Ebay shipping

[rachealb]

So I have been looking for a CD storage tower, one with a door so you cannot see the CDs and I tried Ebay this morning. I have shopped on Ebay for several years now and have noticed in the last year or two that shipping prices have gone up, but today I found more ridiculous shipping prices than I have ever seen. One CD tower was 59.99 to ship (59.99 to purchase also so a total of 120 bucks) and then I found one for .99 bid, 10.00 Buy it now, and $119.00 to ship!!!!! You have seriously got to be kidding me. I know I can just chose not to buy things from a particular seller, but this is getting ridiculous. They are trying to change how things work on Ebay, maybe they should try fixing the ridiculous price-gouging shipping costs. I mean, we shipped a HUGE box of Christmas presents all of the way across the country at xmas, it weighed like 30-40 pounds, and still cost only $35 with insurance. I guess I will have to try somewhere else....

[AndreaInNC]

or you can turn them into the Ebay police for outrageous shipping/handling charges.

[samisma]

well. you can rate the seller negatively now with the stars & comments and the seller can't do anything about it.

 

 

while the prices are outrageous... i can understand where the seller is coming from.

 

i just sold a lot of NutriSystem for $127 ($163 after shipping). After ebay took their fees, and paypal took their fees, and then shipping was deducted... I was left with $109.23

 

And that's before the rate hike took effect. Those are my last auctions actually. may I recommend kijiji.com ?

[Madettica]

As an ebay seller myself I try/tried to keep my shipping prices resonable, while also trying to get some of that chunk of my selling price that both ebay and paypal usually take....ebay can take the blame for some of the shipping rates....I think I'm about done selling on ebay though...it's just not worth it anymore

[afrey66]

I won't shop on Ebay anymore because of the price gouging on shipping. It seems as if too many seller's (not all, mind you) are trying to circumvent seller's fees by charging less for the item(s) and then tacking on outrageous shipping rates.

 

I've reported sellers to Ebay in the past to no avail. I decided that since Ebay wasn't interested in getting these types of sellers off of their web-site, I no longer was interested in shopping on Ebay.

[jacquero]

E-Bay shipping prices have gotten way out of hand. It's hardly worth shopping anymore.

[mysticmage]

On eBay about a month ago I bought ink from my printer off of eBay and the seller said that he'll talk about shipping after the auction ends. The price was pretty cheap and I thought it was a good deal, so I bought it. The guy wanted $20 to ship a package the size of a coffee mug when the ink itself only was $10.... I could of gone to Office Depot and got it for $15.

 

I'm seriously outraged with what some of the power sellers are trying to pull.

[Bellsandbabies]

Those sellers that the OP was referring to are starting a low bid to try to get out of the high fee's that Ebay charges. It also puts them at the top of a search if someone does a search by price from low to high. However, It is completely against Ebay policy and is not allowed. They need to be reported. It is very easy to do. Just click the Help button at the top and you can find out how there. You dont even have to be a bidder to report people that do that on Ebay. If no one reports them, they will continue to do that and not only screw Ebay out of fee's but customers that dont know any better.

 

I understand about higher shipping rates since I am a seller also. Over the past two years I have had to increase my shipping rates by $2-$3 for US shipments and International has Doubled! This is because the USPS increased shipping rates and Ebay has increased their fee's. I have to continue selling on Ebay because it is my livelyhood and is what keeps me at home with my DS.

 

Dont give up on Ebay. There are legitimate sellers out there that will charge reasonable shipping and deals are possible. I reccomend adding what you are looking for to your Faborite Searches and receive an e-mail every day with the new items listed. Also, just like shopping for a good deal on a car, take your time and shop around.

 

Good Luck!

[davephillyj]

My sister sells on Craigslist and she said it's free. I just have yard sales since ebay has went so downhill. It's not worth all the extra fees they now charge. They are a ripoff.

