EBay Complaint - Ebay helps sellers cheat customers the art of history artman22 - sale from "the art of history" artman22

Posted by Alain on 2010-05-02:

Looks like you'll be shopping locally from now on. A good idea and it'll keep your money in the community.

Posted by Weedwhacked on 2010-05-02:

Is the seller claiming it was for shipping and "handling?"

Posted by bunnyhead on 2010-05-02:

First, you bid on the items knowing what the shipping would be so why are you complaining afterwards?
Second, shipping isn't JUST the actual shipping cost. When I calculate my shipping rate it includes several things. The cost of packaging, my time, fees that I pay to Ebay and Paypal and in some cases the cost of the actual item. Most of my jewelry listings start and END at .99 cents. If I only charges $1.22 cents for the actual shipping, I would be losing about $1 - $1.50 per item. That is no way to run a business. I know it seems unfair but if you look at the picture as a whole, you probably still got a good deal on the art that you bought.

Posted by bunnyhead on 2010-05-02:

Actually, now that Ebay is giving incentives to sellers who start listings under $1, most sellers need to up the shipping in order to cover all of the costs and to make a tiny profit. For example, I sell Natural Turquoise Earrings set in sterling silver. The item costs .99 cents and the shipping is $4.99. It costs $2.48 to make the item, $1.22 to ship it, $.15 packing, $.20 for Ebay fees, and $.47 for Paypal fees. After all is said and done, I only make $1.60 profit. As a business woman I do deserve to make some profit, otherwise, why bother? The customer is still getting a great deal though. A pair of sterling silver, genuine turquoise earrings for under $6.00. Try to find a deal like that in ANY store!!

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-05-02:

bunny, ebay does not allow us sellers to charge customers to cover our ebay fees and paypal fees. We are only allowed to charge actual shipping plus a bit for packaging, etc.

they have cracked down a lot lately on over charging for shipping. By their rules, you are overcharging by including some of the cost of the item in the shipping. be careful!

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-practices.html#shipping

Posted by Ytropious on 2010-05-02:

People abuse the shipping system to avoid ebay fees ALL the time. There's a really nice track jacket I want, but the seller is charging 11 dollars. Seriously, even if they used a priority box it would not cost that much. They are doing it to avoid paying ebay fees since they are only charged on final value, and not shipping costs. Never buy from a seller who charges .99 cents on an expensive item, then 60 dollars for shipping. You need to report the listing to ebay using the report function and choose "excessive shipping and handling". Those sellers usually have bad DSR scores for shipping cost too. For me, I charge what it costs and don't profit from shipping and my DSRs are 4.9-5 across the board.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-05-02:

Ytrop, your seller may be able to squish that jacket into a small priority flat rate box for 4.95. If not, the next size up is 10.70. If the jacket cant be squished without damaging it, theh $11.00 the seller is charging is reasonable.

Posted by Ytropious on 2010-05-02:

The thing is, they have other listings for clothes with 5 dollar shipping. They aren't even paying for priority. Also you can ship something priority for less then the cost of the flat rate box. Those are only good for heavy items. They could put it in a large envelope for all I care, as far as I'm concerned clothing can't be ruined from poor packaging. They just want more money. I sent them an offer and they responded with a dollar off, so I send another and they ignored it. Now I'm probably going to report it.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-05-02:

The least expensive priority rate for US mail is 4.90 (for packages, not envelopes)

http://www.usps.com/prices/

Also, just because a seller has some things for free or cheap shipping doesn't mean they are required to have all their items that way.

If it cant fit into a small flat rate box or envelope, the 11 bucks seems fair. if it can, it seems excessive.

Posted by Ytropious on 2010-05-02:

Trust me, it could very easily be rolled up and placed in a small box, it's not a large jacket, it's smaller then a traditional hoodie. Heck it could easily be folded up into a flat square and put in an oversized envelope. Looks to weigh under 13oz ANYWAY, meaning as long as the box is under 12 inches on any side, the shipping will be bargain basement cheap when sent first class. I don't see any feasible reason why it won't be sent first class anyway, seller specifies nothing about priority. I just got a pair of shoes shipped for 9.99. It's one of those things where, as an ebay seller myself, I know when another selling is gaming the system. This is one of those times.

Posted by Dr. Kraft on 2010-05-31:

First, bunnyhead. Read carefully. I was offered a discount that was not to be calculated until AFTER the sales were made and combined. This is a VERY common practice on Ebay! Sellers with small items are often able to automatically calculate discounted shipping. I buy lots of jewlery, gemstones and findings. These items are easily pre-calculated for discounted shipping. Larger objects may not be. Even with jewelry items I VERY OFTEN find an email from a seller telling me that after they packaged all the purchases, they are REFUNDING some shipping costs. I have gotten 3 this week. These are honest sellers. Again, VERY often, discounts are not applied until after the purchase is made and even VERY often not until the items have been packaged and prepared for shipping! But then, that is only the practice of honest sellers.

Also, bunnyhead...raven is SO right! To calculate "shipping/handling" fees based on paypal fees, ebay fees or anything else is DISHONEST. You are cheating your customers by lulling them into feeling that they are getting a deal only to gouge them after the sale is made. An honest business person sets a fair price for their merchandise that includes the costs of making/marketing/merchandising. Or takes the loss. That is not only ethical biz practice, it is an industry and financial standard.

I was a theatrical costumer/prop builder for 35 years. I made a lot of jewelry and also did retail shows. Everything was 100% made by me. Never did I inflate shipping to pay for costs that ethically are part of the sales price of the item. What is your ebay name? I will definitely stay away from you! Hmm... also where are you located? Because I am sure that the IRS and your local state sales tax board would love to know what you are doing. God I hate cheaters!

Note that I was told that the discount would be caclulated afterward...and then I CONTACTED the seller by email to cancel the purchases. I also CALLED the seller minutes afterward and got no response.

Additionally, the item was tagged only for shipping. The packaging was RECYCLED!!!!! The box came from a manufacturer of large trucks that also sells parts. I called them and they said that it was either re-used or stolen. The packing material was soiled, chopped up styrofoam from electronics or a large item. The job took no more than 5 minutes to complete. As a business owner for over 35 years, I have shipped a lot of stuff and know how to do it. I am perfectly happy to pay for reasonable handling, this was not reasonable. Also, "handling" implies that which is above and beyond sticking an item in a box and putting the label on it, such as specialty packing, immediate delivery outside of normal pickup hours/days and such..none of which applies to these items. If you sell "offsite" you KNOW that you will have to stuff the thing in a box!

When you use Buy It Now you are screwed even further, you cannot leave feedback. That makes me madder!


UPDATE: Yes, it gets worse! Ebay found cases in MY FAVOR...don't get too excited. I was found to be right...but the solution was for me to pack it all up and return it. Seriously? So I get the privilege of paying even more money..for nothing. How very logical. I wrote to ebay...the excuse, along with alot of empty platitudes, "we can only deal with a case for two reasons..not received or not as described." Interpretation, we are too lazy to consider any other crime. Everything in life fits into our myopic scope or we just don't care.

So, I will remember that only goods that are never received are worthy of Ebay's attention and a fair settlement. But actually, that is for the rest of you. I have now spent over $6000 on ebay in the last 2 months. I quit. And those of you who are sellers, have lost one more potential buyer.

Posted by PepperElf on 2010-05-31:

too bad you can't send it back with some kind of "postage will be paid by addressee" thing on it.


that's why i like using more professional sites that have better return policies.

Posted by outragedintennessee on 2010-06-16:

Do not vote for Meg Whitman! Horrors!!