eBay ethics?

I just won 2 coins from a seller. 1 costs $150 and the other was $5. Each item listed as "SHIPPING AND INS. WILL BE 3.00". There was no mention of a combined shipping discount. After asking how much his combined shipping would be, I got an invoice showing S & I as $6. I repeated my question stating how much he would be saving, but received another invoice for the same amount. I realize that the shipping is not that unreasonable especially since it includes insurance. That being said, the $5 coin can be put with the other for no additional postage, no additional insurance, no additional supplies, and only a single PayPal transaction fee. I realize that there is not much money involved, but his attitude just caught me wrong. If the seller had just offered $1 off, I would have been happy (happier, anyway).

I have just sent him $58 (PayPal) along with this note

What is you opinion as to how I handled this? Pro of con, speak up.

FYI; The seller mistakenly left me positive feedback before my second request for a discount. I am sure that he realizes it was a mistake now.

 

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It sounds like he advertised what you got....No need to be pennywise and dollar cheap.

 

for the record:

if you didn't ask before bidding, and the seller did not mention, will combine S & H, then, sorry (I do not agree) but they have no obligation to combine.
I learned this a long time ago, same as asking for Media Mail vs 1st class, ask first.

 

I agree, he has no obligation. However, do I have any obligation to accept his combined shipping when I can prevent it?

 

Although I agree that he certainly gains by not combining the shipping and insurance fees, it is possible that he does not actually read the correspondence sent to him, and merely invoices them as a knee-jerk? I must admit that what you have done is a creative way of demanding a direct response whether he cares to explain it to you or not.

What might also happen though is this: He sends you each coin separately and simply goes on with his life as he intended. He listed them separately and may have some part of that shipping calculated into his bottom line on each coin.

What I think you may be missing is: Did the listing have any mention of combined shipping? Could you have asked before you bid? Are you not now shifting this responsibility on the seller a bit late?

No one likes to see someone else "get away with one" at our expense, but these situations can also be avoided with a little forethought and tact. Sometimes what appears at first glance to be odd is merely someone else's logic or system. Give him the benefit of the doubt this time, but maybe make note when bidding his auctions in the future.

I am not making judgment here at all, I am merely stating where I think considerations might have been taken ahead of time.

 

If he's already left feedback, I'de force him to combine. I've ruined other peoples 100% feedback when they did not meet my demands. (he wouldn't accept returns when I thought my slabbed coin had too many spots)

 

I think that if you didn't arrange for combined shipping before bidding, you owe both charges -- ethically speaking.

 

He is going to get both shipping charges. I fully understand that. I just do not believe that I then owe him the opportunity to combine that shipping.

mikenoodle,

Truth be told, I was not planning to buy anything from him, but on a last second bid, I hit 2 keys at once and way overbid. Having won the one, I did some bargain shopping and won the second coin.

 

I think you should pay for what you bought and not a down payment and not worry about what he does...he doesnt offer a discount to combine shipping....If he DOES combine them anyway...and that makes you mad...dont buy from him again...lesson learned...

 

I agree. There's certainly nothing unethical about the seller abiding by the terms of sale - $3 each - and that's what he's doing.

It's not unethical for him to do that - but I think it's unwise.

Personally, I would want a satisfied customer. I would also "do for others as I would have them do for me". I would combine shipping and give 'em both to you for $3 total and be done.

I'm not sure about the "down payment" thing. Was that worked out in advance ?

 

In the first place "EBay ethics" is an obvious oxymoron.

In the second place, you entered into a legally binding contract, and then renegged. (Check definition #2 at http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/renege)

 

Ok,
My take on it. Seller is within bounds as most agree.
As a seller, I would not even consider charging full price for 2 coins, I would combine automatically. Tough situation for you tho Rlm...I think you handeled it tactfully, but....as they say, know what your bidding on and what the shipping is before you click !!

 

I would pay the price....$6 is cheap and you really have no ground to stand on to make him lower it. If anything he can wait for the limit of days and turn you in as non payment....

Speedy

 

I reneged on nothing. I am paying just what he asked and, assuming that he ships promptly, I will pay within the normal time frame and should be as fast as a letter gets there. FULL PAYMENT!!

It just bugs me for him to make extra money because I did him a favor - I bid on another coin.

 

The S&H with insurance is reasonable. I'd ask for a combined discount and if denied I'd remit the double charge as per your agreement.
I recently ordered 2 different items from the same vendor who didn't mention combined S&H. I emailed him for an invoice with combined S&H and he responded that he normally would combine multiple items but had forgotten to put it in his latest auctions. He cut $4 off of the S&H and sent them ASAP. It all worked out well.

After he emails you back, just send him what he requests, the full amount or a discount. The important thing here is to get your coin since no real injustice has occurred.

Bruce

 

Since, you asked for us to speak up, here it is.
If I am reading this right, the seller had two auctions that you did not want to bid on but did. You also bid too much, in your opinion.
Now you find yourself the winner of the auctions and are getting upset because the seller is doing exactly what he stated he would do in the auction descriptions?
So now you are holding more than half of the payment hostage until he caves in to your ideas on how he should conduct his business?
I think the only mistake made was in the seller trusting that you would do what you are legally bound to do when winning an auction. He will also learn never to give anyone else a break.
Congratulations, you have just become the epitome of what everyone hates the most about shopping on e-bay. And you have the nerve to label this post “e-bay ethics.”
I don’t know which one of you makes me sicker. You or the guy who likes to ruin peoples 100% feedback rating for not meeting his demands.
I hope to God or whatever higher power there is, that I never have the misfortune and displeasure of having dealings with either of you.

 

I see no reason why he should mail either of the coins till payment is sent for BOTH. I know that I sure wouldn't send on either coins at this time.

Speedy

 

This is a battle of who's the cheapest. Chances are you'll both end up with negative feedback over a matter of $3.

 

I hope that these deficiencies were not visible in the auction images.

 

What was the seller's return policy ? Did he spell it out in advance ? If not, did you work a deal in advance ?

Personally, I always offer "7 day return no questions asked" returns. Never had one returned.

But if a seller does not specifically state that, the onus is on the buyer. In that case, I think it's unethical to "ruin" their 100% feedback.