Ebay Question - Non Receipt of Item

[Mom2Madi]

Okay, I thought I would pose this to the eBay experts around here....

I purchased the SchoolHouse Rock DVD from eBay on May 13 - the seller emailed me on the 14th and said the item was shipped. He is in Washington State and I'm in Virginia - today makes 2 weeks that the item has been in the mail.

I have contacted him on two occasions - one to have him confirm the ship date and another letting him know it still hasn't arrived.

The seller has excellent feed back - however, I asked him if the package could go Priority insured and he said - No he only offers flat rate of $2.40 - no insurance available. The seller has yet to tell me if this went Media or First Class, I have asked the question twice now.

The seller seems very unconcerned - and his email responses are short and snippy... he has told me twice now, "If it makes you feel any better, the post office has never lost one of my packages in three years of selling". Well, frankly, no it doesn't make me feel any better.

Do I have any sort of recourse through eBay or Paypal - for non-receipt of item?

Just checking... I'm thinking it's money lost, but wanted to check with you guys.

The worst part is my DD goes to the mailbox everyday and is SO SAD when she gets back and it's not there!


Thanks!

EDITED TO ADD:
Seller just emailed and said he paid $1.42 - but "can't tell" if it was Media or First Class. This was a two DVD disk set... I'm guessing that was Media.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Mom2Madi
Okay, I thought I would pose this to the eBay experts around here....

I purchased the SchoolHouse Rock DVD from eBay on May 13 - the seller emailed me on the 14th and said the item was shipped. He is in Washington State and I'm in Virginia - today makes 2 weeks that the item has been in the mail.

I have contacted him on two occasions - one to have him confirm the ship date and another letting him know it still hasn't arrived.

The seller has excellent feed back - however, I asked him if the package could go Priority insured and he said - No he only offers flat rate of $2.40 - no insurance available. The seller has yet to tell me if this went Media or First Class, I have asked the question twice now.

The seller seems very unconcerned - and his email responses are short and snippy... he has told me twice now, "If it makes you feel any better, the post office has never lost one of my packages in three years of selling". Well, frankly, no it doesn't make me feel any better.

Do I have any sort of recourse through eBay or Paypal - for non-receipt of item?

Just checking... I'm thinking it's money lost, but wanted to check with you guys.

The worst part is my DD goes to the mailbox everyday and is SO SAD when she gets back and it's not there!


Thanks!

EDITED TO ADD:
Seller just emailed and said he paid $1.42 - but "can't tell" if it was Media or First Class. This was a two DVD disk set... I'm guessing that was Media.

Probably media mail and that can take a long time. 2-9 business days, and that does not include weekends.

 

[tinaluis]

$1.42 is definitely Media Mail. Sometimes it can take a long time to receive a package by Media Mail. I would have a bit of an issue with a seller who doesn't offer insurance if a package never showed up. Hopefully it will show up soon but don't wait more than 30 days because you must file a complaint with eBay and/or Paypal before 30 days is up. Good luck!

 

[disneysnowflake]

Did the seller get delivery confirmation on the package? I would never ship anything out without delivery confirmation.

I do know that media mail can take a longer time. Heck, I even shipped a doll to my niece via priority mail. It cost me about $10 to ship it. The dang thing took 2 weeks to get there. And that's priority.

The problem with paying with paypal and having items shipped via media mail is you are kinda in a sticky situation.

Sometimes 30 days isn't long enough for media mail.
BUT paypal requires you to file for a refund within 30 days of the date you paid.

Unless the seller has proof of shipping (which paypal will require a delivery confirmation number) you will get your money back.

I bought a 2004 Unofficial Guide from Overstock. That book took months to get here. It shipped from Virginia. I'm in PA. Apparently, it took a trip around the country with all the postmarks on it. Every other time I"ve ever bought a book from Overstock it got here in a matter of days. Not that time though.

Good luck getting your item.

 

[kashkdz]

I would say be a bit more patient, media mail can take 2 weeks or more. You final course of action would be to file a complaint with paypal, but I'm pretty sure you'll receive it by then. If not, file with paypal to get your money back. If eventually it comes after you filed with paypal, you can cancel the complaint or even send the seller the money again (if you are refunded).

 

[disneysteve]

I agree with everyone who says to be patient. I recently had an ebay item I purchased take over 2 weeks to arrive by Priority Mail. Media mail can certainly take 2 weeks or more.

By the way, I would avoid dealing with folks who intentionally overcharge for shipping. I just find that to be a rip-off. If postage was $1.42, he should have charged you $1.42, not $2.40. Sellers sometimes do this to lessen their ebay fees. By selling the item cheaper, they pay ebay less, but then they overcharge for shipping to make up the profit. Just seem shady to me.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by disneysteve
I agree with everyone who says to be patient. I recently had an ebay item I purchased take over 2 weeks to arrive by Priority Mail. Media mail can certainly take 2 weeks or more.

