P&P Over charging.

[andbo1329]

Would like Ebay to make sure that sellers don't over charge for postage and packaging, especially the ones from the USA.

[red_magpie]

EBay doesn't check whether sellers are overcharging for postage. Given the variety of weight, size and value of items sold here, how could they even attempt to do this for the millions of items sold here?

It's up to the buyer to decide whether the p&p charge is reasonable. Remember that it doesn't just cover the cost of posting, it has to include the cost of time and materials to pack items properly, plus eBay and PayPal's combined fees of about 15% on the total.

Don't be too quick to make comparisons with sellers who may be charging less. Some sellers will increase the price of the item to subsidise the cost of posting, so that their items will come top of the list when buyers search by postal cost. Always consider the WHOLE cost, that is the price of the item plus p&p.

If buying from abroad, many sellers will use eBay's global shipping programme. Where this happens, eBay's agents repack and post the item abroad. The good news is that this includes everything that might be payable, including import duty and VAT. The bad news is that it can be seriously expensive, and eBay won't combine combine postage where several items are bought together.

[corred]

@andbo1329 

If buying from the USA then the chances are the item's being posted through the eBay Global Shipping Programme

So....in reality it would be eBay you are accusing of overcharging not the seller

[john1297576]

It is up to you to decide if in YOUR opinion postage is too high.

If you buy from sellers where it says "Posts to USA and many other Countries", that is Global Shipping and the postage is decided by them NOT the seller. GSP is high at the best of times and not particularly fast.

In any case postage is what you make of it, Item price £10 Postage £5 is no different to Item Price £5 Postage £10, or £15 Post Free. You pay the same, fees for the seller are the same. 

Which of those would you choose, you either buy or you don't. 

[plpmr]

What exactly do you mean by 'over charging'?

Sellers quote a price to get an item to a buyer and it's up to the buyer to purchase or not.

Global shipping is usually exorbitant.

It would be best to select your sellers very carefully, especially as you seem to have dreadful luck.

[arkwebus]

The postal charges from US seem astronomic. I have just bought an item which will fit in a normal envelope and for which the postal cost is quoted as $6.  The total with the item is about $8.50 and probably worth that. 

If it is less I may have words with seller

@andbo1329 

[plum993]

Ebay don't get involved in postal disputes!

[arkwebus]

... but you can leave suitable stars to reflect your view of postage! What really matters - of course - is if the overall price [with postage] is worth it

@andbo1329