Doesn't ebay know that Scotland is in the UK?

[rw190269]

I am a seller and I never use “Simple delivery”, I always select “Custom postage” and opt for Royal Mail (only!) because I have a lot of old stamps to use up.

I listed an item for 99p plus buyer’s protection 14p, and Royal Mail postage of £3.86, even though my postage cost for a small parcel is £3.99.

I was therefore very surprised when the item sold for £1.13 plus postage £1.09. I eventually got to talk in person to an eBay agent, who told me that this was because the Isle of Lewis in Scotland is in a different country! The agent was in Albania (!!) so I explained that Scotland is part of the UK and that Royal Mail deliver anywhere in the UK for the same cost. The agent then told me that I should have set up a “table of countries”. I do not know what that is and I do not wish to do it, as I do not sell internationally.

I have since looked at the EBay order, and it appears that the buyer was somehow able to select “Other courier”.  I am not prepared to be nearly £3 out of pocket on this through no fault of my own - how is this allowed to happen? Thank you in advance for all comments about this.

[john1297576]

Well cancelling, without agreement of buyer will get you a defect, which can damage your selling account, and also risk negative feedback. 

Only a few categories, and then only up to £20 and 100gms, are allowed to be exempt from far from simple delivery, including zlso large heavy items, which the ebay system cannot deal with.

I am surprised that you were able to enter your own postage, as CUSTOM POSTAGE (in other words select your own) only appears on exempt items.

Suggest you read about it here, long winded for something called Simple

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/posting-items/labels-packaging-tips/buying-printing-postage-labe...

id=4157&st=3&pos=2&query=Buying%20and%20printing%20postage%20labels&intent=simple%20delivery&lucence...

For information, as buyers if sellers let them can choose between Royal Mail and Courier, and couriers do not charge the same for all parts of the UK or provide. complete coverage, it is possible to opt out of posting to some parts, see below

[rw190269]

Thanks, but I have been doing this for ages for items up to £20 and never had to worry the ebay system about the weight. I have never yet used Simple Delivery; I just mark item as despatched, end of story. What has now changed?

[rw190269]

I was not aware that buyer's can unilaterally change my chosen delivery method; how can I stop this happening in future?

[john1297576]

Read all about it on that link I sent, I now sell only badges and postcards, which I can make fit the exempt items. Any thing else goes to a friend who sells on facebook.

I really have avoided Simple Delivery, but I understand on the listing form it is possible to eliminate Evri not giving buyers the choice of picking them.

It might also be worth reading up on the money back guarantee, as so long as you use  SD, claims for loss or damage in transit are settled direct by ebay, with seller keeping the money.

[rw190269]

Thanks, I understand the money back guarantee, and I have read all the links you suggest, and all my listings ONLY offer Royal Mail. So I am still struggling to understand precisely how I can eliminate Evri (and anyone except Royal Mail) i.e. stop buyers side-stepping my chosen method of posting - please advise a step-by-step guide to where and how I do this. Many thanks.