What should I do? HIS RESPONSE...WOW!

Guru · July 2, 2008 8:27AM

So here's the situation. I bidded on and one a Griffy Jr. card that I thought was pretty cool. Shipping for the card was $3.99. I thought that's crazy, but the guy must be securely shipping this. I mean, I only charge 1.70 for shipping that includes a bubble mailer, top loader, penny sleeve, and team bag. So, I won and paid.
Today I get this card in a white envelope with a stamp on it. Here's what I sent him in a message:

Today I received my card in the mail from you. I'm a little concerned and before I drop a neg I wanted to chat.
I too sell cards here on Ebay and only charge $1.70. That includes a bubble mailer, a top loader, penny sleeve, and team bag. Now, I did bid on this item thinking that I was paying $3.99 so my item would be securely shipped. Today I get a card in a white envelope with a stamp on it. Now, it was in a top loader, but charging almost $4 for a white envelope and stamp is uncalled for.
I'd like to try to understand why you did this. Ebay forbids making money off of postage. So, needless to say I'm not really happy about the fact that you charged an outstanding high price for shipping and only shipped it in a white enevelope with a stamp. Could you please explain? Thanks.

He hasn't responded yet. What should I do? I know it's just a couple of dollars, but it's the principle. I mean, in his listing he says he's lost his job, has cancer, and has bills to pay so he's selling his collection. I mean, maybe it's true. But how many times have we seen this same sob story from people? I mean, he's got 100% feedback so I thought I could trust him.

What should I do in this situation? Thanks.

storm888 · July 2, 2008 8:34AM

Sellers who use sob-stories to peddle their stuff are bad news.

If the guy refunds part of the S+H, I would leave no FB.

If the guy makes no refund offer, I would NEG him.

DISCLAIMER:

If you bought the card on your seller-ID, I would NOT NEG him;
he will get even by messing with your listings...........even though
he is "sick and dying and poor."

yankeeno7 · July 2, 2008 8:36AM

I'd let it go and move on. Just dont buy from him again. Unfortunately, this is a common occurance.

Recently, I won an auction and paid 8.00 for priority shipping. I get the paypal notice that it was mailed via PARCEL POST. Big surprise? Not at all...but I wont make a stink about it if I get it safely.

The card you wont probably would have gone for a couple bucks more if he advertised his shipping as 2.00. People usually include the price of shipping in their final bid.

Yeah, it sucks when you get deliveries like that but I see no reason to make something of it as long as it arrived safely. If it did, both he and you are lucky.

Just not worth hassling and being hassled over 2.00

larryallen73 · July 2, 2008 8:41AM

What should I do in this situation?

I would move on and worry about something else. His auction said he was going to charge you $3.99 and nowhere did his auction say that he would spend the whole $3.99 on shipping. Slimey? Maybe but not everybody is as fair as you appear to be with your $1.70 shipping. He may not be as reputable a seller as others but it's like he added to the fee after you purchased.

jimq112 · July 2, 2008 8:42AM

I'm wondering how much your idiot seller cost himself with

1954 BOWMEN WILLIE MAYS
1995 IN THE ZONE BABE RUTH/KEN GARIFFEY JR. PROMO RARE!
1997 UPPER DECK GIFFEY JR. CLEARLY DOMINANT CARDS RARE!

Anyhow back to the question - he did clearly say $3.99 shipping and listed it as first class mail, but I'm always skeptical of the sellers who have cancer and lost their jobs, so they have to sell cards to pay the medical expenses.

Tell the truth - if the card got there ok then mention the PWE in feedback and leave the DSRs as earned. He earned a 1 for shipping/handling cost for sure.

link to the auction

Leiascards · July 2, 2008 8:42AM

Wasn't Import-Export-co was it? If so expect to get cussed out when he finally does respond.

I would just let it go. If you got the card in the condition you expected that is the most important thing. Had it been damaged in shipping then there would be another issue.

