EBay shiping rip off

[Lemans64]

I guys, just ranting a little. Just purchased a Hurst equipped emblem from a guy on Ebay. Part was 10.48 and shipping was 10.96 I assumed that was a little high but did not know how it was packed or what type of service he was using, I got my part yeasterday only to find $.69 stamped on the package, I was a little pissed to say the least, possibly the package costs and maybe gas to the post office?? Maybe $5 would have been ok but 11 was alittle much, it's only 6 bucks but it's the point that really burns me. Does everybody have to make money on shipping?? Negative feedback might be coming soon, He has 100% positve so far.

:rant:

[performerrpm]

make sure you get your pos feedback first before leaving the neg

[Teej]

He'll never post feedback first. I hate it, but that's what a lot of sellers do. They will only post feedback after they get yours.

And if it was stated in the auction what shipping would be, you really can't blame him. Is it fair? No. Does it suck? Yeah!

[GTOnly70]

If the shipping charge was clearly stated before you bid, then you have no reason to complain. A LOT of sellers offer a low product price and build some (or all) of their profit into the shipping charge. Look at the number of CDs being offered for 1 cent. The catch is the shipping is $5-7. This also reduces the Ebay "final value" fee to the seller. As long as the shipping charge is clearly stated up front, I see no problem with this. You have option not to bid. However, if the excessive shipping charge was quoted after the bidding ended, that's another story...

[gtoric]

Did the seller list "shipping and handling"? If so, that's where he's got you. The "handling" cost is completely open-ended. We all need to read the shipping details very carefully.

[tom s]

FYI,when I sell something on ebay,I post that I use fedex ground.The reason is I work 5 days a week 7-5 and it is the only way I can ship easly.The min they charge is about $10 so if someone buys say a blockoff plate for $10 then the shipping would be anouther $10.I dont charge for anytime in packaging or time to go to the Kinkos-
fedex store,standin line and ship it.As has been said,read the listing or better yet ASK before bidding.JMHO,Tom

[ho428]

Summit is just as bad. Free shipping they say, but you get hit with a "handling fee" What's the difference?
I found on some parts I can buy them at the Atlanta store when I'm in the area, pay sales tax and it's cheaper than their "Free Shipping" without sales tax but added handling fee.

[sixt8bird]

Most of yhe time it includes handling. He might have to drive 7 or 8 miles to mail it which would be time involved. Is the item wrth say $16 then Id just pony up and not ruin his score. Maybe email him with your concern. Dont give a bad feedback for something that you could have handled when purchasing.

[fyrebird68]

I have one negative feedback in my Ebay record. I gave a guy a "neutral" (not even a negative) because the part was $6 and the shipping was $8. He went ballistic, and shot me a negative.

Others said it - shame on me for not looking closer. The guy was still a jerk.


"I won't get fooled again" - Pete Townsend

[vidguy]

You should always get shipping fees up front quoted if it's not listed.

I agree that if it's stated in the auction you can't complain even if it seems high.
I look at the TOTAL COST of the item including shipping in the end..
Lke stated, a .10 cent CD with $5.00 shipping ain't a bad deal when you figure it's a $5.10 purchase in the end. If that's what you're looking to spend......

[mwritter]

The new eBay feedback system allows you to rank the sellers shipping fees based on a 1-5 star rating, and he can't see who gave that feedback. You can still give him a positive or neutral feedback on the transaction that he can see.

[twooldgoats]

If the shipping costs were available before you bid, you have NO complaint! How can you justify complaining after the fact if you knew going in what the terms were? If the shipping costs weren't made clear up front, then you should have been leery of the transaction.
Incidentally, I have used eBay for over 50 transactions--all purchases, no sales--so I'm not just an apologist for sellers.

Jim

[Lemans64]

I don't believe shipping charges were listed on auction, I did pay with no problems and he left good feedback right away, I also gave him the chance to explain, He stated the Post office was a distance away and had to pay his employee to do this for him. Also includes time for filling in customs forms. I guess I am under paying myself when selling on EBAY. Thanks for listening guys, I guess it is a lesson learned and will pay more attention and ask before buying. I did not tube his good feedback for this reason.

[Scarebird]

It takes time to pack something properly - and time is money. And like mentioned before, many use it to duck ebay's greed.

