A way to get back excessive shipping costs?

Cieron

I recently won a soon to be infamous series of auctions (13 items) and was charged $83.00 for shipping and handling. It looked high, but I had no experience sending or receiving the types of items involved (autographed footballs and mini-helmets), so I didn't complain. However, 3 packages arrived today containing 9 of the 13 items I purchased, and the total USPS shipping charges amounted to $18.90, the highest individually being $8.00. Even if the next package is rated at $10.00, assuming it comes of course, that would leave us at $28.90 yeah, so where the heck is this $83.00 charge coming from?

I've emailed the seller about this, mentioning eBay's policy against exorbitant shipping charges, so hopefully something good will come of it. However, if you've come across my other post regarding these auctions you know that this seller is not the greatest of communicators. Anyway, I was wondering if anybody out there had any experience in situations like this, and had some happy ending stories about getting at least some of their lost shipping charges back. I've looked over Ebay's and Paypal's related FAQ's, and unfortunately my prospects look bleak, so I hope there are in fact some happy endings out there...

ndleo

I doubt Ebay will do anything about it. The only thing you can do is leave appropriate feedback and let everyone here know his id so that we avoid his auctions.

AkbarClone

While the charge may be excessive (and I hate when sellers do that)--you must remember that shipping/handling is not just the postage for the shipping--it includes the shipping boxes, packing materials, any display cases that may be around the footballs and/or mini helmets.
Still seems like you got hosed--but just don't think that shiping/handling is only the postage.

Some sellers (even a few members of this forum)--also slip into the shipping/handling fee all their non-shipping charges like eBay listing fees, paypal fees and eBay final value fees. These inclusions either are against ebay policies or should be in my opinion.

All in all, though, if the fees were listed up front as part of the auction descriptions, then you really don't have grounds to file a complaint.

Cieron

I guess the S&H fees were listed for individual items, and the $83.00 actually reflects a discount based on the individual shipping charges, but unless cardboard shipping boxes, old newspaper, and plastic grocery bags are in extremely high demand at the moment, I think a $60 + shipping charge discrepancy is unreasonable, unethical, and that the seller should be held accountable in some form one way or the other.

Its true I'm at fault for not knowing that it only costs about $5.00, including a box, to ship a mini-helmet, individually, instead of $10-12, but this seller's charges are borderline unconscionable from a contract perspective IMO. Caveat emptor I suppose. Like I've said before however, I guess this experience will serve as a valuable lesson...

tkd7

I purchased from an ebay seller four poker chips and she charged me $2.50 shipping. Seemed reasonable until they arrived in a white letter sized envelope with postage due! I complained, she gave me the "its also my time, gas to get to the post office, yadda, yadda". But she did refund me a $1 in postage. A small victory.

I recently bought a card from a seller that only takes payment by mail. His email clearly explained to me that he was not responsible for any loss or delay once he mails the item. I responded in kind by saying that I'm not responsible for loss or delay in my payment once I mail it.

Anyway, I will say that I always check odd shipping charges with the seller before to try to avoid these situations.

Tabe

You have a legitimate gripe if the seller didn't combine shipping charges for you, but then combined the items when shipping. If they did that, you are owed a refund - it's mail fraud otherwise.

Tabe

dgbaseball

Cieron,
That sucks. No, you have no legitimate gripe or recourse.

A way to get your money back? Yeah, smarten up and don't pay it in the first place. Sorry.

The rest of you,
C'mon, please quit pouring gas on this fire. While amusing how everyone suddenly becomes a lawyer specializing in "ebay shipping fraud" when these threads come up, it's gotten played out to death on this board.

Let this be the last thread on these boards about eBay shipping. Ever.

Amen.

pandrews

<< <i>
Let this be the last thread on these boards about eBay shipping. Ever.

>>



no. i plan to start one later tonight just because..

wick70

I hope you paid with Paypal for each item individually.


Wick

damnyankees

I've emailed the selller after he left feedback and complained about the shipping charges.It's only happened to me a couple of times but they'll refund you back the difference.That way they won't get the negative feedback.

yawie99

<< <i>I hope you paid with Paypal for each item individually.


Wick >>



I've done it. Gives one a bit of satisfaction in these situations.

kimo75

On individual cards it seems like $2-$3 shipping is the norm. As a buyer, i have no problem paying it and as a seller I have no problem charging it. If it is too much..............don't bid.

Cieron

I paid with PayPal, but it was all on one invoice that listed each item and then a total sum. I'll let you know how it turns out, and if its bad I'll be sure to make note of the seller's id. I get the feeling though that most of you may have avoided his auctions to begin with. My gut was to do the same, but I also felt the totality of the circumstances warranted taking a chance. At this point in the saga its looking like I took the wrong chance, but we'll see. I still have hope.

Right now my most immediate interest is that I get a 4th package with the 4 other items I paid for. The seller still hasn't responded to the email/ebay message I sent him yesterday around lunch time regarding the whereabouts of these items. On that one I'm sure I'll have a "legitimate gripe" should they not show up yeah? Curiously, 3 of the 4 items not yet received also happen to be the most valuable, but I'm probably worrying too much. I'll be at a loss if they don't show up and this guy continues to be entirely unresponsive to even the most polite, non-confrontational forms of correspondence. I mean at that point I think I'd be wary of even sending the items back, wondering whether I'd actually ever see a refund let alone some form of communication...

Lothar52

neg him...NEG HIM....its time we start putting our money where our mouth is.....

Cieron

Well, I received the 4th package, and the grand total for the 4 packages was $29.00. That leaves a $54.00 gap, however, I received an email from the seller in which he reluctantly offered a $23.00 dollar refund on the charges. I accepted of course, and now things are looking up a bit. The ultimate conclusion will be with PSA/DNA's opinion of the items though, and given how things have gone thus far, I'm still a bit wary of what they'll have to say. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though, and I'll be sure to keep y'all, all captivated I'm sure, updated on my first significant venture into this stuff since I was 15. Thanks for all the comments/advice/suggestions by the way. All much appreciated.

marz

This problem is most obvious on one ounce silver bars! You win one for $6.00 then pay $3.00 to have it mailed. Actual cost of mailing it is >34 because no one cares to insure a $6 silver bar~