Question for eBayers...

[Simon-JG-hr]

My Havana Club ashtray (as per the 'New in the Post' thread) arrived the other day. Very nice, lovely in fact. Good value too at ?15.

One question for you eBayers... this was my first time buying on eBay and am planning on leaving neutral feedback. The packaging was okay and he communicated well regarding postal strikes... however, I paid for 1st class postage and it was sent 2nd class. I wouldn't have an issue if I'd paid a little bit more than the actual postage costs, however, I'm quite disappointed that I paid for something which I received an inferior version of (at about 60% of the cost)...

Thoughts. As I understand that eBay can be quite bitchy (i.e. you leave accurate feedback and the others get there own back for telling the truth...)

[Paulie]

Things like that can happen often. Best thing too do is to contact the seller and state you paid for 1st class and was in effect sold 2nd class and that you would like a refund of the difference as that was the agreement.

P&P is a way sellers can inflate the cost of their items by quoting a price which exceeds the real cost of postage. I understand it also means they pay less seller fees too as they are charged as a % of sale price not the combined sale and P&P price.

I once made a similar complaint about something I had bought and was refunded the difference instantly.

Be nice about it at first as it could of been a genuine error.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Excellent point, thanks for the tip. Polite, yet inquisitive, email to seller now sent.

[cj121]

You're right Simon, it can get a bit he said, she said.

Couple of options it seems:

Leave positive feedback, but perhaps make brief reference to postage being a little over the top.

Leave positive feedback, but where the star rating is, mark the transaction down (this doesn't get seen by the seller)

Put it down to experience as the price, the seller may argue, involved his time and effort in packing and posting it physically

EDIT: Whoops, slow posting my reply up, seems like you're sorted. I'll leave it up anyhow.

[stevecairney]

Paulie speaks the truth, SOME sellers to inflate postage nefariously.

However, I think it's perfectly acceptable for P&P to include time taken to go the post office etc, they might need to drive which costs titty (slightly pedantic perhaps, but there you go)

Unless gap is over a fiver, I wouldn't bother leaving neutral. Just reflect the postage issue in the number of stars you leave for 'postage costs'

[Simon-JG-hr]

the seller may argue, involved his time and effort in packing and posting it physically

This I can understand, it is, afterall, postage and packing... However, when something is advertised as 1st class, you'd expect it to be sent so. This is why I don't mind paying a little over the actual postage price (provided it is sent the right class). Afterall, jiffy bags and bubble wrap aren't free...

PS. Despite my position on the subject, I don't add 'packing' charges to anything I sell on UKCF () - I just recycle jiffy bags for that.

[Pantomimehorse]

as the seller stated it would be sent 1st class I would contact them first and ask for a refund of the difference, if they say no then neutral feedback

[PoohBore]

- I just recycle jiffy bags for that.

I recycle them as well

The new ones in the post room in work !

[stevecairney]

Oh, you were told it would be sent 1st class. I didn't catch that.

Email, or a baseball bat to the teeth. Your call.

[Jimmeh]

You actually noticed the class? I would be busy playing with my new possession (as much as you can play with an ashtray)!!

[Son of Cigarsmoke]

i find its best to ALWAYS contact the seller if theres a problem before you leave any feedback, most sellers will do there best to sort out any problems (usualy with a part refund)
good luck, and god bless ebay

[rhashley]

I didn't know about the P&P not being part of the overall price. Hope they don't close that loop down any time soon!

[G-man]

Email, or a baseball bat to the teeth. Your call.

Bruno would be Glad to handle this!
His Batting average is 99
Only 1 surviver in 30 at bats
Knees,teeth fingers U name it
He enjoys Knees because of the sound
I like the fingers and cigar cutter move
Like watching sausage being made.
Snip and it hits the table.
LMAO

Poor Bloat over pennies
If he doesn't reply to your email then leave Negitave feed back as U got ripped off 1 way or another.

[TJ:01]

How'd you get on Simon? You heard back from the seller yet?

[Simon-JG-hr]

Got an email almost straight away from the seller once I had contacted him. He explained that it was someone else that had posted it and that they had cocked it up... They were suitably reprimanded apparantly.

I've no idea if he was being truthful or not (I have nothing to suggest either way), but it cleared it up and gave me an opportunity to air the issue. He asked me what I wanted him to do about it. I said nothing - couldn't be arsed with asking for a refund, it was little over a quid. But, as I say, I did air the issue with the seller, so hopefully it is less likely to happen again.