eBay

chrisandbenbrew · ‎02-16-2019

Hi all,

I recently bought a large piece of bakery equipment from a seller here on Ebay. They had it posted for "Pickup Only" but we had arranged for it to be shipped via freight prior to purchasing it.

They charged $500 extra to palletize the unit (which was fine with me) and provided me with dimensions and weight to book a freight carrier for the delivery. I used Freight Center to book the freight and the charges were going to be $1180 approximately.

After the unit was picked up, the carrier inspected it and found that the shipper had used a larger pallet than what they had told me. This resulted in the freight company charging an additional $1130 to my credit card, making the purchase substantially more than expected.

My question is if there is any remedy for this situation? My credit card has been charged the additional fee already, the seller says "they used what needed to be used, what do you want me to do."

Thanks,
Chris

anneecakes · ‎02-16-2019

I don't know what the specific remedy should be, but my instant reaction is that that seller needs to AT LEAST share the $pain with you OR (possibly) fully absorb the pain...

sadow-15 · ‎02-16-2019

no

7606dennis · ‎02-16-2019

I don't think that you really have any type of recourse through eBay. Apparently you and the seller worked out the shipping arrangement yourselves since the listing was "Local Pickup Only."

If I understand correctly, you arranged for the carrier that was used to transport the item. Did they give you any specification requirements regarding the size of the pallet? Did they advise you that there could be an addition cost if the size of the item being shipped was larger than what you had told them it was going to be? When the carrier's driver determined that the load size exceeded the size covered by their quote did they contact you for instructions or simply accept the load and charge you the higher amount without your authorization?

I can understand the seller's $500 for palatalizing the item. I can understand, also, the seller's need to use a pallet that was suitable for the item.

What precisely was the piece of bakery equipment that you purchased? If you don't mind my asking.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

orangehound · ‎02-16-2019

@chrisandbenbrew wrote:

They charged $500 extra to palletize the unit (which was fine with me) and provided me with dimensions and weight to book a freight carrier for the delivery.

I'm confused about this statement. Are you saying that the dimensions and weight were BEFORE it was palletalized, or are you saying that the palletized dimensions/weight given to you by the seller were wrong.

If the former, then I'm not sure how the seller could be blamed.

7606dennis · ‎02-16-2019

@orangehound wrote:
@chrisandbenbrew wrote:

They charged $500 extra to palletize the unit (which was fine with me) and provided me with dimensions and weight to book a freight carrier for the delivery.
I'm confused about this statement. Are you saying that the dimensions and weight were BEFORE it was palletalized, or are you saying that the palletized dimensions/weight given to you by the seller were wrong.

If the former, then I'm not sure how the seller could be blamed.

From what I understood, the seller charged a $500 service charge to palatalize the item getting it ready for pickup by the carrier contracted by the OP. I don't think that the OP posted about the size and weight of the item itself.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

7606dennis · ‎02-16-2019

Oh, I see! If the seller gave incorrect dimensions and weight they should bear some of the added cost at least. However, since it was arranged privately between the buyer and seller, I still don't see eBay getting involved.

Basically, the buyer took possession when the carrier accepted the load since they were hired by the OP and were, thus, acting has his agent. Before accepting the load, I would have expected the carrier to advise the OP of the situation and obtained approval.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

chrisandbenbrew · ‎02-17-2019

The seller provided me with dimensions including the pallet. They did it before the unit was packed to ship, however.

Ok - it seems clear there is no recourse through ebay - thanks for the help. I'll see if the seller will help me out at all.

The unit was a roll in retarder-proofer.

Thanks

Chris

7606dennis · ‎02-17-2019

@chrisandbenbrew wrote:
The seller provided me with dimensions including the pallet. They did it before the unit was packed to ship, however.

Ok - it seems clear there is no recourse through ebay - thanks for the help. I'll see if the seller will help me out at all.

The unit was a roll in retarder-proofer.

Thanks
Chris

Yes, it will probably fall upon you and the seller to negotiate some sort of resolution.

I can see where that would be a somewhat bulky item to ship. Of course, I would think that the driver would have contacted his dispatcher before accepting the load and they in turn contact you for authorization.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

orangehound · ‎02-17-2019

@chrisandbenbrew wrote:
The seller provided me with dimensions including the pallet. They did it before the unit was packed to ship, however.

Ok - it seems clear there is no recourse through ebay - thanks for the help. I'll see if the seller will help me out at all.

The unit was a roll in retarder-proofer.

Thanks
Chris

Yes, eBay is really not involved in this aspect of the transaction.

I'm guessing that before you purchased the item, you wrote to the seller asking about the dimensions and packing costs so that you could see if the shipping was worth it. And, satisfied with the answer, you purchased.

But, the numbers from the seller were apparently just an estimate.

I would hate to be a judge in this situation, because I'm not sure who really bears responsibility.