[m i a o w] the cat

Ah, what a weekend was had! With the Grand Final (finally, an interesting one!) and soireeing and driving to Heathmont, I did not touch a computer for Four Days. 1, 2, 3, 4. Horrifying. In the meantime I have also been pursuing the Humber generator issue. My dad found one on ebay. See what fun you can have if you get your parents addicted? They find things you would never presume to be on offer. So this guy has a generator on ebay that suits my car. At the moment it’s hugely expensive… not. It’s sitting on $5. Thing is, he’s charging $40 for postage. FORTY DOLLARS. I already know how much it is to post a generator, as my dad sent one to me in Hervey Bay last year. It cost $22 - that’s almost half what this guy is asking.

I emailed him and asked if, on the slim chance that I won the auction (it being so popular and all) whether I could just come and pick it up, as he’s in Melbourne too. He replied:

thanks B, there are quite a few very nice humber restorers out there from all over aust, i think ive now met most. on postable items, i start the bid off low and offer fixed postage so all the interstate club members and others can have a fair aussie crack. all items are available for pickup if you wish, but any postage would stand. if an iten is unsold, make an offer, im full of suprises, if not.. i have pickup only items now and coming, where us vics have the advantage.
happy hunting. S.

This made no sense to me. I emailed back and asked point blank - did I still have to pay postage even if I came and picked it up?

hi B, too easy. you would have to pay full post normaly, too be fair too all.
love your keeness, for this one, we’ll make it end price less $10.00 for you. i also have another coming up next week, if you miss.
take care. S.

So, for the pleasure of picking up the generator, I get to pay thirty dollars, plus whatever it goes for. I can’t believe it. And the thing is - I NEED IT! But I don’t like this man and his profiteering bastardry. Gah. Will continue my inner turmoil.

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COMMENTS / 10 COMMENTS

If you are feeling mean report him to ebay, they will kick him (supposedly) because it means he is cheating them out of their percentage of the end price, and thus is against their rules. Don’t buy it, let him wallow in unsold generators!

L. typed this on Sep 27 05 at 9:27 pm

I agree with L. That’s ridiculous. Report him to ebay. I know you need the gennie - have you tried the parts dealers?

kartar typed this on Sep 27 05 at 9:32 pm

Hmm. Have been trying to get hold of Victorian Humber Guru. I already HAVE three generators. Sigh. How many does one person NEED!? I will try to avoid this evil man.

b:p typed this on Sep 27 05 at 9:37 pm

You’ve tried Jim Withers and Auto Spares Galore?

kartar typed this on Sep 27 05 at 9:47 pm

Erm. No. I haven’t. But now I will.
;o)

b:p typed this on Sep 27 05 at 10:14 pm

You have their details?

J W Classic Car Parts (Jim Withers)
2 Lillypilly Lane, Kilsyth South, Victoria 3137, Australia.
Phone (03) 9762 6025. Mobile phone 0411 088 342.

Auto Spares Galore (incorporating Hillman Spares and Repairs)
924 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully, Victoria 3156, Australia.
Phone (03) 9758 3644. Fax (03) 9758 9835.

kartar typed this on Sep 27 05 at 10:29 pm

Wow - that’s rich! I have to admit, postage is sometimes what puts me off buying certain things on ebay. I hope you can avoid this bugger and get what you need elsewhere.
What an attitude!

Rae typed this on Sep 28 05 at 7:47 am

I would definitely report the blighter to eBay - they come down like a ton of bricks on those who they think are taking their cut of the money. This guy is an idiot. You’d also be paying for the petrol to get over there, he doesn’t have to do a thing except open his door. I would have come back with, “Alright, YOU pay my petrol costs and we’ll call it even.” Screw that! I would definitely report him. Never heard of anything so rude. It goes against the rules of eBay.

Sussy nee Ren typed this on Sep 29 05 at 3:41 pm

Well I emailed Ebay, and got an insipid little response which basically said that people have a right to charge what they like for postage, and if you want to buy the item, then you just have to cop it. Nothing about it being contrary to the rules of Ebay or anything. Am not going to buy the generator. May have found one elsewhere. The guy in question is a complete twat.

b:p typed this on Sep 29 05 at 3:59 pm