Combined postage Problem

[diamondsparkles2014]

Hi,

It's me again 😂

I've had a buyer purchase two separate items from two separate listings. The buyer has paid for the postage twice. It's not a listing that includes "free postage". The postage cost for both items is much less than the total amount paid for postage. 

I want to refund the buyer for the postage costs I won't incur. But as it's 2 orders I'm unable to combine the postage. Which means I have to pay for the postage on both items. I'm not suggesting I won't refund the buyer, but I'm trying to establish a way of just paying for the correct postage.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this please.

Thank you

Kind regards

[tressygirl]

As a Private seller I'm presuming you used Simple Delivery labels?

Combining postage has been,  and frustrated many,  an issue now for a long time with Simple Delivery and combining postage,  not possible.  We are though receiving reports here, that buyers placing purchased items into their basket first,  eBay then combine postage.

If postage was purchased though Simple Delivery and you now post all the items together the buyer will receive a refund for the unused labels they paid for, might be worth sending them a message explaining this,  and that it may take up to / over 30 days for the refund to appear.  You will though,  only have one tracking number for all those items,  and a potential opener for  an item not received case.

The best way forward would be to cancel all items, of course,  with the buyer's acceptance, and relisting them as one, so there's one  important tracking number, one postage price. Ensure any message to your buyer makes it very clear the reason why the items are being cancelled,  that they are to be relisted on eBay again,  for the buyer to buy, leave no room for doubt that this is Not an off eBay sale.

Some sellers are leaving a message on their listing,  for example.....   ' If you wish to buy multiple items,  please let me know before buying,  I will relist them as one listing so only one postage cost is charged, combining postage is not currently possible.  Or,  place items in your basket first, and eBay will combine a postage cost for you to pay. '

@diamondsparkles2014 

[diamondsparkles2014]

Hi tressygirl,

Thank you for replying. I'm very grateful for your kindness. The two items are small. Each weigh less than 100g. I (only) use Royal Mail (nuff said 😉). I have an app on my phone, which I'd recommend to other eBay members. I downloaded it from RM's website. It's, well I think it's brilliant, but that's subjective of course. I pack the sales I've mentioned in large letter boxes. When I get to a post box I scan the QR code through the RM App on my phone. The app records the time I post. When the parcel gets to RM they scan the QR code and update my app. Then when it arrives with the buyer I get another update. It seems slick and allows me to be cost effective on my postal costs.

I don't have an eBay shop. I don't sell that much. My sales are connected to my hobby and it's a way of keeping the costs of my hobby acceptable.

The items I'm selling are in four different colours. I have one listing per item. They are exactly the same other than the colour. I think I've managed to work out how to allow buyers to make more than one purchase for one colour and I've used the Primary Service "Each Additional Cost" as shown below.

I've also added a flat rate postage rule. I'm not so sure about this though. I've checked the box on four listings that I have created. The flat rule is "Add an amount for each additional item" and I've set it at 30p the same as the Primary Service option shown above.

I am not sure if this allows buyers to automatically receive combined postage across the four listings. 

I've also looked at the promotional postage rules. If a buyer buys 8 items that will go over the £3.38 for an RM parcel. I was trying to establish if this will allow me to set a cap when the total purchase reaches the amount of more than 8 items.

I've also changed my setting to allow buyers to select an invoice and I'll endorse the 4 listings with a comment for the buyers to read.

It's complicated 😂

Kind regards

[john1297576]

Selling multiple Brand New items implies it should be a business account.  Business Sellers do not have to use “not so simple” postage, which would resolve all your problems.

[diamondsparkles2014]

Hi again Tresseygirl,

I've been to the order page and the two items now appear as one order and there is only one postage selection available. So something I've done in these 4 listings since the purchase has now allowed me to combine postage. 

So phew for that - but I'm not sure what I did that made it work 🤔

Kind regards