Had he shipped in a Bubble Mailer 4.00 is not that unreasonable. I charge 3.50.. My DSR on S/H charge is 4.9

storm888 · July 2, 2008 8:49AM

I have no argument with $4, if the package is professionally
and SAFELY put together.

$4 for a PWE is nonsense.

torc · July 2, 2008 9:09AM

If you got the card, it wasn't damaged. Then a neg is not warranted, just hit him on the DSR
Did his listing say that it would be in a bubble mailer? and all the other things you expected? If not, then move on.
After all, you bid and agreed on the shipping charges, unless he broke the agreement on how he was shipping..............

lawnmowerman · July 2, 2008 9:32AM

chris, I wouldn't neg him. Like torc said, if the card was not damaged, forget about it.

Maybe try asking him for a partial refund on shipping and see what he says.

diamondman · July 2, 2008 9:35AM

Yes 4.00 is ridiculous on a raw single card and then sending it in a PWE , but if the card arrived safely, I would leave no feedback or at worst a neutral, I always figure the S/H charge in on what I am willing to pay for a card, I have seen alot of 4.95 or 5.00 and more for PSA/graded cards of late which I think is a little high, but I just figure , I am willing to pay 40.00 so I bid 35.00 and hope I get it for less than 35 because I think the high shipping scares off some bidders.

I have thought about offering Free Shipping and starting the bidding 3 or 4 dollars higher than what I normally would, but then feebay gets 9%
of that, I think some sellers are charging more for shipping to offset the new rate hike on items 25.00 or less. I know selling a graded card for 9.99 + 3.00 shipping is a waste of time, 68 cents Paypal fee + 1.22 Ebay fees + my cost 2.55 for a bubble mailer 1st class postage + a DC = out to a net sale of 8.54 now you minus the grading fee say 6.00 wow I just sold a card for 2.54 minus whatever I had in the card in the 1st place and sometimes I have lost money. Oh well just rambling on. All this is JMO

nam812 · July 2, 2008 9:40AM

Did you say bidded?

Buccaneer · July 2, 2008 9:44AM

<< Did you say bidded? >>

He also said 'one'.

nam812 · July 2, 2008 9:44AM

<< I have no argument with $4, if the package is professionally
and SAFELY put together...... >>

Maybe for a graded card, but the OP's card sounds like it was raw.

brianwintersfan · July 2, 2008 9:49AM

<< 

<< Did you say bidded? >>

He also said 'one'. >>

Beat me to it. Way to massacre the english language!

Leiascards · July 2, 2008 10:28AM

<< 

<< I have no argument with $4, if the package is professionally
and SAFELY put together...... >>

Maybe for a graded card, but the OP's card sounds like it was raw. >>

Still 4.00 is not that high. A padded mailer with DC is going to cost you between 2.50 and 3.00 to ship

SDSportsFan · July 2, 2008 10:46AM

Maybe I'm just playing Devil's Advocate here, but I suppose it's possible that this particular seller lives somewhat of a distance from his post office (and maybe in the opposite direction from which he normally travels), and is figuring the cost of gas into his shipping and handling fees.

Just something to consider.

Steve

baseballjeff · July 2, 2008 10:59AM

Neg. him and don't think twice about it. And post his ebay name on here too so we don't bid on his cards!

dizzle · July 2, 2008 11:04AM

<< Maybe I'm just playing Devil's Advocate here, but I suppose it's possible that this particular seller lives somewhat of a distance from his post office (and maybe in the opposite direction from which he normally travels), and is figuring the cost of gas into his shipping and handling fees.

Just something to consider.

Steve >>

Very true, But considering it came in a PWE with a stamp I'm guessing a post office run was not needed, Simply drop it in the mailbox.

