Ebay seller switch-aroo

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 4:11 am

So dont have much history with shifty sellers on Ebay, but would like an opinion.

Bought some EBC clutch plates at a good price with "normally priced" UPS Ground shipping of $15.46.

Quote:

Item condition: New
81-82 Honda CB900 F EBC Clutch plates
Price: US $66.64
Shipping: $15.46UPS Ground

Then I got the email the item shipped and it said...

Quote:

Your order 7*** has shipped and the tracking information is below. Thank you for your business!

Shipped on 4/14/2010 using USPS Priority: *************5511

There is now way it cost 15 bucks to priority mail a package unless you were shipping George W Bush's ego. Laughing

Should I contact the seller and request a partial refund of my shipping costs?

**To note, the seller already left me positive feedback so I don't have to dodge that bullet later**

Here are all the shipping options he has listed, USPS Priority is not even listed!

Quote:

US $15.46 UPS Ground
US $32.80 USPS Express Mail®
US $65.54 UPS Next Day Air®

His rating is 99.4% Positive feedback.

****Just checked his feedback and saw this-->

Quote:

Charged me $13 to ship, then spent only $2 to send by slow mail. Waited 6 days. Apr-14-10 06:46

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 10:34 am

My advice: Wait and see what it actually says on the package for price of shipping and see how long it takes.

Are you using a PO Box or a street address? UPS won't ship to PO Boxes. Might be the reason for the swap. He also may have underestimated shipping and it was heavier than expected, so to not lose money on the deal he shipped it USPS which is usually cheap.

I would say if the package arrives in 4 days or less, in good shape, and it did actually cost about that to ship just consider yourself lucky. If it costs him 5.99 to ship then you have a beef in the fact he did not say shipping "AND HANDLING", which means he is charging you for the cost PLUS packaging, time and effort to get it to the shipper.

I always state shipping and handling in my auctions, and also put a caveat that if it costs less I will refund a difference if more than 2 dollars less. I also state if I mess up and it costs between 1 and 5 dollars more to ship, I will eat the costs. Then again, I have hundreds of feedback and 100 percent is positive, with many being shipping related kudos.

Smile

Vince

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 11:36 am

I think those shipping cost are a little on the high side I think.

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 12:00 pm

I usually request USPS priority mail because it is FAST, anywhere in the lower 48. I use them because they are CHEAP when you are shipping heavy or moderately bulky items, such as clutch disks.

Those shipping prices have to be made up, there is no way that USPS would be over $32 to ship. Even if he packed it himself and didn't use a flat rate box, it would only be about $15-$20. The large flat rate box (around $12) should have been adequate leaving enough room for secure packaging. And in most cases (ie > %90) UPS is more expensive by a pretty large margin.

That being said, wait till it arrives and see how it was packed/shipped. I would be the seller used a flat rate box and just threw the parts in there with a bit of bubble wrap. I would not hesitate to ask for a partial refund on shipping costs in this case. Ebay has attempted to set strict shipping cost restrictions on sellers to eliminate this exact issue. People would have a BIN auction for $0.99 and the shipping would be $40. I am sure if you started a dispute you would easily get a partial refund awarded to you.

I don't think that "shipping AND handling" is in question here. I think the issue in question is the fact that the shipper seems to have chosen the shipping option that suits HIM best, and not what the buyer requested. In a sense it is false advertising when they advertise UPS shipping as the cheapest at $15.46. The buyer sees the rests of the services as being way too expensive and picks the cheapest option. Meanwhile, the seller had no intention of even using the other options, because he can use USPS and ship the item for 1/3 of the US cost and pocket the difference.

I have, in the past, asked sellers to ship items in a flat rate box (if i know it will fit) instead of any option listed to save me some money. Most will, no questions asked and only charge a couple bucks over the flat rate price. That's fine with me since it covers their packaging and transport to the PO if necessary.

Just my .02

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 12:24 pm

lapoltba wrote:

I usually request USPS priority mail because it is FAST, anywhere in the lower 48. I use them because they are CHEAP when you are shipping heavy or moderately bulky items, such as clutch disks.

Those shipping prices have to be made up, there is no way that USPS would be over $32 to ship. Even if he packed it himself and didn't use a flat rate box, it would only be about $15-$20. The large flat rate box (around $12) should have been adequate leaving enough room for secure packaging. And in most cases (ie > %90) UPS is more expensive by a pretty large margin.

