AFAIK there's nothing "illegal" about charging a bunch for Shipping & Handling (apparently a lot of handling going on there). Yeah it stinks, but they can say that it's listed on there, and its the bidder's fault if they didn't see it. I almost bought a few things off fleaBay before seeing stuff like that. Buyer beware!

 

Seems to be a lot of that going on there. My buddy bought some small parts and got them for $15.00 and 85 for shipping. He told the guy he would be over the next day to pick them up. Boy was he pissed. He said he does it to get around the eBay fees. Seems like a trend...wonder what they will do to stop it if anything.

 

They do that because they do not get charged eBay fees on shipping charges.. Obviously the old rule applies here that if its too good to be true, better look again..

 

Since ebay gets its money on both ends of the sale (they charge a listing fee at the start of the auction + a transaction fee at the end if it sells) sellers are trying to keep their expenses under control by adding extra to the shipping so the bid price that ebay uses to calculate their fees ends up lower (this assumes the buyer accounted for the shipping in the bid price). Contrary to popular opinion there's an incredibly small profit margin in reselling for most items, so sellers who succeed do so by usually selling in high volume. I'm not saying I agree with the practice but if you sell several items ebays fees really add up so I understand the motivation for doing it that way. As long as the shipping cost is clearly defined it's the buyers responsibility to bid accordingly. In some cases I've seen the seller state in his description that no local pick ups are allowed, probably because of buyers like briango's buddy. It just goes to show that there people on both sides of the deal trying to beat the system. Unfortunately all that does is create mistrust and make it more costly for the next guy, and ebay still gets their cut!

 

Why don't you report the fool to Ebay? It is blatantly against their listing policy to overcharge for shipping in order to circumvent Ebay Fees (and that's obviously what they're doing). I make my living off of Ebay, and I can tell you that they're pretty good at yanking bunk auctions off within a day or so.

 

Ask the seller if you can send them a pre paid shipping label such as fedex or ups just to see what they say.

 

Why don't you report the fool to Ebay? It is blatantly against their listing policy to overcharge for shipping in order to circumvent Ebay Fees (and that's obviously what they're doing).

My thoughts exactly, eBay will pull it if you report it. That guy will get the hint if eBay goes through his auction and wipes out all of them that are "circumventing eBay fees"

 

Yep. I just got snookered into unreal shipping charges too, but not as bad as your example. Just won an NOS spare tire hold down bolt for $1, but then found out when I went to pay there's a $10 flat rate charge and required $2 insurance fee. won't buy from him again. :chainsaw: :wall:

 

I had a seller on ebay that had a flat rate shipping in United States $10 on a used K&N filter. I was living in Hawaii and he told me it was going to cost $10 more to ship to me. I knew it wouldn't but went along. When the package arrived I asked him why he charged my $20 shipping when it only cost him $4.35 to send it to me. He said it was for gas to drive to the post office. I looked up his address and he lived 0.2 miles away from the post office. I waited until the last day and left a negative feedback. The only one I've ever left.

 

There's a lot of that going on with electronics on Ebay. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of game systems like PS2 listed for just $.99 - then if you look at "shipping charges", they're like $200-$300. This may or may not be against Ebay rules, but let's face it, if you honestly think you're getting a brand new game console/game/controller, etc. for $.99 AND you haven't read the entire listing from top to bottom, who's fault is that??? ::
I'm a little surprised, however at some of the above posts; unless someone says "actual cost" for shipping, why would you assume that's all that you'd be paying? Its also long been a standard practice in many businesses to slip a "handling charge" in there as well. Besides, if a guy has to buy boxes or packaging to send your item, why shouldn't he be reimbursed? Bottom line - if a seller states his shipping charge, ridiculously high or not, why is he the bad guy if you still decide to bid on his item? ::

(***And just for the record, so nobody assumes anything else here, I specifically state AND charge actual standard UPS shipping fees on my auctions! :: )

 

There is a guy on ebay that sell brand new motorcycle tires for $ 5 a set, and $ 110 shipping. He states right in th add, in large letters, that he charges really high shipping so ebay doesn't nail him with fees. He spends a whole paragraph explaining the situation,and he's very clear. I hate when people charge too much for shipping, and try to swindle you, but this guy isn't a swindler. He just wants to make money. $ 115 for a brand new set of bike tires isn't bad.

 

Its not only Ebay guys who do this. I just bought a set of White Face gauge overlays for my 67 mustang from Kanter Performance and they charged me $10.00 for shipping. Imagine my surprise when the package arrives to Canada no less and the postage was only approx. $2.60 So if they were sent to the US they would be even less. I can tell you I won't be buying from them again. It happens everywhere, what can you do?
Al

 

My brother sells '60's Ford parts & charges EXACT shipping costs -- nothing more EVER. He has 100% rating & has shipped several FE heads which are obviously very heavy. I won't bid on an item unless I know the exact shipping "charges". I figure this into my total expense for the part -- otherwise I pass on the item.

 

I always put a shipping price in my ebay auctions, normally $7 - $12, based on weight, for the US 48. Most auctions, it comes out within $1 or $2. After paypal takes it's cut, it's about even. I ship FedEx or USPS, and both offices are on the way to work, so there is no extra gas. What is a rip though, is the price of packing materials. Priced bubble wrap recently? :horror:

 

Yes it is true that gas to the shipper, packing materials, ebay fees, paypal fees etc... cost money, however if people are treating EBAY as a business then that should be considered a fixed cost with every transaction and price the part accordingly. If you need to sell the part for "x" dollars to break even then list it at that and see if it sells. If the parts are in demand and priced correctly they will sell.

Dan