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Antiques! => EBay Forum => Topic started by: sapphire on May 28, 2010, 11:14:16 AM
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Though not antique related I have a question about sellers shipping costs. Is it 'normal' for sellers to greatly inflate shipping costs, especially for cross border destinations?
Last night I won a camera.....unfortun ately saw it too late to received an answer to shipping. Immediately after winning I sent them a message requesting the total. Received an answer this morning......$29. This is for a Canon Elph with charger and case. For those that haven't seen an Elph, it fits in the palm of your hand and the case is a soft sided, foldable one. All in all the weight itself likely doesn't exceed 2 lbs. Am I being unreasonable thinking this cost is a wee bit high?
Regardless, I bid and won, therefore am obligated to pay....just thought that there were alternatives such as flat rate boxes.
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What kinda of shipping service did they offer. The few times I have sent product to canada, I used First class, which is cheap, but not tracking or conformation, bit risky but keeps the shipping cost at bay. If it is under 64 oz. you can ship to canada for just around $12.00 I think, would have to run the numbers at the online postal site. If they use a service like International priority, then I goes way up in cost. The thing I don't like is that paypal through ebay only offers Priority or Express international if you print your labels at home, for First class you have to stand in line at the post office. I'm a bit curious to see what 2 lbs will cost, and just for giggles I will check. As for inflated shipping cost, yes many do, I have learned to add that cost to the overall cost of the item before bidding. Personnally when selling I do add a little to cover my handling and material cost to shipping, but if the buyer writes me before bidding I'm alway willing to work a deal with them.
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Ran the numbers from my location in Seattle. First Class 2 lbs is $14.45, Prioity is $21.75, and Express is $35.00. So if they use Priority, then the cost is pretty close, if the whole package is over 2 lbs. then it would be just about the right cost. Shipping is the deal killer when selling online. The cost has just went out the roof in my opinion.
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ironlord the only thing they stated when telliing me the cost was USPS Standard. Hopefully I'll hear back.....seems the small flat rate box runs around $12.....if they want to keep the case (which would have to be folded) to save room I have no problem. Either way I'll be paying, am just hoping for a little break on getting it here. ;)
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Yea I forgot about the flat rate box. That would be the best of course in cost. Personnally I never use flat rate boxes. They are good for items that are somewaht durable. I mostly ship glassware items. Flat rate boxes is made of 1/4 cardboard and are really weak. USPS standard sure sounds like First class, if you get it with a first class label on it, you would have really overpaid on shipping
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I agree, the shipping costs can be terrible, especially when dealing with large items like furniture. For those, the shipping often costs more than the item! Shipping within the continental USA through Greyhound seems to be about the cheapest option. I had to pass on some pieces I really liked because the shipping made them too expensive. Most often I use Craigslist for large or heavy items of any kind.
At least with the USPS flat rate boxes, weight doesn't matter and they go by "If it fits, it ships". So they are often a good option for heavy items, but not necessarily for light ones.
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What's their detailed seller rating on shipping & handling charges looking like?
Maybe communicating with him to reach an agreement fitting your situation best and one you would be comfortable with would be worth a try.
Maybe he is adding insurance on the package to cover himself and you.
If he is inflating shipping charges and won't work with you leave him feedback that reflects this and contact eBay.
I would think a seller would be willing to work with their customers to reach a reasonable outcome that will be good for both parties.
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Well, I finally heard back last night. This is what he/she wrote....."Cheapest price USPS give me is $27. $29 is priority flat rate box" which I'm assuming is for a medium size box plus handling (even though that's rather large for what they're sending). I have seen other cameras of the same and larger size shipping anywhere from $8 to $15 range, though others are in the low to mid $20's. What made me even more curious was on proceeding to make my payment through PayPal I notice my invoice states UPS $29. ::)
So it's all paid for and for that price I hope it'll sprout wings and fly here.....considerin g my winning bid was $19 and it's the size of a cigarette package. It does include a charger and soft case, but holy hannah I still think that's insane!
