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I read the thread about “global toys” ( to be honest, not all of it). I wanted to share my experiences, in hopes it may help others.
I recently won 3 auctions (yes, auctions) from a seller that was on the other side of a pond from me. The shipping cost was, to be fair, steep, but, the auctions did say “we will combine shipping”- I figured the cost for all three combined would make it a much more “palatable”. (I don’t know why I am using all of these quotation marks). So, soon after, I get an invoice, and shipping for 3 90mm figures was close to 80 dollars(the figures themselves were just under 60 dollars). I wrote back to the vendor, asking to combine shipping. The vendor replied they didn’t do that. Said it was all spelled out on the listing. I read the listing over, and over, and over. I know I saw “we will combine shipping”, but, as someone else said -shipping overseas gets tricky. I went back and forth with the seller, neither side got belligerent (remember- it’s not personal- it’s just business). Neither side was willing to concede, either. Finally, at one point, I flat out told the seller I would not pay that amount (remember- 60 for three 90mm figures (they were Almond sculptures 90mm 95th rifles if it matters- which is a damn good price), and 80 dollars shipping( which is just egregious). The seller replied back he would have to file with the auction site, and leave negative feedback.
Here is the thing- the feedback? I really don’t care at ALL about that anymore. I have hundreds of transactions that say I am a good buyer, and a good seller. If one seller posts negatively, most people would come to the conclusion that it was the seller’s fault, not my own. As far as reporting the non paying buyer thing? That auction site has made it crystal clear exactly where their priority is. Did they do ANYTHING when it was reported that garage kits were being recast in certain Asian countries? Nope. Do they EVER side with the seller on disputes? Nope. Have they done ANYTHING to lower costs of auctions? Transaction fees? Nope. Do they search harder and harder to find ways in to our own pockets? Yep. So, in the case of the website, and their automated clearing house, I simply have no respect for them. If they threw me off tomorrow, I would not care. But, ya know what? They are GREEDY AS HELL, and they WANT my commerce. (Not that it is anything at all).
So, the seller informed me of his intent, I responded that I understood, and did not intend to pay, and did not care about the consequences.(we both kept it civil all the way through.
A few days go by, no correspondence, and the seller replied he would just cancel the auction. No harm, no foul.
My point is this : don’t put too much care into protecting feedback on a website that is unethical to begin with.
Sorry for the rant….