Seller used a cheaper shipping method than what I paid for and won't refund the difference.

[degenerationjay]

I paid for an item and the seller shipped it with Canada Post Letter mail. However, I paid for standard shipping as that is what he was charging. He updated the status today of my order to "shipped," but there was no tracking number. So I asked about it, and that's when he told me he used the cheaper shipping method since we are in the same province and he accepted a lower price for the item from me. He did this without telling me about it.

I mean, I don't want to be difficult, but shouldn't he be refunding me the difference in shipping method? The seller is clearly trying to make some sort of profit out of the cheaper shipping method after I paid for the more expensive one.

[marnotom!]

While it’s certainly good customer service to refund excess shipping charges in a case such as yours, the seller is under no obligation to do so.

Keep in mind that “standard shipping” is an eBay description sellers can pick out from a list of generic options; it’s basically what the seller feels their chosen shipping method best meshes with in terms of delivery time estimates.

[degenerationjay]

It's standard shipping from Canada Post, not from ebay.

[marnotom!]

As far as I know, Canada Post does not offer a mailing method called “Standard Shipping”. What does the listing page say in the Shipping sections and does the seller elaborate on this in the listing description?

[degenerationjay]

It's Canada Post Regular Parcel.

[marnotom!]

Okay, that’s a somewhat different ball of wax, then. Unfortunately, there is no eBay mechanism or procedure to dispute this sort of switcheroo; eBay doesn’t involve itself in these sorts of disputes.

Point out to the seller that your offer was made based on the shipping method and price described in the listing. Basically, throw his reasoning back at him. If that gets you nowhere, your best recourse is to leave the seller appropriate but calm, measured feedback, but be sure you don't threaten him with this feedback in your communication with him.  Don’t forget, he can’t leave you negative feedback in response (although he can reply directly to your feedback comment).

[femmefan1946]

However, I paid for standard shipping as that is what he was charging.

Did his listing say "standard shipping"? or did it say "Regular Parcel"?

 If the former, he is in the right, no matter what he charged as a Flat Rate.

Shipping costs are based on weight and dimensions , even for LetterPost.

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/personal/sending/letters-mail/postage-rates.page

Parcels also include distance.

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/information/app/far/business/findARate?execution=e1s1

Canada Post shipping is surprisingly expensive to most people who don't use it every day.

[marnotom!]

@femmefan1946, the issue of the stated shipping method was sorted earlier in the thread.

And I think Canada Post remains surprisingly expensive even to people who use it almost every day. 😉

[needsmorerobots]

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@marnotom! wrote:
@femmefan1946, the issue of the stated shipping method was sorted earlier in the thread.

And I think Canada Post remains surprisingly expensive even to people who use it almost every day. 😉

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You got that right. And in September it'll feel even more expensive.

You think by now the only ones using Canada Post are digging cash out of their Gucci wallet while slipping the currency across the counter from a hand attached to a wrist wearing a Rolex.