I have listed some at 01 cent or .99 cents in a gamble to sell it even at a loss and move on. Sometimes I get 20-30 dollars and many bids that way but a few time I get one bid. So I am selling an item for .01 cent with a 9.50 S/H to non USA winners. If you only saw the last auction what would you think?
posted on January 28, 2003 09:20:51 AM
Well let us fix this:
Everybody, define to the exact cent what is high shipping....of shut up. I do not want to know what you "think", but cold hard numbers based on fact.
.................................................
We call them our heroes...but we pay them like chumps
posted on January 28, 2003 10:05:37 AM
mlecher: I hear ya. You can't (and presumably eBay couldn't, either) quantify "low price" and "unreasonably high shipping" with cold hard numbers. Seems it's like pornography: No one can tell you what it is but everyone knows it when they see it.
posted on January 28, 2003 10:11:42 AM
I have to wonder how many people have been tossed from ebay because of fee avoidance. Not many I would venture to guess. The one way that sellers like this don't help the rest of us is if ebay looks at this, and goes to a different model so they can make more money. I agree that $17 shipping on a $1 item (when it should cost a lot less) is crazy, but I think people really only look at the price of the item and not the shipping costs. It's like they don't factor those costs in or something, amazing!
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on Jan 25, 2003 08:03 PM ]