topic Re: postage costs in Postage

postage costs

tpjjball2012 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:51:37 GMT

Hi,

I know with Simple delivery that if you have under calculated your postage cost on an item Ebay will deduct the extra from the sale of the item . BUT what happens if you have over calculated the postage cost ,do Ebay refund that extra amount to you.

Thank you

Tim

Re: postage costs

jckl1957 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:13:35 GMT

When you use Simple Delivery, you don't choose or set the postage cost. Ebay calculates the cost based on the size and weight of the item which you select as you list.

Re: postage costs

tpjjball2012 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:11:06 GMT

but what if the postage cost I have chosen from their list is more than it actually should be do i get some refund on the difference.

Re: postage costs

**peaseblossom** — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:48:39 GMT

No, you'd have to cancel the transaction and relist with correct postage.

Re: postage costs

jckl1957 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 18:15:27 GMT

You should upgrade to a business account - then you can choose your own delivery service and set an accurate price.

Business sellers don't have to use Simple Delivery.

Your paintings are very desirable but you are trading from a private account.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sellercentre/selling/create-ebay-business-account

Do I need a business account?

If you plan to sell casually, such as selling items you no longer want, a private account is the best option.

If you want to sell large quantities, if you have items that you've made or bought to resell or if you already have a business outside of eBay, you’ll need to register a business account.

Re: postage costs

brainuk — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 18:20:23 GMT

There is NO need to have a business account. EBay don't mind either way and the UK tax man has no preference either. I have a business account and a private account. EBay will make money on both accounts (either from me or from the buyer). You can look through all the eBay T&C's and you won't find that rule anywhere - it is just assumed. I have spoken to a regional selling manager at eBay and he wasn't fussed either way. As a private seller I have to keep my prices lower as eBay put they buyer guarantee wad on at the end and I have no fees at all except paying for postage. As a business seller, the fees are horrendous (paying a monthly fee for a shop, final selling fees, add-on fees and extra charges. As a business I can add an extra tracking number (for multiple purchases) which I can't now do as a private seller.

Re: postage costs

jckl1957 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 18:27:40 GMT

The quote from Ebay does say 'If you have items that you've made ... you'll need to register a business account.'

That is pretty unequivocal.

Additionally, online business sellers have to display their business details on their listings, that's UK law.

You can't do that if you are trading from a private account.

Re: postage costs

sml192 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 20:04:46 GMT

@brainuk wrote:
There is NO need to have a business account. EBay don't mind either way and the UK tax man has no preference either. I have a business account and a private account. EBay will make money on both accounts (either from me or from the buyer). You can look through all the eBay T&C's and you won't find that rule anywhere - it is just assumed.

Regardless of what eBay or HMRC may or may not say, it is an actual criminal offence to trade whilst masquerading as a Private Seller under both 'The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008' and the more recent 'Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024'.

Digitsl Markets, Competition and Consumers Act Schedule 20 ('Commercial practices which in all circumstances are considered unfair') Paragraph 25 reads as follows:

'Falsely claiming or creating the false impression that the trader is not acting for purposes relating to the trader’s business or falsely representing oneself as a consumer.'

Re: postage costs

jonatjonatjonat — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 20:19:17 GMT

The regional eBay manager would probably agree the sky was green if he felt it was what you wanted to hear.

Re: postage costs

1902elder — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 23:05:38 GMT

If you know that the parcel is heavier or lighter than the Ebay calculation, you can change it yourself before you finalise the listing.

Re: postage costs

tpjjball2012 — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:14:10 GMT

Thank you for your reply.

Re: postage costs

tpjjball2012 — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:14:54 GMT

Thank you for your reply