Buyer is willing to pay, but wants refund on shipping cost...

[super_sole]

Hi all,

I sold an item in auction and I use eBay's shipping calculator. Buyer bid for my item, won, then messaged me immediately saying the shipping is too expensive and they will pay half. I respond saying that I used eBay's shipping calculator, but they are saying it's expensive and unreasonable. I reminded the buyer that the amount for shipping is stated and I am unable to lower shipping costs. Buyer then says "I can pay you right now then you can refund the extra shipping cost to my paypal thanks."

Before I reply, I'd like to know what my options are here. I assume I can use the extra cost of shipping as a handling fee, especially due to COVID19 concerns. Should I encourage the buyer to cancel the sale if he is unhappy with the shipping price?

[tdumonde2014]

While I agree that a buyer shouldn't bid/buy an item if they don't the cost of shipping, your shipping costs are all over the place. You have shipping costs for sneakers from $20.00 to $61.00. Why the variance in shipping costs?

[super_sole]

I usually just click on the "buyer pays calculated shipping" button, so even I am not entirely sure. I just print out the label when the sale is done and drop the package off to the post office.

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@super_sole wrote:

I usually just click on the "buyer pays calculated shipping" button, so even I am not entirely sure. I just print out the label when the sale is done and drop the package off to the post office.

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When using calculated shipping, you MUST put the exact weight and dimensions of the packaged item into the listing.

Weigh your items (with packaging) and measure the shipping box.  Put that information into the listing calculator. The buyers will be charged the correct amount to ship to their destination.

When you print the label, reweigh and remeasure just to be sure … put that weight and measurement in when creating your labels.

If you don't have a scale, get one.

[japan-treazures]

With all the crazy things happening here on eBay with buyers, I would just ask the buyer to cancel the order. If they don't cancel and you ship, then you have to wait and see if they file a report, leave negative feedback , etc., not worth the headaches and frustration.

Or you could tell them that you will only refund the difference between what they paid and actual. Let them know you will send them a copy of the receipt. 

I would still ask them to cancel. 

[super_sole]

Yes, I am afraid of the headache they will cause. I looked at the buyer's feedback left for others and 8/15 are negative feedback. I'm worried that I will refund the difference, but still get negative feedback.

I already offered for the buyer to cancel, so hoping for a good outcome.

[super_sole]

Ah I must have entered a different dimension... Thank you for the heads up.

[inhawaii]

Give the buyer 2 options.

1) Pay the shipping.

2) Ask to cancel the transaction. 

Good luck and stay safe!

[variety_nook]

@super_sole 

"I sold an item in auction and I use eBay's shipping calculator. Buyer bid for my item, won, then messaged me immediately saying the shipping is too expensive and they will pay half. I respond saying that I used eBay's shipping calculator, but they are saying it's expensive and unreasonable. I reminded the buyer that the amount for shipping is stated and I am unable to lower shipping costs. Buyer then says "I can pay you right now then you can refund the extra shipping cost to my paypal thanks."

Before I reply, I'd like to know what my options are here. I assume I can use the extra cost of shipping as a handling fee, especially due to COVID19 concerns. Should I encourage the buyer to cancel the sale if he is unhappy with the shipping price?"

Don't do anything except open an Unpaid item case in the resolution center after 2 Full Business days. The Buyer knew what the total price was (including shipping). Once you open the unpaid case the buyer will have 4 business days to pay for what they purchased.

[variety_nook]

More help @super_sole 

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/resolving-unpaid-items?id=4137

[coolections]

So you charged $61.50 just to ship a pair of sneakers ? You didn't even bother to weight the box and put in the measurements ? All your other sneakers are flat rate $20. I agree with your buyer, you should refund the difference of actual cost compared to that over-charge of $61. Next time you decide to use calculated shipping enter the information like you are suppose to do, that is the purpose of calculated shipping.

[coolections]

@variety-nook What you are saying makes every single seller on Ebay look like crooks and scam artists. Then sellers wonder why the buyer pool on Ebay is so low and dwindling.

[luckythewinner]

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I used eBay's shipping calculator

Did you use the shipping calculator correctly? 

they are saying it's expensive and unreasonable

Is the amount you are charging for shipping expensive and unreasonable? 

 I assume I can use the extra cost of shipping as a handling fee

You can do anything you want. But so can your buyer. And your buyer can do a lot to damage you if he sets his mind to it. 

Just because you are able to do something does not mean it is a good idea to do it. 

[variety_nook]

@coolections  said to OP: "So you charged $61.50 just to ship a pair of sneakers ? You didn't even bother to weight the box and put in the measurements ? All your other sneakers are flat rate $20. I agree with your buyer, you should refund the difference of actual cost compared to that over-charge of $61. Next time you decide to use calculated shipping enter the information like you are suppose to do, that is the purpose of calculated shipping."

-So, where is the buyer located in regards to the seller's location? And you're wrong, not all of the sellers shipping rates are a flat $20. Your'e just seeing rates for your locale registered with eBay.

Regardless, the buyer new the price for shipping to their locale prior to placing a bid. If they weren't willing to pay the shipping cost, then they shouldn't have bid on the item to begin with!

[byrd69er]

Let the buyer know you are able to cancel their purchase, if they request you to.

After the buyer's cancellation request appears...cancel the purchase immediately and then BLOCK even more immediately!!