HP Forum Archive 13

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Strange handling fees Message #1 Posted by Matthias Wehrli on 21 Nov 2003, 7:17 a.m. As you all know I very often deal with U.S: sellers and my experiences are very good. But now I have to tell you about a U.S. seller you have to take care (Neal M., yes I do write his name in here in this forum!): I got some HP-48 software from him last month. The shipping was $17 what is ok. But now read slowly: This seller demanded $18 for handling!!! I asked him if the parcel is golden but he answered me the following reasons: 1. "I calculate my handling fees to cover all my expenses, including fees imposed by ebay and Paypal." --> As I know ebay doesn´t allows to push away their feed to the bidder, expekt it is remarket in the auction. It was not. 2. "An additional source of expenses that the S/H covers is time to address bidders' questions, time involved in preparing the listing to look as it is supposed to, time to go to the post office to send it, etc." --> Since when do sellers calculate the time for answering questions and for listing up the auction in their handling fee? That´s very arrogant. I never asked the seller a question, so he as no right to add this fee! I accept, that there is a fee for handling: the parcel and the padding is not free. But this is arround $5, and not $18. Also the words "Ask before bidding" does NOT allows sellers to do this! Matthias

Re: Strange handling fees Message #2 Posted by Tom (UK) on 21 Nov 2003, 7:29 a.m., in response to message #1 by Matthias Wehrli I think he is pulling a fast one. You are quite right to say ebay does not allow sellers to pass on the listing fees to the buyer. As far as the time to put up the listing and answering questions goes, it's a nice try to get more money from you but you could say there are buyers fees for: The time taken to ask the questions Time in bidding on items Time taken to read his and other listings etc etc. In any case fees over and above direct costs to the seller (like postage) should not be added unless listed in detail in the ebay listing. PS ebay are missing out on their fees by this method of recoving costs outside the bid amount so they probably don't like this either... PPS I've stopped using ebay because of people like this (and worse) and the fact that second hand (camera gear) in shops is the same price (or cheaper) than ebay and comes with a guarantee.

Re: Strange handling fees Message #3 Posted by Thibaut on 21 Nov 2003, 8:12 a.m., in response to message #1 by Matthias Wehrli Huuuuh... Matthias, I hope you received the pacs you purchased, before you flame me on the forum ;-)

Re: Strange handling fees Message #4 Posted by CalcKidd on 21 Nov 2003, 8:37 a.m., in response to message #3 by Thibaut Thibaut... Your shiping fee was $18...though I know it's more for shipping overseas.

Re: Strange handling fees Message #5 Posted by thibaut.be on 22 Nov 2003, 2:36 a.m., in response to message #4 by CalcKidd ... yes, because I oblige my buyers to have shipped by registered mail. The fees I ask for seem somehow higher because the € is quite expensive nowadays, about $ 1.2 for 1 €.

Re: Strange handling fees Message #6 Posted by Massimo Gnerucci (Italy) on 21 Nov 2003, 8:49 a.m., in response to message #1 by Matthias Wehrli This happens, once in a while. Some of them go on counting how many minutes they spent at the Post Office queue, the unbearable amount of time they had to throw away compiling customs' papers, that they have a better use of their lifetime, etc. I wonder why they sell on eBay then... My last rip-off is going on right now: I predicted the amount to ship from USA to Italy, the reply was more than the doubled amount, when the box was delivered it was stamped for less than my first forecast. Answers to my refund request? Go figure... Use feedback if seller is unresponsive (but do this on the 90th day). I know: this is not the same as your money back... Greetings, Massimo

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