Dean I really don't know where to find a detailed seller rating so don't have a clue. :-\
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Oops .....Dean don't mind me, really shouldn't try to read anything when it's late and I'm tired. I'd forgotten they didn't have a feedback rating yet, hadn't received enough detailed feedback.
Really I have no one to blame but myself, found the listing about three hours before it was due to close and obviously the seller didn't get my message requesting shipping costs in time for them to reply before it closed. Based on other's I was watching I figured I'd be safe allowing $18 ish tops. Boy, was I wrong :P Usually much more thorough went 'shopping' but last minute and late night combination was my downfall.
It just rather shook me that someone would charge that amount for something so small and relatively light. Knowing postal rates on both sides of the border have gone a little screwy this past while accounts for part of it, but pretty sure there is a less expensive way to ship.
At least when it's finally arrives the mystery of USPS vs. UPS delivery will be solved.
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Where is the item shipping from Sapphire?
Until you get your item and find out exactly what services this seller is gouging you for it's just a guessing game,but as a seller I'd be worried about my customer's feeling cheated.
Here are a few eBay links that have info on the limitations a seller should be within on shipping but it doesn't seem to hold much weight unless eBay is contacted (I don't think eBay does to good of a job on policing this without complaint).
http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/maximum_shipping.html
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-practices.html
I can see a couple extra bucks to cover shipping materials and time involved but I think that this sellers charges are downright unreasonable or they just are not too worried about looking out for the best intrest for you the buyer.Hopefully they won't be too worried about negative feedback either.
If you find out these charges are way out of line, have you decided on what to do?
I guess I can see your point that you commited and should of looked closer at the charges before bidding, but does this give a seller the right to break rules (if they did) to take advantage of their customers.
Amazing the mix of truly good and truly bad that's out there.Guess it creates perfect balance though.
Please let us know more details when available and hope you can make this right.
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I am late to this but sapphire is in Canada I believe and I assume the seller was in the US. Looking online I see a Priority Flate rate box to Canada for up to 20 lbs at $26.95 and a small flate rate to Canada box for up to 4 lbs for $11.95. Maybe they had their thumb on the scale when they weighed the Elph?
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Dean it's coming from Pennsylvania to Nova Scotia. I'm curious too to see exactly where the charges came from. He states in his emails USPS, yet the invoice on PayPal states UPS........just waiting to see if I get hit with custom/brokerage fees and the like. If I do, then I may have a few words to say as that would be totally unnecessary considering the options. Otherwise I'll just suck it up as I was the one who didn't have all the info before bidding.
Will let you know how this turns out.
wayward, we'll see if that was a thumb ....... or a middle finger. ;)
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Yes, yes, sapphire, I forgot that the middle finger carries more weight than the thumb! ;D
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I've seen stuff (point-of-sale) on Ebay from 'asian' countries , esp China , with "buy it now" prices from $20 - $100 USD (and with starting bids @ the sub-$10 level) .
Many of these have shipping rates that are around $100 , some that even exceed that .
I don't have any issues with a seller charging reasonable prices for shipping/packing & insurance (which is often a fixed-rate that the seller/buyer has no control of) , but when I see excessive shipping costs I'll just pass on the item (and the seller) .
I feel that those who charge excess rates are simply pocketing the obvious diff .
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Argghhhh........... ..think I'll send a polite query to the seller to see if he can explain how this turned into $29 ???
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That's just crazy. The handling and materials were more than the shipping amount? If they don't give you a little money back, leave neutral or negative feedback that their shipping was outrageous. People these days. Grrrr >:(
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Only just sent them a message after having emailed earlier today requesting the date shipped and tracking
number if one was available.
Here's my latest message to him. Hopefully I'll receive some kind of response.
"After sending my earlier message I ran some errands and was
pleased to find the camera waiting for me in my box. I was
surprised though to see that the shipping cost was $11, where
you had quoted and charged me $29. I can understand a few
dollars for handling charge and when you assured me that the
price I was being charged was that quoted by USPS I had no
problem with paying. Though it did seem excessive, you also
mentioned it was Priority flat rate. The parcel is stamped First
Class, which I had asked for if possible.
