topic Re: Special Delivery for private seller in Member To Member Support

Special Delivery for private seller

bdoug99 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:26:58 GMT

I plan to list for sale a rare vinyl record with a Buy It Now price of (probably) £500.

I'll be paying for the postage, not the buyer. I'd feel much more comfortable paying for Special Delivery than Simple Delivery, for the assurances of it being handed over in person with a signature etc. as it's extremely rare and may be impossible to replace.

I've just got the following suggestion from Gemini AI on how to get around the £750 barrier for Special Delivery. Is the below correct?

How to use Special Delivery as a Private Seller:

Even if the listing forces a "Simple Delivery" label on you, you are not legally or contractually forced to use it if you prefer a more secure method. Here is the safest way to do it:

In the Listing: Select "Royal Mail 1st Class" or "Simple Delivery" as the default, but in the item description, write in bold:
"POSTAGE: This item will be sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery (Guaranteed by 1pm) with full insurance up to £2,500. This is for both buyer and seller protection. I will cover the extra cost of this service myself."
After the Sale: * Do not use the eBay-generated QR code or label.
- Take the parcel to the Post Office and pay for Special Delivery over the counter.
- Once you have the receipt, go to your eBay "Sold" folder, click "Add Tracking," and manually type in the Special Delivery tracking number (e.g., JS 1234 5678 9GB).
Why this works: eBay’s system will recognize the manual tracking number. As soon as the Post Office marks it as "Delivered" the next day, your funds will be released. You are fully protected because you have a signature and high-value insurance.

Re: Special Delivery for private seller

**peaseblossom** — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:58:56 GMT

That info is out of date. eBay have removed the option to change tracking number. All you can do is message your buyer with the tracking details. However, you would be able to add the new number to an "Item not received" case if one was opened. Payment may be held for 14 days.

List with free postage and buy your own postage outside of eBay. To get the buyer's address and mark dispatched you can open the original prepaid label (Get prepaid label > Get prepaid label > Print label).

You can claim a refund for an unused (unscanned) label here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/claims/simple-delivery/refund/seller

Re: Special Delivery for private seller

papso22 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:02:30 GMT

Interesting take by AI.

When you sign up to a user agreement that includes mandatory simple delivery i would say that creates a contractual and legal obligation.

Re: Special Delivery for private seller

bdoug99 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:35:45 GMT

Thank you @**peaseblossom** . So by virtue of opening the prepaid label, I get charged the Simple Delivery price but if I wait 14 days I can claim it back. Is that correct?

I was going to say 'but how will ebay know it's been delivered?' but I suppose it doesn't matter: the purchase price will go into my ebay balance shortly after the buyer completes the purchase won't it?

Re: Special Delivery for private seller

bdoug99 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:34:58 GMT

Indeed. And it looks like it's out of date advice anyway.

Re: Special Delivery for private seller

**peaseblossom** — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:38:17 GMT

You get charged for the SD label and have to claim it back. You have to do that asap within 14 days.

The item will be untracked as far as ebay is concerned so the payment is likely to be held for 14 days.

All these 14s are confusing. 🙂

Re: Special Delivery for private seller

jckl1957 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:41:04 GMT

@bdoug99 wrote:

So by virtue of opening the prepaid label, I get charged the Simple Delivery price but if I wait 14 days I can claim it back. Is that correct?

You have to make a claim within 14 days. So, you could submit a claim as soon as you post the item. If you wait too long, you won't be able to claim.

I was going to say 'but how will ebay know it's been delivered?' but I suppose it doesn't matter: the purchase price will go into my ebay balance shortly after the buyer completes the purchase won't it?

Ebay won't know it has been delivered. Even if you normally get paid within 24 hours of selling, if you have a sale that is more expensive than your usual sales, particularly if there is no evidence of posting or delivery, Ebay may hold your funds for up to 14 days.

Re: Special Delivery for private seller

bdoug99 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:26:06 GMT

@jckl1957 Understood. Thank you.

Re: Special Delivery for private seller

bdoug99 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:27:09 GMT

@**peaseblossom** I just hope to goodness the buyer doesn't live at house number 14..