Ethic Question : Negative feedback or not ?

Marton · #1 10-17-2011, 09:26 AM

Hi guys, I need some advice for a deal I've done on eBay.

I bought a GK 400RB 2 weeks ago and asked to get it shipped by USPS. The seller agree but decide to ship by UPS anyway. Anyway, UPS are scammers (that's why I wanted the item shipped by USPS) and I had to pay $89.52 for a $258.20 package (that's right, that's 34,6% of the price...). I contacted UPS and I'm screwed because I already paid the fees.

Should I leave a negative feedback to the seller because he didn't used the shipping service that I asked, considering that he agreed to my demand ?

Edit : I obviously already contacted the seller, I'm more thinking about the possibility that he won't want to help me.

theretheyare · #2 10-17-2011, 09:35 AM

I might not know the whole story, but did you explore every option (emailing seller, ebay/paypal resolution/dispute) to get back the difference back between both shipping options?Just saying-leaving a neg is essentially giving in to his overcharging.... it should be the last resort

Hawkbone · #3 10-17-2011, 09:36 AM

I think so. UPS are notorius for that. I just paid them $55 brokerage on a $300 used bass. Fed Gov took another $70. Nearly %50 more!

Anyway, knowing that, you requested USPS. They agreed. It's an agreed condition of the sale. You could probably so something with it in small claims court.

I will refuse to use UPS ever again.

TeeAre · #4 10-17-2011, 09:41 AM

It's your money. I would defend myself every penny if I were you. And don't hesitate to review the seller in a negative light, as long as everything you say is true. Future buyers will be very appreciative, I'm sure.

As far as dealing with the seller, you have every right to be mad. However, it's always best to be at least civil, if not polite, with everyone you deal with.

Anyway, good luck with your situation. It's certainly not a pleasant one, and I think a lot of us here at TB feel your pain.

double · #5 10-17-2011, 09:43 AM

Of course you have to do that ! You are entitled to, and they just deserve it.
I mean...you've paid for that !

stflbn · #6 10-17-2011, 09:46 AM

It's not UPS's fault. It's the seller not doing what you requested.
Regarding costs... You're having an item shipped to a different country with no idea what the true packaging size or weight etc may be, then complaining when something is different. That's not UPS's fault. IMHO, buy local or pay the additional costs.

If it's notated in Messages regarding the purchase then you should get the extra money back, or you should have sent the item back at them without paying the extra money and let them fight it out with UPS. If it's not notated and agreed upon by the seller, or they only ship via UPS, then you're likely stuck because 'you accepted the UPS shipment and paid the additional costs'. If it wasn't acceptable you shouldn't have accepted it.

Hawkbone · #7 10-17-2011, 09:56 AM

Yes, it is the sellers fault, but the reason OP requested USPS is because UPS are notorius for such steep fees. USPS never have such huge fees.

TC2112 · #8 10-17-2011, 09:58 AM

In all fairness to the seller, and I don't know anything other than what was posted here so I'm assuming that since you requested USPS and you are in Quebec that this is an international deal, USPS tracking, especially between countries, is atrocious. With all the paypal and ebay rules about shipping and how they can just jerk money away from you whenever they feel something might not be right, I would not and do not ship anything internationally using the postal service. If you had an agreement, then that may be different, but I understand the seller not using USPS.

waynobass · #9 10-17-2011, 10:01 AM

Maybe the seller just made a mistake. UPS and USPS have only one letter difference!

In any case, he should at least offer to split the shipping charge with you.

SBassman · #10 10-17-2011, 10:08 AM

First of all, I applaud the OP for seeking advice on doing the right thing.

My take is: you Must first exhaust every possibility with the seller. When you are 100% done with that, if you have not recovered some or all of the difference, then yes, you can leave negative feedback with a clear conscience.

But first things first.

Marton · #11 10-17-2011, 10:09 AM

Thanks for your advice guys. I'll let you know what happen with that.

Just for some clarification, I explained the situation to the seller before and he decided to go UPS because it was "a few bucks cheaper", without contacting me.