By the way, I would avoid dealing with folks who intentionally overcharge for shipping. I just find that to be a rip-off. If postage was $1.42, he should have charged you $1.42, not $2.40. Sellers sometimes do this to lessen their ebay fees. By selling the item cheaper, they pay ebay less, but then they overcharge for shipping to make up the profit. Just seem shady to me.

That is usually the shipping and handling fee. shipping envelopes and materials are not free.

 

[ripleysmom]

I agree with Gail. Why should my time and materials be free to ship something I am selling?

I had someone complain to me once about my shipping charges for consolidated items. These were fragile items that had to be carefully packed. I had no problem with emailing back that my time and materials are valuable too. Once she received the items I sent her and saw the care that went into their packing, she never again disputed my charges and ordered from me 2 or 3 times after that.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by ripleysmom
I agree with Gail. Why should my time and materials be free to ship something I am selling?

Your time and materials should definitely not be free. I just prefer to work those charges into my item prices, not tack them on separately. That way buyers know exactly what to expect.

I sell on ebay too. I buy envelopes, bubble wrap, tape, etc. But I charge my buyers actual postage only. If I know it will cost me $1 worth of materials to ship an item, I take that into account when I price my item.

I didn't mean to offend anyone or imply that everyone who charges extra is ripping people off, but I know that shipping charges are one of the major sources of complaints with ebay buyers. Lots of stories on the ebay chat boards on this topic. Buyers get upset when they pay one price for postage then the box arrives with a lesser amount of actual postage on it. It makes people feel they've been cheated.

If you do charge for shipping materials, that should be clearly stated in the auction listing so buyers know BEFORE bidding exactly how much shipping will be. I have often not bid on items I was interested in because the stated shipping charges were just way too high, but at least I knew that up front.

 

[thelittlemermaid]

There are some sellers that take handling charges a little over board.

I sell on Ebay also and if shipping comes up to $3.85, I round up to $4.00 and put that little extra toward gas. Of course alot might not prove of that either.

Unlike this one seller I bought off of. I won two auctions from them {a watch and earrings} and was charged $7.98 for shipping and handling. When I received the package it was a plain vinilla envelope and the watch and earrings were in two little bags, looked like little trash bags. Now I know there is no way that envelope cost that much or the trash bags for that matter. Plus I was charged $3.99 for each auction. The shipping sticker said $1.40.

To me that is just to much!!!! I agree that shipping materials shouldn't be free, unless you got them free, aka USPS boxes, but if the buyer is going to have to pay for them, then the seller should state it in the auction listing. From what I have figured out is I basically just gave this seller over $4.00 extra dollars to put my watch and earrings in two little bags and then a envelope and ship it off. I would not have mind it so much if they were wrapped up well and shipped priority, but I am very surprised that my watch arrived in one piece. Sorry had to vent!!!

As for the media mail, I have gotten stuff through media mail anywhere from 2 weeks all the way up to 5 weeks.

 

[kashkdz]

I personally separate the item cost from my shipping costs (which are disclosed in the auction). To me, shipping costs include postage, time, and any other miscellaneous expense to ship the item. Paying $.98 more for shipping than the actual postage, is no way near overcharging. Sure, the shipping fees are not figured into the seller's charge for listing the item on ebay, but $ .98 more -- c'mon. I've typically seen single DVDs on ebay which had shipping charges $4.00 and up.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by thelittlemermaid
I sell on Ebay also and if shipping comes up to $3.85, I round up to $4.00 and put that little extra toward gas.

I don't think anyone is likely to complain about 15 cents. I was talking more about your other example of the jewelry. That kind of stuff happens a lot unfortunately.

But even so, think about this. How would you feel if you went to the mall tomorrow and the cashier says, "You're stuff comes to $19.85. Just give me $20 and we'll call it even." I bet you would question that.

I realize this isn't the debate board and we've gotten OT so I'll just say that I think your business expenses - gas, shipping materials, insurance, etc. should be reflected in your merchandise prices not in your shipping charges. We very rarely buy anything mail order for just this reason.

Have a great holiday everyone.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by disneysteve
Your time and materials should definitely not be free. I just prefer to work those charges into my item prices, not tack them on separately. That way buyers know exactly what to expect.

I sell on ebay too. I buy envelopes, bubble wrap, tape, etc. But I charge my buyers actual postage only. If I know it will cost me $1 worth of materials to ship an item, I take that into account when I price my item.

I didn't mean to offend anyone or imply that everyone who charges extra is ripping people off, but I know that shipping charges are one of the major sources of complaints with ebay buyers. Lots of stories on the ebay chat boards on this topic. Buyers get upset when they pay one price for postage then the box arrives with a lesser amount of actual postage on it. It makes people feel they've been cheated.

If you do charge for shipping materials, that should be clearly stated in the auction listing so buyers know BEFORE bidding exactly how much shipping will be. I have often not bid on items I was interested in because the stated shipping charges were just way too high, but at least I knew that up front.

