eBay

hitokiri_ookima · ‎12-17-2012

I was looking to purchase something of interest (a rpg wii game). Since it didn't list the shipping I contacted te seller to get the shipping cost.

I just got this as a reply...

"Go on canada post and put my postal code in then ur's . the box size is 8h x 6w x 1d. it will tell u the cost"

Wow, this is a first time for me that a seller, actually doesn't bother to give me an answer. I have to do all the work to get an answer.

Just for that, I'll be looking elsewhere. What a nice way to treat a potential customer.

Is it just me who finds this somewhat insulting (might not be the right word but I can't think of another right now)

patken123 · ‎12-17-2012

WOW,sellers like that should be on every buyer's block list.

It is insulting and also shows how frustrated this seller is with lack of sales.

bb_cool_stuff · ‎12-17-2012

Again wow, talk about the proverbial "biting the hand that feeds you."

While most of the questions i receive are quite ridiculous & are usually covered in the description, i always respond to their questions & sign off with "Thanks for viewing"

Good Gawd, takes less than a minute to respond to a question, frustrating one or not.

piterpater005 · ‎12-18-2012

I'm on the fence on this one. I actually think I might prefer finding out the cost myself.

#1, I know its accurate

#2, I know the seller is charging actual postage.

I like both of those.

cumos55 · ‎12-18-2012

How many buyers know

where to find the website

and how to do the calculation.

There was a time when a shipping quote was forwarded... buyer was put off by the high value.

Then I gave him a link to Canada Post's page... with all of the dimensions fo the parcel as well as weight... and finally my postal code... and explained what he had to do to get an answer.

This person was actually surprised as to the real cost of postage....

I suspect he became a better buyer as a result.

stevephinn2012 · ‎12-18-2012

I'm on the fence on this one. I actually think I might prefer finding out the cost myself.

#1, I know its accurate

#2, I know the seller is charging actual postage.

I like both of those.

Have to disagree ! YES you would know what it SHOULD be but nowhere did the seller commit to actually only charging what Canada post says!. Once you buy it they could now charge you double and you have nothing from them saying they would charge youexactly what Canada Posts web-site says.

That is why i like to see it in an email right from the seller saying what shipping will be.

lionz-bay · ‎12-18-2012

I've been asked by buyers in the past shipping costs (even when it was clearly listed) and would never think of doing that.

As long as I have their postal/zip code (or State) it takes me 2-4 minutes to find out the shipping cost and to reply.

nuvistors · ‎12-18-2012

I'm on the fence on this one. I actually think I might prefer finding out the cost myself.

#1, I know its accurate

#2, I know the seller is charging actual postage.

I like both of those.

Have to disagree ! YES you would know what it SHOULD be but nowhere did the seller commit to actually only charging what Canada post says!. Once you buy it they could now charge you double and you have nothing from them saying they would charge youexactly what Canada Posts web-site says.

That is why i like to see it in an email right from the seller saying what shipping will be.

The seller could be setting the buyer up for a scam.

cumos55 · ‎12-18-2012

You do your calculation

You calculate Regular Parcel.

Seller charges Xpresspost

Seller mails Expedited Canada.

Three Canada Post options, three different realities.

pierrelebel · ‎12-18-2012

Buyer #1 : "How much to ship your item to me?"

Seller: Where do you live?

Buyer #1 : "in Canada"

Seller: Could you please be more specific?

Buyer #1 " in Ontario"

Seller: What town, what is your postal code?

Buyer #1 : "I live in Belleville and my postal code is K8P 2Z0"

Seller: $12.50 is the shipping cost by Canada Post Expedited (about 5 days in transit)

Buyer #1: "that would take too much time" How much to get it here tomorrow or the next day?"

Seller : Priority Post would be $55.00

Buyer # 1 : "That's too much. Forget it".

A few hours later, the seller receives this inquiry:

Buyer #2: "How much to ship your item to me?"

Seller: Here are the weight and measurements and you can reach Canada Post at this website!

hitokiri_ookima · ‎12-18-2012

I clearly told the seller my postal code and the city / province from where I was.

