What feedback should I leave for this transaction?

[Sniderman]

Here's how my deal went down:
1. I won an item on eBay. Paid immediately via Paypal.
2. SHortly after paying - literally minutes - I check back to see seller has listed another identical item to the one I just won. Thinking it'd make a nifty gift for a friend, I BIN it. I send a message to the seller explaining I just won and paid for the other one less than 10 minutes ago, and would it be possible to tuck this in with my previous win. Combined lowered shipping charge would be nice, but is not expected.
3. No response for 24 hours. I e-mail again, asking that the two items be shipped as one. If there's an extra shipping charge or whatever, let me know ASAP, as I need to pay for it.
4. Another 48 hours goes by. BY this point, I'm guessing my first item has been shipped. Since I haven't paid for the second item yet (waiting for an answer), I let the seller know I'll wait until the first item arrives, then I'll pay for the second item.
5. NOW the seller e-mails me, letting me know the first item hasn't been shipped yet, and he's happy to combine shipping and ship both at once. What I've already paid for shipping will cover both items - I just need to pay for the second item only. So I do so.
6. Today, the items arrive - POSTAGE DUE. It's only $2.20, so it's not that big a deal. But had the seller ASKED me for another $2.20, I would've been happy to pay the extra. Instead, I had to get off work early to go pick the damn thing up at the post office and pay the extra charge the seller didn't bother to pick up nor tell me about.

*sigh*

Anyway, what should I do, eBay feedback-wise? I got the items and they're in good shape. No complaints there. However, his communication sucked and I never knew what the status was from day to day. PLUS, I got stuck with an extra $2.20 surprise shipping charge. I personally have eaten extra postage when I've underestimated without even mentioning it to the buyer. But this pissed me off that - SURPRISE! - I had to go pick it up and pay more. An e-mail to me that it was arriving postage due would've been nice. Or I could just not leave any feedback at all and chalk it up to YAAE (yet another assclown eBayer).

Opinions?

[Felixthegamer]

I'd chalk it up as a neutral, it seems fair because the items were in good shape, but the extra postage sucks

[Griking]

Is it possible that it wasn't intentional? If the seller shipped it media mail and the post office later opened it and determined that it didn't qualify for media rate then the post office usually bills the receipitant for the additional shipping fee.

He obviously paid part of the shipping cause $2.20 wouldn't cover anything. How does one pay 1/2 the shipping fee and then talk the post office into billing the receiver for the rest?

[PDorr3]

I don't see a reason for anything less tahn a positive, but in the positive be sure to note what he did to you. A neutral is harsh if you got the items, especialy in a reasonably fast amount of time. I would not give neutral or negative because he charged an extra $2. Was it shitty of him? Yes.

[SoulBlazer]

I'd try to find out how the package ended up Postage Due. If it was the sellers fault, leave a netrual. If something else happened, a positive.

[Gapporin]

I'd leave a neutral. You got your items in good condition, but everything else sucked.

[djbeatmongrel]

neutral, you got your stuff but it the lack of communicatin and the post office trip would piss me off

[Nesmaster]

neutral, as per said above by others :)

[Sniderman]

Well, the postage was obviously printed at home with the USPS postage website or Stamps.com or some-such. So, apparently, he printed off a mailing label witht he postage I paid for, then just dropped it off at the post office. Of course, the postage was too little, and that was passed onto me.

Haven't heard from the seller yet, but I betcha he wasn't aware of the extra postage. And had he KNOWN, I'm sure he would've asked for it before mailing, and I would've ended up paying the extra $2.20 anyway. It's not the extra postage, it's his lackidaisical nature of not sending me prompt e-mails as well as not double checking whether he undershot the postage. Grr...

[SoulBlazer]

And that's why I'd leave the netrual. Say something like 'Reeived items in acceptable time and good condition but poor communication and had to pay Postage Due on package'.

