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Is it generally the case that the prices for items listed on eBay with free shipping already includes the cost of shipping compared to buying the items on the seller's own website?
Dodgy eBay "Free Shipping" Already Includes The Cost of Shipping
kyle on 29/12/2019 - 18:11
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Not sure how that's dodgy
The shipping isn't actually free ….it's just factored into the price so isn't an additional cost.
It's dodgy in the case where, if the buyer wants to return the item, the seller deducts the true shipping cost from the amount to be refunded.
Not all sellers do this but it's surprisingly common on eBay. I have no problem with shipping costs not being refunded for change of mind returns but if sellers wish to do this, they shouldn't advertise "free shipping". If one were to buy from a store like The Iconic with free shipping then return the item, it's understood by both parties that the full amount is refunded.
This is because eBay charges you a final value fee on the item price including shipping. Back in the day, there weren't half as many "free shipping" listings.
I'd say it depends how you go about getting that refund. I have never had the postage cost deducted if shipping was listed as free and the refund was organised through ebay.
the seller deducts the true shipping cost from the amount to be refunded
via a dispute via ebay/paypal
nope, doesnt happen.Via a dispute for faulty/not as described/etc., you would be refunded the total amount paid regardless of whether the shipping is free. I'm referring only to change of mind returns (not a dispute) where the seller accepts this. Many sellers state in their descriptions that refunds will be the amount paid less actual shipping cost.
They are under no obligation to offer you a change of mind refund in the first place and are well within their rights to ask you to pay whatever costs they think you ought to pay.
Free shipping refers to them not adding any amount to ship the product to you in the first instance. Whether they charge you for shipping the item back in case of a return is irrelevant.
Of course they have no obligation to accept change of mind returns.
Free shipping refers to them not adding any amount to ship the product to you in the first instance. Whether they charge you for shipping the item back in case of a return is irrelevant.
The buyer pays for return shipping. I'm not referring to this.
If I buy an item from nike.com for $100 with free shipping and want to return it, I buy my own postage, send it back then receive $100. I would not receive an amount like $90. This would be the case if the item were $90 with $10 shipping.
@ascorbic: Yes, in that case then I agree with you - apologies for misunderstanding your original post.
It's better that way because ebay discount vouchers don't apply to postage cost.
At the end of the day, does it really matter? most ozbargainers would filter search results low to high and go with the cheapest one given the seller isn't dodgy
Yes, because eBay favours the stores with Free Shipping on their item, so stores just include it in the total price.
An exception is those stores with eBay Plus covered shipping costs, they just add the shipping separately.