Comments: eBay
Actually, such a thing already exists - though not everyone uses it. If you look at auctions for larger items (stereos, speakers, etc) you'll often see a shipping calculator near the bottom of the auction page. You put in your zip code and it does the rest based on the weight of the item. I know UPS offers the service and as a matter of fact, I think USPS does as well.
Then again, this is done almost exclusively for heavy items. DVDs and CDs are where you get gouged by unsrupulous sellers. The lesson here is buyer beware. If somebody lists a ridiculous shipping price, it's up to the buyer to factor that into his bid and wager accordingly. Nothing pisses me off more than when someone buys a very rare dvd or something from me for $100 or so and then gives me less than positive feedback because the item was "too pricey". I wish these morons would just stick to buying DVDs at Target.
Posted by Jeremy at April 24, 2004 04:43 PM
You can't possibly just be figuring this out now! This is the oldest trick in the book on E-Bay. You also can't just e-mail your own shipping invoice to the sellers -- most of the ones overcharging have posted in very snippy and clear terms that they will NOT dicker over the shipping and handling charges, and won't answer any enquiries about it. All you can do is factor their overinflated shipping charge into your bid -- no big deal.
Posted by Canada at April 26, 2004 05:23 PM
Ok, maybe it's just me.. (which it probably is) but I never over-charge on shipping. Must be that damn bleeding heart. Of course, then again.. I don't feel guilty about trying to drive the auction price up.
Posted by Jen at April 27, 2004 11:21 PM
Hi guys, I'm new here.
The problem I see with the bloated shipping charges is that when you win an auction for a $3 item that weighs 1 ounce, costs $24.01 to ship, and seller has a money back guarantee if not fully satisfied, you're only entitled to $3 even though it's obvious that part of the item's actual price is hidden in the shipping, "we'll refund your money less shipping" :(
Combined shipping? Good luck trying to get the seller to agree on combined shipping since he'd be losing $24.01 on the second item. I've even tried to arrange will-call with the sellers which have a mortar-and-brick store front, you guessed it, "we don't do will-call, sorry". The bottom line is bloated shipping charges are a problem and are never to the buyers benefit, and are also not just benign charges. Consider them a "non-refundable purchasing fee".
/end rant
Posted by atrusoftomahna at May 5, 2005 11:42 AM
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)