AIBU to think this Ebayer is taking the piss?

[theeverydaydancer]

This is just a bit of a rant tbh.

I got a message this morning from someone who has put a bid on a designer handbag that has a starting price of 99p. It is in great condition (I have only used it once, very briefly for a few hours for a job interview). I have put it on so cheap as I just want to get rid of a load of stuff. I calculated the price using the Royal Mail online package calculator tool etc and adding the price of the packaging.

Anyway, this seller has messaged me asking if I could drop the price of the postage by £2 saying she thinks I could do it cheaper. I sent a message back saying no, this the price of the post and packaging and that overall what she is bidding for i.e. gorgeous, leather designer handbag inc p & p is very reasonable.

She really should have asked about the price of P &P before placing a bid, right? Anyway, I think she is massively taking the piss. If she is the only bidder, she have this handbag sent to her for a few pennies over a tenner.

For some reason it has really annoyed me! Perhaps it was the lack of sleep last night, but I just keep thinking "Jesus, some people!".

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

I am a business, LilyBlossom.

[LilyBlossom14]

you can't charge for your time or petrol unless you are a business.

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

I have this happen annoyingly often, but I am annoyed because I only ever charge £2.60 or £5.20 - which are standard 2nd Class small and medium parcel prices and charge NOTHING for the packaging, my time, my petrol etc. etc.

As long as you have replied explaining your costings, then stick to your guns.

[LilyBlossom14]

no - but you can leave it in a safe place like porch or shed for collection.

[rookiemater]

I must admit I don't know much about other delivery methods.

LilyBlossom14 - are you able to choose what time My Hermes comes to collect ? We'd struggle if it was a full day slot as we are both out at work, even at the weekend we have stuff on so wouldn't want to be in for the full day.

[LilyBlossom14]

My Hermes will collect - and it doesn't cost £9 to post a handbag.

[Dontletthemgetyoudown]

Royal Mail postage is expensive. So I can see a handbag especially a leather one being heavy enough to cost that much. Also not everyone lives near a myhermes or collect plus shop. I don't. The nearest is the other side of town. I work full time only sell to make a bit of pocket money for next size up children's clothes etc. and I drive past two post offices in my way to/from work.

[Pheonixisrising]

eek I am nipping over to ebay to grab myself a bargin !

[Tryharder]

I don't see how asking to pay cheque is cheeky.

I wish everyone paid by cheque rather than being held over a barrel by fucking PayPal and their extortionate fees and complete lack of sellers' rights.

[lljkk]

Why in the world are you sending signed-for delivery on a 99p item?

Does this item have much longer to run, OP?

I'd be tempted to cancel any bids, end the listing early, wait until a free-listing offer from Ebay, relist with "free' postage but this time for a reasonable price including your postage by the means you deem fit in the starting price.

No stupid questions from buyers about postage costs guaranteed.

[LilyBlossom14]

£20 is standard post, £50 is signed for - yep, my mistake.

[nickstmoritz]

Has it gone up then? I thought it dropped from £46 to £20 covered? I generally post £4.10 signed for on any pricier items and £3 for the rest with proof of post certs. I did think that the signed for only went to £20 but it would be good if it was £50

[PurpleFrog]

LilyBlossom14 - standard signed for covers you up to £50 now!

[nickstmoritz]

You might find that sending it special delivery might be closer to the £9 and will give added insurance. Don't overcharge on P&P as Lily says the buyer will trash your DSRs on P&P.

My advice is if it is a designer/expensive bag start it at a higher price on a free day. It means buyers will believe that it is a genuine expensive item and that you value it. You can always revise and drop down a little if you are not getting watchers. Put the minimum you want for it and then fingers crossed for a bit more.

[LilyBlossom14]

so how much are you charging for p&p - and if it is standard signed for you will only be covered for £20 - if it is a designer item and goes for a good amount regular signed for won't be adequately insured.

[theeverydaydancer]

I'm sending it signed for on delivery, that's why it is a bit more expensive. I also need to buy the packaging which is a couple of quid. Its a big bag, I've weighed it, so am not making a profit from the postage.

[Franchini]

Use collect + much better than royal mail. Check out their website.

[Ifcatshadthumbs]

I think it's just ebay etiquette to not over charge on postage it puts people off. Your right if you don't like postage cost don't bid and a lot of people won't so you've kinda shot yourself in the foot.

[LilyBlossom14]

yes - and overcharge on postage and a buyer will wreck your stars as it is AGAINST ebay rules - but hey, don't listen to me.

And what is wrong with taking a cheque - not cheeky at all. Wait for it to clear and post the item, no paypal fees and no risk of chargeback - no brainer isn't it?

[rookiemater]

Just checked royal mail ( saddo that I am) and if its a biggish handbag then it could be 10.00 for signed for delivery first class.

People don't realise that postage is very expensive these days - I know as I have started selling stuff on E-bay recently. It impacts on my selling profits as the cheapest price for a non signed for second class delivery is 2.60.

Yes it might be cheaper if I shopped around, but frankly what with working, DS and all, it's hard enough to fit in regular trips to the post office, never mind fannying around with other delivery types.

And yes poster could just not bid. I had some cheeky type asking if I would take a cheque rather than paypal for something as they happened not to have a paypal account . Just say no OP.

[DownstairsMixUp]

But it's HER bag. She could charge £100000000 (obviously exaggeration lol) if she wanted to. No one forces you to bid. I agree, it is cheeky, so items that have ridiculous P&P I just don't bid on tbh. It's the sellers loss though there always seems to be someone out there willing to pay £££ for P&P.

[LilyBlossom14]

And yes - use Collect+ or MyHermes, will cost under a fiver, - online proof of delivery, and they will collect from a porch or shed or you can drop off if near a shop.

[LilyBlossom14]

£9 is very high - and it will stop many potential buyers bidding, plus the winner is likely to trash your stars and feedback. Why didn't you start it over 99p on a free listing weekend and then offer reasonable p&p instead - much more sensible. selling an item for 99p is not going to make you any money, unless you massively overcharge on postage, which of course not only is greedy but risks you losing your ebay account.

Saying a buyer knew how much p&p when they bid is in my opinion just a really crappy excuse for over charging postage and greed. Sorry.

[Ifcatshadthumbs]

Tiny tear. I use collect plus or myhermes and they both have several local drop off points, so you just pay online, print out the postage label and the drop it off at the nearest shop that has a drop off point. You don't have to wait in for a courier.

[Wuxiapian]

Why charge excess postage?

I find that really cheeky - regardless of whether item was won cheap.

Start your auction higher and charge true postage!