Ebay shipping cost question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Sample00 · 06-26-2009, 01:04 PM

So, I recently sold some goalie pads and gloves on ebay.

When I originally packaged the stuff, I took it to Canada Post to get a quote.
The cost of shipping this box was $89.65 and it was going to some guy in Maine. The ad that I originally stated said I would only charge for the exact shipping amount as per Canada Post's exact quote.

I sold the item and then subsequently ended up with a dead beat buyer.
So, I relist the item and put in a fixed price of $80.00 to ship it anywhere in Canada, but what I forgot to do was take out the part that says I will only charge the exact amount of shipping as per Canada Post's quote.

So anyways, I send the guy the invoice for the total amount plus the $80.00 in shipping. the guy emails me back and says, is that the exact amount of shipping as per Canada post. I say, no, Canada Posts amount is higher, its actually $89.65, not thinking that the last time I sold this product it was going to Maine and not Whitby Ontario.

he says great, and pays the invoice.

So, now I found out that its actually cheaper to send it within Canada than I had told him.

I contacted Purolator Courier and the local rep (friend of mine) says she owes me one and cuts me a break on sending this parcel ground to Whitby Ontario. Total cost about $45.00. I suspect he will get the item quicker than by Canada Post.

Am I obligated to return the extra $35.00 to this guy?

thoughts, please

Infamous1 · 06-26-2009, 01:07 PM

Wrong place to post this but I think you should pay him back the difference using Paypal or something. Even just give him 20 bucks he'll be happy.

STeeLy · 06-26-2009, 01:07 PM

I'm just going to say this:

A lot of people make money on shipping when they sell on ebay.

Also... wrong section perhaps?

Edit: I'm not saying you should or shouldn't give him the $35.00... nor does this imply that I over charge for shipping on e-bay when I sell something, I just know for a fact that's what a lot of people do. If I order stuff from ebay and I do a shipping quote for myself with the carrier they're going to use, I find that the quote I did is cheaper by about $10 for most places most times.

Akai-Sesui · 06-26-2009, 01:08 PM

Hmm...wrong forum me thinks.

I don't think you're obligated to return the extra 35.00...but it'd be the decent thing to do.

Cheerio · 06-26-2009, 01:08 PM

Why is this in the flames board?

Sample00 · 06-26-2009, 01:08 PM

crap, mods can you please place in off topic forum

Sample00 · 06-26-2009, 01:11 PM

thank you, whoever switched it for me.

Suzles · 06-26-2009, 01:16 PM

You can make a charge for any packing materials you may have used and also add on a bit for fuel (back and forth to the post office) - but if you want to keep good feedback on eBay then I would refund the buyer something.

photon · 06-26-2009, 01:19 PM

Yeah if the buyer gets the package and sees the real shipping cost on the box he may give you a negative feedback.

06-26-2009, 01:31 PM

If you believe in Karma, you will give him back the difference.

If the extra $ means more, keep your mouth shut and buy a couple of extra cases of beer this weekend.

Sample00 · 06-26-2009, 01:32 PM

thanks for the advice, gang.
I have opted to contact him and advise him of the mistake and give him back the difference

stang · 06-26-2009, 01:41 PM

I would refund the difference too.

I had one guy willing to refund me like 5 bucks for shipping. Really nice thing to do.

mykalberta · 06-26-2009, 02:54 PM

Shipping costs are an easy way to up the price for first time Ebay buyers. No one who usese it more than 10 times is unaware of the costs of shipping.

Alot of times the costs of shipping is far higher than the item sale because its a great way to shaft ebay on fees - or at least used to be.

jydk · 06-26-2009, 04:05 PM

I once ordered a Flames Jersey on Ebay from a guy in the eastern US and it cost me ~$55 including shipping. About 3 weeks later I get a letter from the guy with a cheque for ~$13 explaining that shipping was less then he thought it would be. Made me think the world was a better place, even if only for that day. My hat is off to you if you send back the money.

jar_e · 06-26-2009, 04:07 PM

And I'm not sure how aware ebay buyers are, but if I bought something I'd be leaving negative feedback pretty quick saying I had paid double for shipping...

mykalberta · 06-26-2009, 04:10 PM

Why? Unless they double charged you shipping when they indicated it would be market rates.

Its a way to get money for an item without going over the 99 cent listing fees.

If someone says $50 to ship something then its $50 no matter what it costs the seller. That is jsut an added cost you have to do with Ebay IMO.

stang · 06-26-2009, 04:10 PM

Another option would have been to upgrade the shipping to make it worth 80 dollars, but having it get their the next day by helicopter delivered by Flava Flav.

jar_e · 06-26-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Why? Unless they double charged you shipping when they indicated it would be market rates.

Its a way to get money for an item without going over the 99 cent listing fees.

If someone says $50 to ship something then its $50 no matter what it costs the seller. That is jsut an added cost you have to do with Ebay IMO.

Well I just find it pretty low of seller's to do and I'd definitely leave it in the feedback...the same reason they're allowed to post insanely high shipping prices is the same way I'm allowed to leave feedback saying that their shipping costs are double.

Its definitely buyers beware however....

stang · 06-26-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar_e

Well I just find it pretty low of seller's to do and I'd definitely leave it in the feedback...the same reason they're allowed to post insanely high shipping prices is the same way I'm allowed to leave feedback saying that their shipping costs are double.

Its definitely buyers beware however....

Muh, some people charge for the time to pack it up and packing materials.

I dont mind paying doubel for shipping if the total price of the product (shipped) is less then the next guys (for comparable items)

ken0042 · 06-26-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Why? Unless they double charged you shipping when they indicated it would be market rates.

That is the exact case here.

The bottom line is Sample made an honest mistake as a seller. He meant to put a flat shipping rate in, but left contradictory info in place. It's an honest mistake, but still a mistake. As a businessman I'm sure he can appreciate not having the customer having to pay for that mistake.