[Pontirag]

yes if you agree to shipping charges then consumate the deal by paying there is nothing you can do. that is a little unreasonable but we all must remember that shipping includes postage but is not just limited to postage. It includes materials and supplies which themeselves cost money plus gas to go get these items then to wait in line to mail the item. It involves repeated phone calls and phone tag with some mupet who sends you a money but no address to send the item to. The mindless phone calls that border between psychoanalisys and phone sex to convince some insecure lump that buying your $100.00 dollar part will solve thier erectile dysfunction and make them loose 25 pounds. Its dealing with people who dont understand the concept of waiting thier turn like the rest of us. Or like trying to undercut people who play fair.Its the cost of spiteful meanspirited people who drive the cost up or drive good people out of this hobby. they are on both sides of the issue.

Oh and then you gotta to go to the bank to drop off the check and to cross your fingers and hope that check does not bounce. And that is only if the deal goes smoothly. With unscrupulous louts its even worse. Buyers lament can evolve into some obsesive compulsive psychpathic obssesion with destructive episodes.

Its best not to agitate these types as they are known to harbour major ill will towards those of us in the hobby. If nine dollars is that important to him...let sleeping dogs lie. It's amazing what people will do for that kinda money.

Have I covered the window shoppers yet.

[olds]

69cents is the postage not the shipping charge posted in the auction. Just as an example, fed ex is 20 miles from me one way. My 2500HD gets 12MPG. I don't sell that much on ebay, but keep in mind that gas and the time of someone getting to and from the place to ship the item. Its nearly 12bucks in gas alone.

[1966sprint]

I guys, just ranting a little. Just purchased a Hurst equipped emblem from a guy on Ebay. Part was 10.48 and shipping was 10.96 I assumed that was a little high but did not know how it was packed or what type of service he was using, I got my part yeasterday only to find $.69 stamped on the package, I was a little pissed to say the least, possibly the package costs and maybe gas to the post office?? Maybe $5 would have been ok but 11 was alittle much, it's only 6 bucks but it's the point that really burns me. Does everybody have to make money on shipping?? Negative feedback might be coming soon, He has 100% positve so far.

:rant:

Get a life will you , I guess then he put it in a little white enevelope , had no packing material ect.

Ill bet not , the enevelope probably cost him money, the correct package Oh and what about his time and gas expense to go get the supplies and then drive to the post office. Its guys like you that i stopped selling parts on ebay as its just not worth the time for a measley 10.00 part and waste my time packing and shipping it out.

You should be grateful he has offered that part and his time. :mad:

[Lemans64]

Yup, I guess it just guys like me that don't like to get burnt. I guess Maybe I'm too honest and can't see myself overcharging people for freight. Did they make a special trip to mail this piece out, I wouldn't think so. Or is he mad because his piece didn't sell for enough money and needs to make more on freight. I guess next time I sell something I will take this packaging thing and fuel thing into consideration when calculating freight. Oh ya and filling out that dreaded customs form, holy crap that takes at least 2 minutes. :fencing:

[Pontirag]

there are legitamate points to both sides of this issue. I had some body sell me an aircleaner decal for 4 bucks and charged me 8 bucks shipping.We as normal people see it again and again from both sides as a legitamate complaint. But its not normal people who do this to each other. Its the mentally defficient people who obsess overe small change and have no consideration for others time and effort,Buyers or sellers. There are others who think somebody else should foot the bill for thier hobby or eat increased expense so that some "hobbiest" some where can enjoy his hobby at a more affordable cost that others end up paying. If you cant afford 10 buck wheather you are a seller or a buyer your in the wrong hobby and its no longer a hobby.There are others still who are into the art of the deal and they are not satisfied unless someone is hurt or comes out the looser. They go to astounding legths and must have thought up some increadable shceme to fuq anothers out of a few dollars. If that is not enough they stalk the victim wherever they go and spoil things for them.

you can usually identify them by thier argument that your time and effort and money are of no consequence to them and that they deserve some compensation or rebate.

the scarry ones are those whos buyer lament evolves into some obsessive compulsive sociopathic disorder that they project on to you as the source for everything wrong with thier life.

