Help With Ebay Purchase

You knew what you were going to be charged for shipping when you bid. It is inconsequential that his actual cost was less.

Also, don't forget the other costs that go into shipping something, such as packaging, time to package, fill out forms (I am assuming this is international due to a shipping cost that high), etc. An extra $25 on top might seem like a lot, but for an expensive item that might only represent one percent of the cost of the item.

I agree with many of the others. With shipping listed at $95, you knew what you were getting.

Cost: $70
Ebay/PPal Fee @12.9% for $ $95: ~$12
Insurance: ?
Cost of packaging: ?
Transport to delivery location: ? (gas/parking/etc...)
Time/labour to process (if business):?

When you consider that Shipping cost + Paypal/Ebay fee = $82, that leave $13 for all the rest, maybe there is few extra dollars for the seller, but probably not worth getting in a snit over. I don't know about other sellers, but I charge higher than the cost of a stamp to cover my shipping costs, I aim for a little above break even on my shipping & packaging costs, it sounds like this buyer was not that far off. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose, but overall I am pretty close to break even.

I thought the same thing, if he could answer the email he could have done the 1 minute refund as well. I purchased the item quickly as it was a newly listed buy it now with others watching. He assured me he only charges exact shipping costs. I used the USPS calculator he tells you to use and got the shipping price around $65. That's when I asked him. If the actual would have been $95 I would have gladly paid. If I lived in the US it would have been free shipping.

My point is that he promised to refund the difference and never did. If he would have said sorry that's the way it is from the beginning I wouldn't have had an issue.

I feel horrible now because the guy has emailed me mad because his paypal account has had the money removed and it's in the negative and he was counting on that for vacation. Now he has $50 to last him 2 days and he's refusing to refund the shipping now....Then it makes me wonder why he couldn't have just refunded when I asked.

Either way it doesn't appear that he will refund me on his own will. Do I call ebay to clear it up so his money is released? I'm a little torn after his snot o gram.
I have not left feedback yet.

It IS your responsibility to abide by the terms of the auction/sale. That includes the stated cost of shipping.

If the item is not unique (e.g., an error coin), then return the coin and take your refund... That way, you avoid all finger pointing and trying to figure out who is at fault here...

Another one will pop up, with a different seller... and chalk this up as a lesson learned.

Perhaps I'm mis-understanding things (regardless, since he promised you a refund, he should give it, but there's nothing anyone can do about it), but there are two things I'm not quite getting:

1. "I don't think it's my responsibility to pay for his eBay/paypal fees", technically if he's a good seller, he'd ensure that you would pay his fees plus his shipping costs...somehow.
2. You're upset that he overcharged you on shipping...but did he really? (I'm assuming so since you mentioned free shipping if you were in the US) Overcharging on shipping is a great way for sellers to re-coup what otherwise would be looses.

I have some things on ebay (not coins at the moment), BIN with BO $4 with $6 shipping; it doesn't cost me anywhere near $6 to ship the items (it only costs $2.76), and I don't accept any offers under $2. That way, minus eBay/Paypal fees and shipping, I make anywhere between $3 and $5.01 for each item depending on the final sale price. Of course, when you subtract the total price I'm already in on the items, it's slightly less but I'm fine with it. In other words, my shipping is over-inflated for a reason (so I'm guaranteed I don't loose money and can accept best offers which buyers like)

It could be a situation like that. He might have over-inflated shipping costs to ensure he wouldn't loose money no matter what happened at the post office, plus ensure the extra Paypal/eBay fees for a higher total sale price (due to actual shipping costs to the buyer rather than it would being free to the buyer) would be more than paid for. My vote is with the seller on that end.

But as stated before: since he promised you a refund, he should give it, but there's nothing anyone can do about it.

As irritating as it is he said he "thought he refunded it to you already" that would tick me off too. Perhaps the route SPP mentioned might be best, sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident.