seller asking for more money after auction end

[holisticbirth]

I messaged the seller 4-5 days before auction end to ask if they would ship 1st class to Canada despite the priority shipping cost on the listing. Seller said they'd ship 1st class if I won. I won at a low price (I was the only bidder) the seller now wants me to pay priority shipping (about $20 more than 1st class should be). They tell me they don't know how to find 1st class shipping costs but will reimburse me IF the 1st class shipping for the 2 oz. item is less than priority & if I don't like it I should cancel my purchase. I took the time to contact the seller & bid because I wanted the item! What should I do? Thanks.

[leb17]

Hi holisticbirth

When you email the seller and ask them if they would send the item at a cheaper price, did you get a quote from the seller?

If not then you don't have a leg to stand on.

If you did get a quote then refresh the seller mind with the quoted price. and be nice about it in your email.

Also maybe you and the seller can come to a agreement to cancel the transaction (NOTE: BOTH seller and buyer MUST agree),, if done proper you are off the hook and the seller recovers their FVF (Final Value Fees from eBay and will be able to relist the item.

Both smelling like a rose.

[dmil8030 · Accepted solution]

Hello 'holisticbirth',

Exactly what you should do is up to you, really.  If it were me, I would find the earlier message the seller sent me, - the one where she says she will ship First Class.  I would send another message to her from that one.  In it, I would post this link:

http://ircalc.usps.com/?country=10054

pointing out how easy it is to find the First Class rates.  She simply goes down to where it says Select Shape and chooses Package, then enters the weight.  On the next page she scrolls down to where it says First Class Mail International Options, clicks that, and there's the cost to Canada.  Easy easy easy. 🙂

Then I'd wait to see how she responds.  It may turn out that the Mutual Cancellation is the only way, - . . . or the least worst way, at any rate.  You can leave feedback on a cancellation.  For that matter, you can leave feedback if you feel you have no choice but pay the higher amount.  If you don't pay, she might file an Unpaid Item case against you, - and if that compelled you to pay, again, you can leave feedback.  No need to mention all this feedback, however, -- she already knows.

Perhaps once she sees just how easy it is to get the First Class rate to Canada, she will be greatly relieved and all will go well. ... Perhaps. 😉

[holisticbirth]

Thank you! I'll try sending her the link to USPS. I'm worried about this seller tho because she acted as if she was brand-new on eBay (& she doesn't have a ton of sales) & seemed to need help figuring out postage. Then this....& I when I did more research this is her 5th eBay member name since '09. It sounds deliberate...& yes, she agreed to my offered OVER estimate of 1st class shipping originally to solve her confusion. Thanks for the help. I'll cancel & leave FB if she still can't figure it out. Appreciate it!

[west.coast.stamps]

Feedback given and left is a better indication of experience on eBay than name changes, which may reflect only a change in product line (would you buy vintage motorcycle parts from "prettyblueeyes"?) or a flighty mind.

The seller may have very limited experience with shipping to Canada, no matter how many sales she has. Not only is our market 10% of the US market, but Canadians do not have the same tradition of buying by mail that Americans do.

Priority shipping gives the seller peace of mind, because the parcel is Delivery Confirmed, which is not possible with First Class International.

The shipping cost goes to the USPS. It is not a profit centre for the seller.