walked away from ebay because of it and now I find it here as well. I'm not taking sides but i can understand why some sellers are angry at the waste of time inflicted upon them by wannabe big spenders who are just window shopping or want thier ego soothed. Or can no longer justify the hobby and must seek out "emotional support" from vendors. What happened to thier friends and family support?

my rule is that if by the second round of communication we have not established how much, where and when, I'm wasting time. 10 bucks for 65 cents is a bit much but have some simpathy with sellers as they end up dealing with alot of ruthless psychopathic idiots who are not in this hobby or business but are out to rage against the world. If you read this and seem to be offended then it probably does not apply to you but about 15 % of people we deal with are psycho's and it adds considerable cost to business. Thats why I'm getting out of it. and believe me when I tell you the hobby pays dearly for carrying that 15 %. some of you here on this forum know who you are.

[fyrebird68]

I think part of the disconnect is that most on this board view buying and selling parts on Ebay as part of their hobby. When you're in a hobby, the goal is often to do it for little money; time is cheap to the hobbyist.

For our sellers on Ebay - especially the hi-volume sellers - it's their business. When you're running a business, time is money.

We hobbyists don't like (or forget) that the businessman is selling his time as well as his product. I'm including myself in that observation - I wish that everybody on Ebay was my hobby buddy and did favors and helped out all our hobby buddies. Ain't so. Just 'cause I don't like it doesn't mean it was unfair.

I still don't like being taken advantage of, and there are sellers out there who do that. Caveat emptor.

[Pontirag]

yes try to be considerate of the time money and resourses others put into this. Thier shipping cost are no different than yours. And remember negotiations come before payment not after. A deals a deal. But that rule only applies to fair minded players. people who think equitable and fair play is a sign of weakness ought to pack it up and go. Leave us to our hobby. Youl make the world a better place.

[tigercars]

Studies show that most people don't factor in shipping charges and get caught up in the auction part. You've really got to factor in both to know if you are truly getting a good deal. A lot of California cars are good deals but not if you've got to transport it across country.

[Lemans64]

The guy quoted me 10.95 shipping charges, I did not have a problem with that, but when I got package it is stamped .69, so maybe the package costs 2 bucks and maybe his gas cost some, Like I said before maybe I should rethink what I charge on ebay for shipping, I guess being a Hobbyist as someone put it and not a bussiness man I really did not expect that. I guess I'm old fashion or something and would feel guilty at doing something like that. I'm not from the big city area so I would think about charging for every minute spend sending a package, or what it cost to package as I would think that is part of bussiness. I guess that is my opinion and that is how I would handle it.

Oh By the way I do have a life and it's Great unlike yours. :p Mr Sprint

[Ron Landis]

Summit is just as bad. Free shipping they say, but you get hit with a "handling fee" What's the difference?
I found on some parts I can buy them at the Atlanta store when I'm in the area, pay sales tax and it's cheaper than their "Free Shipping" without sales tax but added handling fee.
you cannot ship the part back for the "handling charge." I get the same complaint from folks buying carb jets or something, but if you buy a set of cylinder heads and a set of wheels....still $11.99! Just the downside of mail order. Just like buying gas to go to the store. Is your time worth anything to you? Mine is. I have guys willing to spend a couple of hours and drive thirty miles one way to save ten bucks. Makes no sense to me. As for E-bay...I investigate before hand when possible and alway have my costs up front when selling. I've been bent over a couple of times. JMHO. Ron BTW...I cannot imagine anything costing $.69 to ship. That's about two stamps!

[1966sprint]

The guy quoted me 10.96 shipping charges, I did not have a problem with that, but when I got package it is stamped .69, so maybe the package costs 2 bucks and maybe his gas cost some, Like I said before maybe I should rethink what I charge on ebay for shipping, I guess being a Hobbyist as someone put it and not a bussiness man I really did not expect that. I guess I'm old fashion or something and would feel guilty at doing something like that. I'm not from the big city area so I would think about charging for every minute spend sending a package, or what it cost to package as I would think that is part of bussiness. I guess that is my opinion and that is how I would handle it.

Oh By the way I do have a life and it's Great unlike yours. :p Mr Sprint


Then quit your crying, it aint like he totally took advantage of you or gouged you. I tried to calculate his cost of selling that 10.00 part to you.It probably went like this...

