Need advice w/ ebay seller and overpriced shipping. >:(

[ashlyne]

I bought this auction of 7 mommy charms almost two weeks ago, and the auction description said shipping was $7. I think I won the auction at a pretty good price, so the only thing that really bothers me is that the seller is going to make a hefty profit off the shipping since at the very most, shipping would be $3.85 priority.

Anyway, I've tried contacting the seller 4 or 5 times through ebay and 2-3 times directly through my other two emails to ask if she could send it by padded envelope, regular mail and also an invoice with the shipping amount. I never got a response, except once a couple of days ago where all she said was "this is the first email I've gotten from you" and never answered my shipping question. I never got an ebay invoice, which she said she sent, with the shipping amount (it's not automatically added in thru the checkout). I was really nervous about buying something from a seller that either won't or can't communicate, and even more so without an invoice.

So I just paid through Paypal and entered $3.85 for Priority saying that if she needed a handling fee to feel free to send me a money request for that amount or send the charms first class and keep the change (that's about a $3 profit). I went into a lengthy explanation in the Paypal payment about how I've tried contacting her and just needed to know the exact amount directly from her for my records (mainly I just want to establish communication!) She refunded the payment saying "Please send correct amount or I will not accept it. Thanks, L."

I think I will just bite the bullet and send the $7, because I don't think there's anything else I can do. But what if they arrive with a $1.04 stamp in a crappy envelope? Do I report excessive shipping costs? What sort of feedback do I leave? I'm I getting bent out of shape for nothing?

What would you do?

 

[Gummypony]

No you have every right to complain, I for one will not stand for being soaked on shipping. if I see an outragous amount on an auction I don't bid on it unless I am dying to have it. theres a few things you can try, report it to ebay of coarse, or file against her on paypal IF in her listing it does not specify what the fees are for and then send the funds she deserves back to her. shes not even replying to you decently. but if your anal about negs on your profile beware this could earn you one. Me I don't care, I'd rather combat this problem.

 

[ashlyne]

I totally agree -- I was going to bid on that auction with the $7. And like I said, I'm fine paying it (although it's unfair) I just wanted to see if the seller would consider a cheaper method, or AT LEAST send me an official invoice. A simple yes or no would have eased my mind *but she never responded*

After several emails, I got concerned. What if I have a problem with the item or it got lost in the mail or was never sent? If my seller and I can't communicate, it could cause problems that I don't want to get into.

My main complaint was that the seller wasn't communicating with me. I would have paid no problem had she aknowledged the $7.00 shipping amount as the true amount and not a typo. I also don't like paying for things without the invoice, but as long as I'm talking with the seller, I'm fine.

Well, more news. I have been totally nice throughout this whole thing and I can send you all the copies of my emails to prove it.

Not even after 2 hours after she refused the first payment (during which I was out from the office and away from the computer) SHE FILES AN UNPAID ITEM STRIKE AGAINST ME!! For one, I NEVER ONCE implied I wasn't going to pay. In fact, I stated over and over again that I wanted to pay, was still interested in the items, and just wanted to establish communication. Secondly, according to her auction, I had 2 weeks to make my payment (by tomorrow morning) so her strike is premature by her own rules. Thirdly, why is she being this way? I have been more than friendly in all this.

This totally sucks. Well, I resent the payment (including the $7) and filed a request for retraction with ebay. I had to included all those emails and it was a hassle, but considering I tried to get ebay's help just 2 days ago and they never responded, plus I did pay, twice, they should be a bit more understanding. Let's hope.

 

[ashlyne]

At this point, I just want my charms and the Unpaid Item Strike revoked. I will DEFINITELY be raising a stink with ebay if the strike stays as that's uncalled for after all I've tried. I don't know that I'll leave any feedback, unless a neutral or neg is left for me for some reason. She does have a few negatives already; two for lack of communication (surprise surprise) and one was for apparently changing and inflating the shipping price mid-auction. Hmm.

I suspect the seller is pocketing shipping money and thought that's what I was asking about, and so avoided me. All I really wanted was a yes or no to an enveloped shipping. Then, all I wanted was SOME kind of response. Apparently that's too much to ask. Geesh! I feel like the seller's mad at me but I can't figure out why she would be.

Thanks for the advice on the Square Trade, but I'm going to hold out that ebay will take care of it, even if I have to talk to people one on one. I'm so paranoid about offending people I'm usually nice enough to not tick people off and get good results.

 

[ashlyne]

Still venting...

[quote="diet otaku]
if you were bothered that the seller was profiting from the shipping price, why did you bid?[/quote]

Because I wanted the charms more If it was $25 shipping, then I wouldn't have bid! While $7 is high for such tiny things, the total price was still acceptable.....just stings my faith in people's integrity.

I took a chance to ask if there was a cheaper shipping method (in case it was a typo or leftover from a much heavier auction) and I got ignored and an ebay strike for all my efforts. That's what's most upsetting. If I knew this auction was going to be this much trouble, I wouldn't have bid.

I think the seller is sore because she's tried to sell this auction for much, much more than my winning bid and was unsuccessful. Well, I've had a fairly good run with ebay transactions. Guess something was bound to happen sometime.

 

[ashlyne]

I got a couple of messages from ebay this morning and they did retract the Unpaid Item Strike :nanana: so I'm in the clear. Now all I have to worry about is whether or not the seller will drop a neg on me out of spite.

I'll worry about that later!

fluffythighs - I know what you mean. You almost have to tell the sellers what flaws you're looking for for them to really give a proper description, but most of it's common sense! It's a hassle and I really hope everything works out for you and your auctions. That pony project fiasco is a doozy!