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Can the seller do this?

malcindebt
Posts: 367 Forumite
Hi
I've won an item from Ebay and the item is to be collected in person.
This item listing is showing a postage cost of £50 despite the fact that the wording of the description says pick up only.
I have contacted the seller as I would like to pay via paypal and asked if they could send an invoice removing the postage costs so I could pay.
The seller has responded by stating that the postage cost has to be paid as he is unwilling to let the item go for as little as it has.
In no part of the description does it mention the postage cost must be paid even if collecting in person.
Can the seller do this?
I've won an item from Ebay and the item is to be collected in person.
This item listing is showing a postage cost of £50 despite the fact that the wording of the description says pick up only.
I have contacted the seller as I would like to pay via paypal and asked if they could send an invoice removing the postage costs so I could pay.
The seller has responded by stating that the postage cost has to be paid as he is unwilling to let the item go for as little as it has.
In no part of the description does it mention the postage cost must be paid even if collecting in person.
Can the seller do this?
0
Comments
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In a nutshell, no, it's fee avoidance. Report them to ebay.0
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This is a difficult one. If it clearly says that there is a £50 charge for postage then actually seller can charge that whether or not he allows collection, it is a grey area really as there is no compulsion to make collection free unless it says free.
Also of course a seller is on dodgy grounds accepting paypal on a colelcted item, and yes I know he must if it is offered but he could have tried to negotiate a deal with you for cash on collection instead.
Personally if seller is going to insist on charging the additional £50 I would insist he posts it and that might be enough to get him to change his mind.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.0 -
The seller is allowed to make a charge to cover handling even for items that are picked up.
However, £50 is high and you could have reported the user to ebay for excessive postage & handling charges.
However, you didn't, you bid on it and won the item, now you have to pay for it or risk a non paying bidder claim - sorry.
If the listing specified they would post it for £50, then ask them to do so (irrespective of what they wrote in their description). However, if the listing says £50 for collection in person, you have to pay it now.
Where any doubt exists as to what charge would apply if the seller allowed collection, you should always check before bidding."Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 20100 -
I still think I would contact Ebay for excessive postage. Before or after the event on something which is a basic Ebay rule should not be a problem. They take excessive postage seriously.0
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