EBAY *****

[samuria]

bought a steering wheel and boss for my van. a mountney one. got it for a tenner, was told postage would be £10, it arrived today looks brand new the postage was only £4 anyone had same problem ? and can i claim back the over charged postage?

[Matt]

Its against ebay rules to make a profit on postage.

Ask the seller for a partial refund (bear in price of packing materials) - and if they refuse point out thats its against ebay rules and you would report them... normally get the refund fairly soon after!

[C6Dave]

'Postage' does include the packaging costs, time to pack it etc. so you can't simply say that just because the stamp cost £4.00 the overall cost was unreasonable

I had a wheel posted that cost £8.95 so how they did it for £4.00 beats me

[samuria]

'Postage' does include the packaging costs, time to pack it etc. so you can't simply say that just because the stamp cost £4.00 the overall cost was unreasonable

I had a wheel posted that cost £8.95 so how they did it for £4.00 beats me

as this was a smaller wheel and alloy boss the weight would be a lot less, it came by standard parcel. it was in a box, lose with the boss, and bolts just thrown in. even the postie said it sounded like a box of nuts and bolts and left with a big grin. i have never had to leave anyone bad feedback!!! but like all things there is always a first time

[les]

A bit annoying but as the wheel sounds in better condition than you expected and you initially went ahead knowing the postal charge, maybe you should put it down to one of those things.

[samuria]

yes iam more than happy with the wheel, and was prepared for the postage cost, it just makes me angry that some( cant use the words) rip people off and get away with it.

[linearaudio]

Maybe he did rip you off, or maybe he guesstimated the postage. I have done this myself when selling an item, tend to look at what others are charging for same type of thing. I have now worked my way round the Royal Mail weights/sizes/ and costs, but some people may not have looked into it. Also, where is his nearest Post office? If you are in the sticks then when you factor in fuel costs, time, and parking fees, it puts a different slant on things!
Frankly, if I got a good Mountney wheel, delivered to my door, for £20 all in, I wouldn't be grumbling!
Just be happy with your period wheel!!
This situation can also work the other way. I ordered a tractor seat from EBay for a very good price, new, the company were quoting £7.50 postage on a 25kg weight, 6-8 working days delivery. That was Thursday mid-afternoon.....It arrived Fedex 9.30 Friday morning!!
I can't believe they made anything out of that service! Unfortunately, the best feedback I could give was "excellent"- there should be one above that rating, marked "incredible"!!!

[bmcecosse]

You agreed to buy knowing there would be a £10 'postage' charge - why complain now ?? You should have negotiated around the postage charge before buying the thing... Send it back for a refund if not happy ....... I thought not...........

[rayofleamington]

Inflated p&p is just part of the price as long as it's shown in the listing.
Some people use this practise as a way of reducing ebay fees (final value % fees don't include P&P) hence ebay try to stop it.
If you're a canny bargain hunter you can find these things locally and collect ;-)

when I sell stuff it's just to get rid of it, so I never charge more than the stamp cost. If I charged my time at normal hourly rate for packing and going to the post office, then I'd get the same accusations. When P&P price is on the listing, then buyer gets a choice on whether they want it or not... there's plenty more listings.

[samuria]

you seem to be missing my point!!! i was happy to pay the postage thinking its what it would cost***** but to find out its less than half is what ***** me off.

[Dean]

you seem to be missing my point!!! i was happy to pay the postage thinking its what it would cost***** but to find out its less than half is what ***** me off.

It is annoying, I agree. What you will find though is, if the postage were listed a £4.50 the bidding would have gone higher than a tenner. Look at other items listed and you'll find everything similar (taking into account highest bids plus postage) tend to net out to the same price. If you read ebay rules they do tell you to make sure you allow for postage, packaging, time and personal fuel costs etc.

[bmcecosse]

We are NOT missing your point - but YOU are missing the point that the charge was clearly shown - and you chose to buy the thing anyway!! So don't complain now ! I have bought items on ebay and the post cost actually ended up MORE than the seller asked for. And yes - on the rare occasions I sell something - I only ask for the actual Post Office cost. But if I buy something with a known/declared postage cost - then that is what I expect to pay !! Simples !!!

[samuria]

We are NOT missing your point - but YOU are missing the point that the charge was clearly shown - and you chose to buy the thing anyway!! So don't complain now ! I have bought items on ebay and the post cost actually ended up MORE than the seller asked for. And yes - on the rare occasions I sell something - I only ask for the actual Post Office cost. But if I buy something with a known/declared postage cost - then that is what I expect to pay !! Simples !!!

ok keep your hair on

[rayofleamington]

ok keep your hair on

might be too late for that... ;-)

[bmcecosse]

It is -way too late.........

[mike.perry]

I object to the VAT charged on the stamp when it is stuck to the parcel.
Item cost £XXX
post and packing £X
Then VAT on the total Double taxation?

[bmcecosse]

Why do you think it is 'double taxation' ? There is no vat on stamps - but you do pay vat on post and pack because it's a service. Just single taxation though....... The country is deep in debt you know - we have to pay it off somehow..

[IaininTenbury]

When I sell stuff, I tend to guestimate the postal charge. Normally I'm not far off, if its a bit less than I charge then it goes a little way to cover my time in packing it and sending it (it all counts when self employed) sometimes I get it wrong and the item costs more than I charged. i could pre pack and weigh things before listing, but again its time....
I've bought plenty of stuff where the P&P charge has been more than the actual cost - I just view the total both as buyer and seller, and if I'm happy with that then fine.
Biggest 'rip off' charges seem to be on pre war Hornby trains. Theres a sizable item and the seller guestimates the cost and then discovers that tinplate trains are actually quite light. Myself, I'm just happy to have got the item.