[WWI] ot: Ebay shipping costs

[Andy Bannister]

Scott:

> 
> If it says "postage" or "shipping", you may have a point that 
> such cost has been mis-represented and you may be getting 
> "pyrite for gold", though I think that may well be 
> overstating the case unless the seller DID specify a higher 
> level of service than provided. I'd also argue you agreed to 
> the price up-front, but that's why they play the ballgame, right?
> 
> If it says "postage and handling", "postage and packing", 
> "P&P" or any such, they're in the clear because at this point 
> by bidding you are merely agreeing to compensate them 
> handsomely for whatever effort and materials (minimal though 
> they may be) they spent "handling" or "packing" your order. 
> My observation is that most sellers playing this game are 
> careful to use one of the latter strategies.
> 
> The simple fact is YOU are in undeniable, absolute, 100%, 
> incontrovertible control over whether you bid or not in such 
> an auction. If you don't like the shipping terms your choice 
> is very simple...don't bid. You could contact the seller 
> AHEAD OF TIME and ask for a reduced/more realistic rate and 
> get committment to same, etc and then bid. I just choose not 
> to do business with them.
> 
 Perfectly reasonable. The bottom line though as far as I'm concerned is
that it is a deliberately dirty & underhanded practice regardless of the
semantics and those that practice it shouldn't be surprised if people
complain or leave them negative feedback. One good shafting deserves another
I say....
Andy