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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to say no to this ebayer?

29 replies

Chulita · 07/10/2009 14:25

I bought something off Ebay and just got a message from the seller saying that once they'd packaged up the item the postage was higher than they expected and could I pay the extra cost.
I often lose money on postage with Ebay because my scales don't tally with the Post Office's but I wouldn't dream of asking the buyer to cover for my mistake.
AIBU?

OP posts:
kittywise · 07/10/2009 14:28

I think they're cheeky, it's their mistake. You bought the item knowing what the post and packing was, they can't change this retrospectively.
You have to charge what you say you're going to!!

Original poster
Chulita · 07/10/2009 14:30

That's what I thought - it's a risk you take with Ebay, just like your item might sell for 99p instead of the £15 you'd like it to go for.

OP posts:
diddl · 07/10/2009 14:31

I´d say no also.

If they can´t be bothered to check things out first that´s their look out!

Just out of interest, how much extra do they want?

Original poster
Chulita · 07/10/2009 14:32

95p extra but it already cost £3.50 postage - wouldn't have bid on that particular item for over £4 in postage.

OP posts:
FlightAttendant · 07/10/2009 14:33

I've had this too. Tbh it's their problem. If there was no fixed amount listed, fair enough - I often get a foreign buyer and have to go and get a quote before I post - but if they just put an arbitrary amount they should - and have to - stick to it.

I'd ignore if I were you or nicely say you wouldn't have bid so high if you'd been aware the postage was going to increase - you have already factored it into your bid.

I have had lots of things arrive that cost less than I paid, postage wise, and some that were more - i've also lost out on sending stuff. But if I make a lot on the postage I will usually refund.

FlightAttendant · 07/10/2009 14:33

95p? How tight is that? Them I mean not you!!!

Original poster
Chulita · 07/10/2009 14:35

I was all ready to get offended!

OP posts:
Meglet · 07/10/2009 14:36

It's their fault. I package and weigh my stuff at home before listing as I don't want to be out of pocket or piss anyone off.

Can you say no without being being given negative feedback even if you have to kiss goodbye to the item?

OscarByTheSea · 07/10/2009 14:37

YANBU

IfYouCouldWouldYou · 07/10/2009 14:38

I have just sold stuff on ebay and had someone asking to combine on two large parcels, but when i actually weighed and measured realised i had undercharged on my listings. I felt bad telling them that i couldn't combine postage because i was going to make a loss...thats the luck of the draw. So no you are Not BU, don't pay her any extra.

StealthPolarBear · 07/10/2009 14:38

yanbu I guess at postage and have lost out majorly in the past but that's my fault!

Original poster
Chulita · 07/10/2009 14:39

They've already posted it but haven't left feedback so they could give me my first ever negative feedback which would be a right PITA. If I hadn't bid she'd have sold the item for over a quid less anyway so the maths doesn't quite add up.

OP posts:
diddl · 07/10/2009 14:40

I think you should "stick to your guns".

I´m sure most of us factor the postage in when bidding.

How desperately do you want the item?

If you´re not too bothered, you could always suggest that if they´re not happy then to forget the transaction!

Original poster
Chulita · 07/10/2009 14:41

I could always offer to post the item back to her when it gets here if she's willing to cover the postage costs and she can relist it It's not a very important thing, I could quite happily live without it!

OP posts:
Hando · 07/10/2009 14:42

Refusing to combine postage if you've made a mistake is fine (unless you stated in your listing that you would).

Op YANBU. Do not pay. If they won't send then report them through paypal as a non performing seller and give them a strike.

Also, I'd give them a neutral feedback for being so cheeky as to ask. If they get shitty when you reply no then leave them negative feedback.

mumto3boys · 07/10/2009 14:42

She can't leave you negative feedback. You can only leave negative for sellers now

SeveredPartOfTheHumphreysGroup · 07/10/2009 14:42

you can't give buyers negative feedback nowadays, so don't worry about that. You can give them negative feedback though if they insist!

I think they are being very cheeky - I've done the same with guessing it and lost out a bit, my fault entirely for being lazy and not weighing it. YANBU.

ChunkyMonkeysMum · 07/10/2009 14:43

I am a regular eBay seller & thought I should let you know that sellers are allowed to request additional p&p costs if the item, when packaged, is going to cost more than originally thought to send.
Personally, I have never charged a customer extra as it is my own fault for not checking before listing, but eBay's policy is that, yes, they are allowed to request extra from you.
Please feel free to call eBay Customer Support on 020 8080 2105 for clarification.

HTH's

MichKit · 07/10/2009 14:43

YANBU, sellers are not allowed to leave negative feedback for buyers, so just be honest... if she tries to leave a negative, just follow up or report to ebay.

DailyMailNameChanger · 07/10/2009 14:44

They can't neg you but you can neg them!

Don't pay it and make sure you mention it in either pos or neutral feedback (depending on how the item is)!

Original poster
Chulita · 07/10/2009 14:44

Ah yes, of course! Heheheh! All good for me then When I sell and have to wait a week for payment I wish I could leave negative but now I'm glad you can't...

OP posts:
Original poster
Chulita · 07/10/2009 14:46

Right, I shall now politely thank them for posting the item so promptly.
Cheers everyone (I'm usually a complete doormat)

OP posts:
MrsGhoulofGhostbourne · 07/10/2009 14:46

YANBU - what a cheeky person!

diddl · 07/10/2009 14:49

Go halves?

ChunkyMonkeysMum · 07/10/2009 14:56

I can't believe they've actually asked you for an additonal 95p !!!! Bearing in mind that Paypal will take 3.4% + 20p (around 24p) of that as a fee

Maybe if it was a few quid, I could understand, but 95p....come on. Haha