Buyer requested Refund on shipping

[namauri90]

I sold a statue a statue that would cost 40 dollars to ship usually with 50 dollars for shipping. And the buyer was at a Military address. So when I went to ship the statue and the postage cost me 17.60. Even though I had it listed with flat rate shipping am I required to refund the difference?

[bgrignon]

Your decision, but I think anyone in the military serving our country should get the break that you are getting. 

[the_fancy_fox]

No your not required to refund, but if you were the buyer how would you want to be treated?

[namauri90]

Having ordered comics and paying 10 shipping for a single comic that I want if it’s good enough to buy it with that shipping I can’t complain (unless it’s sent media mail and I have to pay for it at my door)

[missjen831]

You aren’t required to. And just because it’s a military address, it doesn’t mean the person is actually in the military. Could be a spouse or a civilian employee. You should have used stealth postage and the buyer wouldn’t have known about this. I would go ahead and issue a partial refund. You are talking over a $20 difference. 

[jaram-37]

Was there a difference in the shipping method stated and the method you actually used?

[namauri90]

I always ship Priority. However all Military Mail is basically Priority with extra steps and forms to fill out and a flat rate apparently.

[buyselljack2016]

@namauri90

It is up to you. Shipping was listed at that amount, and the purchase was made.

Just keep in mind that even though it was shown, and agreed to, some buyers get really irate when they pay $50 shipping(and handling) for something that costs so much less to ship.

My question would be why was the shipping listed at $50?????

Do you not have a scale, or use shipping calculator when listing?

[namauri90]

Sometimes I’ve been shorted on shipping with the calculator. Shipping a statue 10lbs 24 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches usually costs around 40 to anywhere in the US. I use the excess to buy packing materials and a box for the other statues I’ve sold.

[the_fancy_fox]

Here's the problem, a few bucks? No big deal. But if your buyer knows anything about postage, $20? If your buyer goes irate it could lead to many things. From a return request where you will have to pay to get the items back (and you will be paying the listed cost NOT what it actually cost to ship), bad feedback, damaged items  returned etc..  And I will guarantee you Ebay will NOT have your back on whatever a buyer does.

i wouldnt keep an overage like that. It's a good way to turn off repeat buyers.

Its  hard enough to sell here without upsetting your customers over excessive shipping costs.

if you want justifications, I don't have any for you.

[buyselljack2016]

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@namauri90wrote:

Sometimes I’ve been shorted on shipping with the calculator. Shipping a statue 10lbs 24 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches usually costs around 40 to anywhere in the US. I use the excess to buy packing materials and a box for the other statues I’ve sold.

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Again, you can do what you want. Nothing wrong with getting some extra $$ to cover handling, and materials.

I do not charge handling, and generally work the cost of materials into the starting price.

Thing is, I have shipped hundreds of packages with USPS "eBay calculated shipping" with zero errors.

Calculated shipping with the correct weight, and dimensions is virtually foolproof.  Now, "eBay estimated" shipping is another animal all unto itself, and should not be used.

[tofu107]

why not wait till the item is delivered,then decide how much to refund,or no refund.

[namauri90]

That may have been my calculating error. Pretty new to selling.

[vintagemoth12]

I would whether they were military or not. I would refund at least a large portion of it. You do what you feel right about.

[rixstuff]

That is what people usually forget - the packaging.  This sounds like something you had to wrap extra and could have spent $20 on bubblewrap alone.  The shipping isnt just the postage it is also the costs of envelopes, packing material, boxes to protect the item (I sell vintage jewelry-I put all my stuff in gift boxes to keep stones from coming out in transit, or getting squashed, bent, scratched).  I usually charge a flat $3 - that is usually enough, sometimes more, sometimes less than what it costs to ship.  It all evens out eventually.