I have won an auction on an item that was in the Worldwide listing, stated as being in Switzerland, but actually located in Italy. The item was available to Canada, but the shipping cost was not listed.
The Item is first listed on April 13 with a minimum bid of C$194. It is priced too high for me. Item does not sell on April 22.
The Item is relisted ending May 3 with a minimum bid of C$179. I ask for an estimate on shipping on May 1 and was quoted C$27. I do not place a bid because the total plus shipping exceeds my limit. Item does not sell.
The Item is relisted ending on May 11 with a minimum bid of C$149. I place a bid but the seller cancels my bid and withdraws the item before the 12 hr cancellation deadline. There is no explanation.
The Item is relisted ending on May 21 with a minimum bid of C$134. I place a minimum bid after the 12 hr cancellation deadline so that it can’t be cancelled. Seconds before the end of the auction I place a maximum bid but there are no other bidders and the item sells for the minimum bid of C$134. I immediately try to pay by PayPal but I am prevented from completing payment because the seller needs to invoice for shipping. I request an invoice, reminding the seller of the previous estimate of C$27. I do not hear back, so I send a second request including an Italian translation. On May 22 I receive an invoice that includes the selling price and a C$67 shipping price.
I question the increase in shipping from C$27 to C$67. In a series of emails I am told that the original quote of C$27 was for shipping and that the remainder was for an Italian Export Tax. I cannot find any evidence of such a tax on the internet, or on ebay. I explain that I will be paying an import tax when it arrives in Canada. There is a comment that the new value of the item is worth much more and that the item is in near new condition. It is stated that the C$27 shipping quote was for the previous auction which is now invalid, and that the shipping quote for this auction is C$67. I begin to get the sense that the seller is trying to maximize the profit by artificially increasing the shipping cost. I am asked to communicate and negotiate outside of ebay, which I refuse. I finally request a cancellation of the transaction but the seller refuses, stating that the listing has resulted in expenses. I request an explanation of expenses because a cancellation does not incur expenses.
What should I do? The dispute resolution process seems to focus on the seller obtaining the money without the ability of the buyer to explain the reasons for not paying.
