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Geek Culture / excessive shipping charges on ebay

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Phaelax
DBPro Master
22
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Joined: 16th Apr 2003
Location: Metropia
Posted: 9th Apr 2011 08:37
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I thought eBay was trying to put a stop to it? I guess sellers can still put whatever they want for shipping but are shown a warning when entering the amount. I just came across a broken iPhone (currently around $50) with $140 for economy shipping! I reported the item and it looks like they do have a specific category just for excessive shipping. I hope they slap the user.

I know some might not think it's that big of a deal and sellers are just trying to guarantee themselves a little profit, but think about it... Shipping costs do not need to be refunded, so if you buy an item for a dollar but pay $100 to ship it, if you return that item you'll only get $1 back.

Personally, I think sellers should include a shipping receipt with every order as proof and that they can't charge more than 15% of what they paid to ship it.

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Fallout
22
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Joined: 1st Sep 2002
Location: Basingstoke, England
Posted: 9th Apr 2011 11:27
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I never had a problem with massive shipping charges. I just budget that into what I pay. But now you mention the issue about refunds, that makes a lot of sense. I'm glad to see most decent sellers now offer free shipping, so the full price is in the 'buy it now'.

The best way to deal with those fools is just not to buy from them though.

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Phaelax
DBPro Master
22
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Joined: 16th Apr 2003
Location: Metropia
Posted: 9th Apr 2011 13:02
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I just looked through a series of auctions for older iPhone 3G. There's around 20 or so all from the same seller (wholesaler), some working some broken. Every single one has at least one bid, all from the same guy around the same time. His history shows he's bid on 1300 items in the past month, with 32 retractions. To me, it sounds like he's a scam for the seller to increase the prices.

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xplosys
19
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Joined: 5th Jan 2006
Playing: FPSC Multiplayer Games
Posted: 9th Apr 2011 15:54
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Quote: "To me, it sounds like he's a scam for the seller to increase the prices."


Some sellers use multiple accounts to control things like initial bids, and to bid their items up if it looks like someone is going to get it too cheap. It's just like the real world. There are good and bad sellers.

Buyer Beware!

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crispex
17
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Joined: 22nd Jun 2007
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Posted: 9th Apr 2011 22:01
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Well. The problem is, people are charging more outrageous shipping prices because eBay doesn't actually tax the shipping, so sometimes people will charge $3 for something and have $15 in shipping. While the item may only need $1.42 shipping, the person gets most of the full payment and doesn't have to pay a final value fee.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
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