[dancglady]

Not only are shipping fees crazy but the product themselves are expensive now too. You can get used (not vintage) things that cost just as much or more then new items from the store! It is crazy and no longer fun to shop for the deal! I only use Ebay if I am looking for something that is not made any more (my dish patterns for example)

[MonsterMutts]

Ebay is NO HELP when a problem arises. I just bought a game and the seller not only tacked on a bunch of extra shipping charges but they also sent the wrong game( gave me the to bad, so sad ). I contacted ebay and they said they couldn't do anything..... Why the heck not. It's their sight.

 

Good thing I paid with my credit card.

[afrey66]

I did report the seller's when I found high shipping charges. I was told by EBay that since they had the shipping rates posted in the auction, there was nothing that could be done.

 

This is one of the reasons I won't shop on EBay.

[Bellsandbabies]

Ebay is NO HELP when a problem arises. I just bought a game and the seller not only tacked on a bunch of extra shipping charges but they also sent the wrong game( gave me the to bad, so sad ). I contacted ebay and they said they couldn't do anything..... Why the heck not. It's their sight.

 

Good thing I paid with my credit card.

That is why I ONLY pay with Paypal when buying on Ebay. Paypal almost ALWAYS finds in favor of the buyer when there is an issue. You dont even have to go through Ebay, just go straight to Paypal and get your refund.

[Ripn]

If seller A sells 1 widget for $2 and has an $18 S&H fee,

but seller B sells same widget for $18 and has a $2 S&H fee...

 

Who cares who charged what for Shipping?

 

It's gotta be the final price that matters...if you feel shipping is too high, don't buy.

but if you think it's a good overall deal, does it matter?

 

as Forest Gump would say...Shipping is as Shipping does...or was it Life is like a box of Widgets?

 

 

As to the OP, seems to me that first auction ($119.98) was the better deal...even if you can win the 2nd @ the 99¢ , you will pay an extra penny :)

[afrey66]

If seller A sells 1 widget for $2 and has an $18 S&H fee,

but seller B sells same widget for $18 and has a $2 S&H fee...

 

Who cares who charged what for Shipping?

Seller A is paying seller's fees on $2 whereas Seller B is paying seller's fees on $18. That is a huge difference and Seller A is taking advantage of Ebay and the buyer. It may not be 'illegal' in the Ebay world but to me that is very unethical. It's a circumvention of the fees charged by Ebay.

[cokemeyer]

That is why I ONLY pay with Paypal when buying on Ebay. Paypal almost ALWAYS finds in favor of the buyer when there is an issue. You dont even have to go through Ebay, just go straight to Paypal and get your refund.

I'm so glad to hear this, as I have just recently had to place my first claim as a buyer with paypal in over 10 happy years of ebaying. This seller is being totally obnoxious afer sending me a smaller lot with damaged items than what I bid on. The items in the lot weren't even close to what I bid on yet she claims I am the one in error and refuses to refund me until I incur costs to send them back to her. In any case, I filed the case a while back and Paypal hasn't done anything with it in over 10 days so I was starting to get worried. I guess they are just slow!

[semperwife]

I sell on ebay and I am constantly baffled because people will ask if I will lower the price of my shipping when I am only charging $8.95 for a flat rate priority box. I clearly state it in my auction and this includes insurance as well. I have gotten emails asking if I could just send it regular mail for $4 so they don't have to pay $8.95.

 

It is true that shipping can get ridiculous... it is a way to circumvent paying the fees but it doesn't help when potential buyers are accusing you of charging too much for flat rate priority shipping.

[lexyreyes72]

I agree...Ebay shipping is out of control! I don't think some sellers realize that you could pay a few dollars more and get the item (new in some cases) from Amazon or another retailer and get free shipping!!! I was looking at used DVDs & Webkinz for the kids and there are people who expect you to pay over $6 to ship these light items! For these high fees I end up with items shipped in these hand-made boxes, or some crappy envelope or once someone shipped some sheets to me in a Glad Trash Bag (warehouse store size) box!!!

 

Semperwife I understand what you're saying but many times I've paid high prices for shipping and found my stuff shipped Media Mail! Also, I ship a lot of things to friends and I find if I use my own boxes and not that flat rate priority mail box, I can ship priority mail cheaper. Those pre-priced boxes can be a rip-off.