That being said, wait till it arrives and see how it was packed/shipped. I would be the seller used a flat rate box and just threw the parts in there with a bit of bubble wrap. I would not hesitate to ask for a partial refund on shipping costs in this case. Ebay has attempted to set strict shipping cost restrictions on sellers to eliminate this exact issue. People would have a BIN auction for $0.99 and the shipping would be $40. I am sure if you started a dispute you would easily get a partial refund awarded to you.

I don't think that "shipping AND handling" is in question here. I think the issue in question is the fact that the shipper seems to have chosen the shipping option that suits HIM best, and not what the buyer requested. In a sense it is false advertising when they advertise UPS shipping as the cheapest at $15.46. The buyer sees the rests of the services as being way too expensive and picks the cheapest option. Meanwhile, the seller had no intention of even using the other options, because he can use USPS and ship the item for 1/3 of the US cost and pocket the difference.

I have, in the past, asked sellers to ship items in a flat rate box (if i know it will fit) instead of any option listed to save me some money. Most will, no questions asked and only charge a couple bucks over the flat rate price. That's fine with me since it covers their packaging and transport to the PO if necessary.

Just my .02

I completley agree with you. I think from now on when i purchase something online i'm going to ask for a cheaper shipping option. eah if it comes packed shitty i would definetly raise some ruckus.

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 12:55 pm

lapoltba wrote:

Those shipping prices have to be made up, there is no way that USPS would be over $32 to ship.

For USPS Express Mail the charges could easily hit near $32. Express Mail is the overnight stuff.

I went to ship a package USPS Priority the other day. 3 lbs 4 oz, and the charge was $15. Went with UPS Ground for $11, but it wound up taking over a week to get from NY to CA.

I had another, smaller thing to ship to the SAME address in CA. It fit nicely into the USPS Priority Flat Rate box (the small one) and for just under $5, off it went. It was mailed two days later, and arrived in CA 2 days before the UPS Ground box got there. (And, it was mailed on a Saturday, and arrived in CA on Monday!)

I'd say, wait and see if you get it promptly. Priority Mail is really just First Class now, anything over 1 lb First Class gets a "Priority Mail" sticker. Most likely, it will show up sooner than with UPS Ground.

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:13 pm

Outback_Jon wrote:

lapoltba wrote:

Those shipping prices have to be made up, there is no way that USPS would be over $32 to ship.

For USPS Express Mail the charges could easily hit near $32. Express Mail is the overnight stuff.

My bad, I misread that...

Priority mail is really great if you can make use of their flat rate boxes for very dense items. Otherwise it is usually on par with UPS for cost. BUT, like you mentioned, we are talking about two different services here. UPS ground has got to be the slowest service available.

I have seeen packages sit in the warehouse for 3 days when they were only coming from the next state over. I swear that UPS quotes 7-14 days and regardless of how close you actually are, it will take a minimum of 7 days and probably closer to 14. USPS priority mail is 2-3 days in the US and it gets there. I have never had a package be longer than 3 days. I have shipped countless packages from upstate NY (the boonies) to CA with no issues. Fastest time ever was like yours, shipped from zip code 12885 on saturday morning, arrived at zip 90003 on monday afternoon.

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:14 pm

Yep, you guys confirm what I thought...

wait until i get the package and make sure it is in good shape, if so then I am going to ask him for a partial refund on the shipping (like $10). If he doesn't budge I just threaten negative feedback and opening a Ebay dispute. I am thinking i have a good leg to stand on with Ebay if i file a dispute, right?

I know I already got these thing pretty cheap and I only bought with him since he had a good (not perfect, but good) seller rating and all of his negatives/neutrals were either solved or dismissible, so I felt comfortable buying, at the time Rolling Eyes

.

If he would have listed USPS Priority mail I would have taken it cause I think it is a great service and it is FAST...i really do hate UPS unless it is a large item and needs to go that route. I usually have to wait until 5-6pm on a UPS delivery day to get my item since I am at the end of the route. But sometimes it comes earlier, so my day is kinda shot if i have to wait for a high price item by UPS since I don't want it to sit outside.

Only time will tell, thanks guys.

Lucas

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 6:15 am

Fuck that! Demand a refund or a partial refund. Way too much i think.

