eBay P&P, negatives and general musing - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 12:37:45 pm
content: If you received an item that wasn't despatched until 5 days after the seller had marked it despatched, was posted by the slowest service available in an envelope worth pennies that had ripped and only by sheer good luck did the item stay in the envelope, the seller admits that they add the cost of the item to the P&P charges 'to hold the value', would you feel rightly aggrieved or am I being overly grumpy?Does it justify a negative or sharp comment in feedback?

author: setq
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 12:45:50 pm
content: I'd leave negative if the seller has left feedback for you already. They provided a shitty service so why would you reward them with a pat on the head. I actually only leave feedback at all if they go the extra mile or cock up. I don't give Amazon feedback and gold stars like a toddler every time they don't screw something up.The ebay feedback system is almost completely worthless as it stands.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 03:41:16 pm
content: If the item was otherwise Ok I would think negative feedback probably a a bit harsh but neutral feedback with a not explaining why would be appropriate.You can leave feedback separately within ebay's system for the late arrival and, if P&P was separate you can leave a score for that as well.Would I be aggrieved that the seller adds the cost to the item to the P&P? No, the seller is just bing stupid as it invites low scores for P&P charges and, given that ebay fees have been based on the total transaction value for a very long time now is no advantage to him at all.You do have to remember to look at the price including P&P when buying stuff but that applies to every other online retailer as well.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 04:11:30 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on October 17, 2016, 03:41:16 pmI did my research and bid accordingly so the max price I would have paid would have been a little below the average BIN price for the item.I'm just a little annoyed that it arrived in such poor packaging and took so long, especially as they claimed it had been dispatched 5 days before the postmark.Price of postage was roughly a seventh of the price they charged.I've marked them down on P&P costs and speed of delivery.

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 06:04:51 pm
content: If the item works then I'd leave neutral feedback describing the situation.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 17, 2016, 08:28:54 pm
content: It's fairly common practice for sellers to "pad out" the cost of postage and handling to make up for any "losses" in the actual item price and to cover costs of eBay listing fees, although there is only so far a seller can push their luck before postage charges become ridiculous. Essentially it's their way of minimising their costs and passing them onto the buyer.I can't remember when the policy changed (maybe a year or two ago) but previously the final value fee was based only on how much the item sold for and excluded postage and handling. Now, the final value fee is based on the total. Sellers would lower the price of the item but make up for it in the postage and handling to reduce the fee payable to eBay.As a casual seller, I can understand why sellers would do this, eBay is a rip-off. Then on top of that Paypal take their slice of the pie. Depending on the item sold, it's not unusual for sellers to be paying 12% or more just in fees.Quote from: CJay on October 17, 2016, 04:11:30 pmThis is just poor service and the seller not living up to their promises. Depending on the handling time that is set in the listing settings, if they mark an item posted within that time frame, it automatically gives them a full score for that category. If they post it "late", they get a bung against their seller standing. Essentially what happened in your case is the seller simply lied.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 18, 2016, 12:43:10 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on October 18, 2016, 12:07:04 amGee thanks for that!

author: Srbel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2016, 10:35:19 am
content: Well, if you bought something for a few quid, what did you expect. If not, then if the shipping was free, it is to be expected. If you had payed for the shipping, then maybe neutral or no feedback is what I would do.