Am I being scammed? Advice please.

[klondiketradingcompany]

Hi all, I'm a new seller, just had my first sale, when I sent the Invoice to the buyer, they sent a message back claiming I had changed the listing from free shipping to buyer pays. I checked the revisions and only had one change to the description (spelling error) prior to his bids. 

what should I do in this case

Thanks in advance

[pjcdn2005 · Accepted solution]

Off topic...is it a mistake that you are using xpresspost to the US for your Epson printer and HP toner listings?  It’s unlikely that a buyer is going to pay around $100 for shipping.

Also, I realize there are other mystery boxes listed on eBay but they are a violation of the rules and may be taken down.  If I were you, I would take it down before eBay does it for you. As a new seller, you probably don’t want a violation.

Examples of listings and products that are not allowed:

• Mystery items where contents aren't identified

• An opportunity to win an item by chance or skill

• Giveaways, lotteries,

https://www.ebay.ca/pages/help/policies/listing-bonus-prize-giveaway-raffle.html

[klondiketradingcompany · Accepted solution]

Thanks I took it down right away, your right I don't want any strikes on me. I changed my shipping to expedited, would that be the best? my articles are 13lbs and 7.5 lbs Thanks again for the help

[pjcdn2005 · Accepted solution]

I don’t know if the glitch is still around but I have heard of buyers seeing free shipping when looking at listings on mobile and sometimes on a pc even though shipping was not free.

Once the listing had a bid, it wouldn’t have been possible for you to change shipping on the listing. (However, it would have been possible for you to do so on the invoice itself.  If the shipping is specified on the listing , there is no need to send an invoice. I know you didn’t change the cost, I’m just explaining how the system works)

Is the buyer in Canada? You obviously had a shipping charge entered so if he is here and really did see free shipping, then the problem must have been on ebays end.  If he was anywhere else, you don’t have a cost specified but that still would not have shown as free shipping though.

I would just apologize to the buyer, explain that it wasn’t possible for you to change the listing so if they saw free shipping, that would have been caused by a problem in the system. Ask if he would like you to cancel.

[klondiketradingcompany · Accepted solution]

The buyer is in the US, I apologized and explained that I had chosen the wrong carrier and they agreed to canceling the sale, all is good, I canceled it ... thanks for your help

[momcqueen · Accepted solution]

Can you show us the Free Shipping screenshot he sent you? Maybe it’s a glitch.

Or share the listing and his ship-to country?

Wait... it’s the cricut one that ended at $16.50? Well, it’s not a high-value item so I don’t think you can give him free shipping even if he expects it for no reason.

Is it definitely your listing in the screenshot?

I’ve had Free Shipping show in search on my items where none existed in the past but that hasn’t been for years. It was a bug they squished.

I think this will end in a cancel
Order at buyer request. Then it’s up to you whether you relist or second-chance Offer it to the next highest bidder.

[klondiketradingcompany · Accepted solution]

You're right it is the cricut. Yes the ad is for my Item in the screenshot but when I view from my PC the ad shows a shipping calculation based on my Postal Code .. I don't mind taking a loss if I messed up in my listing but I just want to be sure its actually my error and not a scam, the buyer just joined 1 month ago as well

[klondiketradingcompany · Accepted solution]

I just noticed, when I am on the listing and try to calculate shipping cost via "Shipping and Payment" tab I get a "Shipping cost cannot be calculated. Please enter a valid postal code" message

[momcqueen · Accepted solution]

I have to surmise your buyer is American then. When I enter my American-address zip code I get that message but it calculates fine to my Canadian one. When I pick an international destination, I get Contact Seller.

[momcqueen · Accepted solution]

Notwithstanding that, a error in the listing does not equal free shipping for your buyer. What postal service did you select for it for Americans? My suspicion is that you picked an incompatible postal service for Americans like International-something which works for everyone else in the world except for our neighbours to the south. Apologize for the glitch. Tell him you'll cancel on his request. A problem with your listing that's as big if not bigger is the the product is untested. You can't sell 'as is' by saying 'as is' you have to list it as Untested-For Parts unless you want to get whacked with a Not as Described case.

[momcqueen · Accepted solution]

Also.... aren't other people selling this same thing (tested to be working if used) for $150 more?! Is there any possible way you can confirm that you've got a working item on your hands? It appears to my untrained eye that this is a whole heck of a lot more valuable of a piece of equipment than what it sold for if it actually works. I mean, it probably does. But there are craft buyers who search for 'as is' in item description simply to get things for free for exploiting sellers who haven't listed untested items quite properly. Also, it wouldn't protect you from a return if the buyer doesn't want it but it does save you return shipping. If this item is really worth $164 and the buyer for it for $16, they have a hot lot of nerve complaining it will cost them whatever in shipping. I see red flags here. I'm not saying your buyer is scammy but this has an odour to it. If you like, we can walk you through postage settings to eliminate the problem with Cannot Calculate and then talk about how to properly list Untested products.

[momcqueen · Accepted solution]

(That should say 'crafty' buyers as opposed to 'craft' buyers which is a bit funny because this is a craft supply appliance item.)

[klondiketradingcompany · Accepted solution]

Screenshot --- > https://photos.app.goo.gl/syDgZZMYKV2oDKzR6

[klondiketradingcompany · Accepted solution]

thanks for the info re "as is" .. Yes it was international selected I'm pretty sure and the buyer is in the USA ... I've changed my ads now to "Canada Post Small Packets - USA - Air" for US buyers ... thanks again for all your help

[femmefan1946 · Accepted solution]

You can change the postal code to see what his cost should be. I use 90210 for USA and K1A 0A6 for Eastern Canada (it's the House of Commons).

[momcqueen · Accepted solution]

The screenshot looks legit but that’s a bug that needs to be reported. You’ve specified a service to the USA that can’t be used and the listing should give an error message and not say free. Plus, what weird device is your buyer using? Android? It’s not the eBay iPhone app or mobile view so I don’t recognize it. But the tech team should be alerted to this problem.

[klondiketradingcompany]

Thank you all for your help, the issue has been resolved with the buyer accepting my apologies and agreeing to have the order cancelled

I will notify Ebay of the incident re: my selection of International Tracking resulting in a glitch with US buyers

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

It's possible they thought Shipping not Specified meant free shipping. Instead of needing to contact you. When I checked some of your current listings for shipping to the USA no shipping is noted. May have been what caused their confusion and error.

-Lotz

[klondiketradingcompany]

sorry my bad, I forgot to mention they sent a screen shot indicating "Free Shipping" under my ad .. (easily photoshoped I think) .. as far as I know I did not check of free shipping on the ad and when I view it I see a fee, wich leads me to believe I am charging for shipping .. I'll review my listings to be sure .. like I said I'm a newb and it's all so confusing lol ..jk .. thanks