Ohhhhhhh, The Cost of Shipping Has SkyRocketed!

[nsfisher]

LOL, I knew shipping costs had increased, but I think maybe this is a bit much. hahahahah. This definitely has to be a mistake.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Smoking-Pipe-Unsmoked-Petersons-Reject-Bent-/230925540229?pt=UK_Collectables_Tobacciana_Smoking_LE&hash=item35c43c1b85

 

[ssjones]

He lists all of his pipes with that shipping cost. I've exchanged a few messates with the guy. Apparently he has been burned enough by dead beat bidders, that he feels this weeds them out. If you really want a particular pipe, folks message him and he give them the real cost. Then, he feels their winning bid will be paid. I don't know how he resolves correcting the payment but it must correct at check out time. I haven't yet bought a pipe from him.

 

[gnatjulio]

Maybe he delivers it personally.

 

[flmason]

Perhaps he should wait till payment is received and clears the bank and them ship the item
I have seen sellers who specifically state that in their descriptions.

 

[ssjones]

He described scenarios where the winning bidder simply didnt make payment period, he did not ship any pipes without payment. Then, he has the hassle of relisting, etc. I dont sell much on Ebay, but recently sold a new iPOD. Hours before the 7 day auction ended, the top bidder messaged me to see if I would take a money order. The ad clearly said "paypal only", so no. Fortunately someone outbid that clown. Such is Ebay. I'm not sure his startegy works, but he does sell a fair number of pipes. He then gets to know the buyer, and offers his more higher grade pieces(mostly Peterson) thean he lists on Ebay. Sort of an ice breaker.

 

[eibhir]

I sell on eBay and it takes me all of 5 seconds to relist an item. I don't sell pipes so they may be different though. I won't but from anyone who charges outrageous shipping.

 

[ssjones]

For the record, the price quoted to me for shipping from the UK to the US was $12, which seemed entirely reasonable.

 

[cigrmaster]

I would automatically by pass someone who listed that price for shipping as I would not take the time to find out if he was kidding or what. He is killing his sales in my opinion because I am sure I am not the only one who thinks like that.

 

[ssjones]

I would guess he does miss out on a lot of potential buyers. It is a strategy, but may not be the most effective strategy! He seems to sell every pipe he lists, so what do I know?

 

[nsfisher]

shipping from the UK to the US was $12, which seemed entirely reasonable.

I agree mate. That is a reasonable price for shipping. I will not bid on a pipe, even though I may want it badly, if it is listed as 20.00+ for shipping. I have missed out on many beautiful pipes due to this.

 

[instymp]

"shipping from the UK to the US was $12, which seemed entirely reasonable."

Don't know how they do it at that price, everytime I send stuff to family in DK, $35.00 min & customs filings/forms. I wouldn't mess with it for that.

 

[flmason]

I think some sellers mark the forms as a gift and put a low value on it.
I had one seller from Germany tell me that is what he would do when I would buy from him. I did not buy from him since if he would falsely complete shipping forms, perhaps he would also misrepresent the item description etc as well.

 

[instymp]

"Maybe package it up and claim it's books....they (used to) ship books cheaper than anything else.

is the cheapest rates fo USPS. But better be

 

[ssjones]

I sent a pipe to Italy a few weeks ago, it ran me a cool $6. The next step up was $35 (on a $50 pipe, which the buyer hadn'd paid for). It took three weeks to arrive, but made it safely, whew.

 

[foggymountain]

I have been selling on Ebay for almost 10 years. I sell things much more expensive than pipes. Most of the buyers are easy to work with. Every once in a while you get a problem customer, but not enough to take measures like this shipping charge. I would be hesitant to buy from someone that eccentric.

 

[sparroa]

Could you technically get yourself tangled up in a contractual obligation to pay $2000 S&H if you won this auction?
That's what would keep me from bidding...