What would you do about this?
By guss2000
@guss2000 (2232)
United States
May 20, 2008 12:01am CST
If you sent someone a package (let's say off of ebay) would you ask for a refund on shipping? I've never done that before, and I have purchased lots of things. I guess if it were a super high dollar figure, then maybe I would ask, but not for a few dollars.
I sent this lady a 18 pound box of baby clothes. It was 83 pieces total. She only won the auction for $4.50, wasn't like it was a WHOLE lot of money.
Anyway, shipping on her end came up to $18.20 on the ebay shipping wizard (which included a $1.00 handling charge on my end).
Anyway, when I purchase her postage online, I get a commerical discount, and several other discounts for doing it online.
So, my payment online for postage was $15.99.
The lady wrote me back today asking me if I was going to refund her $2.21.
I didn't really answer her, but I wrote her a detailed message explaining all of the charges, and telling her that I get a shipping discount online, that ebays wizard does not discount. I told her that actually, it was undercharged because the REAL postage amount including shipping, postage, handling and insurance should have been $18.55, and she paid $18.20.
So she's unhappy.
The $15.99 she sees on the box doesn't even include the $1.00 handling fee that I put on the package, so at most we are talking $1.21 for a refund.
I should not have to refund her back shipping, when it's MY discount?? It's a SLIGHT markup-- stores do it all of the time! I'm wrapping/packing/ sealing and driving the packages to the postoffice-- come on! Give me a break!
She got 83 pieces of clothes for $4.50, and what's ONE dollar and some change??!
Should I just ignore her at this point? If i DO consider a refund it's only going to be $1.21, and not $2.21 anyway--- but seriously, all this over so little.
I've NEVER had an issue like this before, and i've ebayed ALOT!
My luck, the lady that bought my baby clothes will be a mylotter and this whole message is going to go to heck in a hand bag.......
3 people like this
11 responses
@Kecia08 (554)
• United States
20 May 08
Since she got an awesome deal on the baby clothes, I don't think she should be complaining about a few bucks. However, if she feels she was ripped off concerning shipping, you may want to give in, or you could risk neutral or even negative feedback...though I hope wouldn't go that far. Next time, see if there is a way you can hide the shipping costs. I know you can with PayPal (and I use it, especially when I offer combined shipping or shipping discounts), but I don't know what method you use for buying postage...
1 person likes this
@Kecia08 (554)
• United States
21 May 08
Since she left you a positive, I wouldn't much worry about retorting by saying she freaked out over nothing. That's totally up to you though. Also, in the future, you may want to include the handling charge in your auction, so no one else will feel they were gypped 
1 person likes this
@gottogogirl1956 (115)
• United States
21 May 08
I am an ebay seller too. I tell anyone who asks me about buying on ebay, to double check the shipping before you bid. If you think the shipping is too much, contact the seller or buy from someone else. If she has already left feedback I would contact her. Tell her that you do have a small handling fee to cover the listing fee, paypal fee and final value fee. The little extra you got barely covers the fees alone. You also have packing, paper for labels, ink and travel to the post office. Ask her if she really thinks she got a bad deal all the way around. She paid about 28 cents per item. I would say that is a heck of a deal. I would be cheerful and polite. Leave her a good feedback and that should be the end of it. It is too bad that some people feel the need to be negative about everything. Some people complain about the smallest issues because they have nothing better to do. I try to find something positive in every situation. It is sometime hard but well worth it for my own self preservation. Good luck
@gottogogirl1956 (115)
• United States
27 May 08
Thank you for your response. It makes me feel like I can make a difference. It is so nice to be acknowledged. Have a great sunshiny day.
@guss2000 (2232)
• United States
23 May 08
Thank you! You made me feel so much better-- and I've only been charging a small handling fee--- it does not cover all of the fees, the ink (which I didn't even think about until you mentioned!!). The paper, since I print my own postage... ugh-- I'm probably negative after that sale to begin with!
Thank you again
@ambkeb (782)
• United States
21 May 08
I was reading what others have said, and I agree what they have said about her being able to give you a negative. But my question is...wont Paypal take out fees when you do refund her that money anyways? IM not real sure how the whole fee's thing works...but if you are only refunding her the $1 and some chance she wont even get a dollar back completely.
1 person likes this
@shantiquarian (146)
• United States
8 Jun 08
This is a good reason to use carriers other than USPS. There is no way to know what the charges were at the receiving end and your discount can sometimes cover your shipping supplies although I do try to recycle boxes as often as possible.
