This ebay seller is out of control.

[ESAVINON]

I recently won this ebay item 160020799020.
After contacting the seller that i live in nyc and that i'm willing to pick up this item he states that he's available friday or saturday. he sends an invoice for the item price plus shipping. I send him an email advising him that since i'm going to pick up this item, i'm not going to pay for shipping. he shoots back an email saying that that i have to pay for shipping regardless of the fact that i'm picking up this item. On the second email he states that he's not available for pickup and that he prefers to ship this item.he also goes on to say that he has to pay for advertisement costs.

I told him that this is a clear violation of ebay listing rules and that he'll be reported. Now he's threatening back that i'm going to be reported as an non paying bidder.
Regardless of the fact that he's threatenig me i went ahead and reported his shipping charges as excessive (an ebay violation)and that he's trying to extort the shipping charges to cover the ebay listing fees.

[Polk65]

Good for you. I'd say $73 is slightly excessive to the next zip code.

Looks like a nice pair. If you get them and need a badge I have one or two spares.

[ESAVINON]

Thanks but it looks like i'll be a long dispute.

[George Grand]

Good luck Ed.

[billbillw]

You always need to ask if local pickup is an option before bidding and verify that there is no fee for P/U. Unfortunately, you are supposed to report the excessive shipping charges before you bid because Ebay cancels the auction when the violation is found. For this case, the seller might be able to show that his shipping costs are close to what is asked when you consider packaging each speaker separate, shipping costs, etc. Good luck working this out.

[Early B.]

Bill is right - you're probably screwed on this one. Don't fight it, especially since the shipping charge was stated up front. I personally don't bid on anything that has an excessive shipping charge. It tells me the seller is less than honorable.

[faster100]

Thier to my knowledge is no e-bay law on shipping cost.. I hate over inflated shipping, and is why i charge after the auction per the weight and destination..

I see pc memory for 1 penny and 30 -40 bucks shipping.. all the time. nothing you can do after you bid, or before for that matter. besides stear clear of such sellers

[warlocks1]

Sorry about the situation. I don't believe you have any chance of getting out of this unless the buyer told you pick up is availalble. The auction clearly states the shipping fee. I would offer him $20.00 to cover any fees. You are still getting a great pair of speakers for $70.00. Let us know how it turns out. Good Luck!

[zombie boy 2000]

What kind of seller prefers to ship speakers?

Seems to me there might be an issue concerning condition....

[Demiurge]

eBay will cancel your auction if it is found to have over inflated shipping charges. There's nothing they can do after the fact. If it was stated in the auction, you have to pay for it -- regardless if you pick it up or not. That's the point in which you'd hope the seller would have some common sense and not charge you for shipping.

The fact he won't meet you speaks volumes, and I'd be happy just to get a decent product out of the guy. If you get that you're lucky. I would not leave him any feedback. Hold it hostage or he may retaliate and throw you a negative. There's nothing you can do about that either unless he slanders you.

[markmarc]

I had a shipping issue as well with eBay. The guy tried charging $35 to ship a two ounce item 300 miles. I fought him and won. Just be specific, if you have the email that shows him agreeing to a pick up include it. Just keep fighting, chances are eBay will give the seller a free relist and the deal will be null and void with no penalty to either side.

[dragon1952]

What kind of seller prefers to ship speakers?


One who stands to make an extra $50 over what it costs him to ship :p

Bottom line here is he stated his shipping cost right there in black and white. You should always ask before hand if pickup is an option and you should always question shipping before bidding. Not to sound insensitive or anything but that's the way it works.

[zombie boy 2000]

One who stands to make an extra $50 over what it costs him to ship :p


Game, set, match Dragon:D

[univera]

I say f-him. If he can't flex a bit and wants to make a profit on it, decide whats important- your speaks or getting screwed. The worst that will happen if you don't pay is a unpaid strike and possibly a negative. He has perfect feedback, so he likely doesn't want to ruin that with a retaliatory response in return.

As a Power Seller, I add $2.00 to every shipping total to cover fees, unless its something very high end that I will really have to pay alot in fees. I don't feel that is outrageous or unfair.

If you do the math, he isn't having to shell out much in fees on those speakers. Plus, they don't weigh much, so shipping next door can't be all that much.

You can request his seller info by going doing an ADVANCED SEARCH at the top of the page. Then click on member information. You will need to have his seller name handy and just enter that where appropriate. Your info will be emailed to him and vice versa. You will get a phone number to call him. Perhaps you can persuade him to let you pick them up, pay him cash (which will save on Paypal fees) and give him a little extra to make up for his expenses. You might B.S. him and tell him the speakers are really fragile and that you have had the same ones damaged previously in shipment, therefore its best for both of you to pick them up.

A lot of people don't realize that you can get their phone numbers and he might come around a bit in person. Its easy to be an asshole via email.

I do agree with the others that you need to ask if local pickup is available first and make sure that you don't need to pay for shipping regardless.

When I see high prices on shipping, I always question them during the active listing and ask whether they will ship for actual or close to actual charges or I flat out ask it the shipping price quoted is close to actual. Good luck. Let us know what happens.

[faster100]

had some monitor 10's i think local to me, like within 5-10 miles.. e-mailed the seller for local pickup, and if it was ok.. NOPE i will only ship them.. totally passed, what a jerk for anyone to charge local pickup, unless you have to drive like 45 -1 hour or something... and i still would have that all clear before a bid was placed.. pass on this idiots speakers.. dont let the great deal (if it is) fog your reasoning that something isnt right here..

[clueless]

Ebay has changed there shipping policy a few months ago, because excessive shipping charges are driving buyers away. From what I see the seller is in volation of this policy and should have the listing cancelled. Good luck.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-shipping.html

[schwarcw]

Tough situation. I sympathize with you, lot's of shipping gouges going on in eBay. I try to get those settled upfront if I can. Otherwise, I'll pass on these auctions that have high shipping cost. I have no experience with local pickup, except at one of those eBay auction houses, they were very cool with it. You don't need those Monitor 7's that bad.