Allen · July 2, 2008 11:22AM

Some people calculate the cost of the item into their shipping charges. If that bothers you then do not bid on items that seem to charge more than you would pay to ship. If they state that the card will be shipped in a flat rate priority box for your $9.30 fee then I guess that could be considered fair. I guess it all depends how upset you want to get over the little things in life. If I won a nice card I wanted for cheap because shipping was $3.99 I wouldn't really get too upset as long as the card did not get crushed.

Leiascards · July 2, 2008 11:25AM

I agree with figuring the S/H into your bid. I have made alot of money flipping cards where the seller charged too much for shipping.

Guru · July 2, 2008 12:09PM

I am amazed at his response. Wow!:

Dear Guru, I agree 100% with your your statement and I apologize. I will make this right with you by refunding the entire shipping amount. As you can see I'm still somewhat new to this and you have show me a valueable lesson on not to reduce shipping quality and integrity. I will assure you that any further cards I sell will be shipped in a bubble envelope. I hope that by refunding your shipping cost it will leave you with a positive experience and you will not leave Neg. feedback and shop at my actions again as I am a honest and quick responding seller. I thank you for your honesty and the advise on shipping practices and I will not make this mistake in the future.

SORRY!!
and thank you again.

Rick

Guru, Your refund has been completed. And thank you again for your concerns and good advise and working with me before leaving a negitive feedback. Wish all E-Buyers were like you.

Rick

tennesseebanker · July 2, 2008 12:13PM

wOW ! An honest E-bayer ? Who is this, lets all put him in our favorite seller list.

Yankeeefan · July 2, 2008 12:13PM

That response deserves a positive feedback. Great customer service and took care of a problem immediately. Nice job on the sellers part!

alma1960 · July 2, 2008 12:21PM

Don't lose faith in people. Every now and then we get surprised. Kinda reminds me of Reagan's, "Trust but verify" cold war approach. Might be a good approach to Ebay purchases. For me, if the postage on a single card is listed over $3, it needs to clearly note shipping in a padded mailer.

jswieton · July 2, 2008 12:22PM

i wouldn't loose any sleep from it. As long as the card wasn't damaged I would just make a note never to buy from him again. It is not worth the headache. I wouldn't even neg him, he may mess with your auctions. It's not worth the $2.

hofautos · July 2, 2008 12:22PM

I would be upset about the PWE, but not the shipping, since you KNEW what the shipping was before you bid.
Also, Ebay doesn't FORBID charging over the actual shipping charges. They say you shouldn't charge over "reasonable". Reasonable is a debateable term.
Shipping is not just shipping, but shipping and handling.
If someone says that it will be mailed one way (e.g. priority), and they ship first class, that would be a problem, but the only thing i see the seller did wrong was the PWE. I would give a neutral and state seller shipped in PWE, and move on.
Just because you charge 1.70, that i consider too cheap, and you shouldn't expect everyone to do the same and issue a negative just because you
dont charge enough.

EDIT - I see you got your refund on shipping...good for you, bad for seller. You actually got your card, and in perfect order, AND you got free shipping. Kind of a ripoff to the seller, although it may have been a lesson for him to use bubble mailers in the future...you profited for your time.

storm888 · July 2, 2008 12:24PM

The seller should NOW get a glowing POSITIVE and 5-Stars all the way.

perkdog · July 2, 2008 12:24PM

<< That response deserves a positive feedback. Great customer service and took care of a problem immediately. Nice job on the sellers part! >>

Ironmanfan · July 2, 2008 12:29PM

<< So here's the situation. I bidded on and one a Griffy Jr. card that I thought was pretty cool. >>

Nice command of a 7th grade level of the english language!

Guru · July 2, 2008 1:04PM

Definitely a positive from me and 5 stars.
You know I didn't realize how horrible my grammer and spelling was in the first post. Geez, that's one for the books.

ymarea · July 2, 2008 1:14PM

<< Definitely a positive from me and 5 stars.
You know I didn't realize how horrible my grammer and spelling was in the first post. Geez, that's one for the books. >>

Good for the seller and good for Guru. I like happy endings.

