How To Handle Shipping Overcharges?

Mila cent, some sellers actually use the freight charges to protect themselves. Auctions with minimums tend to be looked on with anathema and you have seen discussions here about schill bidding. Dad and mom have talked about the problems with starting an auction at 1 cent and taking the chance that some sellers take.

Still, the most active, so profitable, auctions tend to be those with no minimum and start at 1 cent. Some people take out a little insurance by fudging the freight. If it is then a good auction for them they have some extra profit.

The question is, would you have had he or she put a reserve on it of say $5. I know people here on the forum that won't even bid on one. I don't know how you feel, but it the real question. I have seen auctions where the seller gets completely ridiculous. Selling a Lincoln Cent, say, and having the freight at $25. Now I just factor that into my purchase price and bid accordingly knowing that the freight will be much less.

Sellers have problems like these that they have to work with and I guess I understand that and do not hold it against them. We all have had problems with sellers, but when you listen to mom and dad you see what they are dealing with, too. I am sure not saying anyone is right or wrong, just trying to understand both sides.
Jim

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Selling a Lincoln Cent, say, and having the freight at $25. Now I just factor that into my purchase price and bid accordingly knowing that the freight will be much less.

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Jim,
If I was to purchase this Lincoln with the understanding that the shipping rate be at $25, then I would expect the shipping charges of $25 would be used and my cent be shipped with the quoted charges and not less.

I'm sorry but if I was to send a coin or anything else and charge $25 to ship to you or anyone else in the (USA) then that is what I would spend to ship your item(s).
It bothers me to be charged a higher amount then turn around and ship it for less then it was originally quoted.
Just my opinion.

mila_

nds76: I am sorry you had to pay postage due. I do have a recent personal story that shows that underpaying postage is not necessarily done on purpose.

I sold something recently on ebay that I was certain had the right amount of postage. I weighed it with my own sensitive balance (zeroing it first, of course). It was weighed after it was all packaged, sealed, taped, etc. After it was all packaged up and affixed the proper amount of postage. The buyer received it but owed 17 cents according to USPS. I think the difference here was because the USPS didn't zero their balance and effectively overcharged the postage (I wonder how widespread this potential problem is and how many Americans could be getting overcharged for postage?). Anyhow, I accepted responsibility and tried to make it right with the buyer. I was not trying to purposely underpay on postage. Because the anmount was only 17 cents, the buyer very nicely agreed to eat it- I would have had to write him a check for 17 cents and mail it in a 41 cent envelope. Honest mistakes happen. I told the buyer if he buys something else from me in the future, to expect something extra.