posted on October 14, 2001 01:22:00 PM new
I recently purchased an item on eBay with a fixed shipping price + insurance that was stated in the auction. I also used BidPay and gladly paid the $5 fee. Now, I received a message from the seller asking me to send her an additional $2 for a handling fee since she miscalculated the shipping weight. As a seller I would have never asked my buyers to do this. It's the principle not the money. Would you pay the extra $2?
posted on October 14, 2001 01:24:22 PM new
Sounds like that seller has some nerve. No I wouldn't pay it. SHE stated how much S&H was - that's all you should have to pay. You held up your end of the bargain, INCLUDING even paying an extra $5 so she could get her money quickly.
posted on October 14, 2001 01:24:56 PM new
I think that was a horrible, unethical thing for the seller to have done! I would probably need to assess how much I wanted the item but I certainly wouldn't do another BidPay transaction costing me $5 more!
posted on October 14, 2001 01:28:15 PM new
I believe that's called "bait & switch." If this seller doesn't like digging for that extra dollar occasionally, she should pack her items up instead of guesstimating. I don't do this, but then again, when I screw up, I pay the overage.
posted on October 14, 2001 02:12:35 PM new
My feeling is this...she has every right to ask for the additional $2, but she should ship your item right away since you paid the agreed upon price. Then, upon receiving the item, if you feel you want to pay the extra $$, then great. If not, then the seller just learned a cheap lesson: make sure of all shipping costs before emailing the total to a customer.
"Who's tending the bar? Sniping works up a thirst"
posted on October 14, 2001 02:20:54 PM new
No, the seller doesn't have every right to ask for an additional $2 for S&H.
Since the seller stated the amount within the auction listing, that is what the bidder agreed to pay by bidding.
Just like if the seller didn't put any S&H amount in and the bidder bid and found out the seller wanted $25 for S&H after the auction. We would all be telling the bidder, by bidding, they agreed to whatever the seller felt like charging.
If a bidder can be held to that, then the seller must be held to the amount stated in their ad as well.
AuctionPulse,
Just out of curiosity, when you get the package, let us know how much postage was affixed to it.
posted on October 14, 2001 02:33:51 PM new
If the seller had estimated $2 too much, would you want a refund on the difference? And if people are sticklers for the listed shipping price why do I get buyers who bid and win then not pay because they don't like the "high" shipping?
The seller did not act unethically. She simply asked you a question in a professional tone.
posted on October 14, 2001 02:58:40 PM new
"Just like if the seller didn't put any S&H amount in and the bidder bid and found out the seller wanted $25 for S&H after the auction. We would all be telling the bidder, by bidding, they agreed to whatever the seller felt like charging.
If a bidder can be held to that, then the seller must be held to the amount stated in their ad as well."
****
I have seen this idea expressed here from time to time, but it isn't accurate. In contract law, if the parties leave out a material term of the contract, then the law will impose a reasonable term. Obviously, nobody would go to court over S&H charges in an eBay auction, but if they did, each side would present evidence as to what they felt was a reasonable charge, and the judge or jury would decide the amount.
So, when you bid on an auction that doesn't state S&H charges, you are certainly not agreeing to pay whatever the seller feels like charging.
[ edited by decpage on Oct 14, 2001 03:06 PM ]
[ edited by decpage on Oct 14, 2001 03:11 PM ]
[ edited by decpage on Oct 14, 2001 03:11 PM ]
posted on October 14, 2001 03:02:32 PM new
Ok, then it's fair for you not to pay the difference. But, there are people who are hypocrites who would act differently.
posted on October 14, 2001 03:04:41 PM new
Even though the terms were fixed, they were not contingent were they [dichotomy ]? In other words, was something like this stated: "fixed shipping is approximately $x.xx depending upon weight when boxed."
As a seller I have never asked for additional funds due to a miscalculation on my part.
As a bidder I have paid additional funds due to a miscalculation on the seller's part. I guess it depends upon the circumstances...
posted on October 14, 2001 03:37:38 PM new
"I'm sorry you miscalculated the shipping charge, but my bid was based on the amount of shipping + ins that was stated in the acution..... "
posted on October 14, 2001 04:21:46 PM new
I bought an antique Ansonia clock awhile back. The seller told me it would be $25.00 shipping. after He had it packed and shipped he emailed me and said it cost him $34.00 just to have it packed. I was under no obligation to send him an extra $20. He would eat the rest. I like the clock so well and thought He was honest about his description and item, that I sent him an extra $20.00. It made me feel better.
posted on October 14, 2001 04:53:30 PM new
I felt bad about emailing a buyer when she forgot to include the bid amount and only sent the shipping cost. I have small envelopes with "shipping refund" labels on them. I always refund shipping if I overestimate more than 50cents. But that's just my conscience telling me what to do. If I underestimate I just pay the difference. It's usually not that much anyway. Even though I'm in this to make money, I would rather keep a buyer coming back than to have them put me on their "Never buy from again" list. JMHO Barbara
posted on October 15, 2001 10:41:02 AM new
I have a new update, the package came today - and the postage was $6.30! I guess she had to eat .30 oh no
[ edited by AuctionPulse on Oct 15, 2001 10:41 AM ]
posted on October 15, 2001 02:06:17 PM new
The seller is out of line. As a seller, I always honor my shipping cost. I once had an auction with shipping fees included in the description, but forgot to include shipping when I sent the WBN. The buyer sent the closing price amount, without the shipping cost. I honored that bid because it was MY mistake.
.
Sniping works up a thirst"
30 cents, oh no!