Hello all.  I'm a longtime lurker, rare poster.  I have a question about whether or not a certain buyer that I bought from recently deserves neutral or negative feedback.  I figured I'd come here to ask, since I this is the Mecca of the buying and selling of my hobby.  And I'm aware of eBay's new policies and already know that I, as a buyer, already have it over on a seller but I don't want to give neutral or negative feedback unless its absolutely necessary.

I was interested in two pieces from a buyer (which I eventually win), and I asked the obligatory, "Would you combine shipping on multiple auctions won?" question.  Here's what I got as an answer:

No, i'm sorry, but i no longer offer discounts/reductions for multiple items. (unless they are VERY large lots/items.)  I did previously, but w/ gas and the increase in postage over the last few years, it is no longer feasible from a business point of view.  Even recently, i offered such discounts and ended up losing $.  It takes time, materials and multiple trips to the post office to complete these transactions, so instead of discounts, i feel that i offer resonable shipping rates.  My apologies.

Honestly, I was perfectly okay with that response...until today.  I get both in one package.  So I win two auctions, pay two seperate shipping charges, and the auctions arrive in one package.  Wouldn't it have been more honest of him to say, "Hey, I'm going to charge you for two packages, but only send you one."  My apologies, but that's how I feel about it.  I'm just wondering if I should write it off or if I should post feedback.  

Any and all replies would be appreciated.

Thanks.

if you asked the question before you bid, then you did so knowlingly, that the wins would not be combined, even though he sent them that way (hence his comment in replying).

if he said all this afterwards, its a little piss-poor really. does it say anything in the auction about combining items?

if you are happy with the items and it says nothing in the auction AND you know this before bidding, then i would give him posiive, but DSR him poorly for shipping.

if its different than that, then i would clearly do a neutral for him offering a crap service. if he is complaining about "operating" costs, then he should work that into the cost of his auction price.

hope that helps

Al

lawrenson wrote:Hi,

I would neutral him.

I've been playing hardball with sellers recently - when I get an item, if the postage is not close to the amount I paid, I ask for a refund.

Sellers have had years of making "a little bit extra" off postage. Now the boots on the other foot.

Look at the postage on the package - and what you paid. If you arent happy, ask him to do something about it.

Cheers.
Malc

Before you neitral, negative or give a low DSR, email him and see if he will make it right.

Thanks for the replies guys.  I did get his reply before I won the auction (but not before I bid), so I know it's kind of my fault for not asking going in.  I think based on the range of replies, I'll most likely do nothing.  I think my mother once told me that if I didn't have anything nice to say, then I shouldn't say anything at all.    That's not entirely true, though, because the other aspects of the auction (the shipping time, the product condition) was acceptable.  If he comes back and asks me to give him feedback (like some sellers do nowadays) I might discuss it with him (as some suggested).  But I think I'll let it go for the time being.

Thanks for all your feedback.   It was extremely helpful!

xraygord wrote:
 Just read what I have been writing. Sorry for the rant

Publish and be damned !

seriosly though, it's actually quite good advised to read feedback now rather than just look at the numbers. Sellers not being able to leave negs means it is a very uneven playing field.

HermitFromPluto wrote:That all being said. Sellers making extra profit through unclear statements concerning shipping is probably the thing I hate most about Ebay and when I've been hit it makes me want to give up this hobby.

The star system helped address this a little as you can see in the postage and handling line, which Sellers are more likely to do this.

In your case above, in the past I would have let it go as Sellers that rip you off on postage are usually the kind that leave revenge feedback. But now poor service on postage may be weaned out a little more if people state honestly what the Sellers did. For example, he said he would not combine shipping, then did so making extra profits outside the transactions. I would write 'Seller stated would not combine. Sent me combined package costing $10, charged me $25' or some such.

That's the main point. The seller says he won't combine and discount. Fine, then he needs to ship it in 2 packages. That is not combining. The way this guy from the post did it, he combined, didn't discount and pocketed the savings. No matter what he stated in the auction about shipping that isn't right.

Ok, the guy wouldn't "combine shipping", that part's annoying but not worth arguing about.

But to then go and put both items in one package?  Not worth arguing about either.  Give him the negative he deserves, and don't look back.  These jokers need to learn you can't make money on shipping fees.

Sardan wrote:Drop him an email complaining about the fact that he did combine shipping but charged you for separate shipping.  Tell him you were going to leave him a neg (he deserves it IMHO) and but thought you would give him the opportunity to make things right first.

Always give the guy a chance before you neg him. Sorry, but buyers who aren't happy about a transaction should always give the seller a chance. Lots of circumstance happening when you sell and ship. Besides being the right thing to do just because it is right, you may also want something from this same seller down the road.

i like the "give him a chance concept" - i wish others would use this tact more - then maybe the whole feedback system wouldnt be so flawed.

hope it all works out as its a crappy thing to do as a seller that.