Excessive S/H? $6 for 2 items that total $16! Opinions?

Boom · August 6, 2008 7:00AM

Assume you are the buyer in the following scenario:

You bid on and win 2 seperate items, from the same seller,
both certified (one by PCGS - the other from across the street).

Both coins are high grade - (example PCGS Pf 69 DCAM) -
the other is graded Full Gem BU.

Each item is won at ridiculously low prices because seller starts
bidding at equally ridiculous, low amounts to keep insertion fees down,
which of course is quite understandable.

There are NO reserves on either listing. There also is NO mention of discounted S/H.

In this scenario you've won BOTH for significantly LESS than $20.

Seller's worst Nightmare! He has just been ripped and has lost a fairly significant amount of $$.

Is he out of line by charging full S/H for both items to be paid for with 1 payment, using PayPal
or should he discount his S/H to a more realistic amount?

Looking at such from both perspectives, 1) What should the seller rightfully charge if both are
shipped together? (Which they should)? 2) What would your position be as buyer, facing the full
$6 S/H, IF seller does not discount as he should?

His S/H per item is $3, with no mention of discounted S/H.

Opinions/ thoughts - Both perspectives, please.

Thread posted for discussion for "educational" purposes as well as ethics.

OPA · August 6, 2008 7:04AM

Most legit sellers will discount for multiple items won. If not, pay the $6, give him a poor DSR rating for s/h & then move on.

Barndog · August 6, 2008 7:05AM

<< His S/H per item is $3, with no mention of discounted S/H. >>

bidder knows the terms and should pay according to terms without complaint

SilverEagles92 · August 6, 2008 7:06AM

<< 

<< His S/H per item is $3, with no mention of discounted S/H. >>

bidder knows the terms and should pay according to terms without complaint >>

I agree 100%

BECOKA · August 6, 2008 7:08AM

<< 

<< 

<< His S/H per item is $3, with no mention of discounted S/H. >>

bidder knows the terms and should pay according to terms without complaint >>

I agree 100% >>

Ditto

On a side note, how much do you want to ream this seller who has already lost more than the shipping cost on these two items?

mrpotatoheadd · August 6, 2008 7:09AM

If I was concerned about combined shipping charges, I'd contact the seller before bidding to get an explanation of his policy. If I bid and win in the scenario presented and the seller didn't discount shipping, I'd pay with no complaint.

SeattleSlammer · August 6, 2008 7:13AM

Good Lord Almighty Here We Go Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The seller has ZERO obligation to discount your shipping. Not only shouldn't you complain about it....but you definitely shouldn't start a post about it like a little child. Grow some stones and have some pride for Pete's sake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FishyOne · August 6, 2008 7:13AM

Seems like $6 S&H for 2 items is reasonable given no shipping discount was mentioned.

Always check on discounted shipping for mutiple items before bidding and not after winning.

I would not give a poor DSR for shipping charges but that's up to you.

pauljuno · August 6, 2008 7:14AM

Pay the man. You bid on the items and agreed to the terms. He may not win any friends, but that's the way it goes. I did this recently, bought a modern coin for $12.00, then realized he charges $8.95 for priority shipping. Doh! It sucked, but it was my fault for not reading the details. I did ding him though as he shipped priority, but took him two weeks to get it in the mail. But still gave him a positive feedback.

adamlaneus · August 6, 2008 7:14AM

Prior to paying the seller, I would write a cheerful, happy note indicating how happy I was to win that awesome stuff. Perhaps I would not go too much over the top. Just be nice. Anyway.

Within that message, I would ask for a combined invoice and I would ask if the seller provides 'combined shipping costs'. I'd also probably mention that i'd pay promptly after getting that invoice.

Wait for that invoice. Hopefully it will have combined shipping. Since you did not ask questions before bidding, this is not a point you should argue.

Of course, the DSR rating would be low if the shipping was not discounted. If a seller charges too much for shipping in my opinion, they get low grades on that item. $12 is too much to ship two cheap slabs.

