misleading shipping cost

captainthreeputt · February 8, 2012 4:26PM

I won a hockey auto card on ebay. It stated free shipping up front in bold. When I went to pay, it said $18.99 for shipping, so I went back to check ebay, and it states in smaller writing, see details about international shipping.

I won the card for $61, now to have $18.99 in shipping seems crazy. Please do not make this a big ugly situation, sellers vs. buyers. Most of you know I am a high end collector and $18.99 is not going to kill me, but it seems crazy to have FREE SHIPPING in bold and see details for international shipping in smaller print below. Also, my 11 year old son is the actual buyer, and he feels he would not have bid so much if he would have known how much the shipping was.

Would love to hear the thoughts from some board members.

handyman · February 8, 2012 5:16PM

Dont pay file a complaint!

Probstein123 · February 8, 2012 6:49PM

first try and email him and ask for a reduction ...he might reduce and then all will be fine...
if not, just contact ebay and say excessive shipping charges and I'm pretty sure they won't give you an unpaid strike...

Sean1125 · February 8, 2012 9:44PM

Do you mind posting the item link so we can see how the auction is formatted?

I know when I offer international some people get away with cheaper shipping than the US (Not sure how)... But I end up eating it and sending without DC (Crossing fingers I've had no problems yet).

TonyC · February 8, 2012 10:16PM

Is THIS your card?

Malkin Auto

If so, the listing is in fact contradictory. The eBay template states free shipping, but in the description he states shipping is $18.99 (in a confusing fashion, by the way).

I would send him a message explaining that he had contradictory statements about shipping charges and that you were under the impression that shipping was free and ask him how he would like to handle it. If you look at other items he has sold, he already sold that card once for $59, but relisted it; I wonder why? Previous attempt

If he tells you to pound sand, either leave him a positive with bad DSRs or a neutral.

WinPitcher · February 8, 2012 10:26PM

Being me I'm going to give the contrarian view, IMO the listing is not misleading.

Yes it says free shipping in bold letters, the seller did not do that EBAY did.

Right underneath it (Ebay again) it says see details for international shipping.

A simple click would have shown what the cost would have been.

Now, please don't get me wrong, it is a fact that the OP (Hi Brian) missed

it, but let's not blame the seller here, this was formatted by Ebay.

IMO if you don't want to pay the 18.00 do like Rick said.

Star dinging and leaving a neutral is totally out of the question IMO.

EDITED to add: Since the seller may have had this happen once before

maybe he should type in big bold letters what the international shipping will be.

gemint · February 8, 2012 10:28PM

I bet that clown has excellent DSR ratings. However, charge $1 to ship an additional graded card and watch you DSR get slammed!

nam812 · February 8, 2012 10:50PM

When you click on the shipping and payments tab is states:

Free shipping United States Standard Shipping Within 15-24 business days

Elemenopeo · February 8, 2012 10:50PM

<< Is THIS your card?

Malkin Auto

If so, the listing is in fact contradictory. The eBay template states free shipping, but in the description he states shipping is $18.99 (in a confusing fashion, by the way).

I would send him a message explaining that he had contradictory statements about shipping charges and that you were under the impression that shipping was free and ask him how he would like to handle it. If you look at other items he has sold, he already sold that card once for $59, but relisted it; I wonder why? Previous attempt

If he tells you to pound sand, either leave him a positive with bad DSRs or a neutral. >>

If that's the listing, I wouldn't say the seller is to blame here. Not only does the listing have the "see details about international shipping," but the description also warns, twice and in all caps, of the charges for international shipping. It's not like he's trying to sneak it by. Not sure what else the seller is supposed to do.

jeffcbay · February 8, 2012 10:57PM

It may be "ebay" saying it's free shipping, but it's the seller who set it up that way.

I've read this description a dozen times and I still don't understand it:

"CANADA / U.S. / INTERNATIONAL FREE SHIPPING IN CANADA INSURANCE AND TRACKING IS NEEDED FOR ITEM'S @ / $18..99 to U.S.A. / $31.99 to overseas !"

So since he's shipping FROM Canada, that means it's free shipping inside Canada, $18.99 to USA, and $31.99 anywhere else?

vladguerrero · February 8, 2012 11:01PM

The cost to ship within Canada is virtually the same as to ship to the US. Neither have tracking so I would just email him and ask if he can send it Airmail in a bubble envelope.