[Bellsandbabies]

I'm so glad to hear this, as I have just recently had to place my first claim as a buyer with paypal in over 10 happy years of ebaying. This seller is being totally obnoxious afer sending me a smaller lot with damaged items than what I bid on. The items in the lot weren't even close to what I bid on yet she claims I am the one in error and refuses to refund me until I incur costs to send them back to her. In any case, I filed the case a while back and Paypal hasn't done anything with it in over 10 days so I was starting to get worried. I guess they are just slow!

Have you escalated it to a claim yet? You can open a dispute and

paypal wont get involved until you escalate it. Then Paypal will give the seller a certain amount of time for the seller to respond. Some cases take 30 days or more to resolve. Be patient because Paypal will find in your favor. :)

[Bellsandbabies]

If seller A sells 1 widget for $2 and has an $18 S&H fee,

but seller B sells same widget for $18 and has a $2 S&H fee...

 

Who cares who charged what for Shipping?

 

It's gotta be the final price that matters...if you feel shipping is too high, don't buy.

but if you think it's a good overall deal, does it matter?

 

as Forest Gump would say...Shipping is as Shipping does...or was it Life is like a box of Widgets?

 

 

As to the OP, seems to me that first auction ($119.98) was the better deal...even if you can win the 2nd @ the 99¢ , you will pay an extra penny :)

 

There are the unfortunate few that get excited when they see the great auction price and bid quickly before looking at the shipping. Then after they have won are hit with a ridiculous shipping charge. Some decide to fight with the seller and loose and end up with an unpaid item strike and negative feedback. Then there are the ones that just pay for it in fear of receiving a neagative. It is wrong to do that and is very sad that sellers think that it is OK to rip Ebay and Buyers off.

[Ripn]

I guess you missed my point...IF the end price is the same...what does it really matter.

Yes, it may be unethical or against ebay rules technically...but the end result is the same in my example (which was a bit of an exaggeration)

If someone is duped by an auction and get burned on shipping...shame on THEM for not reading.

[Bellsandbabies]

I guess you missed my point...IF the end price is the same...what does it really matter.

Yes, it may be unethical or against ebay rules technically...but the end result is the same in my example (which was a bit of an exaggeration)

If someone is duped by an auction and get burned on shipping...shame on THEM for not reading.

No, that is NOT right and no matter how you try to make it sound OK, it is wrong and should not be done. That is my point.

 

Also, the buyer should expect FAIR shipping prices and when they buy something that is $0.99, they expect a fair shipping cost. So Shame on the Seller! I cannot believe you are defending them!

[MoOn-BaBy]

Have you escalated it to a claim yet? You can open a dispute and

paypal wont get involved until you escalate it. Then Paypal will give the seller a certain amount of time for the seller to respond. Some cases take 30 days or more to resolve. Be patient because Paypal will find in your favor. :)

Paypal will tell her to ship the lot back at her expense before they give her a refund. FYI.

 

I HATE them for that very reason....

 

ETD: Be sure to send the stuff back with DC too, have to have a tracking number.

[davephillyj]

I sell on ebay and I am constantly baffled because people will ask if I will lower the price of my shipping when I am only charging $8.95 for a flat rate priority box. I clearly state it in my auction and this includes insurance as well. I have gotten emails asking if I could just send it regular mail for $4 so they don't have to pay $8.95.

 

It is true that shipping can get ridiculous... it is a way to circumvent paying the fees but it doesn't help when potential buyers are accusing you of charging too much for flat rate priority shipping.

I have asked once for regular mail as well. But it was on a light item. Actual shipping was 1.83 (when it got here) and I paid 4.95 for regular mail. They were going to send flat rate box (8.95) but I knew that the only time those are great is if it is a heavy item. I have no problem with a couple of dollars (2 or 3) to go to the seller for shipping, because they have to take their time,gas, and packing stuff to send it.:)

 

I sell every now and then only maybe 4 times a year. I buy on ebay a lot more than I sell. I know as a seller, I am NOT offended if someone asks for lower shipping. If it can be done, I will GLADLY do it. I just let them know....But I usually give the option of flat rate prioirty or just postal rates.