Guru, you are not alone when it comes to butchering the language, so don't feel badly. Part of the fun of these boards is reading the innovative, entertaining ways in which we express ourselves. Let's all blame it on the public school systems!

prscott933 · July 2, 2008 1:24PM

goose3 · July 2, 2008 1:29PM

send him a link to some mailers on ebay.

envoy98 · July 2, 2008 2:49PM

<< 

<< 

<< I have no argument with $4, if the package is professionally
and SAFELY put together...... >>

Maybe for a graded card, but the OP's card sounds like it was raw. >>

Still 4.00 is not that high. A padded mailer with DC is going to cost you between 2.50 and 3.00 to ship >>

Not true. Every package I send is $1.52 for a single graded card and a bubble mailer w/ dc. total weight is 2oz, first class mail. Funny thing is, I charge 2.50 or 2.75 and I have a 4.85 the last 30 days, I think I'm running just over 4.7 for the past 12 mo.

Tabe · July 2, 2008 5:37PM

<< You know I didn't realize how horrible my grammer and spelling was in the first post. Geez, that's one for the books. >>

It's "grammar".

Tabe

bobsbbcards · July 2, 2008 8:28PM

<< 

<< You know I didn't realize how horrible my grammer and spelling was in the first post. Geez, that's one for the books. >>

It's "grammar".

Tabe >>

The period should be inside the quotation mark. Like this:

It's "grammar."

zep33 · July 2, 2008 8:35PM

<< 

<< 

<< You know I didn't realize how horrible my grammer and spelling was in the first post. Geez, that's one for the books. >>

It's "grammar".

Tabe >>

The period should be inside the quotation mark. Like this:

It's "grammar."

>>

not unless it's part of the original quote.

edit - n/m I'm stupid and it's too early

clydecoolidge · July 2, 2008 11:57PM

Nice to hear a positive outcome from a seemingly honest and stand-up seller. I know that I've been walking on egg shells as a seller. I always try to provide the best possible experience for buyers, but with the new ebay rules, I feel like I'm just waiting for the inevitable foul buyer.

I just got a message from a zero feedback potential bidder yesterday asking: "do you have a return policy?"
I may just block that bidder since I fully disclose a card's condition and I have decent scans. That just seems like a red flag question IMO.

leathtech · July 3, 2008 12:19AM

Glad to hear everything worked out... It really bothers me when I get shipping service similar to yours!

…and I know it’s normally only $1 or 2 but it still bothers me.

leathtech · July 3, 2008 12:21AM

<< 

<< So here's the situation. I bidded on and one a Griffy Jr. card that I thought was pretty cool. >>

Nice command of a 7th grade level of the english language! >>

That is way better than 7th grade... I teach high school age kids who struggle to form coherent sentences! I should post a writing sample from some of them.

larryallen73 · July 3, 2008 1:01AM

I did not see that coming. Very nice. It's sad that we all expect the worst and are surprised when someone does the right thing. Glad it still happens so we don't totally lose faith in our fellow people. Thanks for sharing.

smtjoy · July 3, 2008 2:59AM

Glad to see things worked out, kudos to both parties.

I am still dealing with a similuar situation where the dealer didnt have that kind of response, sucks.

pandrews · July 3, 2008 3:11AM

<< 

<< 

<< So here's the situation. I bidded on and one a Griffy Jr. card that I thought was pretty cool. >>

Nice command of a 7th grade level of the english language! >>

That is way better than 7th grade... I teach high school age kids who struggle to form coherent sentences! I should post a writing sample from some of them. >>

i believe it.. i watched that documentary on HBO called "No Child Left Behind: A Report Card On Frederick Douglass High".. wow, what a school full of dumbasses.

Cubby · July 3, 2008 3:44AM

Guru...glad things worked out. And, a very hilarious thread as well!!

What should I do? HIS RESPONSE...WOW!

Comments