The free Canada shipping wouldn't have included tracking because that would cost like $15, the $19 charge to the US is the same as that service.

If you want to save the $19 PM me and have him ship it to me (in Canada) and I'll flip it to you no charge.

SleepyDave · February 9, 2012 2:30AM

<< It may be "ebay" saying it's free shipping, but it's the seller who set it up that way.

I've read this description a dozen times and I still don't understand it:

"CANADA / U.S. / INTERNATIONAL FREE SHIPPING IN CANADA INSURANCE AND TRACKING IS NEEDED FOR ITEM'S @ / $18..99 to U.S.A. / $31.99 to overseas !"

So since he's shipping FROM Canada, that means it's free shipping inside Canada, $18.99 to USA, and $31.99 anywhere else? >>

When I look at this listing it states he only ships to the United States. It also clearly states Free shipping on the shipping tab (the United States is the only option). I have read that line in capital letters in the description a few times and it is very misleading. This is definitely the sellers fault. The seller has not set up the listing properly.

Elemenopeo · February 9, 2012 2:50AM

Yep. Upon further review, I agree, there is all kinds of weird stuff going on in this listing with regards to shipping. You will not be charged a time out.

mlbfan2 · February 9, 2012 2:51AM

<< Being me I'm going to give the contrarian view, IMO the listing is not misleading.

Yes it says free shipping in bold letters, the seller did not do that EBAY did. >>

The seller set it up that way, mistakenly. So, unless there was some sort of ebay glitch (unlikely), it's 100% his fault.

captainthreeputt · February 9, 2012 3:03AM

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, TonyC, that is the correct link. I will send him an e-mail and wait for his response. I have only sent one neg in my life, and that guy had many others right after me! I do not plan on giving him a neg, but I do think however it was misleading. I will let you guys know what his response is, and then you guys can decide whether or not you want to do business with him in the future.

Either way, my son wants the card, and I will cover shipping for him. It is definitely a teaching moment for him.

Brian

mlbfan2 · February 9, 2012 3:19AM

<< Thanks for all the replies. Yes, TonyC, that is the correct link. I will send him an e-mail and wait for his response. I have only sent one neg in my life, and that guy had many others right after me! I do not plan on giving him a neg, but I do think however it was misleading. I will let you guys know what his response is, and then you guys can decide whether or not you want to do business with him in the future.

Either way, my son wants the card, and I will cover shipping for him. It is definitely a teaching moment for him.

Brian >>

You can obviously do what you want, but I don't know why you'd pay the shipping. It's all the seller's fault. The "official" shipping charge for that card is $0. It really makes no difference if the seller wrote $18.99, $189.99 or $1,234 in the description.

Archaninator · February 9, 2012 3:30AM

.

Bigjohn69 · February 9, 2012 3:39AM

<< 

<< Thanks for all the replies. Yes, TonyC, that is the correct link. I will send him an e-mail and wait for his response. I have only sent one neg in my life, and that guy had many others right after me! I do not plan on giving him a neg, but I do think however it was misleading. I will let you guys know what his response is, and then you guys can decide whether or not you want to do business with him in the future.

Either way, my son wants the card, and I will cover shipping for him. It is definitely a teaching moment for him.

Brian >>

You can obviously do what you want, but I don't know why you'd pay the shipping. It's all the seller's fault. The "official" shipping charge for that card is $0. It really makes no difference if the seller wrote $18.99, $189.99 or $1,234 in the description. >>

that would depend on the country you live it as oposed to the sellers location,,, true fact with delivery confirm on an international shipment jumps the rate alot as opposed to sending it via 1st class international. the seller is just covering his ebay arse to prove delivery confirm,,, as a big buyer of cards i would think you would see it was an international seller and indeed looked for the ship charges reguardless of seeing "free shipping",,as this was ment for Canadian buyers,, granted he should have made it known in his/her ad somewhere but in my eyes it wasnt "ALL" the sellers fault,,, i would have been on your side on this if it wasnt an international shipment..

