Item sent with insufficient postage

11 replies

HoHoHolyCow · 19/10/2019 19:16

I bought an item from a business seller (I think? They are selling loads of random stuff, it's not an individual person). It was advertised as free delivery.

Today, I had to go to the local sorting office to collect the item, as the seller had not paid sufficient postage (they'd posted it as a large letter rather than small parcel). I have had to pay £3.

What would you do in this situation? I had previously opened a 'request' with ebay as the item did not turn up in the specified delivery window (it ended up being 9 days late). The seller did not respond...

Thanks

OP posts:

19lottie82 · 20/10/2019 22:33

There’s not really anything you can do here. You can message the seller and request that they refund your out of pocket expense report the postage, but eBay won’t get involved it force them to do so.

19lottie82 · 20/10/2019 22:34

If the seller refuses or ignores your request your only comeback would be to leave appropriate feedback.

mummymayhem18 · 20/10/2019 23:02

It shouldn't matter if business or not. You purchased something and are out of pocket as you had to pay postage. It's there mistake. Contact the seller if you haven't already. If they don't reply open a case with PayPal.

19lottie82 · 21/10/2019 09:51

If they don't reply open a case with PayPal.

PayPal won’t get involved.

Any refund will be a goodwill gesture. The seller can’t be forced to refund any excess postage charges.

Unfortunately your advice is based on how you think ebay should work rather than how it actually does!

GrumpyHoonMain · 21/10/2019 09:55

Contact Ebay. I got a refund for exactly the same issue a few days ago by showing a screenshot displaying ‘free postage’ for the same item from the same seller. A lot of sellers like to scam people into thinking they are offering free delivery and then not do it

AmIThough · 21/10/2019 09:57

How much is the item worth? If it's cost you like £60 I wouldn't bother for the sake of £3 but if it's a couple of quid I'd bring it up with the seller.
They're probably not even aware of the issue.

icantfind · 21/10/2019 10:00

I had this before and eBay wouldn’t help. PayPal wouldn’t either. After much pestering the seller eventually refunded me the postage but she didn’t have to.

spot102 · 22/10/2019 06:01

Definitely worth contacting the seller, it could well be a genuine mistake/accident - I know Ive inadvertently put the wrong postage on something and didn't realize til after it had gone in the post box! Usually happens when things are done in a hurry. Equally PO can be a bit inconsistent, have known several similar packages go out and PO stopped one as claimed it should have been small parcel rather than large letter (still trying to work that one out). Or buyer could have been scamming, difficult to know for definite, but seemed genuine!
Anyway unless the seller is deliberately not paying full postage, they won't be aware there is a problem, so yes, drop them a line

Original poster

HoHoHolyCow · 22/10/2019 16:20

Thanks all. I've emailed the seller (via eBay) and attached photos of the package. They are 'out of the office' until tomorrow so fingers crossed they'll reimburse me...

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SquirellTamer · 23/10/2019 17:20

I purchased a mascara a while back and the seller sent it with insufficient postage. I contacted the seller twice and he ignored me. The only recourse I then had was negative feedback. As PP say, ebay do not get involved in postage disputes.

Original poster

HoHoHolyCow · 27/10/2019 17:29

The seller was actually really good about it and refunded without any issue. Thanks for the advice.

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