1 person likes this
@shantiquarian (146)
• United States
11 Jun 08
When I explored them I found that they were all in close range but when a government agency tells you to use a common carrier and NOT the USPS you sort of weigh all the options. I use FedEx and as I have an account I get a discount but the buyer doesn't need to know that. It also eliminates the need for insurance on items under $100. If you are shipping out of country then USPS puts packages thru customs faster which buyers prefer and don't care what the cost is. USPS up to $45 is insured out of country automatically but not in. If you choose a carrier to be your preferred don't quote prices thru your account, just use the estimator without logging in.
@spiderlizard22 (3444)
• United States
24 May 08
Don't give her a rebate on shipping. Its only $2.21. Just tell her you use the money for wrapping or something.
1 person likes this
@Adelida2233 (1005)
• United States
20 May 08
I would refund her the $1.21, but take the cost of the stamp out of the price. That ought to make her sufficiently mad.
In all actuality what I would do is refund the $1.21 and if I had not given her feedback yet, give her negative.If I had already given her feedback, and she had given me mine, I would do the above situation and take the stamp price out of her "refund".
This type of thing is why I no longer sell on Ebay at all. People like this are why Ebay will eventually fail. Good luck whatever you choose.
@guss2000 (2232)
• United States
23 May 08
Thank you! That is pretty funny about the postage. At this point, she has left me a positive, and I guess it's all over now. Maybe she realized that I really didn't overcharge her by much, and now she is done with it.
I'm glad it's over and she didn't get nasty about it.
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
20 May 08
This is one of the reasons I very clearly state in auctions that the shipping cost includes packaging not just postage. Do people really believe that packaging costs nothing?
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
20 May 08
There has always got to be one bad apple in every bunch. I would do whatever you feel like doing. You don't have to do things that you do not feel like doing. I think this lady is just trying to get you to give her some money back anyway. She probably does this with alot of people just to get a better deal. I would not let it bother you. I hope she is not a member here either to harrass you about it.
1 person likes this
@creationsbyrobin (3071)
• United States
20 May 08
I do see your point and I know I wouldn't ask for a shipping rebate. But....
To issue this customer a shipping rebate and make her happy will most likely mean the differnce between a repeat customer and one that won't even consider buying from you because you "gouged" her on the shipping last time. Factor in that she can leave you a negative feedback and you can't counter with a neg, means she can certainly burn you. Anyone who heard your side of the story would probably take your side in this...but many people don't bother to read into the negs.
I'm selling again on Ebay after nearly a year off and from reading the threads on myLot, I've decided to offer free shipping and just add the costs into my listing price.
While I believe she received a great deal on the lot she won and she should forget about asking for a refund, you have to consider if it's worth a possible negitive feedback & the probable chance this customer won't buy from you again.
Good luck with whatever you do (and I really do understand your frustration!)
@guss2000 (2232)
• United States
20 May 08
Thanks for your advice. I almost feel like just giving her the $1.21 back, because it's ONLY $1.21. But on the other hand, I feel this is such a small issue that I just want to ignore it. LOL.
I think I'll sleep on it, and make a decision tomorrow.
@neelygal (1022)
• Bahamas
20 May 08
If it was me she would wait until they were selling icicles in hell before she got that money from me.What retail store does she think she could have gone in and got 83 pieces of clothes for $4.50.Come on man,what is wrong with her thinking?I would just ignore her if she kept asking for it.When she realises you are not checking for her she will give it up and leave you alone.
1 person likes this
@guss2000 (2232)
• United States
20 May 08
Thank you! I feel better now. I think I am not going to refund her, and just ignore it. She did get a great deal on the item. I( shouldn't be required to refund her back MY DISCOUNT FOR POSTING that I GET from usps! That's like asking a store back for a refund when they get things much cheaper then us. If she didn't like the shipping charges, she didn't have to buy. I think I'm going to start putting that in my listings. LOL
@dizzblnd (3073)
• United States
20 May 08
As a former seller on greedbay.. I can sympathize with you. With the feedback system the way it is now.. she will probably give you a negative one way or another. Although I would hate to do it.. if it were me, in the name of good customer service, I would do it.
If you use paypal to do your mailing labels.. there is (or used to be) a spot where you can check to hide the postage fee. I used that all the time. (no I was NOT a postage hiker) I charged per weight and a $1 or 2 handling fee.
I do feel for you, but I would refund just to make her happy
JMHO anyway
Luckily for me.. I no longer have to worry about this stuff.. I don't sell on Greedyfeepay anymore
1 person likes this
@guss2000 (2232)
• United States
20 May 08
Luckily, she left me a positive! I was so surprised. She did say in the comment htough that I charge slightly higher then cost for postage. I think that's a ridiculous comment, but atleast she didn't rate me negative or be MEAN about the whole deal. But still, how annoying to go through this.
