Ebay sellers some are over charging

[andydd]

I was looking for some big hard drives recently (500 gb & 1TB) and I noticed some from China at 99p....postage was £63 !.

 

The problem can be if item is faulty you return it and get back your original quid !

 

Andy

[noomill060]

Just add your bid price to the stated delivery cost.

 

If its ok, then bid if you like.

 

If not, keep looking.

 

Let Ebay worry about their loss of income. They dont care about your finances, why should anyone but Ebay care about theirs?

 

Ebay seem to be trying to ditch the small sellers by making it uneconomical to list, so eventually it will just become a vitual shopping centre and all the peeps unwanted, but interesting and possibly valuable collectables you just cant find anywhere else, will end up where they did before Ebay arrived- in landfill dumps.

[andydd]

- in landfill dumps.

 

hey ! Thats where i do my shopping !

[renegotiation]

Its Ebays fault really.

 

The costs of getting stuff from a seller to the buyer should simply be called a delivery or shipping charge- for that is what it is.

 

It would save a lot of heartache. Calling it "postage costs" has buyers frantically looking at the price of the stamps to see if theyve been "overcharged", forgeting that someone had to pack it up and get to a post office (could be a long bus ride away or cost them in petrol and parking) and queue up for 30 mins) all to save you hassle of having to go out and get it yourself.

 

One solution I thought up was having Ebay enforce a system where the seller had to quote separately for postage, packaging and administration (if applicable) costs. The seller would have to briefly explain what the administration charge entailed in their listing. That's transparency and can't be beat. So as not to put off Ebay newbies it could only apply to those that have already sold 10 items say. That would just involve a small software tweak. Everyone has the Royal Mail website at their disposal, well if they made it to Ebay they do, and can easily get hold off some cheap electronic scales and a pricing in proportion ruler for about £10. All of this could save a lot of unnecessary arguments. Bidder understands; bidder decides; bidder is happy.

Edited December 2, 2009 by renegotiation

[noomill060]

Why?

 

No other sellers have to justify their overheads to potential buyers or provide a breakdown of how they arrived at the price for the service.

 

Buyers either accept the total cost or reject it.

[SOD'EM]

ebay seem to be in cahoots with these, and I think these prices are far more

reasonable than the likes of Royal Mail.

 

https://www.myhermes.co.uk/wps/portal/PN_CTR/

 

I think I will start using these in the very near future.

[renegotiation]

Why?

 

I think it would make Ebay a better and happier place. I used to have exactly the same view as you by the way and do understand what you're saying.

 

 

 

No other sellers have to justify their overheads to potential buyers or provide a breakdown of how they arrived at the price for the service.

 

Some retailers do voluntarily. I'm not sure what the law is on this. I would be surprised if there wasn't some law covering extortionate p and p in some way.

 

 

 

Buyers either accept the total cost or reject it.

 

Some buyers do take the p and p quote in good faith though. That's just the way it is. I'm not one of those buyers, but they exist and have a right to see it like that. All these arguments can be avoided with a fully transparent system.

[noomill060]

Yes, some buyers take the view you express, however they are wrong.

 

In the end, the Enterprise Act would prohibit sellers being forced to justify or reveal their costs in the way you describe.

[renegotiation]

Yes, some buyers take the view you express, however they are wrong.

 

'Wrong' because they see it different to how you and I see it? Come on, that isn't really fair. You are just saying that because it suits you I would guess. If Ebay had a third column next to 'item cost' and 'p and p cost' in their listngs such as 'total cost', then that would make it a lot easier for buyers to compare items. Maybe that might ease some of your concerns? If a bidder had all the costs explained to them, then i'm sure they would still happily opt for a lower 'total cost' that included an admin charge than a higher 'total cost' that didn't.

 

It's not just sellers that need to be more fair and transparent. Ebay does too!

 

 

 

In the end, the Enterprise Act would prohibit sellers being forced to justify or reveal their costs in the way you describe.

 

I think the government lets Ebay do whatever they like...

Edited December 2, 2009 by renegotiation

[noomill060]

"If Ebay had a third column next to 'item cost' and 'p and p cost' in their listngs such as 'total cost', then that would make it a lot easier for buyers to compare items"

 

You mean-

 

Item cost+Delivery=Total cost?

 

If people are unable to add two figures together for themselves, should they even be using an internet shopping site?