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 6:38 am

If he had sent an E-Mail saying that it shipped UPS would it have been too much then?
If you got a quote...and gave him money...he is just going to laugh at you.
Sorry.. but just my opinion.....
Peace,
Jebby

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 7:01 am

Jebbysan wrote:

If he had sent an E-Mail saying that it shipped UPS would it have been too much then?
If you got a quote...and gave him money...he is just going to laugh at you.
Sorry.. but just my opinion.....
Peace,
Jebby

No, cause it is not about the total price, it is about the cost of the service that he selected, not me. I'm fine with the total price I paid, it is about the profit on shipping, not even that profit and deceptive shipping!

I'm not going to let him profit by substituting services so he can make more money by listing a lower price item and then pulling a switch. I paid for UPS (cause he didn't allow USPS Priority) so i should have got UPS for $15. If he goes the other route, then I would have paid less for shipping in the auction.

If he had listed the auction with $15 USPS Priority, I would have gone elsewhere.

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:31 am

PoPoSisco wrote:

Jebbysan wrote:

If he had sent an E-Mail saying that it shipped UPS would it have been too much then?
If you got a quote...and gave him money...he is just going to laugh at you.
Sorry.. but just my opinion.....
Peace,
Jebby

No, cause it is not about the total price, it is about the cost of the service that he selected, not me. I'm fine with the total price I paid, it is about the profit on shipping, not even that profit and deceptive shipping!

I'm not going to let him profit by substituting services so he can make more money by listing a lower price item and then pulling a switch. I paid for UPS (cause he didn't allow USPS Priority) so i should have got UPS for $15. If he goes the other route, then I would have paid less for shipping in the auction.

If he had listed the auction with $15 USPS Priority, I would have gone elsewhere.

+1 on that. I totally agree.

If he had originally listed USPS as the shipping service, and gave the price, then I would agree with you Jebby. But since the seller decided to do a "switch-aroo" with shipping services with no communication or price adjustment, I think it is wrong and definitely agains Ebay policies.

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 1:16 pm

I just got hit 80USD to ship some small VF parts to Oz. I can guarantee they will arrive in a 39USD box. If you don't make certain of the price before the seller sends it (or you bid) then you risk being gouged.

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 5:00 pm

How did you pay? if you used paypal I would dispute it. The auction says UPS, you paid for UPS, it did not ship UPS. He will have a hard time fighting it.

Also CC's are great for disputing it as well.

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 6:39 pm

I see your point....but in the world of Jebby it like a PITA to me for ten bucks.
But then again it is not my money........
E-Bay pisses me off...and PayPal is run by monkeys......I will not deal with either.
Ten bucks is still a 12 pack of Coors! Very Happy

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 7:46 pm

I'll tell you what, for me to go to the post office here is a huge PITA. It's usually an hour of finding a parking place and waiting in line. I wouldn't even do it for $10 of "handling" profit. I only go there when I really have to or any other option is unavailable or prohibitively expensive.

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 7:51 pm

Jebby, it is worth it for the 12pack, but I would make it a 6 pack of MagicHat or something "non-american"... Twisted Evil

And yes, Paypal and ebay both suck, but there isn't much of an alternative at this point, especially for people like me in the boonies.

I have a lathe to sell but it's not worth putting on ebay cause shipping would be outrageously expensive.

Gene, when I ship USPS I usually order flat rate boxes online, and have them delivered to my house (for free). Then I print labels using paypal, for which I get a discount by paying with paypal/online. And then my local driver picks it up (for free again). So I haven't been to a post office in years. I wonder what they are for anymore?

Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:19 pm

genesound wrote:

I'll tell you what, for me to go to the post office here is a huge PITA. It's usually an hour of finding a parking place and waiting in line. I wouldn't even do it for $10 of "handling" profit. I only go there when I really have to or any other option is unavailable or prohibitively expensive.

I hear you there man....The New Braunfels post office is a Joke..wrapped in a falacy..surrounded by
stupidity.....I have an action plan now though! I drive the Vette there-all of the people surround the
car.....the line disappears for two minutes and poof......in and out Wink

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 4:15 am

Ok, so the plates arrived today and I was....................not very happy.

They came in this:

The guy put it in a priority mail document envelope! No padding, no packing, not a box, just an envelope... Mad

The plates look OK (though there was a slightly crushed corner on the box, but I dont think it damaged anything.)