While totally pleased with the camera, I have to say that the
discrepancy in what I was quoted/charged and the actual cost of
shipping is a disappointment."
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An $18 handling charge is definitely way up there on the ridiculous scale! I think it was charged as Priority as First Class ends at 13 oz. and then Priority kicks in. It should have been marked Priority tho. It would be interesting to see what response the seller gives. I think that after they have the money they do not care. I agree with hosman that negative feedback would be in order. Future bidder/buyers would then know what is up with this seller's fees.
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Yes way too much for sure, I didn't even get that amount of all of the 34 packages I sent this week. Thanks for helping us stay on our toes when bidding on Ebay Wendy. I hope the seller is truely cool and offer you something back.
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On the sellers feedback you can say something like "Charged $29 shipping, arrived with $10.89 actual postage" That way you are just stating a fact of the transaction and allowing buyers to draw their own conclusions.
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Maybe next time , if ever , that sapphire deals with this seller , she could make sure he gets paid 'the dollar amount' with Canuck-bucks , with a loony or two in an envelope .
:(
My feedback would go something like : This wonderful Ebay seller was so dedicated to the safe & delicate handling and packaging of my item that he actually spent almost 2 hours carefully wrapping and taping up the box .
He only charged me a very reasonable $10 per hour for this service .
I'll always keep this Ebayer in memory when shopping there !
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Very funny regularjoe, and so very true. Too bad feedback can't be that long because they deserve it. Unless they do end up refunding some money. To put it in perspective, that 25 pound iron horse head I won cost me $14 for shipping in a medium flat rate box. Got to me in 2 days. For a tiny camera, come on now. Handling and processing shouldn't even be charged on an item like that, it's not a fragile antique piece of glass nor a 25 pound piece of iron. That item didn't need special packaging and didn't weigh a ton.
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Good one regular joe !! For $10 an hour, heck I'll start selling on ebay! ;)
Just for shits and giggles took two pics.......
The first shows the whole kit and kaboodle, the camera and accessories were all placed in the large compartment
of the bag....loose.
The second shows the two strips of 'pillow' wrap for top/bottom.
Tape. (use your imagination)
I have a one armed son-in-law who could have done this for under $2 !! ::)
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If they don't give you a little money back, leave neutral or negative feedback that their shipping was outrageous.
Good advice Hosman321.
At least your trying to work this out with the seller Sapphire,so the neutral or negative feedback would be the seller's choice.
Did you contact eBay, including the mentioned correspondences, and see what they have to say regarding the gouging?
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Haven't contacted ebay yet. I'm going to give him time to reply. Hubby wants me to just leave it be, as the total cost was still a great deal. I just feel that if I'm spending $50+ on something I'd rather $40 goes towards the item, the rest for shipping.
Kind of between a rock and a hard place. I'm at fault in the sense that I didn't know the shipping cost before bidding (too short a time to get an answer), but then there is the glaring discrepancy between what he told me USPS charges were and what they actually charged. That and the Priority/First Class issue.
I'm not a confrontation person and he has excellent feedback from his previous 40+ sales so I really don't know what I'll do just yet. Going to wait a bit to see if he responds......if he doesn't at all, or responds in a very negative manner, then I'll likely take it further.
Just have to shake my head. It definitely reinforces what I already knew (and have practiced), but let slide because of time issues.
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Another reason I hate leaving negative feedback is because I'm scared they'll leave me negative feedback afterward. Definitely don't want to lose my 100 percent, and that big reg circle looks really bad. If you can't decide, leave positive feedback but politely saying that shipping was expensive.
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Hosman, sellers cannot leave negative feedback for buyers anymore on eBay (unless something has changed recently). That is a big gripe amongst sellers on eBay now.
I think the seller should send you a $15 refund sapphire. That would be just and ethical. If you just let it slide like maybe the 40+ buyers did before you, the exhorbitant shipping costs will seem vindicated by the seller.
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Oh, that's good to know wayward. It's kinda nice for us buyers but I think it's a bit crazy that sellers can't leave negative feedback. I can think of a ton of scenarios where a buyer would deserve negative feedback.