I always make sure that I tell the buyers my charges are for shipping and handling. I am not going to include the handling or materials in the cost of the item, why pay ebay for that inclusion?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by thelittlemermaid
There are some sellers that take handling charges a little over board.

I sell on Ebay also and if shipping comes up to $3.85, I round up to $4.00 and put that little extra toward gas. Of course alot might not prove of that either.

Unlike this one seller I bought off of. I won two auctions from them {a watch and earrings} and was charged $7.98 for shipping and handling. When I received the package it was a plain vinilla envelope and the watch and earrings were in two little bags, looked like little trash bags. Now I know there is no way that envelope cost that much or the trash bags for that matter. Plus I was charged $3.99 for each auction. The shipping sticker said $1.40.

To me that is just to much!!!! I agree that shipping materials shouldn't be free, unless you got them free, aka USPS boxes, but if the buyer is going to have to pay for them, then the seller should state it in the auction listing. From what I have figured out is I basically just gave this seller over $4.00 extra dollars to put my watch and earrings in two little bags and then a envelope and ship it off. I would not have mind it so much if they were wrapped up well and shipped priority, but I am very surprised that my watch arrived in one piece. Sorry had to vent!!!

As for the media mail, I have gotten stuff through media mail anywhere from 2 weeks all the way up to 5 weeks.

I hear that and totally agree. BUT, I don't think charging the postage and something for the packing material and time is outrageous. IE: If I send something express for say 3.90 and I can get the packing for free, I will probably add 1.00 for my time and effort. I will not rob anyone, but, my time is valuable too.

 

[undertheradar]

 

[floridagirrl2]

Originally posted by disneysteve

I realize this isn't the debate board and we've gotten OT so I'll just say that I think your business expenses - gas, shipping materials, insurance, etc. should be reflected in your merchandise prices not in your shipping charges. We very rarely buy anything mail order for just this reason.

I think this is a bit unrealistic. I just bought a book on Amazon today and was charged $3.99 for shipping--I'm guessing the actual postage cost of Amazon is probably 1/3 to 1/2 of that.

All professional mail order companies charge extra to ship items--they know they have to pay for boxes, bubble wrap/peanuts, the salary of the person who packages the item, etc.

I would guess that most people who sell on Ebay and charge the exact mailing cost (no handling) are not making a living selling on Ebay

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by floridagirrl2
I would guess that most people who sell on Ebay and charge the exact mailing cost (no handling) are not making a living selling on Ebay

I don't know if that's true or not, but I've been selling for just over 7 years now and have done quite well even though I don't specifically charge a handling fee. And I was in business for 11 years before ebay came along - didn't charge a fee then either.

I have many expenses associated with selling on ebay: internet access, computer costs, printing (ink cartridges, paper), time spent shopping for merchandise, cleaning it up, sometimes repairing items before sale, auction registration fees, time spent researching values, digital camera and scanner costs, accountant fees, etc. I don't single out any of these expenses as a line item cost to the buyer. Why would I single out the cost of bubble wrap or envelopes? Its all part of the global overhead. When you go to the supermarket, they don't charge you extra for the bags or to use the shopping cart or for the styrofoam tray the meat is packed on. Those costs are figured into the prices. I do the same thing.

When I purchase an item for resale, I figure all of my overhead into the asking price for the item. If I know it will need special packing, I work the cost of those materials into the price.

Obviously, this isn't how everyone does it but it has been working for me and my customers since 1986. It does take some extra work on my part to calculate exact postage costs for each item, but I prefer to do that than to have my customers feel I'm overcharging them. So the bottom line is I DO charge for handling and for my time and materials. I just don't itemize that charge. I include it in the cost of the item.

 

[floridagirrl2]

Steve, do you know of any professional mail order company that charges exact postage? I don't. I think it's just fine that you charge exact postage--it's just very unrealistic to expect it to be the industry standard.

When I bid on Ebay, I look at the price of the item plus the price of the postage and decide whether it's a good deal. If I don't like the shipping cost, I just don't bid. Remember in elementary school, the teachers said that in a capitalistic society, we vote with our dollars? I vote with my dollars and I don't bid on anything with an outrageous handling charge (or an outrageous starting price!)

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by floridagirrl2
I vote with my dollars and I don't bid on anything with an outrageous handling charge (or an outrageous starting price!)

I agree completely. I have often passed on bidding for an item because the stated shipping charge was ridiculous. The seller was obviously trying to keep the bid price artificially low and make it up on with a huge profit on the shipping.

On a slightly different note, I'm always annoyed when a company charges shipping based strictly on the cost of the item rather than the size and weight. Obviously, it costs a whole lot more to ship a $50 snow globe than to ship a $50 limited edition pin, but Disney will charge the same shipping for both items. As i said, we buy very little by mail order because of those types of policies.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Oh...want an example??? Check out the glow in the dark necklaces on ebay! Some are .99 for 600 braclets but the shipping is 19.99 or 29.99. Boy if you did not check that would be a shock!