i just bought an Xbox 360 premium on ebay for 490, now i read what you guys are saying. i don't think i was scammed, but i'm worried now!
My friend got one on ebay and wasnt scammed. I think a lot of the ones on ebay are legit. I just made a bad choice.
- Aug 23, 2003
- 25,375
- 142
- 116
No offense, but overcharging on shipping is something a great deal of eBayer sellers do, good and bad alike. Heck, even the big boys do it; do you really think it costs Dell or HP $49 to ship a laptop? (maybe 1/10 of that, at most)
It's always up to the buyer to check the shipping charge and factor that into their bid. We all learned addition and subtraction in elementary school. If I want to pay no more than $500 for a particular item, and shipping is $50, then my high bid should be no more than $450.
My point is, high shipping charges are not a sign of scammers, nor are they rare...but they are often complained about.
The only red flag that dmw16 should have caught right away was the handful of recent negative feedback. That should be enough for most people to not bid.
Yeah - i've paid high shipping on lots of things and adjusted my bid accordingly.
I figured since his feedback was, on a whole, good that it would be ok. I should have known better.
I figured since his feedback was, on a whole, good that it would be ok. I should have known better.
Dead3ye
Platinum Member
- Sep 21, 2000
- 2,917
- 1
- 81
Dude, his feedback sucked: 27 combined negatives and neutrals, and if you read some of the positives weren't that great or they complained of something. I never just look at the bad ones, I skim through the good ones too, particularly for the sellers shipping habits. A lot of buyers will still give a positive even though the shipping took forever.
I hope you learned something...
You really can't use the fact that the guy had ridiculously high shipping, as tons of auctions do too, and most of them are legit. I think they probably charge such outrageous shipping because otherwise, others that do will get the customers. Buyers like to see low prices, albeit they are really not that low, since the inflated shipping makes up for most if not all money that would have been saved, but eh.... That is not to say that it doesn't give you a glimpse of the character of these people, as they are getting over on ebay by avoiding some of the charges by charging high shipping, but hey, I can't say I wouldn't do it myself to an extent, just not $40 on a 8lb head unit. I would charge more like $20
On a side note, I just bought two items off of ebay, from two different sellers, and both had exagerated shipping. One was for an Alpine 9853, which was $200 before shipping, and $240 after, and the other was for a Hifonics sub amp, which was $180 before shipping, and $210 after. They just do it to get you looking at their product, and hope that by the time you check the shipping cost(if you do at all, as many stupid people don't), you'll be sold on the procuct, as long as the shipping isn't too high.
Contact Paypal and ebay, file claims.....if you havent done so already.
I was in a similar transaction with an account take over. Paypal refunded the full amount even it was not covered with paypal protection as he had less than 50 feedback. it took 2 weeks from filing and getting the amount returned to my amex.
I was in a similar transaction with an account take over. Paypal refunded the full amount even it was not covered with paypal protection as he had less than 50 feedback. it took 2 weeks from filing and getting the amount returned to my amex.
to those who replied to my comment on my post ... re: shipping charges.
While I understand that many sellers pad the charges to cover expenses... $75.00 to ship an XboX is disgusting.
it would take a package that is 36x36x6 and weighs 30 pounds, with full insurance from NY to Los Angeles to cost almost $75.00
36x18x6 on a 20 pound package from NY to LA is less than $30.
I am not saying that just because he is looking to totaly screw the buyer on shipping that he is an automatic scam... what i am saying is that while looking at an auction... it tells a lot about the seller if he is looking to do that.
Covering expenses is one thing... screwing the buyer is another. Couple that with his feedback... it becomes a red flag.
While I understand that many sellers pad the charges to cover expenses... $75.00 to ship an XboX is disgusting.
it would take a package that is 36x36x6 and weighs 30 pounds, with full insurance from NY to Los Angeles to cost almost $75.00
36x18x6 on a 20 pound package from NY to LA is less than $30.
I am not saying that just because he is looking to totaly screw the buyer on shipping that he is an automatic scam... what i am saying is that while looking at an auction... it tells a lot about the seller if he is looking to do that.
Covering expenses is one thing... screwing the buyer is another. Couple that with his feedback... it becomes a red flag.
How is he screwing the buyer by having high shipping charges?
Like jpeyton said, it is up to the buyer to factor in the cost of shipping when deciding their maximum bid. Many sellers will do it just to absorb some of the hits they take on fees. It's also an extremely common practice, and I don't see how you can tell anything about the seller just from high shipping costs.
Turns out I did get scammed. He is NO LONGER A REGISTERED USER AT EBay. I notified Paypal, they say if he doesn't respond by Feb 7, I win. It's a shame.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1
Sorry to tell you this, but even if you win. If he has no money in his account then you dont get anything.
well it stinks either way. i can contact my bank i'm sure. but i doubt they will do anything. That's the last time i buy anything on ebay. I trust forums like anandtech and hardforums to have sellers more legit than this. Anandtech is by far the best way to do busines
ok well he actually emailed be back and says that someone got into his account and he is shipping today with confirmation code. I'll keep you posted
PingSpike
Lifer
- Feb 25, 2004
- 21,758
- 603
- 126
Thats not really a red flag, a lot of sellers recoup ebay fees with high "shipping" charges.
Edit: didn't see the response. Its common ebay practice, and its not like the charge is hidden until after purchase or something. I always factor shipping cost into any purchase I make, ebay was never any different. I frequently bought products with gouging shipping charges, usually the auction cost was so low that even with the horrible shipping I was still getting the product at well below average street prices.
Don't believe him, he could be just trying to get you to hold off on contesting with Paypal so that he can get your money gone out of their reach (so pulled from Paypal and whatever bank account or whatever is tied to his paypal account).
If it turns out he makes good on it, then you can always resend the money, provided you actually get it back.
Krazy4Real
Lifer
- Oct 3, 2003
- 12,221
- 55
- 91
well i contested with paypal this morning. he emailed me this afternoon. i'm leaving my dispute with paypal active until i actually receive a product, if i do. thanks for the help
ok well she actually emailed me back with a phone number so i called her and she seems like an honest person. She is shipping today and i'll get a confirmation today.
He's probably right... that account was broken into.
Unfortunately, I think you are still conversing with the one who broke into it.
I am alway suspcicious of an electronics auction by a seller who used to only sell baby clothes and dresses.
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