Seller taking the p*ss with invoice - what can I do?

[Spanneroo]

The seller had multiple items for sale. I contacted them ahead of bidding about whether they'd combine postage, which they agreed to. I have since won the items and they've sent an invoice but postage is a significant overcharge.

I've contacted them, asking them to amend it to a more reasonable figure but I am getting no response (they were previously very quick to communicate). I'm now getting reminders from eBay saying I'm committed to the purchase and need to pay for the items and that if there is an issue I need to contact the seller.

Can anyone advise as to what I can do? It's only about £3 difference but I resent having to pay it as it's a significant proportion of the overall cost of the items. Do I have to just pay it now and leave a poor review? I'm really pissed off to be honest!

[19lottie82]

Not a lot you can do, you can either pay it, or not pay it.

How long ago did you contact them asking them to change the invoice? It may be an oversight on their part.

[Spanneroo]

Over a week ago, and a quick reminder about 4 days ago too. It's annoying that they can't be held to account for lying about the postage

[pasturesgreen]

Well, it's £3 we're talking about, probably not worth starting two threads about it...Only you can tell whether you're prepared to suck it up because you really want the items or you want to make it a matter of principle and not pay.

[Justbookedasummmerholiday]

Just pay and leave bad feedback .

[Theresnonamesleft]

Maybe the seller is waiting until the stuff has actually been packaged and posted to see how much it all comes to. Although you have calculated the difference as a £3 overpayment, combining changes weight and package size, which changes cost. Maybe once posted they will issue a refund if there is anything. Are you also taking into consideration the packaging?

[Spanneroo]

Thanks for all your replies. I contacted her again this afternoon and basically said that because I wanted the items and didn't want the payment to default that I have paid it - but that ignoring my messages all of a sudden when I queried the postage cost would be reflected in the feedback.

She responded immediately by basically saying tough shit and that she'd be taking out another claim against me if I gave her bad feedback so looks like she was hoping to pull a fast one without consequences. No idea how it'll pan out but I don't think it's fair to future buyers to not warn them that she did this to me, so we'll see if she follows through I suppose.

[sinceyouask]

What does she mean by a claim against you if you give bad feedback? How does that work?

[Spanneroo]

I have no idea! I had a look on the eBay guidelines and can't see what she could raise a claim about, because I have paid for the items. So I suspect she'll either contact eBay and be told just that, or it's an empty threat and she's hoping it will mean I won't leave poor feedback for fear that it'll affect my eBay account somehow.

[19lottie82]

I have a feeling ebay will remove FB if the comment mentions postage so maybe keep it vague if you want to leave a neg. “rude and aggressive seller” or something like that.

[19lottie82]

PS she can’t “raise a claim” against you once you’ve paid, so don’t worry about that.

[abbsisspartacus]

Tick the box stating unreasonable postage charges too

[OhBondageUpYours]

I sell as a business on eBay and she is talking bollocks. She can report you to ebay if she wants, but they will do nothing as long as your feedback is factual and not abusive.

'Seller offered to combine postage then refused to honour it after purchase' should suffice. Make sure it's a red negative (not grey neutral) and as said above mark her star scores down where applicable. What a daft seller over £3!

[MsJolly]

You can take up a claim for postage-my MIL had her account suspended for a month for accidentally overcharging postage so I would contact eBay yourself

[Spanneroo]

Thank you all. Sounds like she's trying to scare me off leaving her any bad feedback. I'll be sure to keep it factual when I do.

It's good to have it confirmed that it sounds like she doesn't have anything to make a claim against me for.

Really appreciate the input. Thank you!

[verystressedmum]

Did she amend the postage and give you a discount but you you don’t think it’s enough or did she not combine the postage at all?

[abbsisspartacus]

No feedback till the items are received or she might not send at all

[ToadTheVampireThreadKiller]

Combining postage does not mean you get a discount, it means that they will package items together, generally though, it is cheaper and sellers would reduce the postage.

If this had happened to me I would have paid for each item individually, because then they would need to be sent individually, but then I can be awkward.

Because you have already threatened to leave bad feedback she will be able to get it removed and possibly a note on your account. Better to have not said anything and just left it afterwards, but you know now in case it happens again.

[19lottie82]

Because you have already threatened to leave bad feedback she will be able to get it removed and possibly a note on your account.

Not true.

I understand that you think this may be viewed as feedback extortion, but it wouldn’t be.