eBay Charged Both the Seller and the Buyer for Shipping

[cmc53x]

I recently sold a motorcycle seat.  Shipping was $30.33, this was charged to buyer per the selling add. The ebay charges included the shipping cost of $30.33 and ebay fee 13.25% to the seller(not based on just selling price, but selling price plus shipping.)  Thus ebay not only inflated value to increase the fee by adding in shipping charged to buyer, but then also charged the shipping fee to both buyer and seller.  

Does anyone know how to get a hold of a person at ebay to help as all help links lead to automated chat that has no relevant responses?

[woodland_gnome]

You are misunderstanding.   The buyer pays YOU for shipping in the amount you set (fixed amount or calculated) in the listing.   YOU pay the carrier (either through eBay or directly) what the carrier charges for that package to that destination (regardless of the amount you charged the buyer).  You get what the buyer paid (including the s/h fee you charged, but not the sales tax) minus eBay's fees (see more below) and the amount you paid the carrier if you bought the label through eBay from the proceeds.

The fee is not based on the shipping you pay, it is based on what the buyer PAYS YOU.

Years ago eBay charged FVFs on the price alone, but far too many sellers avoided paying the fee by selling a $100 item for $1 plus $99 s/h. At the same time they were trying to push "Free Shipping" but sellers who did so were at a disadvantage because the s/h had to be built into the price, so they were paying higher fees than those with separate s/h. So they changed the calculation to the "total price" of price plus s/h actually paid (with an adjustment if the buyer selected an overnight or international shipping option)lowering other fees and the FVF percentage on some categories at the same time.  It also now includes the sales tax in the calculation, but that's another story.

[eburtonlab]

The buyer pays an amount that covers the item price, shipping and sales tax (if any).

eBay calculates eBay's fee based on the entire amount the buyer pays. Then eBay sends the sales tax amount to the buyer's state, eBay takes its own fee amount out, and gives the remaining balance to the seller.

From that amount (which includes what the buyer paid for shipping less fees) the seller can pay for shipping.

The seller has to be the one to pay for shipping because the seller is the one with a package that needs to be shipped.

eBay could calculate the fee in another way -- for instance, leaving sales tax out -- but then the fee percentage would have to be higher to bring in the same amount of money.

If eBay did not figure shipping in the fee calculation you would see a lot of listings selling for $1 with $99 shipping to avoid eBay fees.

[cmc53x]

Understand all posted.  That is not the situation, as stated ebay charged both seller (me) and the buyer shipping.  Ebay double charged and they continue to say they tried to call, but no calls recieved.

[cmc53x]

Unfortunately, it seems YOU are not understanding and your message is not helpful, to include the YOU in all caps.  Yes, it is easy to read the policy and understand, which it seems like you may have demonstrated cut-and-paste skills.  However, this is not the case, both seller (me) and the buyer were charged for shipping by ebay.  Attempted resolution via chat AI (worthless), then tried to escalate via call or chat with an agent (the ebay agent only contacts you, no direct access or email access to be found) neither the chat or call was initiated from ebay and then a email is sent that ebay attempted to reach you, which did not happen and you cannot respond to the email (noreply.)  If ebay had a customer service email, would be helpful if it is known and included as reply.

[conservitvs]

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@cmc53x wrote:

Understand all posted.  That is not the situation, as stated ebay charged both seller (me) and the buyer shipping.  Ebay double charged and they continue to say they tried to call, but no calls recieved.

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No, you clearly do not understand. 

So… buyer pays you the shipping fee ($30.33) in addition to the sale price. 

No, you have $30.33 more than the item sold for, right?

So, now you have to ship. eBay now charges YOU for the label… but remember, the buyer paid you an additional $30.33 to buy this label. 

So while it looks to you like eBay charged you both, well, they did, but the $30.33 label isn’t coming out of YOUR pocket because the BUYER paid you the $30.33 UP FRONT to buy the label. 

Get it now?