Is this normal?

epm-84

Some people list collection charges claiming the item is in storage and they'll have to drive to where the storage facility is located.

danielley

They should factor that in when setting the start price; this item already had a start price of £30.

I think its cheeky.

macfly

Cheeky is when someone who doesn't own the item decides how it should be sold. Ebay allows it, therefore as they own the site, I don't think a buyer has any right to quibble. Buy or don't buy, but mind your own business.

Uncertain

It is annoying but is it really any worse than charging inflated p&p prices in order to save a few pence in eBay fees?

If I really want an item I will have a little fume then look at the bottom line. I'm afraid I'm not principled enough to cut off my nose to spite my face!

danielley

I wouldn't mind if they explained the reason, but no.

I think a lot of people will not notice it and it could be very awkward.

And you mind your own business Macfly :rotfl:

macfly

I see. You're just thinking of the greater good. That just leaves the problem of the starting price.

soolin

OP it is worth noting that as a number of people wouldn't touch this auction you may well find it will go quite cheaply. It always strikes me as odd that some sellers that fail to see that by alienating half the buyers they achieve lower prices.

danielley

Good Point Soolin, I will keep my beedy eye on it

danielley

After all that, I contacted the seller to ask about the charge ( so I could update you all) and he said

"For some reason I was unable to change it. There is no charge for collection.
Many thanks "



HOW BAD DO I FEEL :rotfl:

I have done the guy a favour as this question is now showing on the listing and he will get more bids probably!

Crowqueen

clearingout wrote: »

I've seen it a few times (but have been looking at larger items which are collection only so perhaps that's why). I had always assumed that a) it was just a way of getting a bit of extra cash in and b) perhaps a misguided idea that if you're paying to collect, you're actually going to turn up? I don't think it would deter those who had no intention of following a transaction through, but can see the logic behind it that it might (kind of like having the death penalty stops people going out and murdering logic!).

How they get their money if you're not going to turn up at all is odd logic, unless it's thought of as a deposit of some kind.

There is no real reason for private sellers to charge this as their time is not chargeable (unless they wish to start paying tax on it as actual income), and businesses should have some kind of pricing model that includes staff wages etc, a presenatable office or whatever. It's purely fee avoidance.

Though glad it seems to have been sorted out.