.69 shipping cost
2.57 envelope
1.20 packing material.
2.00 ebays listing and final valve fee
1.00 paypal fee is used
3.50 His gas and time(handling fee)

Total 10.96

It doesnt matter that you only got the part for $10.48 , you most likely got a smokin deal on it because he had no reserve and no one actively bid against you .

Now if would have paid 40.00 for would you still be bitchin?? If he at least cannot cover his costs then why should he or anyone offer their parts to you. Me selling a part for 10.00 aint worth my time , even as a hobbiest. WHY, because guys like you dont appreciate the time and effort to take the picture,list it and so on.
What if everyone got sick of the bs and started to throw all the little 10.00 parts in the dumpster. I just threw out about 2 five gallon buckets of trinkets that im sure someboby here could have used. Sick of them lying around and not willing to deal with guys lke you L64. So off to the landfill with them.

Give the poor guy some slack,he did NOTHING wrong.The guy that sells a decal and then charges 10.00 is the guy to rag on.......

P.S. lemans64 I still say get a life, im not the raggin about something as petty as this..:fencing:

[Pontirag]

Lets address the issue and avoid personalities. 10 dollars seems a bit high for an envelope stamps and some travel. But we dont know all the facts. I was on the recieving end of such a situation. So I see it from both sides I can tell you that probably every penny of that 10 dollars was spent in conducting that transaction. And people do have the right to express thier consern to the vendor. My severe objection in my case was the rude and disrespectful way I was treated and the accusations of criminal wrong doing that blew it all way out of perportion. Plus some completely unsubstantiated allegations that all stemed from the mere opinion that I had gouged the buyer of 10 bucks. I realised I was dealing with a mental case, a conieving offensive and histeronic vain person who bares a grudge. In the first acrimoniuos statement this person qualifyed any reason I might have had to justify the 10.00 "overcharge" by dis counting every reason I had to charge that extra 10 bucks then he went on to accuse me of fraud, of conceiling damage etc,etc,. Clearly someone who's love of the hobby as evolved into an escape mechanism or a medium through which they can hurt or regulate percieved happiness of others who enjoy this hobby more than this person feel they deserve to. The 10 bucks itself is nothing. Its a matter of respect, for ones self and for others. If they cant comprehend or even imagine what others are about, think how unimaginative and dull there own life is. Think, sadly, how little they enjoy from thier friends and family and the new and wonderfull people they pass by as they function in their own little world. They stoop to great lengths to control thier own world so that they dont have to suffer the uncertainty of paradigm shifts and other uncontrollable influences that penetrate that deffencive wall around thier hart. They are hurting very badly and while we choose quite correctly to avoid them, when we do meet them maybe we should be most kind to them. If I am wrong in my estimation of these personality types then I should be recieving a few applogies from one or two of these people.I dont need thier apologies but they need to apologise in order to practice that aspect of reconnecting with the real world. It seems I highjacked your thread.....and I opologise. Sorry.

[Lemans64]

.69 shipping cost
2.57 envelope
1.20 packing material.
2.00 ebays listing and final valve fee
1.00 paypal fee is used
3.50 His gas and time(handling fee)

Total 10.96

Guess I did not consider him charging me final value fee in the shipping fee Or the listing fee, I never thought of that before. I just considered listing and final value fee as part of doing bussiness, just another expense. I did contact the seller and he explained his cost, I left pos feedback for his part, did not mention the other. I guess maybe he should change his listing to shipping and handling fee instead of just shipping fee. Appears I have hit a sore spot with U Mr. Sprint, I appoligize if I affended anyone in this posting, as I was blowing off steam. The 10 bucks was not an issue, it was just principal. I will adjust my thoughts on my next transaction with ebay and double check shipping before buying. I have also been on recieving end of some nasty customers on Ebay and accused of overcharging when I was telling my costs, but thats another story. Happy Pontiac Motoring all, Yup u too mr Sprint :car:

[1966sprint]

[QUOTE=Lemans64].

