Buyer Refusing to Pay Shipping Cost

No idea what a $22 freight sticker is, but maybe ask the buyer. Anyway, if the buyer is making life difficult and won't pay the freight estimates you have gone to the trouble of getting, might be best just to apply for your success fee and tell the buyer this is what it is. For larger items I often check the rate to send with several couriers as they vary widely, as do their volumetric rates. Sometimes you can pack slightly differently and make a significant difference to the price, or change couriers to get a much better price.

Also, like you say, do not send without correct freight paid or you will be the one that cops it, and of course, don't send until buyer has paid.  I would be inclined to give them the measurements and ask them to organise the freight since they seem  confident they can do cheaper.

He’s sent me pictures. It’s just one of the tickets you can buy from the post shop for various the rates and businesses can buy them in books. Unfortunately the items were all listed separately so I couldn’t quote on shipping beforehand as I only knew what he’d bought after the auctions closed. Maybe I’ll see if another company can do it cheaper as have only checked Aramex and NZ Post via TM and in store. I have asked him if he wants to organise the freight himself but he keeps ignoring anything I offer and insists I buy this lower priced ticket…

Hi Jacqui. Pretty much as Gary said, Dont let the buyer bully you into sending undercost. Send him weight and dimensions. Then advise him what your combined shipping cost is. He then has the option of paying you (after having dimensions to convince himself your request is genuine), or organising freight himself. And give him a date and time that you require payment by stating the trade will be cancelled at that point and success fee requested. Its then a deadline buyer has to work within, and seeing he seems to be onselling item before he even owns it, it puts the pressure on buyer to complete.

Have a look at Pass the Parcel. I sent a large box inter island yesterday that was a lot cheaper than Aramex or NZ Post Courier.
You can use your own box but you have to have the ability to print your own label. They will pick up from your door.
Re post bags, I certainly wouldn’t be buying those for your buyer. They are expensive and it’s his responsibility to sort his own packaging if he has on sold items. Very cheeky of him!
If Pass the Parcel doesn’t work for you, I’d talk to Trade Me via the Live Chat about your options about cancelling this trade. Do not be bullied by your buyer into doing everything he wants. Sounds like he got a good deal if he has already on-sold some of the items. And if that’s the case he can certainly stump up for the extra postage.

I wrote a reply and it has ended up in Pending. Hopefully it will be approved soon but in the meantime check out Pass the Parcel for cheaper courier options :)

The $22 sticker is a between island with max dimensions of 5kg weight or 0.025m3 volume.  If the item is above those specs yes, you will pay $44 which is the price you have been quoted.There is potential to reduce it to $22 plus a bag for a few items that would otherwise push it over the sticker limit. BUT as others have said, you have quoted your price the buyer needs to take it or leave it. You aren't even charging for packaging materials which many others do.

As your buyer says there is a potential for it to just sneak through if it is only marginally over those limits. But that is certainly not a given. Weight especially can be automatically calculated these days at sorting. Almost certainly get pulled up if you are dropping to a Post Office rather than getting a courier to collect. PO will check the dimensions at that point. Courier driver will be more likely to just chuck it in the van.

Yes, if it goes through the NZ Post Wellington sorting center their automatic scanners will definitely pickup items oversize by even a cm. I have had a few flagged with under ticket charges (expensive) in Wellington so I have now changed packaging specifically for Wellington orders for that one item so the package is now 1cm less than it was on one measurement.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions - it was great to have my concerns validated as you start to wonder if you’re the unreasonable one!
TM have been very helpful in terms of trying to find a resolution. I’ve emailed the buyer with the details and have given him a deadline of Friday to pay up or I’ll be cancelling the trades and relisting :)