Reasonable mileage fee?

Ames

Hi all. I won a bookcase on ebay. I have no way of collecting it, and only bid because the listing said 'available for collection or delivery for a milage fee'. The seller says that the fee will be £20 for using the van, plus £10 for petrol. I'm happy to pay the tenner, but I'm not happy about the £20 being added on, if it had said that in the listing I wouldn't have bothered. It's going to cost more tha twice as much for delivery as the item cost! and I might as well have bought one brand new.

I suggested a mutual cancellation but they've replied saying that delivery is £30 and to let them know when they can bring it.

Should I pay or is there anything else I can do? I accept I should have checked the fee before bidding.

plumface

You will have to await your NPB strike.
You bid and won an item that clearly stated 'available for collection or delivery for a milage fee'.
Not a lot you can do i am afraid.

Okydoky25

Could you look into how much a courier would charge or a local man with a van?

Crowqueen

Use of the van is not exactly mileage. If they didn't have access to one cheaply, they shouldn't really have offered delivery.

Ames

Thanks everyone, I guess I'll pay and chalk it up to experience.

I do think they should have mentioned the charge to use a van in the listing though, I guess that's what feedback's for.

buggritt

They could ship it for less than a tenner. Loads of couriers about.
Pay via paypal, then you can't get a strike. Then negotiate.

kev225

How many miles is it?

I'd think anywhere around 40p per mile would be reasonable to account for time, petrol and wear and tear on the vehicle.

So if you're 37.5 or more miles away I'd think it fair, less than that it sound a tad extortionate.

That said, there really is no excuse for not checking the cost before committing to a purchase, especially as you had no intention of collecting yourself.

Ames

I'm not sure of the exact distance as they haven't given me their address. They're in Wakefield and I'm in Leeds.

I don't have a problem with the £10, but they say they have to pay £20 for the use of a works van.

I don't want to pay thrugh paypal to avoid a strike, that's a bit underhand. As I said I'll pay the extra, but mention it in feedback. And in future always check before bidding.

kev225

That sounds quite steep, I'd take others' advice and look at the courier route.

I certainly wouldn't be paying around 75p a mile, that's a far cry from what most people would consider reasonable.

One NPB strike isn't going to cause you any lasting bother if it comes to it, unless you make it a habit.

littlejaffa

arrange your own courier - Hermes should be about £10 in total for your item - lesson for future is confirm any unstated costs before bidding.
you would have a case for only paying mileage costs and claiming the seller is being unreasonable asking for money for things not listed (van hire) but i suspect because you didn't ask before bidding they're trying it on thinking you'll cough up

Ames

Does anyone have any tips on finding a courier? I've looked at some man and van ads on ebay, and the cheapest's £20, is that reasonable?

But the seller wants cash only, no paypal, so that's going to make a courier more difficult.

I think I'll probably just pay the £30.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.