shipping charges

As a baseball card collector, I frequently search for bargain cards on eBay.  I buy a lot of cards and boxes on there, more or less from the same few sellers because I know I can trust them from past experiences.  However, once in a while you take a chance on someone new because they have some cards that you need.  Well, I got screwed.  I buy 3 cards from a guy who charges $3.50 for shipping.  No problem, cards will be in toploaders and a bubble mailer…. so he says.  I receive the cards in a white envelope that has been folded in half, taped up, and has a 58 cent stamp on it.  3 cards inside, all in one toploader, but he did spring for 3 penny sleeves so at least each card had that much protection.

I email the seller explaining to him my problem with the packaging, and more over what I paid for shipping.  I also said I will not leave positive feedback on any of the 3 transactions with out a refund.  I am still waiting for a response to my counter offer refund.  He offered $1.00, I broke it down for him real nicely by saying no. He told me I should understand how expensive all the fees are.  Yes, I do understand, but it isn’t my problem.  (In his first response he apologized for running out of bubble mailers, and was waiting for them. Go to the dollar store like the rest of us when we run out and make it happen.)  The seller is responsible for all fees, that isn’t supposed to be my “handling” charge.  People need to understand what constitutes excessive shipping, and what is considered a handling fee.  I told him to send me back $2.00, and $1.50 for shipping covers one white envelope, one toploader, 3 penny sleeves, and a 58 cent stamp.

I did not do any of this to be a bitch.  I did do all of this because people need to learn that they can’t take advantage of everyone.  None of the things he said to me should reflect my charges for shipping, nor will I let him get away with making me pay his fees.  I have my own damn fees to pay, and they are never reflected in my shipping charges.  I usually undercharge by mistake because I don’t like overcharging and sending refunds.  Depending on how this works out, I may post the whole interaction with responses just for entertainment, and his embarrassment.