Book Postage Limits??

rebeccauk

Hi All

I've just sold a heavy book on ebay (A large hardback french dictionary). I had put in my item description that the book was only available for local collection due to it being so heavy. I saw a thread on here a while back saying that there was a limit on book postage costs!
The buyer who has won the auction lives 200 miles away so I get the feeling they may not have realised that the book was for local collection only....what can I do now? It will cost quite a lot to send the book (about £7 with RM) as it's so heavy. Can I offer this to the buyer or will they report me for exceeding ebay's book postage limit? Can I withdraw the sale completely based on the fact that they won't be collecting?
I may be jumping the gun here anyway and their ebay address could be different to their current address or they may be a student who is living near me to go to Uni (who knows) so I've currently just emailed them and asked if they knew it was local collection only?!
Just wanted some advice on my best course of action now.....
Thanks
Rebecca

pinkshoes

Have they paid yet?

Why don't you just send them a message asking which would be a convenient date and time for them to come and pick it up?

If they reply back stating they live 200 miles away, then reply saying it was a collection only auction, but you've just checked with the post office and can send it for £7 if that would be ok?

Just keep it polite.

rebeccauk

Hi Pinkshoes
Thanks for this. I'm quite happy to offer them the £7 postage thing but didn't know if they could then report me for exceeding the book postage limit and therefore get myself into hot water. I think I'll end up doing that though as shame to lose the sale and I'm not prepared to stand the cost to post it myself. The book only sold for my reserve of 99p anyway so not about to put myself out of pocket.
You're so right about keeping things polite though - so easy to offend people by ebay - it's a minefield!
Thank you

oh and sorry - to answer your question they haven't paid or completed the transaction and I haven't sent an invoice as the invoice will only list the sale amount and no postage amounts

pinkshoes

You could also add to the message about them paying cash on collection... as otherwise they could claim they didn't receive it, and you'll have no tracking number...

I wouldn't worry about the limit for book postage, as you specifically set it up as a collection only auction, so it's their fault if they want it posting!

rebeccauk

Sounds good to me - thanks so much for your help

msmoose

Hello!

Your completely covered by eBay... if they have failed to read the postage instructions it’s not your fault...

Email them after the sale ask them when they are collecting the book. If they say they can’t collect because they are so far away, point out that it was collection only but offer to post it for the £7 as a good will gesture, making it clear that the book weighs heavy.

If they refuse to pay the postage costs offered you would then raise a dispute with eBay stating the buyer failed to observe the item was for collection only and that you did offer to post it as a good will gesture but they did not wish to pay £7 for postage costs. Therefore you have no alternative than to report them for none payment and wish to claim your eBay fees back. You can do this 7 days after the auction ends...

eBay will issue them with a strike and you will get your eBay fees back. You can’t leave them negative feedback anymore but they can leave you negative feedback, if they do... you can ask eBay to remove it under the circumstances because it’s been left in retaliation to your complaint!