I also agree that if you just let the crazy shipping fee slide, they will sit at their computer and laugh at all the people they are jipping. Not fair for people to be that mean. :-\
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Actually a buyer can leave negative feedback. It has become a trend for buyers not to leave feedback until or unless the buyers does. I'm not sure that is the right thing to do. Been fighting this issue in my brain. Up until this last run last week, when the buyers pays, I considered this has fullfilled their oblication, and I would leave feedback. However, I have sold over 300 items thus far on ebay over the last year, as of today I have 218 feedbacks, lots of buyer don't even bother leaving feedback, espically the ones with under 20 or so buys. This time I left feedback right away for only the ones that pay right away. Those who waited a couple of day I decided to not feedback unless they do. Espicallly for this one buyer who is being a real pain. Anyway, I have noticed that alot of buyer will now only feedback it the buyer does, I'm now starting to understand why. Just not sure what I will do when I get my first negative, from a problem buyer. Also Wayward is right on about at least teaching them to think twice before posting that high of shipping rate. I learn the same way, except I was called out before they bid. If he only has 40 feedbacks then they are still learning, 40 is not many, heck 218 am I still trying to grasp this ebay stuff.
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Ohhhh and it gets even better.......after taking half a dozen shots to see how it was working I popped it back in the case, into the box and waited to deliver it to my daughter today. She took it out, started it up..........and now it's not working :P
From what I can find online it's a problem common to several of the Canon cameras .......just wondering if this is a 'new' issue or one that's
been in the works ::)
Daughter is recharging both batteries and will try it again, if it's still wonky she'll give Canon a try as they were offering free repair and shipping regardless of 'warranty status'.
And the beat goes on................. .
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Pfft...they knew it had issues. Sound like shady sellers to me. Hopefully canon will repair it without any more headaches for you! I have a canon rebel xti and love it.
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Ironlord, I just went to the eBay site and this is a direct quote "Sellers can leave only positive ratings for buyers. That means buyers should feel free to leave honest Feedback without fear of retaliation. We also have safeguards in place to protect sellers against unfair negative or neutral Feedback."
I think you may have to rethink your feedback strategy as a seller. This was changed quite awhile ago and is a sticky topic for eBay sellers.
Sapphire, those batteries may be suspect. Good idea to recharge them and then see if the camera works. I have an older Kodak digital that will die and not shut down because of the batteries. I have 3 sets of rechargeable ones and they do not seem to hold a charge for long. Has the seller responded to your inquiry yet?
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No response as yet wayward. The camera turns on and takes a 'picture' but the LCD screen and the picture taken are nothing but vivid flares. I've found a couple of sites that mentioned this as a specific problem and the Canon site still has the advisory ......dated 2007....so hopefully it's still in effect.
Really don't like to be so negative, but this is getting to me. She was so excited to be getting it, I had already taken half dozen shots which turned out fine, so when she turned it on and got nothing but flare I just about lost it. It is possible it wasn't doing this but already being ticked about the shipping I'm having a hard time believing anything positive (or even neutral) right now. And of course when I messaged him
I did have to mention that I was pleased with the camera :P
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Well now for an update. I did eventually hear back from the seller, he had gone away for a bit and had no access to the computer. He acknowledged the difference in the shipping. The higher amount is what he had found online (said he still is having a problem understanding their website), but found that shipping first class at the Post Office was much cheaper. Offered a full refund for the difference without me asking and has since that message already processed it. Regarding the problem with the camera, he stated that he had used the camera up till a month before selling and hadn't had any problems. Apologized for me having to deal with that. We'll be contacting Canon, as the offer for free repair/shipping is still listed on their current site despite the 3 year old date.
All in all, I'm happy with the outcome. Now it's just a matter of getting it up and working. Will leave positive feedback for him, considering his politeness and promptness upon receiving my messages. Seemed to be genuine in his response and actions. ;)
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Just about as good as you could expect. Now I hope Canon comes through for you.
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Good story with hopefully a happy ending !
:)