Since when does combined shipping cost more??!

[lochnessmomster]

I should have known better than to buy from a new seller on eBay, but they had some MIB G3 ponies that I was able to get for a real steal, Silver Rain and Brights Brightly.  Strangely, the P&P for one was listed at £2.50 while the other was set at £2.70, which doesn't make sense since they are the same size and, presumably, the same weight.  Anyway, that oddity aside, I requested a new total from the seller and asked if she would be willing to offer a combined shipping discount.  A little while later I get an invoice with £6.00 P&P!  Even if she hadn't offered a discount, anyone who can do math can easily figure out that that doesn't add up.  Full price shipping without any discounts would still only come to £5.20.  Can anyone explain what's up here?  I have a feeling the seller is trying to get some extra cash out of me since she's annoyed that the ponies sold for much less than she was hoping.  It happens.  If you're not willing to sell your ponies for 99p, then don't set such a low starting bid.  Twice now I have sent the seller a message, but I keep getting the same invoice.  The last one had a message attached that simply said, "Please pay £6 for postage and I will post the ponies together." 

Totally confused here and not sure what to do.   

[lisey_baby]

Potentially she's trying to make more money, which sounds very likely! The only other explanation I can think of is she's using a bigger box to send them in a costing her more, however I can't imagine 2 MIB G3's costing £6.00 to send!!

[emery]

What I would do is to pay for them each separately. You should be able to uncheck one item when you go into your invoice section and just pay for them one at a time. That way at least you will only be paying for the shipping that you expected to begin with. If the seller then wants to mail them together then that is their choice.

[lochnessmomster]

What I would do is to pay for them each separately. You should be able to uncheck one item when you go into your invoice section and just pay for them one at a time. That way at least you will only be paying for the shipping that you expected to begin with. If the seller then wants to mail them together then that is their choice.

Thanks, I've been thinking I might just have to do that.  But you know how it is.... most sellers offer a combined shipping discount, so I was hoping to shave off a pound or so from the P&P.  I guess we'll see how she responds to my last message and then go from there. 
 

[Sarahlacewing]

The only thing I can think of is she switched to a bigger box and the bigger box doesn't meet the requirements for first class so she bumped to priority which can cost more.  Otherwise I agree with the above it seems shady might as well have them sent separately.

[Unicorn_pops]

I thought it was against ebay rules to ask for more shipping cost then what was quoted in the listing? I agree with emery, just click to uncombine shipping items together when you use the checkout. You shouldn't have to wait to hear back from the seller when doing this. It's an option while checking out if you don't want them combined. But that aside, I agree, sounds like she might be trying to make up for low bids it received. Good luck!

[ponylady]

I would suggest what Emery said, uncombine them and pay for them individually.

I am curious though does she state in her auctions that she combines at a discount?  Can you provide a link to the auctions in question so I can take a peek?

[Yurusumaji]

Some sellers. I swear. At least you got a response!

I asked for combined shipping once because I won 3 ponies from a seller and their auctions blatantly stated they offered discounted combined shipping for multiple winning bidders. She ignored 3 of my messages for an invoice with discounted shipping and then when the ponies came they weren't in the condition she said they were in.

evilBay strikes again.

[lochnessmomster]

I would suggest what Emery said, uncombine them and pay for them individually.

I am curious though does she state in her auctions that she combines at a discount?  Can you provide a link to the auctions in question so I can take a peek?

No, she never says anywhere that she combines shipping, I just figured I would ask since I bought two ponies from her.  It's not the world's biggest deal if she doesn't want to offer a discount, but this is the first time I've ever had a seller ask for more money when they've sent out an invoice. 

Here are the links to the auctions:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200804267973?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_618wt_1344

&

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200804274798?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_602wt_1344

[ponylady]

It is ridiculous!  By the looks of it most likely she is trying to recoup some of her cash because they sold low.

Congrats by the way, they look gorgeous and Brights is my favorite!

Honestly, uncombine them and pay. 

Post Merge: August 16, 2012, 02:20:18 PM

Oh goodness did you see she has a Facebook page, it's listed in her description?  It looks like she is some sort of famous model??????

[teresat]

I've seen sellers explain that they combine shipping but it doesn't always result in lower shipping.

I agree with the above, uncombine them.

After you mentioned, @ponylady, I was curious about her facebook page. It was entertaining. Check it out!

edit for grammar....

[Ringlets]

Honestly, uncombine them and pay. 

This for sure ^^  its ridiculous to ask for more money to combine shipping on a small parcel like that. If the weight of one pony with packaging came to less than 750g (which of course it did!) , then it would cost £2.70 first class, or £2.20 second class to send  to you (presuming you are in the UK). If the parcel contained 2 ponies I'm sure it would still be less than 750g! , but even if by some miracle it was more, the  next price level is between 751g-1000g and that only costs £4.30 first class and £3.50 second class.  there's no way 2x G3 ponies weigh more than that unless she is shipping a house brick with 'em!!
so yeah. pay separately! I dont know how she has worked this one out!

[lisey_baby]

Lol at the house brick

[lochnessmomster]

Still haven't heard back from the "model" seller (surprise, surprise), but I went ahead and paid for the items separately, so while I didn't get a reduced shipping rate, at least I didn't wind up paying 80 pence extra.  Lame!  Thanks to everyone for your help here.  That was definitely a first for me, lol.  Did anyone see on her seller profile that she wants to pursue a degree in psychology?  I think she was trying to play some sort of mind game with me. 

[medleysong]

Who puts their facebook link on their auction page? Especially with pics like that! Maybe she was hoping to get more bids that way

All that aside, you did the right thing by just paying for them separately. So not worth a battle. Hope they actually show up for you!