Thread: I feel like an idiot!

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I thought shipping had to reflect the actual cost of postage, packing and a small amount for the trouble of posting, I would check the eBay terms and conditions.
I used to have a friend who sold on eBay, and that is what be told me.
You could withdraw, ask for a more realistic postage cost, or report the seller if this is still the case.

Ed has a good point here, eBay probably does not allow this and should be notified.

Ah, the old "I'm making a profit off the shipping scam..." I ALMOST bid on a very nice looking frameback. Opening bid 10 Euros. I was sure that I could get it for that. Then I noticed the shipping was 68.5 Euros France to US.

I know for a fact that it is less than 10 euros with signature receipt for a razor to make that trip. I queried the seller on the shipping and got a song and dance that it was expensive to mail to the US and that US customs usually seized razors. I ran up the "bullshit" flag on that story. He messaged me that he would knock the shipping down to 23 Euros, Maybe. But he did not drop the listed shipping price. I did not bid.

You don't pay taxes on shipping...

It could be a few reasons

1. Mistake
2. Extra profit
3. A professional seller avoiding taxes


Withdraw the bid

That is rediculous. I sent a razor to Canada and it was less than $10.

At some point last year I started noticing ridiculous shipping costs listed on ebay for items coming from the USA into Canada. I contacted a couple of sellers who explained that the estimate was the result of a wonky automatic calculation. Can't recall whether it was ebay or USPS that was responsible for the error. I wonder if this is something similar? As has been suggested, contacting the seller may quickly resolve the issue. And if it doesn't then that is clearly an insane markup on actual shipping costs.

Thanks one and all for the support and information.
I contacted the seller and he 'said' he was unaware of the high shipping cost.
He was using a version of FedEx. When I suggested he look into a more reasonable cost solution his shipping estimate would come down and the bidding activity would go up, he said he would do just that. I certainly hope so!

Again, thanks for all the support and information.

Glad you got it taken care of. That was waaay too much for shipping.

**Just a quick update**
The ad now has the price for shipping adjusted to $15.
AWESOME!
Now I'm back to wanting to win this item!!!

All the best to one and all.

I know for awhile people would charge high shipping prices and state that in the description. They did that to get around the selling price fees from Ebay, but since Ebay changed the way they charge it doesn't pay to do it that way anymore.

Originally Posted by ColonelG

Thanks one and all for the support and information.
I contacted the seller and he 'said' he was unaware of the high shipping cost.
He was using a version of FedEx. When I suggested he look into a more reasonable cost solution his shipping estimate would come down and the bidding activity would go up, he said he would do just that. I certainly hope so!

Again, thanks for all the support and information.

Sheesh...worse comes to worst on that, change the shipping address to me in Toronto and I'll ship the blade out to you no problem, would be my pleasure, got a post office just up the street!