/tldr; Vendor saying made a loss on sale want more money. Have the goods, should I block them or pay them?
Well this is an interesting one.
I saw a really good price for the candex crank chain rings and the xCadey power meter during the choice deals at the beginning of the month.
Jumped on them and watched them get shipped. Two days later the vendor is messaging me asking for another 70 USD (which is a lot of money for me). I happily ignored the messages to ensure they don't redirect the shipment. After waiting almost 2 weeks everything has turned up and looks to be fine. Can't test as my frame is still being shipped.
Vendor still messaging asking for more money saying that it is below cost and they are making a loss.
I have replied to say pricing disputes they need to take up with Ali, as that is how we the buyer have to handle issues and they should do the same. My logic I pay Ali for everything in my cart (I bought from multiple places this time) they disperse the money to vendors. Their response was the same exact message as the others, no indication they even read my message. I have responded again with the same message saying they need to take it up with Ali.
My logic is when our business makes a pricing error, we always have to cover the cost of the loss. We never go back to the purchaser cap in hand asking for more money, regardless of the loss, also our consumer law protects the buyers. The loss is picked up elsewhere with slightly inflated prices or just written off.
I can just block them and move on, but I guess the issue moving forward is if I have a problem with the product, like the power meter is broken I will have zero recourse with these guys as they will ignore me since they "sold it at a loss". I have had a good look around the Ali support site and cannot find anywhere to report a vendor for asking for more money, just issues with products not turning up and raising issues with broken goods.
What are peoples thoughts on this?
I mean I do feel a little bad for them if in fact they are making a loss. But:
- Having lived in china for 6 months (as a student) I also know this is a tactic they sometimes employ to make more profit when you bargain them right down to cost price.
- I would not have purchased the power meter with the crank this time round as I was already beyond my budget but the price was good.