[noomill060]

If as you suggest, sellers were forced to give a breadown of their overheads, do you think the large business sellers such as Tesco, Comet PC World etc (which Ebay are keen to stay on board) do you think they would:

 

1) lie down and take it, or

 

2) take action to enforce their rights under the Enterprise Act claiming damages caused by Ebay's unlawful actions?

[renegotiation]

"If Ebay had a third column next to 'item cost' and 'p and p cost' in their listngs such as 'total cost', then that would make it a lot easier for buyers to compare items"

 

You mean-

 

Item cost+Delivery=Total cost?

 

If people are unable to add two figures together for themselves, should they even be using an internet shopping site?

 

I know you weren't being deliberately mean, but many people are poor at maths. I don't think they should be excluded from Ebay. Furthermore, I am at excellent (just making a point, not boasting!) at maths and having a few pages to trawl through with differing item costs and p and p costs can be a bit time consuming when trying to figure out what's cheapest.

 

 

 

If as you suggest, sellers were forced to give a breadown of their overheads, do you think the large business sellers such as Tesco, Comet PC World etc (which Ebay are keen to stay on board) do you think they would:

 

1) lie down and take it, or

 

2) take action to enforce their rights under the Enterprise Act claiming damages caused by Ebay's unlawful actions?

 

I wasn't saying they have to give a 'detailed breakdown' of their overheads. They have to confirm the postage cost, the packaging cost and the remaining cost. The seller could then have an option to clarify the remaining cost or just call it administration. The bidder can then make their decision. As I said, buyers will be happy with costs that are explained. If it's all reasonable then no one would have a problem with it.

[HSBCrusher]

peeps overcharge on shipping because they are trying to make some money... a difficult thing these days on ebay.

 

Why isn't there a viable alternative to ebay?

 

I detest them, and their stinky attitude towards sellers, and they have it all their own way because there is nowhere else to go.

 

If a decent alternative showed up, and users switched, then things might be different. Vote with your feet folks. I much prefer amazon TBH.

[noomill060]

"Why isn't there a viable alternative to ebay?"

 

Because Ebay bought them all out. Remember Yahoo Auctions?

[HSBCrusher]

yes I do, I used yahoo auctions while resisting ebay.

 

they shut down, forcing me over to ebay, that was about 1999/2000.

 

[noomill060]

And if Ebid ever gets any sort of following, that will be gobbled up too.

[Philip23]

I love Ebay and when bidding on items always take into account P&P. I generally go for new stuff, with a seller who's had positive feedback.

 

Now I've made the above statement what's the betting something will go wrong?

[Jan4a]

The very first time I used Ebay my order didn't arrive. I emailed the seller who said she had posted it. It was only £6 so she hadn't sent recorded. So, she thought I was lying and I thought she was lying. The item did arrive but it had taken 1 month for 2nd class from the date she posted it.

 

Good old Royal Mail. I emailed to tell her and she was very relieved. As someone said earlier, always send recorded or at least get a certificate of posting.

 

But other things have been fine.

[renegotiation]

The very first time I used Ebay my order didn't arrive. I emailed the seller who said she had posted it. It was only £6 so she hadn't sent recorded. So, she thought I was lying and I thought she was lying. The item did arrive but it had taken 1 month for 2nd class from the date she posted it.

 

Good old Royal Mail. I emailed to tell her and she was very relieved. As someone said earlier, always send recorded or at least get a certificate of posting.

 

But other things have been fine.

 

I have met some real idiots on Ebay! Worst experience I had was someone claiming I hadn't paid them when I sent off concealed cash registered mail. I have been ripped off about 5 or 6 times. Nothing over £50 though.

 

 

 

And if Ebid ever gets any sort of following, that will be gobbled up too.

 

Knowing our government they will probably let it happen. Ebay/Paypal is seriously BENT.

[noomill060]

"Ebay/Paypal is seriously BENT."

 

No argument there.

 

It was innocent fun when it started. Getting money for your old tat, then spending it on someone elses old tat!

 

Then the rot set in. [problematic] were tolerated and tacitly encouraged.

 

Then, in trying to clean it up they made it difficult for honest smalls ellers to sell. Bumped up fees, bought the corrupt monstrosity that is Paypal and made Paypal compulsory, along with its fees, grabbing bucket loads of cash from seller's. I could go on.

 

I stopped using Ebay for fun, apart from buying the occasional everyday stuff sometime ago.

[renegotiation]

"Ebay/Paypal is seriously BENT."

 

No argument there.

 

You made me bite my tongue.