ezyshooter · February 9, 2012 3:57AM

For a 60 dollar card i would just ask to send in a bubble envelope regular mail. He is only trying to cover himself from people who say that they never recieved the item. It's the same idea when i hear all the US sellers complain about shipping to Canada.
Shipping in just a bubble envelope is fairly cheap but if you want tracking in which case he is saying in his auction he wants to charge 18.99. Which in some cases are low depending on location.
I live in Ontario and i recently wanted to mail a small package to Newfoundland. Express shipping(3 day) over 70 dollars. 7-8 day was still over 30.00 dollars.
When i have other Canadians win my auctions i just package cards in bubble envelopes and have them weighed. But if i sell expensive cards i fork out the extra money just to cover myself.
If i have a person say he never recieves his card(s) i refund his money and then block them. Same for US buyers as well.
So my point is if he is willing to send in a bubble envelope and you have the risk of it being lost are you willing to not file a claim? Shipping is not cheap in Canada or the US when you get into tracking, insurance, etc..
Chances of a package being lost is very slim. Just might take awhile to get to you.
Steve

Southsider · February 9, 2012 4:48AM

I agree, the details about shipping are confusing/contradictory.

From the auction:

"Shipping: FREE - Standard Shipping
| See all details
See details about international shipping here.
Item location: Valleyview, AB, Canada
Ships to: United States"

In the same part of the listing that says it is FREE Standard Shipping, it says that it "Ships to: United States" I would understand that to mean the free shipping is to the United States.

WinPitcher · February 9, 2012 4:51AM

I may have to eat some crow, I looked again and saw:

Free shipping

United States

Standard Shipping

Within 15-24 business days

Upon further review the OP is hereby cleared off all charges and seller is one to
add to your BBL.

Sorry Brian, I put foot in mouth. I'm good at that.

WinPitcher · February 9, 2012 5:01AM

<< When I look at this listing it states he only ships to the United States. It also clearly states Free shipping on the shipping tab (the United States is the only option). I have read that line in capital letters in the description a few times and it is very misleading. This is definitely the sellers fault. The seller has not set up the listing properly. >>

I also agree with the above too.

This auction screams out 'ask a question'

Dboneesq · February 9, 2012 5:19AM

Brian ... even the Seller's info about shipping in his item description is confusing! That being said, at the top of the auction it CLEARLY states FREE SHIPPING ... NO WAY should you be responsible for an extra $19.00. Nice offer by Vlad btw.

MrVintage · February 9, 2012 6:19AM

If it says free shipping that means he set up the eBay listing that way. You always have an option on the shipping charges when you set up the listing. He is responsible for honoring that and I would make him do that. 18.99 is ridiculous for a single card anyways!!!!

JoeBanzai · February 9, 2012 7:46AM

International shipping the way eBay wants it done is expensive, unless seller wants to gamble that he won't get ripped off.

Any bidder who reads the description should know to ask a question if they are confused about the charges. I was not confused, charges to U.S. and "overseas" are clearly stated in CAPS! Free shipping applies to sellers country. How else can he offer free shipping to Canada without listing this way?

As a seller I don't bother to sell ANYTHING outside of my country because the cost is too high. Buyers want the PayPal protection, but want the seller to give up his guarantee that he wont get ripped off.

I listed a few items and international buyers begged me to send it to them at the regular rate, but changed their minds when I told them to pay with a money order. Forget it pal, I was born at night, but not last night.

Just my .02

Joe

gumbyfan · February 9, 2012 7:57AM

The way the seller has it listed is against eBay policy.

It doesn't matter what he put in with the description of the card. When he listed the card, there's a section for entering your shipping charges. If he wants to offer "Free Shipping" in Canada, he can do that. If he also wants to charge to ship elsewhere, he needs to add additional shipping options.

You should pay the winning bid price and $0 for shipping and if he gripes, send him to eBay. Your bid took into account the Free Shipping that he selected when he listed the card.

CrazyMind2017 · February 9, 2012 8:09AM

This is both the seller's and ebay's fault. The free shipping should only show up on ebay.ca.

If you're on ebay.com, you are presumably in the U.S., and there should be no bold print that says FREE SHIPPING when there actually is none.

WinPitcher · February 9, 2012 8:41AM

Damn that crow tasted good.

mlbfan2 · February 9, 2012 8:49AM

<< This is both the seller's and ebay's fault. The free shipping should only show up on ebay.ca.

If you're on ebay.com, you are presumably in the U.S., and there should be no bold print that says FREE SHIPPING when there actually is none. >>

You seem to be saying that Canadian sellers never offer free shipping to the USA. If so, you're wrong. And, it says FREE SHIPPING because that's what the seller mistakenly chose! 100% his fault, 0% ebay's fault.

It was probably another mistake on his part, but it appears that he *ONLY* offered shipping to the USA, and not Canada or anywhere else.

misleading shipping cost

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