 

We do need to read the auctions before we buy to make sure they are not crooks. (Which is what excessive shipping is) I prefer not to deal with them at all. If they are that dishonest, there is no telling what you'll end up with! Their description is probably just as hyped up!

[Bellsandbabies]

Paypal will tell her to ship the lot back at her expense before they give her a refund. FYI.

 

I HATE them for that very reason....

 

ETD: Be sure to send the stuff back with DC too, have to have a tracking number.

She still gets a refund. I think paying return shipping is fine as long as I get a refund for my original item. Its better than no refund at all.

[rachealb]

If seller A sells 1 widget for $2 and has an $18 S&H fee,

but seller B sells same widget for $18 and has a $2 S&H fee...

 

Who cares who charged what for Shipping?

 

It's gotta be the final price that matters...if you feel shipping is too high, don't buy.

but if you think it's a good overall deal, does it matter?

 

as Forest Gump would say...Shipping is as Shipping does...or was it Life is like a box of Widgets?

 

 

As to the OP, seems to me that first auction ($119.98) was the better deal...even if you can win the 2nd @ the 99¢ , you will pay an extra penny :)

I agree that the end price comes out the same, but in the cases I was talking about the end price did not end up being $20, it ended up being about $120. My point also was that there is no way shipping would be $119 or even $59 on the item I was looking at. I would reasonably pay $20-$30 on a big heavy item. I have been shopping around and the CD towers can be quite expensive, but I have not encountered any other site to purchase from except for Ebay that would charge a shipping price like that, no matter what the price of the item. And Ebay should care that people are doing that, because it is ripping them off, even if their selling prices are excessive. I believe that what comes around goes around and ripping someone off ever is wrong.

[harrispizza4]

Paypal does not protect you in any way! I had to file a claim with them for an item I never got but that I paid for thru paypal. The end result was in my favor but I never got a penny of my money back! If the seller removes the money right away from their paypal account then there is no money to give back to you! So paypal took the money right out of my bank account but couldn't do anything to help me get it back because he had already taken it out of his account. So needless to say you will only get your money back if the seller were to have money left in there paypal account. Ebay was no help either.....what makes me really mad is you have to wait so long to file a claim and by then the seller has scammed 50 or so people in a weeks time and cleaned out their paypal account. The seller I bought from also had no neg. feedback and over 50 pos. feedback so I thought all looked safe! Wrong!!

[jesusluvu]

I agree totally. I bought a Lapto p during christmas and shipping was like 45.00 which was high but then I thought well this must just be for the insurance and packing and shipping cost for the item. I wanted it to via Air so that I could get it before christmas (3DS) and the cost jusmped up 25 more bucks. I was pissed off, but it was a gift and last minute. When I got it the person sent it via USPS in one of there flat rate boxes that goes air anyway. It only cost him $8.95 to ship it and there was no insurance. I am still very pissed off.

[Bellsandbabies]

Paypal does not protect you in any way! I had to file a claim with them for an item I never got but that I paid for thru paypal. The end result was in my favor but I never got a penny of my money back! If the seller removes the money right away from their paypal account then there is no money to give back to you! So paypal took the money right out of my bank account but couldn't do anything to help me get it back because he had already taken it out of his account. So needless to say you will only get your money back if the seller were to have money left in there paypal account. Ebay was no help either.....what makes me really mad is you have to wait so long to file a claim and by then the seller has scammed 50 or so people in a weeks time and cleaned out their paypal account. The seller I bought from also had no neg. feedback and over 50 pos. feedback so I thought all looked safe! Wrong!!

A seller has to provide a bank account that is associated with their Paypal account. So if the money is not in their Paypal, it will come out of their personal checking account.

[harrispizza4]

Yes they were smart enough to keep the bank account empty too. Then of course all accounts were closed. I'm not saying paypal dosen't help some folks but I used paypal and I never got my Item or any money back. They just gave him a slap on the hand and closed his accounts.