[soulbumblebee]

Hi Jan4a, I sell on ebay & I try to charge low P&P, all my items are weighed prior to being listed.I too have seen things I like only to see the postage costs!! Ebay are meant to be clamping down on overcharging for P&P but I guess while people will pay it nothing will be done. Makes me very angry

[Jan4a]

Makes me very angry

 

 

Hi soulbumblebee

 

It did me until people on here explained that in some instances its because sellers are trying to pay less commission to ebay so they up the postage instead of the price. I understand that now. BUT others will still be trying to rip people off (as with Godmother above). It seems a bit of a minefield. Best just to look at the total price I think!

[lexis200]

How are they "overcharging"?

 

Sellers can charge for the postage, packing and handling it costs them to get the widget from them to you. Only the seller knows what this cost is.

 

The seller stated this cost in the listing, so a prospective buyer knows exactly how much they need to pay.

 

If the seller then asks for more on top- that would be overcharging.Technically that is right, however charging a fiver to deliver a kids shirt is just not what it costs that person. That package needs some stamps on it and then to be chucked in a postbox. This is someone avoiding ebay's fees, and while I have no issue with that idea, it stops me buying from that person. I'd be willing to bet that this in turn will lead at some point to ebay deciding that sellers should all offer free postage for clothing because postage is putting people off:rolleyes:

 

Paypal hold on to payments to newbie sellers for 21 days until they have a bit of a track record. In the past [problematic] were signing up as newbies, defrauding others of thousands and disappearing without a trace.Well that would work as a theory if everything was held when you start selling, but it's not the case. The only payment held out of nearly 20 listings was the watch at over £80. All the others which were much lower in price went through no problem, and it's this sort of thing that [problematic] sell - cheap mobile batteries for instance as a true story that my OH got stung with; a few hundred were sold at a bargain price, none are sent out and by the time ebay deign to step in all the money's gone. By the time OH realised something was wrong he checked the sellers feedback again and there were hundreds of negs. They don't tend to sell high value items as people will chase too hard for their money. A few quid on a battery however is not worth it for the individual, but the bloke who did the [problem] had sold hundreds at a few quid each.

 

A newbie will get their money after 21 days as long as the buyer gets their widget (or you can prove that they have of they try and pull a fast one- always, always send or return stuff by RD at least) Until the buyer 'forgets' to send it recorded and still claims their money back. I've had this happen many times with my other account and there's sod all ebay will do about it because the perpetually honest buyer has said they sent it. A few years ago I had a buyer neg me for not receiving some kiddies toy. They had signed the recorded delivery slip, but Ebay would not remove the neg as they said it could have been signed for by a friend. Yes, a friend who lived in the buyer's house and had the buyers initial.

 

Once you have over 10 feedback, the 21 days is lifted and you can download your money.No, once you have over 10 Detailed Seller Ratings they lift it, it's completely different. Apart from anything, there's an army of people who don't agree with those ratings so don't use them - me included - you only have to read the forums to see the irritation this rating incites. I never overcharge on my postage, the maximum is about 20p for the cost of the (new) envelopes or boxes I use, and yet on my 1200+ feedback account my 'postage charge' DSR is about 4.6. People have actually marked me down for charging 20p odd for new packaging! In any case, it's not just lifted forevermore, they still reserve the right to withold payments regardless, again as they have done with my well established account because apparently I became untrustworthy after several years of selling. Why would they not? It means your money sits in their account earning them interest for 3 weeks. Lovely.

 

If it was really about stopping fraudsters they'd have shut down the bloke selling the batteries after the 20th complaint. Did they? well, no; it earned them a nice fee every time he sold one and they can tell the customer there's nothing they can do as it's under £15 so not protected by the PayPal payment they forced them to use.

 

All that said, as a buyer I do still really like ebay (ignoring the postage issue:)). For kids clothes it's fantastic and my boys look spanking all the time for very little money. Also just for the stuff that is very hard to find, it's an excellent resource. It will be very sad I think when ebay force out the small sellers and it just becomes a big melting pot of business'.

[The GodMother]

As you havent paid the total price, the seller may simply send you a non-paying bidder warning. Too many of those and you get chucked off Ebay.

 

They have not done and it is also well documented that this was with the agreemen, kinda, of the seller as he siad they wanted me to pay a further £3 for them posting recorded delivery.

 

When i offered to send my own stuff as i was sending the postal order they were fine about it.

 

In total they then wanted £8 for delivery which is defently a rip off for a bag which weights less than 100g.

 

they were more than happy for me to pay for the postage at recorded delivery my self and did not even moan when they found out it was under £2.