Shipping scam?

Doug

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This seller has two items listed for auction on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7528661368&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7528663018&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

Note this on both listings:
"Shipping costs: US $599.01 - Standard Flat Rate Shipping Service (within United States)"

I contacted the seller with the question whether this was serious or a typo. Their reply: "THE S/H FEES ARE CORRECT. THIS IS BUSINESS, NOT A TYPING ERROR."

An inattentive buyer could get a very nasty shock!
 
Who knows, it must be personally delivered by some celebrity. But to be fair, it says "s/h free with Buy it now". Oh, wait, there is no Buy It Now. Quite deceitful this business, not a typing error guy.
 
I've reported him and told him so. Foo on that yahoo.

William
 
kiev4a said:
Ebay has rules prohibiting inflated shipping charges, I believe. Trying to avoid seller's fees.

Exactly right! FSU sellers from the old Soviet Union nations have used this tactic to avoid paying ebay's fees. This guy is following suit but has gotten greedy. I hope ebay shuts him down.

I won't deal with anyone who pulls this kind of crap. If they'll screw over ebay for their fee, why would I trust them to be fair with me, the buyer? A crook is a crook without loyalty to anyone or anything except their own greed.

Walker
 
awesome on. I asked him about the crazy rate and he responded. I like this guy, he's funny.


Q:
Excuse me. why is it that shipping on some of your items is well within the normal range, and some auctions (like this one) have grossly inflated shipping rates?
Jul-08-05


A:
GOOD QUESTION, AND YOU SEEM SERIOUS. OTHERS START AT A "NORMAL" PRICE; THIS ONE STARTS AT A REDICULORS LOW, DO NOT YOU SEE THAT IT'S STARTS BELOW $1.00? IF YOU KNOW THE REAL VALUE OF THE ITEM, YOU KNOW IT'S STILL NORMAL AND FAIR. EVERYBODY WANTS TO BUY SOMETHING CHEAP, EVEN AT A STEAL PRICE, BUT NO FREE LUNCH, ANYWHERE. NOTHING AT EBAY OR ANYWHERE IS FREE.
 
Yeah, cagy business plan, the auctions are still up but he's got no bids on that Pen FT, and I see he even wants $515 incl shipping for a Pen 25mm f/2.8 Zuiko-W. Sure it's an unusual lens but that's probably more than even KevinCameras would ask, if they had one. It will be interesting to see if anyone goes for this low price/high shipping tactic.
 
I don't care what that "REDICULORS" bozo's "explanation" is, his practices are deceptive and in my mind, fraudulent.
 
I also reported him. Seems like Ebay finally responded and took down the listing (maybe reporting to Ebay Germany helped - they are much more responsive than US Ebay when it comes to complaints).

Roman
 
Probably the ebay.de report did the trick, as I had reported him to ebay.com with no result. Something to remember for future problems.

William
 
Actually, I forgot - it was Ebay Austria - ebay.at - they just sent me an e-mail note that they took down the listings...

Roman
 
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