Simple Delivery Dilemma - package dimensions

[cestertian]

Whilst I find incredulous that eBay force private sellers to use so called "simple delivery" - its their platform and we have to suck it up....but, when in is inhibiting me from selling an item I take exception.

I have a suitcase for sale, the box that fits it snuggly measures 59x56x25.  One of these dimension falls outside of the very specific maximum dimensions 61x46x46 cited by eBay as allowable. 

No problem I thought, I will just add my own courier "Parcel Force" or "FedEx" - but alas no, you are forced to use eBay's simple delivery. Then I thought I could tick free delivery and increase the price of the item to pay for the postage - nope, eBay just charge the seller through their simple delivery. 

I appreciate that only one side of the package is outside of specification, I could take the risk of sending the package but why should I fear it coming back rejected. Can anyone tell me why eBay don't offer more courier options for larger boxes? 

Are there any work arounds to this - how do people sell large bulky items through simple delivery?

[**peaseblossom**]

There's a workaround solution to opt out of SD and use your own postage on here:

https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Seller-Central/how-do-you-list-anything-bigger-than-61cm/m-p/7882486...

[jckl1957 · Accepted solution]

You should be able to opt out for larger items.

Currently it is not working - much to the frustration of lots of people.

Simple Delivery is not popular (understatement!) and the fact that it is not set up or working correctly does not help.

Anyway, what you can do is list it with free postage (seller pays).

Add enough on to the cost of the item to cover what it will cost you to post it.

If you sell the item, contact the buyer to let them know how you will be sending it.

Post your item.

Ebay will charge you for a SD label but you can claim back the cost of that once you have sent your item.

You will need to update the tracking on Ebay.

If you don't use the Simple Delivery label provided, you or your buyer will be refunded, depending on who paid for postage.

• If you selected 'Buyer pays’ when you created the listing, your buyer will automatically be refunded for any Simple Delivery label that isn’t used after 30 days
• If you selected ‘Seller pays’ and offered free postage on your listing, you'll need to fill out the Request a refund for Simple Delivery form for the label that wasn’t used. Make sure to send your request within 14 days of your item selling

[cestertian]

Hi and thanks for taking the time to reply. I knew about the refund to buyers on unused postage (but wasn't sure about refund to the seller) thanks for confirming that is a possible way forward... Its maddening that sellers have to do 'gymnastics' to sell an item. I recently had another problem where I sold a job lot of stuff. I opted for the 15kg option on SD. The buyer opted for EVRI. When sold, I put in a correct size box and it weighed  11.8kg...all fine I thought... Nope, I took it 2 local drop off agents that are based (like most) in small shops. They refused my box claim they don't take anything over 5kg. Neither EVRI or Ebay were interested in organising a collection. I the end I had to organise postage through Parcel Force and my own expense. Unbelievable. Ebay and their insistence on the broken SD scheme is ruining the platform. 

[cestertian]

Thanks for that... Amazing, it's crazy sellers have to take steps like this. But thank you for flagging to me. 😉👍