High P&P - Opinions Please!

footballmanagerwidow

Hi All

I bought an item from an established seller with 100% PF and was charged £7 P&P - I didn't really question the amount as it was an electrical item and I didn't know how heavy it was going to be. The item arrived 3 days after I paid and I noticed that they had sent it via 2nd class post at a cost of £2.49 - it was just wrapped in plain brown paper. Does anyone else think this difference in prices is unreasonable and if so what do you think I should do? I appreciate people do need to make some extra on p&p but this much seems a bit extreme to me...

Thanks in advance

FMW

soolin

The price quoted is what you agreed to when you bid. However, many sellers no longer over inflate their charges like this as they are worried about their star ratings, so in the first instance send a polite email to the seller expressing your surprise. It might be that he has also failed to realise just how much the postage cost.

If he doesn't respond or doesn't sound sympathetic then you can leave appropriate feedback but more importantly use the star ratings to mark him down.

richto

No - the seller just saved both of you paying more fees to eBay as P&P does not attract final value fees. If the seller did not charge his time and effort involved in postage / packing on the P&P then it would mean a higher item cost.

And dont forget that if the seller is VAT registered then they have to add VAT onto the Postage and packing costs as well.

The seller had to stock it, handle it, invoice it, pack it, treck to Post Office, queue, etc.

You agreed the fee up front.

The only question I would have is did he ship it by the method stated on the listing - If so then you agreed the costs and should leave a 5.

If you dont then you are just helping eBay extract more money from everyone through higher FVF fees.

Trixxie

Sadly, you have to deal with this issue BEFORE you bid - either ask seller for explanation/confirmation of P&P listed, or take the charge into consideration when deciding how much you are prepared to pay for the item.

footballmanagerwidow

I know I agreed to it, I admitted that I didnt question it as I didn't know how heavy it would be! (It was an electric breast pump if you must know, so not something I reguarly handle). Also it was bought on an auction, not a buy it now so it wouldn't have otherwise be put on the item price.

StaffsSW

If you were happy with the overall price then what is to complain about? Likewise, if the seller used a pre-paid account or smart stamp to print the postage label without a price, would you have been asking the same question?

richto

Yes it would have been on the item price - people would have been prepared to bid more had the P&P been lower! Most bidders consider the total cost when comparing items.

You COULD leave a poor rating. However to do so would be unfair as you agreed to the cost upfront and at the end of the day it just means eBay get more of your money.

In general you should always vote 5 for everything unless the seller doesnt do what they say they will. Unless of course you have shares in eBay!

footballmanagerwidow

I wasn't complaining, I was merely asking what people thought! Thanks for the really friendly responses (!), I shant bother asking again.

richto

footballmanagerwidow wrote: »

this much seems a bit extreme to me...

But you were....

Time2Go_25

Well yet another OP who asks a question and gets criticised, seems to be a growing trend.

DGJsaver

richto wrote: »

You COULD leave a poor rating. However to do so would be unfair

Really ?
Whats the point in ebay asking for rating on p+p charges then ?