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Member since 10/5/08
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Posted on: 10/7/10 6:46 PM ET
Don't know where to post this, but I know a lot of you buy/sell on eBay so I'm just wondering.

I bought this item and the postage listed was $2.41 which of course I paid with my purchase price. When the item arrived, I noticed the postage was only 69 cents. Can I ask the seller to refund me the difference? I know it is less than $2 we're talking about, but still....


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RunningStitches-mkb.blogspot.com
  
Member since 2/7/02
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Posted on: 10/7/10 6:50 PM ET
You can ask but you have to remember that it was shipped in packaging and then that person presumably had to drive to the post office and possibly wait in line. It was a .69 stamp but that isn't everything that's included in shipping. That's just my two cents.
  
Member since 8/19/08
Posts: 627
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Posted on: 10/7/10 6:59 PM ET
In reply to lisalu
That's an iffy one and I totally see where you are coming from. I prefer to only deal with sellers that charge actual shipping and refund any amount overpaid. I have sold items from time to time and to make it easy, I charge a flat fee. I always make sure the postage price shows and if it is less than what they paid, I refund immediately. If it's more, I make up the difference.

I had the same thing happen to me one time and I asked for the excess postage to be reimbursed and the seller refused. He said the auction stated the shipping amount and I agreed to it when I bid. I have to admit, he had a point. But I did let him know I felt that it was wrong to make money off of shipping.

I suggest asking the shipper if they refund any excess shipping charges prior to bidding. Some list that in their auctions and others won't bother.

So there is my two cents....
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Babylock Ellisimo Gold
Babylock Enlighten
Kenmore 1914
Kenmore 1814
  
Member since 5/13/09
Posts: 604
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Posted on: 10/7/10 7:01 PM ET
Unfortunately, if it was listed and you bid on it then you pretty much agreed to the shipping cost. Only exception is if the seller specifically says that it is only an estimate and will refund the difference if it's cheaper. On the other extreme, if you bid/win an item where the seller says the shipping is an estimate and reserves the right to charge you the difference if it's more, you are agreeing to that too. In the latter situation, it's best to get an accurate shipping cost before you bid.
  
Member since 1/26/10
Posts: 150
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Posted on: 10/7/10 7:02 PM ET
I agree with Melody. I've been noticing this on eBay lately - people complain because their shipping fee doesn't match the actual shipping cost, and it's usually when the fee's already very low anyway. When I sell something on eBay, I have to either provide packaging I have or buy some, drive to the post office, stand in line for what's often as long as a half hour, etc. None of that is free.

By the way, that's really cute! I used to collect miniatures. They always display such a beautiful level of craftsmanship.
  
Member since 12/10/07
Posts: 7528
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Posted on: 10/7/10 7:06 PM ET
In reply to lisalu
Some sellers factor in the ebay listing fee and PayPal fees (if they have a business account they pay a fee each transaction based on the amount paid) into their shipping/handling costs. Also, the cost of the mailer, gas to and from post office, etc. With that said, I would say it is up to you.
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⚜️ Diana ⚜️

Bernina 830E 💙 Babylock Enlighten 💙

✝️The Lord is my Light and my Salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1✝️
  
Member since 1/26/10
Posts: 150
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Posted on: 10/7/10 7:09 PM ET
In reply to SewBusy63
Doesn't Paypal charge a fee regardless of if you have a business or not? I know they always take close to $2.00 for every $25 I'm sent. Have I been doing something wrong?

After that, as well as eBay fees, packaging cost, gas, time, etc. it's practically impossible to get any decent money from a sale. If you sell something for $25 and charge $3 shipping, you end up with around $17, if you're lucky.
-- Edited on 10/7/10 7:11 PM --
  
Member since 10/5/08
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Posted on: 10/7/10 7:11 PM ET
It's not a really big deal - it is just a couple of bucks. I just don't do a lot of eBay so I don't know the protocol. It is a tiny little charm, she just stuck it in an envelope so I don't think she had a lot of packaging costs.

A lot of times I don't buy eBay items because the shipping (on larger items, of course) is prohibitive. But if the sellers usually "overestimate" like in this case, I'd be interested to know how they handle it.

ETA: the charm itself only cost $8, so the shipping was 25% of the total cost. I guess I'm looking at it that way.
-- Edited on 10/7/10 7:14 PM --
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RunningStitches-mkb.blogspot.com
  
Member since 2/7/02
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Posted on: 10/7/10 7:12 PM ET
In reply to Teagarden
As a seller, I pay a fee for every cent that comes into my paypal account. There isn't any fee for me to make a purchase though.
edited to add:
You would be shocked at how much shipping has gone up in the last two years. The post office is usually the lowest price option but it is also the option with the diciest service. I could go on and on about the post office but suffice it to say, it's not fun and not cheap.
-- Edited on 10/7/10 7:15 PM --
  
Member since 12/10/07
Posts: 7528
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Posted on: 10/7/10 7:39 PM ET
In reply to Melody
Melody,

As a person with her own home sewing business, I have a fee each time I get a credit card payment or PayPal payment. The USPS has changed a lot in the last 2 years. It is getting expensive, especially if you can't fit it in a flat rate package and it is going overseas. The difference in cost is unbelievable. I am thankful for their free shipping supplies and carrier pick-up.
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⚜️ Diana ⚜️

Bernina 830E 💙 Babylock Enlighten 💙

✝️The Lord is my Light and my Salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1✝️
  
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