Seller requesting payment for shipping on an item with free shipping.

[elvidan0]

Had a friend buy from a seller listing an item for free shipping. However the seller is now requesting payment for the shipping costs, and is pointing to the description saying along the lines of "The buyer pays for shipping."

Should my friend contact eBay in this case? I don't have any personal experience on this to rely on. 

[hartungcards]

Tell your "friend" to tell the seller to go take a long walk off a short pier.

[elvidan0]

Would the seller have a way to retaliate? My friend already paid for the item and the seller claims to have shipped it already. 

[ittybitnot]

@elvidan0 

Has your friend paid already?   If so, the seller cannot ask for more money after the fact.  

Be advised as well, that buyers often get confused with "free local pick up" and a paid service to ship.  They just see the "free" and don't really pay attention.   If your friend has not paid, then they need to check again. 

Either way, customer service likely will be of little help for either of the above. 

[toysaver]

"Would the seller have a way to retaliate?"

No, the buyer is the only one with ammunition for retaliation with negative feedback and even returning the item if warranted.  Most likely it was a new seller who can't grasp the mathematics of shipping.  

[elvidan0]

Yes, according to her she has already paid, and the seller has already shipped the item. 

[inhawaii]

Even if it was a mistake, the seller can't MAKE your friend pay for shipping after the sale.

The seller can, however cancel the order.

[hartungcards]

Tell your "friend" that the worst that can happen is the seller will leave some positive feedback that violates eBay's feedback policy.

[slyders_finds]

Retaliate? No. My guess is the seller had free shipping by mistake. Free shipping has been said to give better search exposure in Ebay. So possible they wanted the better exposure and then thought they can change the terms of sale after. They cannot. If the item does not arrive have your friend open an Item Not Received case so they can get a refund. They should also leave negative feedback in my opinion or neutral if they want to be nice. State "Seller offered free shipping but then asked for money for shipping post sale". More than likely trying to avoid paying higher fees to Ebay. I don't have much confidence in the report button, but your friend may want to report seller as well. 

[mam98031 · Accepted solution]

---

@elvidan0 wrote:

Would the seller have a way to retaliate? My friend already paid for the item and the seller claims to have shipped it already. 

---

Sounds like they have a very confused newer seller that doesn't know the rules.  Does your friend have a tracking number?  If they don't, I wouldn't consider it shipped.  Ask the seller for the tracking number, that is very important.

The seller can NOT retaliate against the buyer.  They can't hurt your friend nor can they force your friend to pay more money.

If you would like to send me a private email with the item number I would be happy to take a closer look for you and your friend.

[elvidan0]

Thank you, I'll send a private message about this. 

[elvidan0]

As far as I can tell, it was not by accident. The seller stated "Buyer pays shipping" in the description. 

[mam98031]

---

@elvidan0 wrote:

As far as I can tell, it was not by accident. The seller stated "Buyer pays shipping" in the description. 

---

That is a normal statement for sellers that charge shipping or offers free shipping.  Either way, whether it is rolled into the price of the product being sold or separately stated, shipping has to be paid for.

[elvidan0]

My friend said that they have both a tracking number and the item is in transit. Is there anything to be done now?

[mam98031]

---

@elvidan0 wrote:

My friend said that they have both a tracking number and the item is in transit. Is there anything to be done now?

---

I just responded to your PM.