Your opinion: to gripe or not?

jtougas

jtougas

New member
I recently bought a used guitar cab off the 'bay (brand is a non-factor in this, I think).

The auction asked $40 for shipping. I used Buy it Now.

Cab arrived today. Shipping cost $20.42. And the box it shipped in is obviously used - my wife works from home, and sent me pics of it. "Battered" would be a kind description.

Maybe it's me, but for $40 shipping, I expect a new box, and good shipping materials.

In his defense, he did ship it quickly.

And, if the cab is in the condition described, I got a passable deal on it.

But charging 100% extra on the shipping irks me a hair. Your thoughts?
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

jtougas said:
I recently bought a used guitar cab off the 'bay (brand is a non-factor in this, I think).

The auction asked $40 for shipping. I used Buy it Now.

Cab arrived today. Shipping cost $20.42. And the box it shipped in is obviously used - my wife works from home, and sent me pics of it. "Battered" would be a kind description.

Maybe it's me, but for $40 shipping, I expect a new box, and good shipping materials.

In his defense, he did ship it quickly.

And, if the cab is in the condition described, I got a passable deal on it.

But charging 100% extra on the shipping irks me a hair. Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Most of the people charging a flat rate are taking into account the fact that there is a break even point at a certain distance, and they can even lose money when they're shipping to the opposite side of the country. They probably should have hidden the postage amount from you though. ;) I look at things realistically though.. if it's a good deal, and delivered to your house, *if* they made a few bucks on shipping, that will just go towards eBay and PayPal fees anyway, it's not like they're making money, unless they're the ones charging $99 shipping on 1 cent items. (Can't believe people are STILL doing that!)
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

The auction said 40$ shipping. You agreed and paid 40$, he shipped it. I don't see what the problem is.
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

I guess the reason I'm a little grumpy about it is that I always sell with "buyer pays actual shipping". What I sell it for is what I sell it for - profit or not. I don't pad the shipping to pad my wallet.

And as I said, for $40 I expect quality shipping materials - a new box, new popcorn, not something I dug out of the garage, and ragged popcorn.
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

I still don't get it. Is the item damaged in any way? If so, then you should report it, that's a problem. If not however . . . why would anyone care what the quality of the shipping materials is?

Would you be upset for lack of a box if the guy personally drove the item to your front door and handed it to you?
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

If it's damaged, then by all means gripe. I charge flat fees too - although mine are typically more reasonable, just to move stuff & entice buyers. Usually I loose a couple of bucks on that end but make it up in the overall sale. I'll re-use boxes too (especially if the fit is just right), but I go nuts with reinforcements (extra cardboard and copious tape). A new box isn't necessarily better than an old one with a layer or two of extra cardboard protecting the vital parts.
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

If I was happy with the item at the price I paid for it and it was delivered promptly I wouldn't gripe.
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

As long as the item is undamaged and as described I wouldn't moan, you've paid the pre agreed fee. If the cab is damaged in any way due to insufficient packaging then I would most definitely complain. For the record, like you I charge actual costs and I put a lot of effort into making sure the packaging is fit for purpose!
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

Keep in mind the shipper had to load the cab in the car drag it into the FedEx/UPS/Wherever and use their time, gas and resources. That being said I see red when I see an rack item on Ebay with 30 dollars in shipping.
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

If he listed a flat shipping fee regardless of buyer distance, and you thought that shipping was reasonable upon purchase, the most you could reasonably do is contact the seller and ask for a partial refund on shipping. But, as you agreed to the shipping costs up front, you have no recourse through eBay buyer protection, so it would really be up to the seller to decide if he wants to give you said partial refund.

That is assuming that the actual cabinet is in described condition and not damaged.
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

Expecting all new packing materials is not reasonable.

Expectiing functioning packing materials is.

No griping is my vote.
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

I'm going with 'not griping'. He shipped it out very quickly, it's in gently used condition as described (I think I found two scratches in the tolex), and (as y'all pointed out) it was clearly stated in the auction.

That, and I'm very happy with the build quality. Seismic makes pretty good stuff. The grill cloth is stretched a little off, it's 1/2" ply instead of 3/4", but that just means it's easier to move around. I didn't have any problems with resonance in the little bit I played (had to cook dinner tonight while the wife finished up work).
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

shipping's shipping, unfortunately; if he doesn't see an opportunity for repeat business i'm not surprised he didn't refund the difference in quoted vs actual (if any).
it's still a bit disappointing on the receiving end of course, but that's the game
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

GuitarStv said:
The auction said 40$ shipping. You agreed and paid 40$, he shipped it. I don't see what the problem is.
Click to expand...

GuitarStv said:
I still don't get it. Is the item damaged in any way? If so, then you should report it, that's a problem. If not however . . . why would anyone care what the quality of the shipping materials is?

Would you be upset for lack of a box if the guy personally drove the item to your front door and handed it to you?
Click to expand...

SlyFoxx said:
Not.
Click to expand...

JOLLY said:
I wouldn't whine about it.
Click to expand...
NOT also!
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

dr. ad said:
shipping's shipping, unfortunately; if he doesn't see an opportunity for repeat business i'm not surprised he didn't refund the difference in quoted vs actual (if any).
it's still a bit disappointing on the receiving end of course, but that's the game
Click to expand...

Yeah, if he'd emailed me saying "shipping's only going to be $20, so I'll include change" I would have suggested he split the difference.
 
Re: Your opinion: to gripe or not?

Gripe ? GRIPE ?? I'd gripe, a LOT, and then start with the killing ... KILL KILL KILL !!!! Stabby stabby kill kill KILLLLLL !!!!!!!!


Okay, now i'm going to read the opening post and the rest of the thread ....
 
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