[squidblatt]

If you the seller is honest and only negligent to the tune of 2.00 and a trip to the post office, leave positive feedback, but mention the hassle in the commentary. It might spur him to be more on top of things.

[Drexel923]

I'd say neutral, but only if you don't care about getting a negative. This guy just seems like the kind of person to give a neg for anything other than a positive. I suppose in the end it wasn't that bad, though frustrating, so I would leave a positive and just be thankful this guy didn't screw you some more.

[imanerd0011]

I think most people that buy/sell on Ebay alot, are WAY to nice!

Think about it... you had a bad experience, why does the seller deserve a positive feedback? Personally I would give him a neutral, but only because I wouldn't want a negative in return. If he/she has already given you a positive, then drop a negative on his ass!
The feedback system is there to let people know about someone, if everyone gives everyone positive feedback, then no one will know who is a crappy seller, and who is a great seller.

[briskbc]

I tend to people the benefit of the doubt. They have lives outside of eBay and everyone makes mistakes. Leave a positive but word it the same as you would a neutral.

[lurpak]

Possitive

whats he done wrong. ? it took two days to reply to mail.. not everybody lives on thier PCs, Im on mine all day at work, come friday I wont touch the PC till monday or check mails, It realy annoys me that some people expect an instant reply to emails.. not a dig at you mate but some people have lives outside of the E-World.
Im quite happy to not check email for a whole week sometimes.
when posting packages in the UK I dont thibnk you can send an item without having it weighed and the correct post price being charged to you at the post office.. is that not the case in the US ?
either way its not like the guy overcharged you on the post, you payed what it cost.. is the mail service that charged you not him.

Sounds like a good seller to me and Id be happy to buy from him from what you said in detail, however the feedback doesnt allow details such as above and a neutral or neg would be missleading.

[Sniderman]

Technically, he didn't reply for more than 3 days after my initial win. I'm not expecting immediate gratification here. I don't expect someone to be sitting on top of their mailbox. But it took 3 days to reply to a direct query on postage - postage that was incorrect at the end anyway. :/

I will probably leave a positive because - in the end - I got my package somewhat quickly and it was in good shape. I paid extra postage that was legitimately my expense. Just wish the seller was just a wee bit more on the ball. His mistakes/laziness trickled down and eventually *I* had to deal with it. As a buyer, I expect a little more assistance when I'm giving someone my money.

Professional seller or not - if I give you money, I expect you to be a bit more on the ball.

[v1rich]

Positive. The seller does not deserve neutral or negative when you got your stuff and it is likely not their fault the postage was wrong. It was probably an accident. No big deal. And I think all the people here saying neutral have an attitude.

[8bitnes]

I think most people that buy/sell on Ebay alot, are WAY to nice!

Think about it... you had a bad experience, why does the seller deserve a positive feedback? Personally I would give him a neutral, but only because I wouldn't want a negative in return. If he/she has already given you a positive, then drop a negative on his ass!
The feedback system is there to let people know about someone, if everyone gives everyone positive feedback, then no one will know who is a crappy seller, and who is a great seller.

I totally agree with the above. Ebay's feedback system is to rate the entire experience. You are obviously bothered/upset by it otherwise you would not have created this thread. I would give a negative or a rather negative sounding neutral.

Also, I once left a negative sounding positive and the seller then gave me a real negative. Going that way is like losing a fight to your little brother and then having to kiss him as punishment from your parents.

[howdoin]

Well at least it means that he did not overcharge for shipping !!!

I'd leave it as positive but mention that there was a "bump" with postage because it seems that:

- items were as described
- items were shipped in a "timely" manner
- for once someone does not overcharge shipping.

So I'd probably leave something in the line of :

"Items as advertise but postal delivery misapp costed extra $2.20".

Make sure you let him now before of the mishap.

[evilmess]

Break the whole buying experience down and rate each aspect as follows.

