I couldn't find the answer on their boards, thought someone here might know: I am bidding on an item and inquired as to the possibility of charging real shipping. The seller said she wouldn't do it because she wanted to recoup the eBay fees with the shipping she charged. Now while I understand the logic and I suppose there isn't much one can do about it, is it actually ok as per policy? Would I be an asshole to leave negative feedback on shipping because of that? Thanks!
Yes. You know the charges beforehand, so if you are not happy with the terms of the auction, don't bid. (Just my opinion.)
Do you know where those terms are? Not trying to slack off, just trying to give the seller proof she can't do that...
Did she publicly post the reason? If not she might be able to get away with it with a "it's shipping AND HANDELING!" fee. Like she might claim it costs her X amount for a box and bubble wrap and time and gas to go to the PO and all that BS.
I think it's all pretty vague . . . if the shipping cost was listed, you bid on it and won it in full knowledge of the facts but are taking issue after the event you're being a dick (I hate it when buyers pull that shit). If she sprung them on you after you'd won she's being a douche! Go ahead and leave negative feedback but don't get too butthurt when she reciprocates. Or if you really want to make a point, forfeit the item, tell her to fuck herself and accept the collateral damage. It's all part of the game!
According to my buddy who does ebay full-time, Sellers are not allowed to recoup fees by padding postage costs. To state that it was her intent to do so is against policy. One thing you can try is to get a quote online or otherwise that gives an appx cost. If there is enough of a difference, ebay will refund part of your shipping.
If you go to the report this listing it takes you through steps and I think you can even read the policy. I've seen several auctions in the past week that are listed at 1 cent with 150 dollars shipping, and the idiots even put in the online listing that the shipping fee is for shipping and the cost of the product to reduce fees.
Kind of reminds me of that time I ordered from your store, Olivier.... and just before I remitted payment to you, you jacked the price by 50 bucks citing the reasoning as "customs was mean to me".
She did not post the question but she replied in an eBay message stating so, so I guess that would work. I'm all for covering your handling, but she is basically charging 5 extra bucks in shipping per extra Bearbrick (what I'm bidding on), whereas there is zilch difference between 1 or 5... Anyhow, don't want to make a huge deal out of this, but she has zero feedback and we wouldn't want her to start off with bad habits, would we? On what item was that? The store policy was not to give definitive prices until we received the items. 50$ sounds huge, but I wasn't lying: some suppliers forced UPS or Fedex upon us and the brokerage, shipping and duties were unbelievable (and we couldn't know what they'd be till we had the items in hand). Altogether, sometimes more than the US retail! Sorry if you felt I ripped you off. Did you bring it up then? We also always charged real shipping, and refunded the difference when people paid more (which I have to say has never happened in my transaction with US stores that have shipped here and they nearly always overcharge).
You did give me a definitive price in the previous weeks before stating you had the item in stock, then once you had it you raised the price signifigantly, despite your policy. Frankly i felt as though you took advantage of the situation. The experience did sour my taste if you will remember, as you recieved no repeat business from me after that particular sale. It's no suprise to me that you no longer run the store. Repeat business is difficult to retain with service like that.
Her latest reply was pretty funny: "hi, Save my money for ebay charge is not important reasons, Important reasons is shipping fees is not only for shipping fees, this shipping fees are included actually shipping fees and then i will packing well the item with bubble and put it into a card box to shipping,a card box is very expensive in Hong Kong. Thanks!"