eBay

lightlily_arts · ‎11-02-2018

In all the years I've been on eBay this is the first time I have encountered this issue. I purchased a cookie jar last week from a seller that is in the same postal zone as me. He charged me $15.95 for shipping, which was ok as he used a flat rate. Today the box arrived with a Media Mail Postage label affixed. The package was 17" x 12" x 10" and weighed 7 pounds. I checked the postage he paid which was $5.72 which was totally unnecessary as the Priority Mail charge to my location was only $7.80. For whatever reason the Postal Services didn't catch it so it didn't arrive postage due. I have never had a seller do that nor have I ever cheated the shipping services on postage I paid. If anything I have always rounded up to the next pound even for .01 over the pound because I never wanted any of my packages to arrive postage due. When my packages are close I weigh them several times just to make sure. I checked his feedback today and found that this wasn't the first time he has shipped non media items with Media Mail.

The quandary is whether there is any value in anyone being the postal police. I wrote the seller and told him that what he was doing was illegal which puts his buyers at risk for paying his postage due if his packages were to be inspected. I resent that he was full of excuses and I know he lied. He tried to tell me that the large flat rate was $18.90, (true) but it's actually $17.10 to eBay sellers and he does print his labels on eBay. Yet on the other hand acknowledged that the cookie jar box wouldn't fit in the flat rate box anyway. I think this was distract me into believing the postal charge for his box was higher, when in fact it was nearly 60% cheaper. He also mentioned shipping magazines which don't qualify for media mail either. Last, he asked that we split the difference and that I not leave negative feedback as it was merely an oversight. This I know isn't true as he reported using media mail regularly, and was dinged for it previously by another buyer almost a year ago.

fashions4passionint · ‎11-02-2018

Let it go.

You received the item you purchased. No flaws and on time. And with no postage due.

In the grand scheme of life, is this worth all the stress?

robot-hands · ‎11-03-2018

If you got your whatsit on time and in the condition it was listed in...move on.

It will catch up to the seller eventually, no need to police the universe.

fern*wood · ‎11-03-2018

That's a ridiculous thing to do and I would either tell my post office or theirs or both. I follow the rules with shipping and so should all sellers. They know what they are doing.

lintbrush* · ‎11-03-2018

It matters not what the actual postage costs, but what the service is supposed to be. His online discount is irrelevant for your argument. Many retailers have a set price for shipping and it's not based on actual postage price. Macy's charges $10.95 to ship either a 2-pack of knee high trouser socks or a pair of frying pans.

$7.80 is the Commercial Plus rate for 7 lbs to Zones 1&2. The retail Calculated rate would've been $11.20 (but up to $28)

The Media Mail thing is the only thing that matters. I'm with you that it's wrong. No matter what others will say, it's theft plain and simple. I don't think calling his local post office would be out of order.

lja440 · ‎11-04-2018

I will ALWAYS note it in feedback " Seller misused Media Mail to ship cookie jar"

And I would notify HIS local PO that he is mailing items such as magizines and cookie jars Media Mail.

midnight_mystic · ‎11-04-2018

I would absolutely neg him for this. Include the words "SLOW SHIPPING."

If the seller is promising Priority shipping and actually using Media, he's likely to regret it during the holiday season.

the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth · ‎11-04-2018

Sellers like this are stealing from the Post Office which then has to raise rates and it hurts all of us. It's no different from catching someone shoplifting. Would you let that go or would you ignore it to "stick it to the man"?

We all pay for unethical people in different ways. I would let his PO know.