[edit] It's $6 for shipping? Hm. That is not unreasonable.

EVERY time I have done this on an auction that has not specified combined, discounted shipping....I got discounted shipping.

coinman420 · August 6, 2008 7:14AM

the buyer won 2 pcgs graded coins for $16 bucks shipped, he should pay with a smile and if shipped promptly give 5 star DSR`s.

edited to add if anyone thinks they should get a discount they are a cheapa$$

doh · August 6, 2008 7:15AM

It would be nice if he would combine shipping, but if it's not his stated policy he certainly doesn't have to. You saw the shipping and agreed by bidding, so I guess you have to pay. At least it's only $6, that ain't so bad.

TorinoCobra71 · August 6, 2008 7:27AM

<< 

<< His S/H per item is $3, with no mention of discounted S/H. >>

bidder knows the terms and should pay according to terms without complaint >>

TC71

Boom · August 6, 2008 7:31AM

Amazing! Hey!!! Re-read the unedited OP. NOWHERE do I state whether I am winner or seller or if this is a REAL situation - AT ALL.

I consistently say "YOU" - so ... drop the flame throwers, guys! This is a virtual situation.

I could be either - buyer or seller - or none at all. I state the word YOU repeatedly.

Any Golfers here? I'll give you all a "Mulligan"! I state that this is for discussion/ debate, for educational purposes and as such, BOTH "Arguments" are Welcomed. We haven't even gotten going and you're on ME. Read the situation, AS WRITTEN and present your perspectives from either or BOTH sides.

Thank you.

Geeez!

quickwing · August 6, 2008 7:32AM

Shipping charges are getting out of hand. $3 per item would be a bargain. Smile about the rip and don't sweat the postage, still a rip with postage included.

mrpotatoheadd · August 6, 2008 7:33AM

<< Thread posted for discussion for "educational" purposes as well as ethics. >>

Does this include a discussion of the ethics involved in a buyer unilateraly and retroactively deciding for a seller that he "should" do something he never offered to do?

SirAnthonyAC · August 6, 2008 7:38AM

If he wanted $12, $15 or $20 to ship two coins, that would be crazy but...

$6.00 for shipping is cheap, just pay it.

A padded envelope is 50 cents, the cheapest shipping I can find is $2.21 that includes a tracking number, then add $1.30 for insurance (up to $99) and you have $4.01. Sometimes it's as high as $6.45 to some locations like NY to CA. If the coin or coins are over $250 Pay Pal requires a signature receipt, that's another $1.80.

SeattleSlammer · August 6, 2008 7:43AM

Boom, I just reread your OP and it sure still is IMPLIED that YOU are the buyer in this case.
Apparently that is not the case.
Either way, given the number of similar posts attempting to illicit support for baseless whining, if it looks like a duck and smells like a duck....what do you expect?

greghansen · August 6, 2008 7:52AM

Good Lord Almighty Here We Go Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The seller has ZERO obligation to discount your shipping. Not only shouldn't you complain about it....but you definitely shouldn't start a post about it like a little child. Grow some stones and have some pride for Pete's sake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with this sentiment 110%.

Read the situation, AS WRITTEN and present your perspectives from either or BOTH sides.

If it is not a real life situation and only a hypothetical...then I find it sad that someone can actually make a case for asking for the discount.

If its a real scenario then some flame throwing is deserved IMO.

If it is a hypothetical then my opinion is that it doesn't justify a great deal of discussion because it doesn't present a close question. Again, IMO only.

Boom · August 6, 2008 8:08AM

Personally, I find this to be somewhat amusing because IMMEDIATELY, somehow, MOST here, all being able to read (and write) quite well, have read more into this than was presented by jumping to conclusions and ASSuming that the "You" in this situation is ME! Interesting!

Since all have done so, let's now assume that I am the seller. I'd wager a dollar to a doughnut that everyone would be saying the exact opposite of that which they presently have.

Everyone would be saying I was charging way too much for 1 First Class bubble pack mailer.
The postage for 5 ounces using PayPal, including Delivery Confirmation is less than $6 by a Mile.

