'Free' shipping on Ebay ?

I just noticed a pair of 3' tall Hollywood Regency table lamps that sold on Ebay for $225,listing said 'Free Shipping'- how is that possible ? I've got a set similar to these and they are big and heavy (1950's construction).Here's the Listing copy-this is for eBay item number:117188754868

Shipping, returns, and payments
Pickup:Free local pickup 30 mi from 97045.See map
Shipping:Free 2-4 day delivery
FedEx Ground / FedEx Home Delivery®
Get it between Fri, Jul 31 and Mon, Aug 3 to 97045

 

Maybe they made a mistake.

 

maybe they were dads......so they got them for free.

 

Yes Pearl-There's no loopholes I can think of that involve true 'Free Shipping', either the Seller or Buyer pays something be it Pirate Ship of something else ?

 

You have it screenshotted so that is your dispute evidence right there. Go for it!

 

It's not an item I bought Tique- I was just trying to figure out how a Seller could possibly offer 'free shipping' on two 3 1/2 foot long 10 pound boxes ?
Size alone should shove USPS rates thru the stratosphere !

 

Maybe they got the items for free to flip.

 

hey...I said that...

 

Great Mimes thimk alike !
PS-But on that subject, some of these BIG volume Ebay Sellers pump stuff out so fast & cheap you wonder where they find the merchandise ?!
I see it all the time on 'Sold' pieces, a swath of pieces will average $75-$100, but invariably there it is- $19.99 BIN.

 

I have a hunch they wanted to put in free local pickup, and somehow put in free shipping across the board. Oops! Hope they catch it before a buyer does.

 

OOPS is right !

 

Looked at the auction under sold. I bet the free shipping was deliberate.

The lamps are more 1970s/80s with that "made in Korea" label. No pottery or porcelain to weigh things down. Likely thinner metal, etc. Still large though.

The thing is, Fed Ex can be surprisingly affordable for shipping larger items. There was something large I sold a few months back, it was going to be $80 on USPS but it was $35 with Fed Ex! Noticed Fed Ex was the carrier on this auction. I bet they shipped those lamps for less than $50.

 

Oops, yes you did- my bad.

 

I see some listings on etsy where the shipping is free, and the item is a low price.
Many there just sell for the fun of it after retiring.

Since the new cost of shipping has gone wild, many are trying to figure out how to sell things as buyers really don't know how much something costs till they ever ship anything. The only things that remain low in cost to ship are books.

 

Thanks for the input-the main thing is avoiding eating shipping costs. It's been ages since I've sold on Ebay- so God knows how competitive it's become ?
PS- I'll punch some data at Fed Ex and see what my lamps will cost. Mine are 1950's-60's Marbro James Mont Chinese Archaistic Style, could be heavier but maybe not.

I guess it's a 'fun' way for some to stay involved with the human race-not my 'modus operandi'.I get my dose of humanity here, at the senior center and out pickin' (selling not my 'happy place'). But whatever helps somebody feel alive ?

 

If it were me as the buyer, I wouldn't drive a mile for a free pickup if the seller will ship it to my door for free. Has the seller thought of that?