SO here they are:

And I looked up the postage on it, $5.24 (Commercial Base Price) 1 lbs Priority from zone 7

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:52 pm

Leave him a Negative, put the clutches in, go riding and forget about it. Tattoo

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 12:42 am

So this is the response I got to my email:

Quote:

U.S. Mail is faster than UPS. We try to use the fastest shipping method. And the charge is for shipping and HANDLING. Nevertheless, if you will leave us 5-star positive feedback, we will refund $10.22. Let me know. Thanks, Lyn

So they just admitted that they switch the shipping on purpose! Also, they respond as if I am just going to leave feedback and hope they give me a refund....not falling for it!

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 12:53 am

PoPoSisco wrote:

So this is the response I got to my email:

Quote:

U.S. Mail is faster than UPS. We try to use the fastest shipping method. And the charge is for shipping and HANDLING. Nevertheless, if you will leave us 5-star positive feedback, we will refund $10.22. Let me know. Thanks, Lyn

So they just admitted that they switch the shipping on purpose! Also, they respond as if I am just going to leave feedback and hope they give me a refund....not falling for it!

This is really a matter of principle (10 bucks) but it looks like you're now in a "I'll show you mine if you show me yours..."

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:07 am

It is all about principle....I got these for the same price would I have paid for the next higher priced plates (but they had lower shipping) I would have paid about the same. It is the fact they are trying to lure people in with a lower purchase price (when combined with shipping) that comes to a slightly lower overall cost and then slap them in the face with a "SUCKER" shipping switch so they can make up the lower item cost...

SO, yes this is all about truth in pricing...trying to make the Ebay experience better for the next person.

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:28 am

It is all about principle. As I mentioned before, Ebay has policies in place to try and prevent exactly what you are describing. Unfortunately it doesn't always work.

If you really want the $10 back and want to make sure you get it, tell the seller to give you the refund (before you leave the positive feedback) and if they won't that you will open a dispute. eBay may not side with you, but I am sure the seller doesn't want to deal with it and have that mark on their account.

If you don't really care, just leave thm a neg. Feedback and move on. Confused

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:34 am

lapoltba wrote:

If you don't really care, just leave thm a neg. Feedback and move on. Confused

That's what I said to do if you want to make a point? If you want your money back keep playing games with him? It's up to you and ONLY you. Tattoo

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 2:37 am

I don't understand? You saw what he was offering for shipping & he sent it the least expensive way he was offering & you bought it. Now your complaining.

So did the gun kill someone or the one holding it?

Keep it in a wheelie. Jim

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:30 am

I'm not complaining about the price, I am disagreeing with the fact they chose to ship a cheaper method then what I paid.

They are saying that the 10.22 is for "handling," which if they would have sent it UPS the handling would have been about $0.62...that is a big difference.

I can see that few of you understand principle.

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:37 am

PoPoSisco wrote:

I'm not complaining about the price, I am disagreeing with the fact they chose to ship a cheaper method then what I paid.

They are saying that the 10.22 is for "handling," which if they would have sent it UPS the handling would have been about $0.62...that is a big difference.

I can see that few of you understand principle.

I tell you what send me your address through a PM and I will send you the $10.00 myself. Leave him a negative and we all will be happy? What about it? Very Happy

Tattoo

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:54 am

lapoltba wrote:

If you really want the $10 back and want to make sure you get it, tell the seller to give you the refund (before you leave the positive feedback) and if they won't that you will open a dispute. eBay may not side with you, but I am sure the seller doesn't want to deal with it and have that mark on their account.

If you don't really care, just leave thm a neg. Feedback and move on. Confused

Be careful with this sort of request, ebay frowns upon feedback extortion.

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 5:03 am

JJam wrote:

I don't understand? You saw what he was offering for shipping & he sent it the least expensive way he was offering & you bought it. Now your complaining.

So did the gun kill someone or the one holding it?

Keep it in a wheelie. Jim

He offered UPS ground for 15.46 and that is what I paid for (no problems there)
He shipped US Postal Serivce Priority mail for 5.24 and that is NOT what I paid for...that is what I am complaining about.

Tattoo, even though i can tell you are fed up with this post...your comment still made me smile. I appreciate the offer, but must decline on principle roflmao

. I am not unhappy with the speed of the processing, the quality of the item, or anything like that...just the switch, so I don't want to leave him negative or even neutral feedback cause other then the service switch the sale went fine.

I have already filed a complaint with Ebay and we will see what they decide.

If it was always about the money, I would be richer now then I am... Confused