If that seller can lay down at night knowing he made 20+ dollars off you in shipping cost. Then I could after dropping 7 negs on his feedback. eBay seller should be making there profits off the items they sell not scamming buyer out of extra shipping. Anyone that's the least bit honest would try and work with you on shipping. I've purchased hundreds of items from eBay and haven't gave the first negative. In this case I wouldn't think twice .
This has been an interesting exercise. Please understand that I appreciate all responses, however, I'm embarrassed for the (very) few of you who answered with gusto while reading only maybe one, but certainly no more than two posts. More like you just scanned a post and decided you had the perfect answer. Of course the best answers came from those who actually read my posts and with an already working understanding of ebay rules and sellers idiosyncrasies. As I have stated, I came across a coin about to go off way under bid. So, after checking that seller was in the US, and had at least a 99% feedback (he had 100%) I quickly placed a bid. After winning the coin at $45 under bid I quickly scanned his other items, all of which were going off within the next 3 minutes. I bid on 11, winning 7 more. At that point, as you should realize, I did not have time to ask seller a question. Yes, as I have stated, I am always prepared to pay stated shipping charges. Never assuming anything, but also in 16 yrs of ebaying no seller has ever failed to at least give a little shipping discount when asked.. usually on their own. I think everyone at least read my post about contacting seller asking for a discount. And most understood that after the 2nd invoice request ebay sent a generated reply. That made me wonder if he then, at that point, adjusted his policy. (I did win every auction at 15 - 50% below bid) So you see, as stated, I had no real problem with paying each charge. It seems that only those who read my 'explanation' posts get that my problem with the seller is that he Did Not acknowledge my messages. If he had just answered my inquiry in the first place I would not have even posted this here. And, john59, my "crying after the fact" is only because the seller is a coward and wanted ebay to cover for him. He has yet to respond to me. If I had not bid on these coins he would have received even less money. I guess you are wondering what I have decided. As I have previously stated, in 16 years I have never left negative feedback.. Until last month. (Some of you will remember the fake coin seller) I am going to leave him a positive on the higher priced coin. I am going to leave him a neutral on one of the other 7, explaining the absolute non communication, and leave the remaining 6 in limbo. I am going to leave him 1 star on shipping and 1 star on communication. 5 stars on the other two. Then I am going to see if he knows how to communicate. I'm not going to mention the shipping unless he does. Only then will I mention his shipping all in one small brown envelope. Again, thanks for all responses.
I have run into this problem several times. I have gone to their site an sent them a message. It reads something like this, "I will be unable to leave a five star feedback for the unfair shipping charges. Also Ebay does request that shipping charges be combined on multiple items purchased. Please let me know on how to proceed with this transaction. Thank you for your time. I am waiting on your response to checkout." This has worked several times for me already. No-one wants bad marks on their profiles. Give it a try.
Actually I came out ahead because of my knowledge of coin values.. and in spite of the shipping charges.
Don't buy the coins, there will be others out there. If you must, I agree with everyone else, make sure he sends them separately, then in feedback leave a negative and state that "seller would not combine shipping on small items".
Great you did good even with out the combined shipping charges but you know it could have no combined shipping before you bid
If this happen to some new guy just on the form I wonder .Ask before biding .Don't bid . You should know. It's your fault ?
I would love the opportunity to make my customer happy if it were me not allowing combined shipping. I would appreciate the note before receiving negative feedback....
That is why you must go to his profile and leave him a note there. Do not forget to state that you are waiting on a reply in order to proceed with the transaction.
Hey, the first thing you should learn on eBay is to check the shipping cost and return policy. Some of those sellers can really pull some teeth out. I like the clear shipping fees and a 14 day return policy and if neither are there then I pull out.
As I'm sure you have noticed by now there are more then a few posters who provide "drive by opinions". They simply roll down their window and spray you with an uninformed opinion, usually critical. It usually makes them feel good but look foolish. My way of dealing with it is to quote them first then what you said prior. Helps them read. One day people will read the thread prior to posting but for now we have to tolerate people too important to read the thread but so important we need to know what they have to say about posts they never read.
The thing that gets me is that eBay obviously has the information of no combined shipping, but does not put it in the listing. There is no reason I can think of why it should not automatically appear in the listing. That said, if it really important, I ask ahead of time. And if I have gotten real bargains, I don't complain or make multiple payments.
Amazing! After posting your explanation folks are still making stupid, uninformed remarks. I agree with your course of action.
Lots of venom and retribution in here on this. I agree it's kinda crummy practice - but you did read all the fine print before buying - right? Always ask in advance. Ebay's where people go to get the absolute cheapest stuff they can, lowball pricing tactics - and then expecting top flight customer service, returns and all the benefits of a full retail establishment. Take a deep breath, relax - look forward to your treasures arriving safely. If the shipping is unreasonable, then note it when you leave feedback.
Got this alert the second time I requested a total: "The Seller does not offer combined shipping discounts! The seller has disallowed combined payments and shipping discounts. Please proceed to checkout to complete your purchase." Nowhere in his listing did he mention that he did not combine shipping. I bought 7 low grade coins to accompany a higher grade one that I wanted. (I give inexpensive coins away to kids) So, he wants me to pay shipping 8 times when he will send all the coins for LESS than one shipping charge. Its nothing new to occasionally over pay for shipping, however, its usually never a surprise. Any thoughts? Read it fine you left out a few things
I have read every post up to this point. I would contact eBay and question the unreasonable shipping price. The feedback's you have left so far sound fine to me, I would just make sure others reading your feedback know this seller DOES NOT combine shipping, because chances are if the seller never replied to your questions about combined shipping then they will not answer any other potential buyers questions.