eBay

sherbert316 · ‎03-11-2013

Hi need some advice as I just purchased 5 pairs of shoes from a guy in the US (Alabama to be exact). Total amount is $43.40 canadian I ask for combined shipping and this is what he tells me:

The shoes weigh over 9lbs and can only be sent via USPS priority mail international. $65 for the shipping.

I ask if there is any cheaper option and he says:

Anything over 4lbs cannot be shipped first class mail. This is the only option

I live in Ontario and for some reason feel like I am getting squeezed. I've purchased lots of items from the states recently and this total just seems too high I mean I'm buying 5 used shoes and the shipping is higher then the total for the shoes.

Advice? Do I have any options?

sherbert316 · ‎04-04-2013

So I received my items yesterday and the listed postage and fees is $45.45 and the item did weigh 9lbs and 5 ozs.

So a lot lower then $65...so should I pursue the issue?

treasure.hunter.d · ‎04-04-2013

So I received my items yesterday and the listed postage and fees is $45.45 and the item did weigh 9lbs and 5 ozs.

So a lot lower then $65...so should I pursue the issue?

And there you have it in a nutshell why people don't trust sellers. As a Canadian seller I tried recently to up my shipping charges by a couple of bucks to try and recoup a bit of the fees and costs that basically have been eating into my profit while I tried to be competitive with US sellers. In the space of a week I got so many complaints that I basically gave up and when i tried to explain to people all of the costs involved they assumed and responded like I was BS'ing them despite my perfect feedback and lots of comments on my great shipping and packaging. You think that you can safely package a teacup and saucer and send it expedited with insurance to the US from Canada for $16.95 .Not bloody likely but a boatload of Americans think you are making money on shipping at that price as opposed to the reality of losing a couple of bucks every time. Because of sellers like this guy who intentionally mislead and rob people the rest of us pay!

pierrelebel · ‎04-04-2013

"so should I pursue the issue?"

Considering the difference is $19 (less whatever FVF the seller has to pay to eBay on the shipping charge), I would contact the seller and ask if there was a "mistake" since he quoted $65.00 for shipping, you paid $65.00 as requested, and now realized the actual out-of-pocket postage cost was $45.45.

Personally, I would leave the question as above only. No reference to feedback or anything else, just a simple question: has a mistake been made? (not did you make a mistake?)

Then give it a few days and see what reply you get.

sherbert316 · ‎04-07-2013

So after looking into the issue she has decided that I have been overcharged by $11.00 instead of the $20 I have calculated when I asked for an explanation this is what I got. Does this sound reasonable or should I be pursing the $9 thru Paypal Resolution.. Thanks

Basically you paid $9 more for handling. Generally speaking on every item that ships domestically I factor in $1-2 for shipping supplies, tape, black markers, packing material, fuel to go to the post office and lastly my time to do it. You live in Canada, so it's actually a little more for you. You bought 5 items, one of which I was nice enough to not even charge shipping on AND send it internationally which is becoming more expensive every day. Also did I mention that eBay charges me a "final value fee" on all shipping costs paid to the seller. I hope you can understand that I don't " make" any money on shipping costs. However, I did make a $10-11 error on yours. I think it had to do with me giving you FREE shipping on the space suit. All in all you did pay LESS than you would have paid had I not combined all of the items together. I will send the $11 to you through paypal if would like me to. Let me know. Thanks
!

pierrelebel · ‎04-07-2013

"Does this sound reasonable"

Yes.

Thank the seller for the $11 refund.

She is under no obligation to give you any refund.

There is nothing PayPal, eBay or anybody can do. Most sellers correctly charge a bit more when combining many items for shipment out of the country. The difference is a bit more than $8 in this case.

Although sellers are not allowed to specifically charge for the fees they pay eBay, keep in mind that your seller had to pay FVF on the shipping charge and higher PayPal fees (1.00% cross border fee) because you are in Canada.

$11 sound fair to me.