At this point it wasn't a 20 questions answer. Just a simple x amount via x method of shipping.

its not like I don't know how ebay works, I've been buying for over 10 years.

pierrelebel · ‎12-18-2012

Maybe you were buyer #2.

The seller was not unhappy with you. He may have had a bad experience with a previous potential buyer.

patken123 · ‎12-18-2012

May be you should do what I do ,when I want to buy something off ebay,I only look at items which has the shipping charge to my postal code clearly stated,if it doesn't,then I'll go to the next one ,and there are many with shipping cost mentioned in black and white ,no guessing game .

aqyera · ‎12-18-2012

Glad I am not only one who did not find this offensive.

Shoppers are not offended by Walmart style self-shopping experience and waiting 15min in checkout, but they do by online merchant asking them to take control of shipping costs and spend 1 min looking it up. Perhaps that merchant does it intentionally to repel grumpy buyers 😉 Some businesses are picky about their customers.

Wow, this is a first time for me that a seller, actually doesn't bother to give me an answer. I have to do all the work to get an answer.

It's actually amazing that you feel entitled seller should do this work for you. Some buyers think they are doing sellers a favor by taking interest in their item, but the fact is seller put it up there and it is you who solicited. I put something on Kijiji and I am expecting buyers to actually show up 😮 No ma'am, I don't do deliveries. Some actually drive 20-30min to get the stuff.

May be you should do what I do ,when I want to buy something off ebay,I only look at items which has the shipping charge to my postal code clearly stated,if it doesn't,then I'll go to the next one ,and there are many with shipping cost mentioned in black and white ,no guessing game .

Bingo! Don't like it, move on.

hitokiri_ookima · ‎12-18-2012

ah I see, I understand better now.

thanks for the clarification Pierre!

xtremetech99 · ‎12-18-2012

Lazy seller yes.

Usually i know the shipping prices without even looking. Ship prices should be listed flat rate or you just put in your postal code and it should tell you.

hitokiri_ookima · ‎12-18-2012

it was a wii game, those usually cost about 3$ to ship within canada, but I have had some sellers tried charging 10$ to ship items of the same dimensions (2 cm and less in thickness)

my email was simply to know before bidding the real cost and not be surprised once bought.

In the 10 years of buying, this was a first. I know sellers can have bad experience, and sure he will probably sell that item anyway, but customer service ain't what it used to be...

patken123 · ‎12-18-2012

Dear aqyera ,buyers are absolutely entitled to know how much an item is going to cost IN TOTAL,I don't get the resistance to make things difficult for every one by not providing the shipping cost right up front?are you saying it makes business sense to hide the cost ?and if the buyer insists to know the cost before committing to buy ,to be told go find it out yourself?

It is obviously frustrating to keep getting the same questions day in and day out but as they say if the kitchen is too hot.....

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎12-19-2012

Buyer #1 : "How much to ship your item to me?"

Seller: Where do you live?

Buyer #1 : "in Canada"

Seller: Could you please be more specific?

Buyer #1 " in Ontario"

Seller: What town, what is your postal code?

Buyer #1 : "I live in Belleville and my postal code is K8P 2Z0"

Seller: $12.50 is the shipping cost by Canada Post Expedited (about 5 days in transit)

Buyer #1: "that would take too much time" How much to get it here tomorrow or the next day?"

Seller : Priority Post would be $55.00

Buyer # 1 : "That's too much. Forget it".

A few hours later, the seller receives this inquiry:

Buyer #2: "How much to ship your item to me?"

Seller: Here are the weight and measurements and you can reach Canada Post at this website!

LoL. I'd have asked for the buyer's postal / zip code right with my first response.

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎12-19-2012

I did have one person (shouldn't call him/her buyer since they didn't buy from me) asked me a few questions about a certain book (all my books are 2nd hand), such as when I bought it, how old was it, is there colour pages inside (when I had photos showing inside pages are grayscale)... and after I answered all questions and added a "thank you for your interest in my items!" for each of them, the person disappeared. Quite annoying. X-(