Also, I know that it's not really "UPS fault", but it's a fact that they do some really shady business for international shipping, that's why I wanted to avoid them.

dalkowski · #12 10-17-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

First of all, I applaud the OP for seeking advice on doing the right thing.

My take is: you Must first exhaust every possibility with the seller. When you are 100% done with that, if you have not recovered some or all of the difference, then yes, you can leave negative feedback with a clear conscience.

But first things first.

I heartily concur.

SBassman · #13 10-17-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marton

Also, I know that it's not really "UPS fault", but it's a fact that they do some really shady business for international shipping, that's why I wanted to avoid them.

It's ok to not like UPS. I think many on TB would +1 on - UPS being less than stellar.

pedroims · #14 10-17-2011, 10:26 AM

I dont get it, you bought an amp $ 258 , you request the seller to use USPS, he gave a quote ( lets say $20) you paypal the money $258+20. Why you are paying now $ 89 to UPS? Did the seller ship the item with COD?

Marton · #15 10-17-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedroims

I dont get it, you bought an amp $ 258 , you request the seller to use USPS, he gave a quote ( lets say $20) you paypal the money $258+20. Why you are paying now $ 89 to UPS? Did the seller ship the item with COD?

They are taxes (that's perfectly normal, and around $28) and brokerage fess (fees they take for checking out how much taxes do I have to pay... around $60, that's the scam).

Hawkbone · #16 10-17-2011, 11:24 AM

yes, and more tax on your $60!

Pilgrim · #17 10-17-2011, 09:19 PM

UPS costs what it costs.

FedEx and FedEx Ground cost what they cost.

Etc. etc.

I have no heartburn with any of the shipping services - they charge what they do. We get to choose. USPS has no functional tracking worth mentioning - shipping anything with them is a total crapshoot. I've had $1000 worth of videotapes disappear into the postal system and re-appear six months later, covered in dust. UPS and FedEx give you tracking numbers that actually work.

One detail here - did you use "UPS" and USPS", or "United Parcel" and "US Postal Service" in your communication? As mentioned above, they are only one letter different.

Acronyms are never as accurate as the full wording. If I was really serious about a chipper, I would specify "US Postal Service" as part of my request.

That said, if you were specific and the shipper violated your agreement, he earned negative feedback: "Shipped by wrong method and cost me a lot of money."

Marton · #18 10-17-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

UPS costs what it costs.

FedEx and FedEx Ground cost what they cost.

Etc. etc.

I have no heartburn with any of the shipping services - they charge what they do. We get to choose. USPS has no functional tracking worth mentioning - shipping anything with them is a total crapshoot. I've had $1000 worth of videotapes disappear into the postal system and re-appear six months later, covered in dust. UPS and FedEx give you tracking numbers that actually work.

One detail here - did you use "UPS" and USPS", or "United Parcel" and "US Postal Service" in your communication? As mentioned above, they are only one letter different.

Acronyms are never as accurate as the full wording. If I was really serious about a chipper, I would specify "US Postal Service" as part of my request.

That said, if you were specific and the shipper violated your agreement, he earned negative feedback: "Shipped by wrong method and cost me a lot of money."

The seller definetely knew what he was doing, he sent me an email saying that he shipped by UPS instead of USPS.

Also, I don't care how much companies charge for shipping, I just wish they weren't hiding 30-50% of the cost in a shady way.

Finally, I got an answer from the seller, and we worked something out. I'm still losing a few bucks, but I didn't really wanted to lose time on a claim, or to return the amp, I already like it much.

Thanks guys for support

.

BassScum · #19 10-21-2011, 02:08 PM

That's why I won't sell anything to anyone outside of the USA! To much of a hassle!

Not blamining the buyer however.

warnergt · #20 10-21-2011, 02:26 PM

How do you know it would have cost any less with USPS?
USPS rates really skyrocket for big and heavy items.

Did you ask the seller to ship by USPS before the ebay auction closed?
I'm not sure that you would be in a strong position after the
sale to tell the seller how to ship it.