"Rookie" sellers...turning eBay into luck of the draw

samspop

I will add my "issue" to the growing number of threads about eBay sellers. There are a number of good ones out there, so it is not all sellers, but there are also a good number of inexperienced sellers that really are turning eBay into a crapshoot. Before you read, this is not about valuable cards, it is just a rant...

Situation: I won 2 cards from a seller (dode35) on 5/30. Once card was $.99, the other was $2.12. I received 2 separate invoices with each charging $3.00 to ship the cards. I asked the seller for a revised invoice so I could PayPal one payment. The seller asked me how to do that since they weren't that experienced. I explained and after a week of back and forth, I received the updated invoice, which I promptly paid via PayPal ($6.11 total). The card(s) arrived yesterday. Actually only one card arrived. The cards were placed in a white envelope with (2) $.42 stamps on the outside. Something/someone had torn the envelope down the seam on one side, therefore only one card was in the envelope when it arrived.

Here is the back and forth with the seller:

My Note to the Seller:
Rhonda:
I received the envelope today. There was only one card in the envelope (the Bradshaw card). Was the McGwire missed when shipped?
Thanks, Mike

The Response:
I'm sorry but the envelope has both cards in it.

My Repsonse:
Rhonda:

I just noticed that the envelope was cut down one side along the seam. Whether it was pilfered, or torn by a machine through the USPS process is the question, but I can only assume that the card slid out before it arrived to me. I would have hoped that for a $3 charge, something more than a plain white envelope with $.84 in stamps would have been used...not pointing anything out, but I sell cards on eBay, as well and charge $2.50 for cards (this includes a padded envelope and USPS Delivery Confirmation). It costs me between $1.90 and $2.15 to mail the package plus the cost of the envelope and I never (knock on wood) have issues. I am not a dealer, this is just something I do in my spare time, so I don't get breaks on costs. But, I believe in charging for what I give to customers.

I will chalk this one up as a lesson learned and to make sure to ask about mailing practices prior to buying.

Mike

Sellers Response:
I cheched my files on your purchase, I take pictures of address envelope & cards that are going in it, incase their is a dispute. I can't spend $3.00 on shipping on a $1.00 card. Each card is shipped in a sleeve & top loader . The Mcgwire card was ship in heavy plastic holder. please do not bid on any of my merchandise.

If you can't afford to pay for shipping how can eBay let you get away with charging it???!?!?
I have no plans to respond, and, as I stated, will be chalking this one up to experience. But, why does a sellers ignorance usually become the fault of the buyer?? Is this the direction that eBay is going? This is one of 2 issues I have in the past week after having none for so long. Anyone else seeing more of this?

Thanks for letting me let it out...

Stingray

Does not matter what the card costs. If she is only goint spend $1.00 on shipping, she should not be charging $3.00.

BobS

<< <i>I can't spend $3.00 on shipping on a $1.00 card >>



I just couldn't let this one go myself.

I would have to let them know that THEY are not spending $3 on Shipping, YOU are.

ICE9

This situation calls for a NEGATIVE with a few pointed comments. What an idiot Rhonda is. She will realize shortly that her shipping policy isn't going to work:

$3 shippiing in PWE = damaged cards = unhappy buyers = negative feedback = NO MORE BUYERS

Like I said, what an IDIOT!

prscott933

give a neg and report the overcharged shipping.

samspop

I threw my last spear, now will leave, at best neutral, but probably negative since there was no attempt to at least apologize for the situation. Luckily, she has already left me a positive

Here is my last response....

It is ok, I do not plan on bidding on any more of your auctions, but, your statement "I can't spend $3.00 on shipping on a $1.00 card", goes against eBay policy...if you can't "spend" the $3.00, then don't charge it. I am the one that paid for the shipping!! You are not charged additional fees for shipping charges from eBay, therefore an attempt to make more money through those fees is against eBay policy and is grounds for removal of an account from eBay.

larryallen73

I agree with the above. PLEASE give her a neg so others are aware. This is an advantage of the new Ebay feedback system!

clydecoolidge

Neg for sure, and I would forward that email that states "I cannot pay $3 for shipping a $1 card" to ebay right away. That is a rediculous statement and she has no business selling on ebay. It's sellers like this that piss off buyers and the legit sellers take the retaliation later. Bunk I say.

storm888

<< I can't spend $3.00 on shipping on a $1.00 card >>

/////////////////////////////////////

NEG her, NOW.

EBAY is now desperate to attract fill-in sellers. They are scheduling
new rounds of USPS and private-seminars around the country to
attract more ignorant peasants into the seller-pool. The Video Prof
is working overtime.

We do NOT need anymore amateur sellers on EBAY. Run 'em off
with the FB they deserve.

DerekD

These types of sellers need to go away. I would neg in this case. I would probably file with Paypal to cause some additional pain to this clown.