combined shipping?

Max Power1

I just sold a few items on ebay. I listed all them at 1.48EUR and then added on the rest of the price in the P&P, to avoid the charges.

One guy bought two of the items and wanted combined shipping. I never said anything about combined shipping on the listing; the listing ended with no questions and he was the winning bidder. Am I right in saying that he should have asked before bidding, and I dont have to discount anything?

jor el

Be very careful here. You're circumventing eBay fees, which will get your auctions removed, and your account possibly closed. If this buyer submits a complaint about your auction, you'll be trouble with eBay.

You don't have to combine shipping if you don't want to, but piss off the buyer at your own peril.

RoadKillTs

Am I right in saying that he should have asked before bidding, and I dont have to discount anything?

Yes he should have but the thing is if he complains you risk getting your account closed.

If I was you I would give him a discount.

Max Power1

so it's circumventing ebay fees?
Could I legitimately claim an amount of €10 or so for P+P? Registered post costs 5-7 euro, so I amnt really making anything on this anyway (as I found out AFTER listing the item)

ttm

Tell the guy he should have asked before the auction and the answer would have been no then the same as it is now. You just can't go bidding assuming the seller will combine postage. I really don't think 10euro is to much as you have to use registered post or you wide open to scams. I can't see ebay doing anything but it would be good to know if they do.

Max Power1

ttm wrote: »

Tell the guy he should have asked before the auction and the answer would have been no then the same as it is now. You just can't go bidding assuming the seller will combine postage. I really don't think 10euro is to much as you have to use registered post or you wide open to scams. I can't see ebay doing anything but it would be good to know if they do.

Thanks - thats what I have done. He hasnt paid yet so im waiting to see what he decides to do. I cant open a UPI claim until tomorrow, if he hasnt paid today ill mail him and see what the situation is.

PCPhoto

Max Power1 wrote: »

so it's circumventing ebay fees?
Could I legitimately claim an amount of €10 or so for P+P? Registered post costs 5-7 euro, so I amnt really making anything on this anyway (as I found out AFTER listing the item)

answer to this ....yes !

P&P includes everything from taking the time to goto post office, to cost of packing materials (envelope, newspaper, sellotape etc)

I had a similar issue recently - I asked the seller if he/she will combine shipping ...no reply.... I outbid everyone on 3 items....and had to pay shipping costs on each of them - even though they were packed and sent together !!! (not fair but thats life !)

I blame myself as I was the one that purchased and if the seller didn't respond to my question of combined shipping while the auction is on it basically meant he/she didn't want to answer it, I always ask before the auction (if the seller has a couple of items that I want).

if Ebay actually searched the site or ensured a cheap postage fee for everyone then the site would be much more efficient.

Max Power1

He paid up anyway - and if ever there was a transaction I wasnt risking it by sending it untracked, this is it.

Will be sent to him tomorrow morning with tracking!

As an aside - an post charges for tracking are ridiculous! In the UK it costs 79p to send an item via registered mail, here it costs over €5!

Grumpypants

He bought two items off you, you give him a euro or two off. He will go away happy thinking he got a good deal. You still make your money and he may buy more of your items in the future.

The majority of my repeat customers are guys ive knocked a euro or two off for.

Max Power1

meh - dont really care about repeat customers if they are that slow that they wait till after the auction to ask questions tbh. If a euro is that important to him i suggest he gets a better job.

As I said, the time to ask is before bidding ( i may well have discounted then), not after the auction.

What I want from customers is high enough feedback as a buyer so that I dont need to pay for recorded delivery to ensure that there is no fraudelnt "item not recieved" claims. I couldnt then trust taht this guy wouldnt put in a fraudelent claim based on the fuss he was making about a couple of euro. theres almost €5 gone off my profit (having to send with tracking)

rubadub

You could have offered the reduction you would have got yourself with combined shipping. i.e. if you were charging €10 each you could have offered €15 if both could have been sent for the same €5.

Of course you were under no obligation to do this, it just would mean you do not lose, in fact you win since you only have to handle one package so less time & effort.

Max Power1

I could have.

However I (in my infinite wisdom) did not know that it costs 6 fecking euro to send a parcel with tracking! So I was basically selling PS3 games for 2 or 3 euro... I was all too glad that one guy bought 2, so I actually made some money!

He even left me good feedback so I think the issue is now closed anyway.

Grumpypants

Max Power1 wrote: »

meh - dont really care about repeat customers if they are that slow that they wait till after the auction to ask questions tbh. If a euro is that important to him i suggest he gets a better job.

As I said, the time to ask is before bidding ( i may well have discounted then), not after the auction.

What I want from customers is high enough feedback as a buyer so that I dont need to pay for recorded delivery to ensure that there is no fraudelnt "item not recieved" claims. I couldnt then trust taht this guy wouldnt put in a fraudelent claim based on the fuss he was making about a couple of euro. theres almost €5 gone off my profit (having to send with tracking)

Brilliant so instead of knocking off 2 euro you spent 6 euro on registered post !!

Max Power1

Grumpypants wrote: »

Brilliant so instead of knocking off 2 euro you spent 6 euro on registered post !!

I would have done that anyway on a point of principle. Not having any fraudulent claims against me for non reciept. Proof of postage gets you no where with ebay and paypal as a seller, tracking is needed.

the groutch

Max Power1 wrote: »

so it's circumventing ebay fees?
Could I legitimately claim an amount of €10 or so for P+P? Registered post costs 5-7 euro, so I amnt really making anything on this anyway (as I found out AFTER listing the item)

what about your pair of jeans with €25 P&P?

Max Power1

lol thats some good sniping! (As youll see from the other thread I cant log in now anyway)
its 3 pairs - i dont even know how much it will cost to post them so i amnt taking chances. Its clearly listed - i dont know what peoples problem with high postage low cost items are! No difference to the buyer - only difference is if the seller offers "free" p+p they have to amalgamate the cost into the list price - and the higher fees!