Seller does not offer combined shipping discounts..

This is why eBay created the DSR's for "How reasonable were the shipping and handling charges?".

Especially if the seller goes ahead and combines the shipping.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I think leaving negative or neutral is STUPID unless the listing states he combines shipping. If it does not, he is doing nothing wrong. I would leave low DSR for shipping though, and make him ship them all separately.

 

I had a seller do that and then ship all my items (3 of them combined) I had sent an email prior that the seller simply ignored regarding if they combined shipping before bidding. However, I wanted the items so bid and won them and then I paid a total shipping charge of $4 per item. I was perfectly fine with that as I agreed to the shipping charge per each separate item by bidding on them but expected them then shipped as separate transactions. I even paid for each item completely separate and not using the combination screen ebay offered (with no discount on shipping). When I got the package the shipping cost was under $3 and all items were included in the same package. I promptly left negative feedback on two items stating that the seller refused to combine shipping yet did it anyway and kept the extra shipping charges for himself. The seller then refunded me the extra costs without me even asking stating they missed my first message and then simply asked if I would reconsider my feedback, which I did.

 

If it doesn't specifically say they will I usually email them and ask. Usually it's a yes but a few times I've gotten a no. I never buy from someone who won't combine shipping.

 

I appreciate all the quick responses. All of your answers have been very helpful. I will give him until tomorrow to reply to the personal message that I sent, and then proceed. If he still will not combine I will pay separately. As for negative or neutral feedback, I'll decide after I receive the order.

 

The caveat to what you wrote is that the seller, if they will not combine the charges for shipping, has no leg to stand on if they don't ship the items separately. In the case of shipping one package yet invoking all the individual shipping charges; the seller has absolutely earned multiple negative feedbacks.

 

In all fairness, you should have checked if the seller offers combined shipping before placing the orders. However, it is definitely unreasonable of the seller to ignore your request after explaining the situation. For the life of me I cannot understand how one can build a business by playing hard ball with a customer when it comes to something such as this.

I stand to be corrected, but I believe it is against eBay policy to make money off shipping charges instead of the product itself. If he responds negatively, I would call eBay customer support.

 

It's a shame you didn't inquire BEFORE bidding. This whole issue could have been easily avoided by reading all of the listing and not bidding if you did not agree to the shipping terms. Sorry just MHO.

 

I had just successfully won the coin that I wanted and decided, at the last few seconds, to add a few cheap coins to give away. Didn't have time to ask a question. I did check to see if he stated that he 'did not' combine. At the very most I didn't expect to pay more than double one shipping charge.

 

Don't misunderstand.. I am always fully prepared to pay all shipping charges. Its just that in 16 years I have never run into this particular situation. My first request to have a combined shipping invoice went as usual. My second request was when I got the ebay alert that he will not combine.

 

I hear you. It is definitely a bummer. I hope you can get it sorted. Keep us posted.

 

I'm not in favor of the seller's policy, but let's look at it from another angle. Suppose a seller ships multiple purchases in one package, and upon receipt, the buyer claims that one or more items are not in the package. How can the seller prove to eBay that all items were shipped?

Maybe this seller was burned like this once before.

Chris

 

The seller can take photos. The buyer could claim that there is no item in the package.

 

The buyer could also claim that the seller removed the items after taking photos. It's still a he said/she said and eBay will probably side with the buyer.

Chris

 

Yes, that's unfortunately the reality of it.

 

Sometimes shipping multiple items in the same package DOES cost more though. Increased weight, increased insurance amount, etc.

 

Not 8x.

 

All in all the system works pretty good. We can decide whether we want to deal with a seller for our own particular reasons. I always check feedback before bidding. A negative doesn't always disqualify a seller for me. Depends. A lot of negs are left by moron buyers and its not the sellers fault. Sometimes a slew of neutrals, if they all are for the same offense, will disqualify a seller. There is a town in Washington state that disqualifies a seller for me.. Bad experience from 2 separate sellers there. Don't judge me.
Anyway, it takes a lot to get a negative out of me. I haven't decided on this instance as yet. Will wait until its complete. I was a seller for many years and maintained the 'power seller' status. It was sometimes hard to take the crap some buyers dished out.
Again, I appreciate all the feedback. It has helped greatly.

 

You haven't said whether this was an auction or a buy-it-now. If the latter, most sellers will factor the shipping cost into the asking price.

What you have to ask yourself is whether the price you paid for each item plus the shipping for that item is a reasonable price. If you win an item worth $5 for 99¢ and pay $4 shipping, then it's the same as winning the $5 item for $5 and getting free shipping. Total cost is what counts.

 

The same way he can "prove to eBay" that all items were shipped if they each go in a separate package... and the buyer claims that one or more packages were empty. Or contained rocks.