A few questions regarding some problems with a eBay sale

Hey guys, I just bought a guitar on eBay a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I've had some issues with PayPal in the past so I opted to pay for it using a money order. The original shipping quote was around $88 to ship it up here, which I included in the total for the M.O. I sent out to him. Now that he's received it and it's been cleared; I get an email today that "due to the long wait, the cost of shipping has went up due to an increase in gas prices". Now he needs an extra $60 just to ship it out, as the total cost is now $148. I'm not so cheap as to really care but it feels like getting screwed here.

Has anybody heard of this happening? In two weeks I've never heard of the cost of shipping almost doubling. Keep in mind this is only coming from Alabama, not Siberia or some shit.

Sounds like he's trying to screw me over for another $60 :dunno:

What do you guys think? What can I do here?

Hes definitely screwing you over but I'm not quite sure what you can do because you sent a MO. I'd file a grievance through eBay asap because I know time runs out rather quickly for them to do anything. Contact the seller and tell him that gas prices don't double in 2 weeks and you expect him to honor his original price. Have him COD the remaining balance if need be.

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Originally posted by Graham_A_M
Hey guys, I just bought a guitar on eBay a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I've had some issues with PayPal in the past so I opted to pay for it using a money order. The original shipping quote was around $88 to ship it up here, which I included in the total for the M.O. I sent out to him. Now that he's received it and it's been cleared; I get an email today that "due to the long wait, the cost of shipping has went up due to an increase in gas prices". Now he needs an extra $60 just to ship it out, as the total cost is now $148. I'm not so cheap as to really care but it feels like getting screwed here.

Has anybody heard of this happening? In two weeks I've never heard of the cost of shipping almost doubling. Keep in mind this is only coming from Alabama, not Siberia or some shit.

Sounds like he's trying to screw me over for another $60 :dunno:

What do you guys think? What can I do here?

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Tell him that you'll need the original money order back so you can issue a new one for the new amount. If he objects, tell him to ship it as there's no way shipping fees have doubled. OR, have him send you $88 you originally paid and you'll pay the shipping fees directly to USPS.

Start a grievance right away through eBay but continue to work with him in regards to getting your original money order back and issuing a new one.

If I remember correctly, the grievance has to be filed with ebay within 45 days of the sale so you want to provide them with as much detail as possible before that time comes(if it takes that long to sort out)

I'm just curious, as I do a fair amount of Ebay buying........why did you use a MO instead of Paypal? From what I've read, Paypal usually protects the buyer when purchasing on Ebay. I've heard horror stories of sellers getting screwed by sketchy buyers who complain to paypal, but never the opposite.

Tell the seller that you saved him the 3% charges that paypal would have charged him, he can put that towards the extra shipping costs.

Since you paid with a MO, the seller has you by the balls and there probably isn't much you can do. Ebay will have no idea if you really paid or not as it's tough to prove.

Keep us updated if you can. I'm always curious to see how Ebay handles these situations.

Just pay it and get your item. Then leave negative feedback to warn others. Next time use Paypal or COD shipping.

File a complaint with eBay, he can't change the terms once the contract between the two of you is in place. He was a lazy ass and didn't ship it, not your problem to cover any new cost.

THe seller is screwing you for extra money. He knows you can't do fuck all because you paid with the money order.

I would pay the extra $60, get your goods. Then file a grievance with Ebay and leave him negative feedback. That's probably the best way to get your goods you paid for.

I hate paypal too, but they're still safer than a MO.

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He's stating customs has to be paid on his end; thats mainly why. I told him if FedEx wont do COD, then ship it Purolator or UPS.
I dont know if Customs has to be paid before it can pass into Canada: perhaps you guys will know more about that.

I'll find out more tomorrow, but I think you guys are right; Im kind of at his mercy really. Fuck sakes.


Basically I said to COD the remainder of the shipping costs (if there are any, which I doubt).... so he'll check into this tomorrow and get back to me.

I dont know, he has a 100% positive rating with 265 feedback, so I just find all this shit a bit odd. He doesn't seem like a bad guy but I think its safe to say all this sounds very fishy.

I've ordered tons of things off ebay from the states, rims, watches, you name it. I've never had to pay customs ahead of time....always at time of pickup/delivery. How can he know how much to calculate for customs anyways??? He isn't the Border server or Customs....

Regardless, good luck with this. As much as you hate paypal...i'm sure you hate giving your money away or getting scammed more.

just pay it and be thankful that you are not getting reamed by exorbitant brokerage+duty+tax on brokerage+tax on duty+ GST from UPS or FEDEX.


:nut:

As most others said, I'd pay it... Remember he still has 'your guitar'. He chooses how well to pack it for shipping. I wouldn't want to piss him off.

After, yeah.. Possibly leave neg. Feedback.

Seller is a douche, if he didn't do his research then its his loss. I've improperly quoted shipping prices as a seller and sent items at a loss simply to avoid negative ratings/grievances.

I used to always pay with MO before opening a paypal account, and I was never charged extra even when it took 2 weeks to get payment. Of course MO was an accepted payment method, now it seems that only paypal is accepted on most items and you only have like 2-3 days to pay.

So at first he told you the $60 was for the extra shipping costs because gas went up and now he is saying its for customs? Stories aren't straight means that hes a dirty liar pants on fire.

+1 for Canadian AIDS

That is a BS charge. I've ordered a dozen guitars off of EBAY and none have had an issue like that. Overnight shipping should be no more than $140, so I would tell him you will pay, but that it must be over-nighted. Regular shipping should be no more than $100. He is just trying to extort you a bit and the only way that would have happened is if he would have gone to the shipping depot and basically gone through every step except for shipping to find out that charge. Maybe meet him halfway and call it a day...probably best for both of you.


Oh, and post pics. :bigpimp:

Money order???? Come on dude!:facepalm:

Fuck... just got off the phone with Ebay, yeah this is not looking good.

wow what a mistake it is to pay with a MO or CC. :facepalm: I seem to be hopelessly out of options here. I just fired off an email to him asking him to remove the 3% (Paypal selling) fees off the amount owing, and thats really the only card left to play.

The Canadian buyers protection is offered through Paypal, and since I didn't use it there really isn't much I can do.