eBay "help" doesn't match the meaning of the word!

[barkmonster]

I sent this because I'd just got to the final stage of listing something on eBay and they're system won't allow me to charge the true cost for postage because the average console item (a game) has a lower average weight, therefore postage cost than the console itself!

They're idiots and they're automated email robot is not what I'd call customer service in any sense. I sent this email after going through all their useless automated answers and got those very same automated answers in response:-

You're postage estimation of up to £5 for a 5Kg games console is beyond a joke!

I've spent £2.06 on packaging materials and already got the item ready
to send.

I've being into my local post office, the ONLY means I have of sending
the item as I don't drive and having put the very large item on the
scale, it came to £11.99 so I want to charge £14 for postage as it's a
reasonable amount for me to charging in those circumstances.

You already take 10% of my listing fee so if I add the additional £9
onto my reserve, eBay gain another £0.90 in fees instead of the true
postage cost being passed onto the buyer.

I'm not messing around with courier estimates etc... and what makes
matters even worse is that you're online postage estimator shows EXACTLY
the same postage cost as the post office told me but you STILL limit me
to £5 maximum even after using YOUR OWN postage estimator.

How can this be resolved?

I need to sell the item ASAP as I need the money for something I have a limited time to get.

All I got was this worthless automated response:-

Hello,

Welcome to selling on eBay. I'm happy to give you some advice and tips
to help you get started and make your listing a success.

First of all, I recommend you take some time to search for items similar
to yours on eBay, and browse through the relevant categories. Notice
what catches your eye, what type of information other sellers provide
and which categories they've chosen. This will give you ideas for the
title and description of your listing, as well as help you decide which
categories to list it in.

For a quick 5-step guide to selling on eBay, copy this link into a new
browser window:

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/ebayexplained/selling/index.html

- Choosing a category:
If you haven't already decided on a category, the Sell Your Item (SYI)
form will help you find one that's suitable. We recommend you avoid
choosing an 'Other' category because buyers are less likely to find your
item.

- Writing a listing title:
The title of your listing is very important because eBay's search uses
the words in your title to find items for buyers. Your title should
include words buyers would search for when looking for your item. For
more ideas on what buyers are looking for, read our Search Tips page by
copying this link into a new browser window:

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/buy/search_tips.html

- Photos:
Good photos really help you show off the items you're selling. Our photo
tutorial has lots of tips on how to make the most of your photos; copy
this link into a new browser window:

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/photo_tutorial.html

- Types of listings:
There are different formats you can use to list items on eBay - you can
sell items in an auction-style, or set a fixed price with Buy It Now. Be
aware that you may not be able to use some formats straight away as they
have specific requirements for sellers to use them (e.g. number of days
registered on eBay, Feedback score). To learn more about listing formats
on eBay, copy this link into a new browser window:

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/formats.html

- Fees:
When you list an item on eBay, you're charged an Insertion Fee. If the
item sells, you are also charged a Final Value Fee. The total cost of
selling an item is the Insertion Fee plus the Final Value Fee. If you
choose to use optional extras on your listing such as an Item Subtitle
or a reserve price, additional fees are charged when you list the item.
For a full list of eBay fees please copy this link into a new browser
window:

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/fees.html

- Payment methods:
All sellers must offer PayPal as a payment method on eBay.co.uk. If you
don't have a PayPal account, go to www.paypal.co.uk and click 'Sign Up'.
Other common payment methods accepted by eBay sellers include credit
cards, personal cheques, bankers drafts and postal orders. To learn more
please copy this link into a new browser window:

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/pay/accepted-payment-methods.html

I hope this information is helpful and wish you every success with your
listing.

I hope I've explained everything clearly. If you need any more
information please get in touch.

Kind regards,

Graham Cooper
eBay Customer Support
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(ADVERT THAT REALLY DIDN'T HELP EITHER DELETED)
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Original Message Follows:
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(REMOVED)

If anyone's interested in precisely what I'm selling that's not £5 in postage like eBay's worthless system allows me, here's a photo. It's one of those classic early '90s consoles that most people into that kind of thing are emulating with MAME these days.

I have 3 weeks to get the cash together for a Mac Mini that's about 18 months old. This is my only way of doing it and it's really frustrating that lazy but enormous companies that are otherwise a great help in situations like this are trying to screw you out of everything they can while being no help at all when you've got a valid question.

 

[Zombie Acorn]

Make sure you listed it under systems and not video games. The reason they started capping shipping is because people were using it to bypass fees.