Appears I have hit a sore spot with U Mr. Sprint, I appoligize if I affended anyone in this posting, as I was blowing off steam. QUOTE]


No not at all L64, just feel that your seller didnt do anything to deserve neg feedback,ect. Nowadays most people cover all their ebay fees within the shipping and handling. ;)

[Lemans64]

Never left Neg feedback, but wanted an explanation. Which is what I got, he said about the same as u.

[69FIREBIRDMAN]

god forbid a seller should make a dollar selling pontiac parts.i guess pontiac part sellers time is worthless.i do know one thing,very few appreciate what i do.....

[77birdman]

When shipping is posted and someone bids on an item, shipping cost is a non issue.

It does not mater if he paid 1 cent or $10 to ship the item. He posted an amount, if you think it is unfair then don't bid.
I got items from ebay where the shipping was as much as the item, however to me the overall cost was worth it so I could not care less how he made his money.

[mrrat1]

I list in all my auctions "buyer pays all shipping costs" that includes material,time packing, gas, travel time, wear & tear on vehicle 12 miles each way. I try to do 2-3 items at the same time! I had an item sell for $109, shipping ect came to $115, it was a Cherokee grill, long & fragile. He replys came you make the box smaller. It took me 2 hrs to pack it the first time. I got shipping down to $75 actual was $38. So I had easy 4-5 hrs in it + all my other expenses & travel. It is a job just to do it casually, don't even consider the cost to store all the parts, while my car has to sit outside. I'm waiting for $$ from France total auction purchasees $280, shipping was $320. Wonder if he sends the $$. Been there with the on the buyers end also. On occasions that the buyer pays freight on the receiving end for big stuff I get $0. Really not in it for the $$, I look at as I'm helping someone get the parts they need. If I cover my expenses I'm happy. Have a good one, Dave K.

[SRR]

After I retired from the Navy I sold on ebay full time, 12-15 packages a week. As a former ebay seller I can tell you it's a lot of work. You do not make money on everything you sell and the money coming in from everything has to compensate for this or why bother? On average For every 12 items I sold seven buyers would pay right away, 3 would have to disputes filed and 1 or 2 would just make up excuse like "my kid" or my wife bid on it by "mistake" One guy was so persistent about it being a mistake and was so worried about getting a negative for not paying he sent me the auction fees and I gave him a positive for at least correcting a wrong.
I sold a single big block Chevy head once and didn't put a reserve on it thinking it's pretty rare and should go for close to $100.00. It sold for $20.00 and the buyer wanted me to call around to get him the cheapest shipping! I told him I ship FedEx and if he didn't like it he wasn't getting it as the shipping price was CLEARLY stated in the ad as were all my listings.
I had a couple of close calls as a buyer also. I had bought a set of Hooker super comp headers for my 70 Buick new in the box and sent him a Postal Money order, certified with return signed receipt. He filed a non-paying bidder against me trying to say he never received payment. I sent him an email saying I have a SIGNED slip of paper here with your signature on it and I'm going to file a complaint with the Postmaster for mail fraud. I had my headers in less than a week.

[poncho-mike]

I can't imagine the headache of trying to be a parts vendor as a full-time job.

I don't sell very much via Ebay or the PY board because shipping has gotten to be such a pain. Shipping costs are high, but there's not much I can do about it. For larger parts, I tell any potential customers that I will transport to a local trucker, Greyhound, or Amtrak terminal for $10 or to the local DHL shipper for free. I let the potential buyer do the research to determine the best way to ship. This lets them see for themselves what it will cost their item. For items sold where there are no advertising costs, I don't charge for shipping/handling unless I have to buy materials. My time is free, within reason.

When I sell Ebay, I always include a $5 charge for packaging materials and actual shipping costs via DHL, unless the item is large. Since I drop off at the shipping location, that at least saves a $3 fee from UPS. DHL is generally cheaper than UPS, so in all the customer saves money. My auctions are always no reserve and start under $1, so whatever is up for auction is going to be sold. The only things I sell this way are smaller items that are easy to ship.

Over the years, I saved a lot of Firebird sheetmetal from cars I parted out. These items are bulky and expensive to ship. I've decided the best way to sell them is to haul them to a POCI or TA Nationals convention. I haven't set up as a vendor at any of the recent shows, but I just bought a 26 ft enclosed trailer just for that purpose. I'll probably be hitting some of the bigger shows once I get a larger truck.

Mike