When Shipping & Handling Not Specified
by Jim 'Griff' Griffith
eBay Staff Member

Q. I have an item that I won. I am very pleased that I won. My only complaint is that the seller did not specify how much shipping and handling is and I would like to pay for it so I can have my item. I want to know what I can do to find out how much shipping and handling is. I have emailed the seller and asked for a total bill and have heard nothing back from the seller.
If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

A. Hmmmm... non-specific or absent shipping and handling fees. Never heard of that one... just kidding. Ha ha.

Although most eBay sellers are extremely conscientious about indicating all after-sale fees like shipping and handling, some are not. In this instance, it would be have been best if you had contacted the seller and inquired about all after-sale fees before bidding or buying. However, that horse is out of the barn now so let's go chase it down.

If the seller is not responding to your emails, you should try calling them. You can obtain the seller's phone number by following the instructions at: http://cgi1.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?MemberSearchShow .

This page is also reachable by first clicking the Search link in the eBay Navigation Bar on the top of any eBay page, and then clicking the link on the displayed sub-Navigation Bar for Find Members. Follow the instructions for Contact Information.

If the seller is subsequently unreachable by phone, then perhaps they are experiencing some life difficulties. Give them a day or two and try to contact them again. It is always best to give another eBay member the benefit of the doubt before resorting to more drastic action but, if after a few weeks you are still unable to either contact the seller or get a response from them, then you may want to wait for a few weeks and then leave an appropriate feedback comment.

(I would suggest a neutral comment, not a negative in this instance. Again, you can never be entirely sure what circumstances have prevented the seller from responding however, if you notice that the seller is still busy listing new items, then something is definitely amiss.)

Q. Which eBay employees can we expect to meet at eBay Live 2003? Will Meg be there? What about our favorite Pinks?

A. Many eBay employees from all departments will be at eBay Live this year. Meg will be giving our keynote address and she'll be mingling and meeting with all the attendees both on the floor and during some of the special events planned.

Most, if not all, of your favorite Pinks will be hanging out in the Pinks Lounge, where they will be hosting games and events. You can hang out there too! Join them for fun and chat during the three days of the event.

Best of all, Griff will be at eBay Live as well. You DO want to meet Griff, don't you?

You can find out more about this year's eBay Live event here!

Regards,
Griff