Example:
Praise:
Item Description: A+ | Packaging: A+ | Communication: D | Shipping: C

Item Description: Does the item match the description and pictures?
Packaging: Was the item packaged well?
Communication: Did the seller answer emails or send confirmation of payment and shipping or other needed communication?
Shipping: Was the item shipped in a timely manor and was the shipping cost reasonable?

[Predatorxs]

This is by no means a stab at you, sniderman, but you must have better things to, than pose a question like that, you got your items, everythings good! no real problems.

I wouldn't have even pondered feedback it would have been Positive! straight away.

I deal with alot of American and Canadian ebayers all the time, the last time i had to "eat the postage" it was $16 more, then when i got the games i had to pay an extra $40 tax charge, because the seller marked the item, not as a gift, but as merchandice. Now this is alittle different to your situation. I did tell the seller, and he was good enough to shoot me $20 back.

the main thing is $2.20 is nothing!.. you got everything you paid for.. now leave some nice feedback. ;)

http://www.xs.dsl.pipex.com/avator/ms_ufo.gif..XS

[v1rich]

Break the whole buying experience down and rate each aspect as follows.

Example:
Praise:
Item Description: A+ | Packaging: A+ | Communication: D | Shipping: C

Item Description: Does the item match the description and pictures?
Packaging: Was the item packaged well?
Communication: Did the seller answer emails or send confirmation of payment and shipping or other needed communication?
Shipping: Was the item shipped in a timely manor and was the shipping cost reasonable?

That is an excellent way to leave feedback.

Also as mentioned did you contact the seller about the postage due? I do not doubt that they did not know anything about it.

[Emily]

I wouldn't have even pondered feedback it would have been Positive! straight away.


Your an Idiot! I dont just give people positive feedback, and neither should you. I dont understand why a seller like that deserves a Positive :hmm:
If I dont have a POSITIVE expirience buying from someone( they wont return E-mails,shipped wrapped it a paper bag, not actrually in stock) I rate them as they are. If some aspects of the deal were good, but others sucked
give em a neutral.
People who give shitty sellers positive feedback suck.
Its misleading x_x

[Drexel923]

I wouldn't have even pondered feedback it would have been Positive! straight away.


Your an Idiot! I dont just give people positive feedback, and neither should you. I dont understand why a seller like that deserves a Positive :hmm:
If I dont have a POSITIVE expirience buying from someone( they wont return E-mails,shipped wrapped it a paper bag, not actrually in stock) I rate them as they are. If some aspects of the deal were good, but others sucked
give em a neutral.
People who give shitty sellers positive feedback suck.
Its misleading x_x

Is the idiot comment really necessary? Just cause you don't agree doesn't mean you have to attack another user. This is the kind of crap that throws threads into the gutter...is anyone civil anymore.

[Predatorxs]

Emily, I didn't say give crappy sellers good feedback!, this seller might have a perfect feedback score, and because there was an extra charge of $2.20 (the seller probably didn't even know about) that means his feedback should be tarnished?.

For instance i bid on and won a few big snes posters about a year back, i emailed the seller a few times to let them know i planned on bidding on one more poster. The auction ends, i win it for, $20 (something close to that)

I get on to the seller ( he replies a few days later ) once i hear back i send payment, he didn't take paypal so i sent cash in a recorded international package, (for both our benefit).. he gets the money 5 days later. He doesn't send the posters straight away, i kindly ask if they had been sent, i get reply saying no but his wife/Girlfriend ( i can't remember right off the top of my head ) is going to send them, i say cool and wait for the posters.

I get the posters and leave positive feedback, then he shoots back with 3 neutrals saying i had delayed payment and i was slow getting back to him.. bullshit!! I email and ask him why he didn't mention any of this before, he simply never replied!

It's people like that, that ruin other peoples feedback, with there all to itchy trigger fingers, there are far to many people that are ready to leave negatives or neutrals at the drop of a hat.

Life isn't perfect, the Usps isn't perfect, the world isn't perfect, nothing is perfect there are always bumps in the road, an equal balance should be struck.

