Seller shipped item via lower service than listed/charged for.
Summary: thecondorstore purchased sneakers expecting USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Box shipping, but received them in a cheaper envelope. Despite requesting a $9 refund for the shipping overcharge, the seller has not responded. Suggestions from participants included reporting the seller for suspicious activity, opening an 'Item Not As Described' claim, and leaving factual negative feedback about the shipping discrepancy. Concerns were discussed regarding eBay policies and the appropriateness of requesting partial refunds.
Hello
I recently purchased a pair of $100 sneakers from an auction. Shipping was listed as specifically, USPS Priority Mail Flat rate BOX and $21.99 ( CA to CT)
The Seller shoved/crammed the shoes into a Priority Flat Rate envelope, which cost them only $11.00. I messaged the seller requesting a courtesy refund of the overcharge (I asked for just $9.00) Seller did not respond. The shoes were listed as non-returnable, so I cannot use the Request a Refund feature.
I'd like to escalate my request to eBay, as the item was shipped in a method other than what was listed - which I believe is fraud, or at least a violation of eBay policy. the Bot sent me to a non-existent "click on the 3 dots" to advance my request to eBay.
I feel the Seller is acting in bad faith. ALL of their other listings show USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Box, so I expect that I'm not the only buyer they will do this to.
Does anyone have any solutions or ideas? (I have not yet left feedback)
stephenmorgan
·1 week ago · EditedIt is stated several times in the Shipping Policy that the shipping must be the service buyer selected.
Shipping policy
On this page
What is the policy?
Why does eBay have this policy?
Sellers must use the shipping service the buyer selected during eBay checkout.
In order to ensure a positive experience for all eBay users, the shipping service detailed in the listing and chosen by the buyer should be provided.
What is the policy?
Sellers must ship items within the handling time stated in their listing, using the shipping service the buyer selected at checkout. They must:
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/shipping-policy?id=5035&st=3&pos=6&query=Shipping%20policy&intent=changing%20shipping%20services%20after%20paid&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1562
I would mention the policy to the seller and ask for a partial refund. If no response then consider returning the item for Item Not as Described. You are not only buying the product, you are also buying the shipping service.
Myself, if I was happy with the product I would just forget about it or at most maybe mention it in a Neutral Feedback.
christworks
·1 week ago@stephenmorgan Asking for a partial refund violates eBay policy. Sellers can offer it, but buyers are not supposed to ask.
I agree with you that the OP should move on with or without leaving appropriate feedback.
stephenmorgan
·1 week ago · EditedI do not know where you get this from?
It states in the Money Back Guarantee In the section
When the item received by the buyer doesn't match the listing
"Buyers and sellers may agree to another solution, such as a full or partial refund while the buyer keeps the item, or a replacement item instead of a refund."
Someone is going to have to ask or someone is going to have to offer a partial refund. Nothing in the rules that I see, states the buyer can not offer the desired solution they would like to have.
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?id=4210&st=3&pos=5&query=eBay%20Money%20Back%20Guarantee%20policy&intent=ask%20for%20partial%20refund&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1238
There is a rule about asking for something not offered in the listing. But this situation would be asking for reimbursement of something that was not provided but was clearly stated it would be provided.
If the listing would have just stated Priority Mail without specifying the specific Priority Mail that would be used, there would not have been a misrepresentation, as long as it was some form of Priority Mail or higher.
thecondorstore
OP1 week agoI agree that if the listing said, just "priority mail", then I wouldn't have a claim. BUT, I did see specifically Priority Mail Flat Rate Medium Box, and I thought, ok, $21 .99 is high shipping but they'll come in a nice sturdy box, and I moved forward. But they came stuffed in a too small envelope and I know they pocketed the difference. Grr.
ps. regarding "asking for a partial refund" being a possible violation, yeah, that doesn't make sense. Essentially, as the dissatisfied buyer, my ask was to attempt to come to a reasonable resolution. if I submit it under Not As Described, they'd have to give me back $121.99 - when all I really want (to avoid leaving negative feedback) is $9.
thecondorstore
OP1 week agothanks for this detail. Others have said that I could make a claim for a full refund, but I am otherwise satisfied with the shoes. I contacted the seller to come to an amicable and in my opinion, fair, resolution. but, no response.
thanks again
mkaczorsee
·1 week agoSeller advertised “priority” shipping.
The seller shipped via “priority” shipping.
No violation.
However…if they advertised “priority” shipping and shipped via “ground advantage”….that would be a violation.
You were happy with the shipping price paid at the time of purchase.
You are happy with the sneakers.
