Frustation at Inconsistency in Shipping Costs as Buyer

[bonnrive]

Is anyone else frustrated with the flexibility and "honesty" system of shipping costs? That it seems an easy loop hole for some (not all, but in my case its been many) sellers to overcharge (which isn't that mail fraud?) and no consiquences other than ratings? And sellers don't have to show the postage paid. I've had numerous occasions where I've been charged one amount and the shipping shown on the postage paid from the post office was vastly less than I was charged. Then when I've contacted sellers I was told there was a handling fee for supplies and the package had arrived wrapped with a brown paper grocery bag. I feel eBay needs a better way to monitor this because in many instances I feel taken advantage of as a buyer.  

[sam9876]

Why are you insuring your packages?

[postingid2017]

No, it is not "mail fraud, but the following is:

https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/mail-fraud.html

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@bonnrive wrote:

Is anyone else frustrated with the flexibility and "honesty" system of shipping costs? That it seems an easy loop hole for some (not all, but in my case its been many) sellers to overcharge (which isn't that mail fraud?) and no consiquences other than ratings? And sellers don't have to show the postage paid. I've had numerous occasions where I've been charged one amount and the shipping shown on the postage paid from the post office was vastly less than I was charged. Then when I've contacted sellers I was told there was a handling fee for supplies and the package had arrived wrapped with a brown paper grocery bag. I feel eBay needs a better way to monitor this because in many instances I feel taken advantage of as a buyer.  

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[postingid2017]

You can also purchase items that you intend to buy here locally.  Sometimes I "luck up" and find what I'm looking locally w/o shipping/handling . . . YEAH ME !!

I tried to edit but ran out of time

[fern*wood]

I once had a buyer mail me nice letter and check for $10.00 and explained how happy he was with the job (yes, it is a job) I had done packing his item.   He had paid the shipping cost I entered and owed me nothing, but this gesture was really nice and made my day to help offset for buyers that aren't happy to receive their item at their door in the condition they hoped for.

[muttlymob]

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@bonnrive wrote:

Is anyone else frustrated with the flexibility and "honesty" system of shipping costs? 

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How does Free Shipping fit in with your "honesty" system?  Do you really believe that the seller does not pay any postage when he lists something with free shipping? 

No?  Well then that is not very honest, is it?  So you must complain to the seller about how he lied about the shipping cost?  Yes?

[juststuffisell]

Some items require insurance to protect against damage, theft & fraud.

[sam9876]

 How does shipping insurance protect you against theft and fraud?

[missjen831]

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@juststuffisell wrote:
Some items require insurance to protect against damage, theft & fraud.

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Nope. Nope. Big fat nope. Insurance is never required. And insurance doesn’t protect against fraud. And it doesn’t universally cover damage. If you don’t use adequate packing, your insurance claim won’t be approved.

[ujokinme]

But insurance does cover a package that tracking shows as being "Out for Delivery" but never gets delivered. It also covers a package that just disapears into the black hole at USPS to never be seen again.

I've had that happen a couple of times and USPS paid me the amount they were insured for minus shipping of course.

As a small time seller I don't have the jar to toss a quarter in per sale to "self insure".

[mam98031]

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@ujokinme wrote:

But insurance does cover a package that tracking shows as being "Out for Delivery" but never gets delivered. It also covers a package that just disapears into the black hole at USPS to never be seen again.

I've had that happen a couple of times and USPS paid me the amount they were insured for minus shipping of course.

As a small time seller I don't have the jar to toss a quarter in per sale to "self insure".

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It is also a must if you want seller protection if the item was purchased for $720+.  Insurance has its place.

[sam9876]

What does insurance have to do with seller protection?

[mam98031]

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@sam9876 wrote:

What does insurance have to do with seller protection?

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My bad, you are correct.  I don't know why I said that, I'm very much aware that it is signature confirmation on shipments of $750+.  I have no excuse for saying insurance.

[emerald_door]

I think we need a thread for Sam's frequently asked questions.   🙂 

[mam98031]

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@emerald_door wrote:

I think we need a thread for Sam's frequently asked questions.   🙂 

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LOL !!!

[juststuffisell]

I have filed for and been reimbursed for items "stolen" from a mailbox.

It is a general statement as there are no absolutes; working together; Signature service, registered mail, FedEx premium service (requiring photo ID from the recipient). These all go together.

My point was - I cannot charge the buyer 6.50 to upwards of 30,.00 for shipping. They would simply not make the purchase because they believe I am "ripping them off" when in fact, some of these services are not inexpensive but necessary to protect both the seller (me) and the buyer (them) against fraud, damage & theft.

I sent a $700 pocket watch a few weeks ago, the shipping was $27.50 my cost. So imagine how much interest I would get with that shipping price. But as a seller, you need to insure and in some instances require photo ID from the buyer. Otherwise you'll find yourself here in this forum crying about how someone stole 700 bucks from you.... know what I am saying?