What if seller over charges for shipping?

[bblebee3]

I just purchased an ipod on eBay. Insured, the package should cost less than $15 (insured and tracked) to mail via Canada Post from one Ontario city to another. The seller is charging $30. Is  over-charging for shipping allowed? How would I get a refund for the difference? ?:|

[toby_le_pue]

Have you contacted the seller and asked them.

When the shipping price is clearly indicated in the listing the time to question it is before you bid.

You seen it and srill bid so you have no real complaint.

You could try the following which was in the listing.

((((If you are unhappy with the item please contact before leaving negative or neutral feedback to resolve any issues. You should receive a response within 24 hours.))))

[femmefan1946]

Well, it is possible that the seller will use ExpressPost or even Priority Post, which are more expensive than Regular or Expedited Parcel.

However.

Once upon a time, eBay charged a fee on the selling price, but shipping did not attract fees.

Some sellers would keep their item price low (Sometimes less than a dollar) and make their profit on the shipping. (Such as charging $30 when actual postage was only $15).

EBay has since changed their policy and shipping attacts the same fees as selling.

One result is that the buyer’s cost has risen to include those fees.

So which is cheaper :

$1 with $30 shipping?

$16 with $15 shipping?

$31 with Free Shipping?

In the end, if the total you pay is acceptable, then you have no reason to complain.

And of course, since the shipping was given in the listing, you have even less reason to complain.

[oskye]

Some sellers use shipping as a way to make a bit extra.  And some also factor in a handling charge - all the additional costs and time such as box or envelope, packing material, wrap, etc., as well as their time to handle and package, plus their time and gas to travel to the post office and stand in line, etc.

I know.  Sounds whiny to me too, but some feel this is significant and it can mean a much higher price.

Lesson is to do your checking BEFORE you buy.  If you feel the shipping is too high, ask the seller if they have options.  Politely suggest it could be lower, based on what you`ve seen from the USPS or Can Post website, or what some other sellers offer.  If the seller still wants too high a price than what you want to pay, then look elsewhere.