Why does ebay even allow a seller to charge more shipping that advertised?

[mame4552]

I have been bidding with a seller that charges free shipping. At first this was fine, but today, out of the blue, they charged me 6.00 for shipping! I managed to speak to somebody in the ebay fraud department who told me they were breaking the rule and would be penalized, but so far, nothing has happened.  I now have several won bids that are stacking up in shopping cart The ebay fraud specialist told me not to pay this seller until this is resolved. I wouldn't pay any way. I'm not starting anymore bids with this seller but I already have 15 or 20 won bids that I've paid for but have not shipped. This is a nightmare. ebay is about to lose another buyer for ever...

Anyway, I have two main questions about this.

1. Why was the seller even able to unilaterally add an unauthorized shipping charge?? Doesn't ebay have enough control over the website to block them from doing this?

2. Is the reason for this some underhanded way for a seller to try to end up rescinding or canceling a buyer's won bids and sale? I worked hard bidding on the items I won and I want what I purchased. Even if I'm refunded I still end up the loser if all my won auctions.

I really hope someone knowledgeable person will reply to this. It's so hard to get full and consistent customer service at ebay. That's another major issue I have with the company now...

[mame4552]

The ebay fraud department sends follow up survey messages to my account after each phone call.

They are legitimate, but I do wish they would do more about problems. They do seem too laissez-faire at times. Besides this problem,  I also have major  issues with sellers misrepresenting products and rampant feedback inflation. By that I mean many sellers try to bribe buyers with due refunds or replacements in exchange for deleting all bad feedback. It's almost like being made to sign a non-disclosure agreement for a settlement that one is due anyway. Negative feedback should stay up so everybody knows what's what. If sellers respond to negative feedback and make changes then good reviews will follow after that.

Okay, I admit this is turning into a general ebay/seller rant, but still, all my points are valid.

[klhmdg]

@mame4552  Sellers can not add costs to your Cart. If you had not paid and the item was in your cart, it was listed that way with $6 shipping.

Can you please give us the listing #?

[mame4552]

Also, by the way, thank you for the link. I did use it to call ebay again and try to talk to another person there. Unfortunately the person I just talked to sounded bored and uninterested with what I had to say.... I can only hope that my message will be passed on to the right manger or department ...

Frankly that phone call has left me even more disappointed in ebay's response so far.

Right now I feel like I'm in a badly run shop an I just want to leave, but instead of just walking out the front door I have to negotiate with a crooked sellers and dead-eyed sales clerk for weeks before I'm allowed to leave.

This must be how all of the millions of buyers who tried ebay once or afew times felt like before they never left and went back.

[mame4552]

This seller has does exactly that repeatedly and ebay sits by and does nothing.

[mame4552]

@klhmdg  I hope I haven't killed this thread. I really do want you to take a look at the seller's negative feedback and say what you think. This hasn't happened just to me, it's an ongoing issue with them, which makes the whole thing even more shocking.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@mame4552 wrote:

This seller has does exactly that repeatedly and ebay sits by and does nothing.

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The listings from both the seller's IDs show free shipping from China yet there are feedbacks that state exactly what the OP is saying. 

The seller is wrong.

My suggestions would be to do BIN on each separate item and make immediate payment from the "pay now" link in your order. Do not wait for an invoice from the seller. 

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

They are in China. Listed as free shipping to U.S.

Clearly has a note regarding addt'l fees for customs/brokerage, etc... I believe that's not something the seller adds or is supposed to add.

They are likely adding $6 charge to trick people as it states fees may be included and some buyers may fall for it that those are part of the fees.

Good (bad) scam.

[klhmdg]

@mame4552  I looked at the seller - International shipment of items may be subject to customs processing and additional charges.

Located in: Jiangsu, China

Shipping is free BUT there are fees.

Do not ask for or pay from the invoice. Always just do BIN which is hard because these are sellers only using cheap auctions and they are in China.

There is nothing wrong with a seller having free shipping but having fees for handling. 

Shipping and handling are 2 different things.

I cant see the invoices you are sent.

IF it was me I would not buy from these sellers.

I dont buy from sellers in China. Way to many issues.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@klhmdg wrote:

There is nothing wrong with a seller having free shipping but having fees for handling. 

Shipping and handling are 2 different things.

I cant see the invoices you are sent.

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I'm pretty sure this is incorrect.

If the seller has free shipping, they can't charge handling fees. The handling fee would have to be built in to the item price. 

A seller who charges for shipping can add a handling fee into the shipping price.

Either way, no additional "fees" can be charged by the seller. 

Customs and duties are separate and are charged by a buyer's own country.