Ebay-postage costs-do I leave bad feedback?

[merglemergle]

Following on from the question of how much is reasonable on ebay, I have just recieved an item for which postage was 3.99.

The item was properly wrapped, but individial items were pre-wrapped as they were new. I can't believe the wrapping would have been more than about 50p, being generous.

And it freaking SAYS on it, "postage 1.07"!

Now would it be reasonable to include this on feedback, or do I just accept the high postage? I mean, they were completely upfront about it and I do feel a bit bad about kicking up a fuss now.

However, I'm not clear if it is ok for them to charge basically for going to the post office. I did ask them to send items 2nd class, but they ignored emails.

Should also mention that I think its one of those ebay shop things. Don't know if this makes a difference.

ALSO-they haven't left me feedback. Does it ever happen that people get into a bad-feedback war? I don't want them to retalitate with bad feedback! (I pay very quickly btw, so can't see this would be justified)

Thanks for listening!

(Can't do pound signs on computer btw-sorry)

[marialuisa]

Sorry, i think paying more than the actual costs for the postage is normal, you pay more than actual costs for any mail order.

[Yorkiegirl]

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[Yorkiegirl]

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[sparklymieow]

I think that people can and do put extra on for petrol and time for going to the PO.

[merglemergle]

Yorkiegirl. What was it you bought?

I do think its fair enough, actually. I knew what I was getting myself into. And its not that much. A few things about this seller have annoyed me-eg not answering questions OR emails, trying to get me to pay twice through paypal, (long story) so just wondered.

[starshaker]

i bought something for a penny but postage was £7 its basically just a way they get a sale and dont lose out on the money. its fair enough and they didnt hide it

[Mo2]

Postage is generally regarded to include "postage & packing"

I'm afraid I think this is fairly normal on eBay. I wouldn't get into a tit-for-tat feedback war for this...

[sammac]

If I see something that the sender is pushing up the costs for postage way too high, then I don't bid. been caught out in the past like this, in my early ebay days, but wouldn't do it now.

It's easy enough to get a postage chart from the post office to work out costs before you go to sell. Ebay don't like this. However most sellers, partic shops, don't leave feedback for the seller until the seller has done it first, iykwim. Means they have comeback. What about not leaving any feedback at all. Have done that in the past if not happy, and not getting any neg feedback left for me as a result.

Friend won a portable dvd during the week, for £54. Thought it was a great bargain, until the seller contacted her to say it was a LIST of places to buy cheap dvds. She double checked and nowhere in his ad did it say this. She then checked his feedback, and lots of unhappy customers. She had got caught up in the bidding and didn't check it out. Luckily she hadn't paid for it and has retracted her offer. He has been emailing because she is the winner, but what a con! She is contacting ebay about him.

[flobbleflobble]

The seller is entitled to charge for both packing and handling & since the charge was stated up front it was your decision to accept the postage fee when you bid. I would therefore say that it is not reasonable to complain at this stage.

If you think sellers postage charges are high then you should exercise you right not to bid! It is best to leave negative f/bk only when there is a real problem IMO - and yes, people do leave retaliatory f/bk which is a good reason for reading any negative f/bk to form an opinion as to how justified it really is!

[NotQuiteCockney]

I think ebay charges a higher listing cost if you set the minimum price higher. So high postage charges are just a way to put a minimum price on an item without having to pay ebay more.

I do think they should put the postage information on the bidding page, so you are sure to see it while bidding.

[SoupDragon]

Agree that as you knew what it waw up front, you can't complain. I tend not to buy if I think the P&P is over inflated.

wrt feedback, as a seller I never leave feedback until the buyer lets me know the item has arrived safely and they are happy with it or they've already left feedback. I state this in the slip I send with items.

[tamum]

I would guess that they undoubtedly haven't left feedback because they will leave a retaliatory negative for you. It's quite common practice. I don't think you have any cause for grievance if p+p was stated upfront I'm afraid.

[biglips]

unfortunately, thats how the seller make money by charging more on the post

[crunchie]

You could leave nuetral feedback, I certainly wouldn't leave negative feedback. You need to decide if the postage is worth it before you buy the item. I have seen some people charge a fortune for postage which I know costs a pittance, but that is their choice if it is open and agreed before hand. With ebay it is always 'buyer beware'

[merglemergle]

Yes, I think I will leave the postage issue. I thought they weren't meant to inflate postage so thought it might be something I should mention. TBH, at most its about a pound at stake so not too bothered.

Could they leave unjustified bad feedback for me though? I paid within an hour of the auction ending, by paypal.

Fair enough here but just out of interest, if the seller did something out of order, should I still avoid leaving neg feedback because they will retaliate? Thats a bit worrying!

[Satine]

If you're not happy, you should leave negative feedback because it's the only way other bidders can see if a seller is genuine and honest. It might mean retaliatory feedback for you but you can reply to it and explain.

[Gwenick]

f the seller did something out of order, should I still avoid leaving neg feedback because they will retaliate? Thats a bit worrying!



No - you should leave negative - most people will look to see what the 'issue' was for negative feedbacks, and it won't stop you getting bids on your own items.

[jenkel]

Dont think you should leave negative feedback as you were aware (I presume) of the postage and packing price before you bid on it and by bidding you agreed to the terms.

[teeavee]

I know someone who bouight a runner for her hall for £1, and was charged £45 for postage!
pays to check for unscrupulous practice before bidding....
but in this case, I would say that you have to accept it if the postage cost was stated on the advert

[expatinscotland]

Yet another reason I don't shop on Ebay . . . have yet to see anything that's a real bargain once the postage is added in.

[Iklboo]

Don't think you should leave negative feedback re the postage. I sell on ebay sometimes and when you add up cost of buying padded envelopes, bubble wrap, sellotape etc, it mounts up before postage. We did once overcharge postage on an item, but refunded the difference straight away because it just wouldn't have been on to keep the money.

[Fran1]

I wouldn't leave neg, esp if you got it for bargain price anyway.

I always overestimate cos my it is very difficult to know what the price will be. a) because my kitchen scales are not as reliable as post office and b) because i don't wrap things until they are sold so am basically guessing what the wrapping will weigh and cost!
Often i won't decide on packaging until an item is sold, sometimes i may be able to make do with reusing bubble wrap and other times i may need to spend a fair bit on purchasing stuff.

It is not that ebayers are making loads of money out of postage its a case of you win some you lose some.

Something i posted the other day cost £2 more than i had quoted, but it all evens out in the end.

[Nemo1977]

I agree they have been clear about postage so cant really complain as such

[docket]

Don't think you should leave negative feedback, you knew what the p&p would cost up front so you haven't been deceieved.

[Aero]

I would leave positive feedback. I recently bought some ballet shoes for dd and the postage was far too high imo, but the shoes were great and came quickly so more than made up for it, so I said as much in my feedback.