Did i get my item as described? Yes.. Did i pay $2.20 extra yes.. Am i bankrupt No! Am i happy with my item Yes!

Nothing is perfect.. just give people a chance and leave there feedback alone, over something so trivia!.

PS.. I'v also noticed alot of good sellers, have now stopped leaving feedback after receiving payment, they now wait for the buyer to leave feedback, this is a good counter measure, by ebayers (sellers in general) that wish to protect there ebay feedback.

Lastly, when a seller does receive a neg or neutral, and he feels he's been hard done by, whats he gunna do? he's gunna return the favour! all this for $2.20... :angry:

http://www.xs.dsl.pipex.com/avator/ms_ufo.gif..XS ( I'll let the idiot comment pass!, i only come here to enjoy the forums, not fire shots back and fourth! ;) )

[Griking]

For whatever its worth I probably would have just given him his positive and been done with it. After all, you did receive the game in a reasonable time, the item was apparantly as described and you know for a fact that you paid exact shipping and not a dime more. The fact that he wasn't sitting by his computer just waiting for an email that he can respond to right away doesn't deserve a negative in my book.

[jonjandran]

For whatever its worth I probably would have just given him his positive and been done with it. After all, you did receive the game in a reasonable time, the item was apparantly as described and you know for a fact that you paid exact shipping and not a dime more. The fact that he wasn't sitting by his computer just waiting for an email that he can respond to right away doesn't deserve a negative in my book.

I 100% agree......

That's odd for me isn't it Griking. :)

[Sniderman]

Well, here's how it all ended out:

Went to pick up the postage due item today. Paid the $2.20. When handed the parcel, the postage on it was $4.20. I paid $7.00 for the postage. Ergo:

I paid $7.00 in postage.

Buyer slapped it in a Flat Rate Priority Mail envelope with $4.20 in stamps on it - keeping $2.80 of the postage for himself.

Post Office realizes on-route to me that envelope is much to "fat" to be paperwork/magazines/etc. Opening said envelope, see that it's actually a package/parcel which is a no-no in a Flat RAte envelope. They jack up the postage to cover the extra weight/expense.

Arrives here, and I have to pay ANOTHER $2.20 to get it. So, I've paid $9.20 postage total - whereas Seller McDumbass pocketed $2.80 in the process.

What'd I end up leaving him? NOTHING. I'm pissed enough to neg 'im for this. HOwever, the stuff arrived in good condition and I'm pleased with it. ANd, after all, it's only $2. (Actually, $4, but who's counting.) And a Neutral? Pssshhhh...no thanks.

I have sent a letter to the seller explaining that his pocketing of the "extra" postage ended up costing me another $2 as well as my time to go get the damn thing. If he wants a positive, he'll have to turn this into a positive by Paypalling me my $2. Had he just put the whole $7 postage on the package, it would've arrived with no problems. Instead, he shorted the post office and I had to shell out ANOTHER $2 to get it.


And, with that, I'm done with the thread. Continue discussing it if ya want.

[jonjandran]

How does the Post Office charge you extra for the Flat Rate Envelope not containing Paperwork/Magazines ?

Every Post Office I've ever been in told me to ship my Video Games in the Flat Rate Envelope . :hmm:

I'm really confused with the USPS right now. O_O

[Sniderman]

How does the Post Office charge you extra for the Flat Rate Envelope not containing Paperwork/Magazines ?

Every Post Office I've ever been in told me to ship my Video Games in the Flat Rate Envelope . :hmm:

I'm really confused with the USPS right now. O_OIt's a question of "thickness." They have a "slot" about an inch or so wide. If the envelope slips through it, it's good to go. If it's too wide, then it's a "Box" or "parcel" and does not qualify for the Flat Rate. It's to keep folks from once again abusing the system and mailing as much crap as they can possibly cram into an envelope. A videogame or two is fine. BUt if you tried to jam two large boxes into the envelope so it was 4 inches thick, it would raise an eyebrow - like it did here.