shipping charges...again

ldferg

i know it's been discussed before but i wanted to share a response to a question i asked an ebay seller. i was looking at a few of his items and asked "do you offer shipping discounts on multiple items won? why do you have shipping amount descrepancies for items that are basically the same thing?". i know, i know, figure the shipping into the amount you wish to bid. with that in mind, here is the response:

Hello-
There is a discount of $1 per item if you win multiples.
The differences in shipping amounts is because I am trying a technique that I have seen other eBay sellers use. I listed most items this week for .01 cent, but included a shipping amount that was inclusive of the very lowest price that I would take for the card plus shipping. In other words, a card listed for $.01 plus $12.99 shipping means that $13 total is the very minimum that I could accept for shipping and the listed items. I have seen this work well for other sellers and thought I would give it a try. Anyway, to put it simply, part of the sales price is built in to 'shipping' to help encourage more bids and try a different strategy. Sorry for any confusion, and thanks for your interest!

just curious on what you all thought about this technique.

downtown

Against Ebay policies I believe

Ironmanfan

Plain & simple seller tactic known as "fee avoidance." I'd bring it to eBay's attention.

ldferg

i'm assuming they are listing at .01 to avoid listing fees in general. i'm sure there will be some that will not pay attention to the shipping until it's too late.

BigDaddyBowman

I also believe that it is against Ebay policy...but at least the guy was honest with you...instead of trying to feed you a line of B.S.

ctsoxfan

It's completely against Ebay policy, like everyone has said - and it's also the oldest trick in the book. He's trying to cheat Ebay of course, by not paying final value fees, and by only paying the minimum listing fee.

I have noticed a lot of electronics sellers were doing this (buy a memory card for $5, but pay $20 shipping) but I believe Ebay has cracked down on this practice. They should crack down on that seller as well.

RedRomad275

I just had a ver similar experience. This was on the heels of EBay's NEW policy of cracking down on excessive shipping charges. I did what I felt was right and paid for the auctions and reported it to EBay. I never heard anything back and the guy is still selling. I'm sure EBay's stance is that it would be a strike against this guy and after how ever many strikes then he gets booted. It just bugs me to see this with the appearance of no recourse.

Red

Treetop

Ask him if you win the item for $12.99 is shipping free

ldferg

tree,
good point. i've asked the seller that question.

ldferg

seller says shipping is what is stated regardless. never hurts to ask.