Everyone, without fail, would be saying that it would have been MY fault (attempting to get around
ebay "insertion" fees - aka - Fee Circumvention) for starting my listings so low with no reserves and that I would then be Guilty of trying to make up for my stupidity by "sticking it" to the buyer by blatantly OVER charging on Postage .... AND YOU KNOW IT'S TRUE!

Can't we have ONE simple discussion without all the needless assumptions and "add-ons"?

And, as for this ... << On a side note, how much do you want to ream this seller who has already lost more than the shipping cost on these two items? >> there you go ASSUMING again! Look at this scenario from BOTH points of view. Is it the winner's fault and should he/ she be penalized for a stroke of Good Fortune?

C'mon man! Get a grip. Leave "me" out of this completely and look upon this the way it was presented and intended to be.

Thanks!

pheh · August 6, 2008 8:16AM

To the buyer: The terms are clear - live up to them.

To the seller: Do not back down from your terms. Complete every sale you make regardless of how you make out. You win some - You lose some.

Boom · August 6, 2008 8:22AM

Congratulations pheh. Your response is by far the best, unbiased post thus far!

IrishMike · August 6, 2008 8:44AM

My honest opinion is don't sweat the small stuff.

LALASD4 · August 6, 2008 8:49AM

The buyer should pay the $6.00

Bochiman · August 6, 2008 8:56AM

Pay it, smile inside knowing you got a great deal on the actual items, and be happy.
Too many sweat the small stuff and want others to do things THEIR way instead of realizing they entered the transaction on their own. As long as full info was known upfront, then do it

doh · August 6, 2008 8:56AM

Remind me never to open any more of your threads Boom. I guess they're mostly "hypotheticals" that really aren't presented as such and then when people call you on it you go ape$hit on them. Chill out, man.

SeattleSlammer · August 6, 2008 9:05AM

Boom, while I admire your continued attempts at neutrality regarding the original intent of your OP, reality states that your post cannot exist in a vacuum. Instead you are coming across as obtuse. As you should know, it's a frequent occurrence for members to post whines about supposed unfair shipping fees....when in fact the terms are clearly spelled out and the member/buyer entered into a contract by pulling the trigger.

In this case, I believe the collective response has been unequivocal that the seller is completely right, and the buyer, if inclined to complain about $6 shipping, is completely wrong.

AUandAG · August 6, 2008 9:05AM

Why would it benefit the seller to combine shipping? What if he combined and then they were
lost in the mail. He's lost two auctions not just one. Shipping separately is wise in my opinion.
Now, if the coins arrive in the same package then that's another story. But, complain after the
fact is like shutting the barn door after the horses have left. No point.

bob

LindeDad · August 6, 2008 9:37AM

I do not see that $6.00 is excessive shipping. You said the items are worth more than sold for. By the time the seller pays postage and insurance he is probably losing more money than what he got hit for on the auctions, plus he is still out the auction fees.

atom48coin · August 6, 2008 10:23AM

<< 

<< His S/H per item is $3, with no mention of discounted S/H. >>

bidder knows the terms and should pay according to terms without complaint >>

I agree with the above. And besides, the coins weigh the same, cost as much to package and ship (disregarding insurance) as higher grade coins. Shipping cost complaints are really beginning to irk me from eBayers who seem to expect everything for free. Try these antics at your local stores, and you'll walk out empty handed.

sweetwilliet · August 6, 2008 10:42AM

If I were the buyer, I would pay the $6 for shipping, smile that I got a deal, and then leave 5 stars and a positive.

Edited to add: Sorry, I did make the assumption it was on ebay.

BlindedByEgo · August 6, 2008 10:43AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< His S/H per item is $3, with no mention of discounted S/H. >>

bidder knows the terms and should pay according to terms without complaint >>

I agree 100% >>

Ditto

On a side note, how much do you want to ream this seller who has already lost more than the shipping cost on these two items? >>

Excessive S/H? $6 for 2 items that total $16! Opinions?

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