Maybe the post office was out of boxes and the seller shipped your item with the priority packaging available.
albertabrightalberta
·1 week ago · Edited@mkaczorsee
If you look at @thecondorstore 's screenshot, the listing advertised MFRB, medium flat rate box. The seller DID downgrade the shipping to a cheaper FRE, flat rate envelope and that IS a violation.
@thecondorstore
If you're okay with returning the sneakers, go to the order and open a claim for NAD (not as described) because the shipping method wasn't as advertised.
Seller will have to either accept the return paying for return shipping, issue a refund without a return or he can offer a partial refund. (You aren't allowed to ask for it but if offered by the seller, you can negotiate.)
EDIT: Adding a copy of the OP's screenshot showing the shipping method:
dbmm-media
·2 weeks agofile a inad get your money back. read the money back guarantee
and give the seller a nice red donut
thecondorstore
OP1 week agoThe thing is, I received the sneakers, they were fine, and I knew that they were non-returnable. I don't want my money back. Yes, I will leave a negative, but I was hoping for an amicable resolution before doing so.
christworks
·1 week ago@thecondorstore So you want the partial refund, but still plan to leave a negative? If I had any inkling you were going to do that, I'd probably not respond either, and bank that I could get any red donut you leave removed.
The argument this is some type of criminal fraud falls flatter than a pancake. I'm also not convinced there is an eBay policy violation here. In this context, eBay generally distinguishes shipping services by delivery class—Economy, Standard, or Expedited—rather than by whether the seller uses a box or an envelope. To say there is a policy violation, eBay would have to be more specific with their definition of service.
The seller charged you for an expedited shipping method and shipped the shoes using an expedited service. While using a cheaper envelope after specifically advertising a box may reasonably leave any buyer dissatisfied, it does not necessarily mean the seller committed fraud or violated eBay’s shipping policy.
You are certainly entitled to leave appropriate feedback, but I would keep it strictly factual: state that the listing indicated the shoes would be shipped in a Flat Rate box, that $21 was charged for shipping, and that they arrived in a Flat Rate envelope. I would avoid words such as “fraud,” “scam,” or definitive claims that the seller violated eBay policy. Those accusations are harder to substantiate and will give the seller grounds to have the entire feedback removed.
janet9988
·1 week agoTHIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bonanza125
·2 weeks ago · EditedWhen you say the listing says "non-returnable" that doesn't mean that there is no refunds. You have a 30 day moneyback guarantee. This does qualify for "item not described." Nobody here works for Ebay. We are buyers and sellers who answer questions and give advice only. The seller shipped the item which was poor packaging and wrong method of shipment in listing. If you are unable to return the item or file a return case then the only thing you can do is leave appropriate feedback. You did receive the sneakers you paid for so the seller didn't commit fraud. It is not a crime to overcharge you on shipping cost. You did receive priority mail service. The seller would be responsible for any damage done during that shipment. Was there any damage?
thecondorstore
OP1 week agoNo, the shoes were fine. and correctly, there's no fraud as to the item itself. But, to promise a high level premium shipping - then ship via a significantly cheaper, less protective shipping method, well that's just not correct.
bonanza125
·1 week ago · EditedWhich is why you would leave appropriate feedback due to the overcharge and less protective shipping method. State that in your feedback you give. You given the seller a chance to resolve the issue which is to refund you the difference. They didn't do that. I've dealt with this situation hundreds of times. Majority I have to say answer immediately or they refund without me even asking them. A very minimal amount of transactions I was overcharged no refund was given.
gurlcat
·2 weeks ago · EditedA big ole red negative feedback might shake that nine bucks loose for you. The seller deserves it anyway, and future buyers deserve to have this information when considering buying from him. Don't forget to include the part where he ignored your message.
By the way what size were these sneakers?? I can't imagine anything bigger than mayyyybe women's size 6 or 7 fitting into a padded FR envelope.
thecondorstore
OP1 week agoI doubt that a negative feedback will result in refund of the overcharge. I was certainly hoping they'd respond and work with me. The shoes were size 9. Believe me, they were crammed in that envelope!
tobaccocardyahoo
·2 weeks ago · EditedYou can try opening an Item Not As Described Return, since the shipping method was not what was specified in the listing.
INAD cannot be refused by the seller, no matter what words he placed in his listing.
thecondorstore
OP1 week agothank you, this is helpful
lady_madonna
·2 weeks agoYou can report the seller, but that will not get your money back.
https://www.ebay.com/help/action?topicid=4022
Choose "Suspicious seller activity"
Then choose "other"
In the details state that seller chose a different, less expensive method of shipping than what was stated on the listing (and that you paid for)
thecondorstore
OP1 week agothank you. this is helpful