Simple Delivery really doesn't live up to it's name

[sky_9999]

So, for two weeks now, i've had to cancel orders on items, then add an extra charge to non-simple delivery charges, as the simple delivery function is not automatically discounting the P&P. Because i can't change the simple delivery charges myself, this is the only sensible way that i can think of. I spent about an hour on the phone last week, the ebay rep suggested that the buyer should pay the full amount, then chase the refund himself, which is completely out of order.

[tobiasd4]

You can't combine postage with SD. 

How are you cancelling orders? 

If done wrong you can get defects and bad feedback. 

[sky_9999]

SD should automatically discount the P&P, but for me, it isn't. My buyer has an invoice for £17+, just for the postage, whereas it should just be around £3..

[sky_9999]

The ebay rep agreed that canceling & adding an additional charge is the best way of solving the problem, & that i was covered for cancelling the orders.

[sky_9999]

I also contacted the buyer before cancelling, & explained that it was the best solution that I & the rep could come up with, & sent a screenshot of the chat.

[tobiasd4]

Cancelling & relisting all items together is only way to combine postage.

If you cancelled as out of stock, this gives defects, use buyer request.

Combining postage is a BIG issue since SD started.

[sky_9999]

You're right, it's a major hassle that they're forcing in us. When it's working, it's fine. I wish I could just opt out of it, & sort out the discounts myself. Plus of course, when using simple delivery, we don't get any payment for the packaging, so I'm making small losses, as I still have to pay for the envelopes & packaging materials myself. Sent from my Galaxy

[tobiasd4]

If you upgrade to business seller. no more SD, you choose postage method.

Of course you will pay fees, may be cheaper than losing money at the moment.

[sky_9999]

For the amount I'm selling, a business account wouldn't be worth it. I'd lose the 300 free listings per month, & would have to pay an extra £20 for the privilege of losing them. Sent from my Galaxy

[tressygirl]

@sky_9999  wrote:   Plus of course, when using simple delivery, we don't get any payment for the packaging, so I'm making small losses.

No need to make losses here,  add any packaging costs to your item price,  that's what every one else does, who wishes to charge for packaging.

@sky_9999 

[sky_9999]

I've always prided myself on doing the p&p as cheap as possible, so if i'm charging extra for each item, it feels like i'm overcharging, as i still sending in the same parcel.

I sell a lot of old comics & books, so i often put 10-20 items into the same parcel, each little extra charge for the packaging mounts up when i'm doing that.

I know it makes sense to do what you say, but it just doesn't feel right to me. Just something i'm going to have to come to terms with, i guess. I doubt simple delivery will be removed anytime soon, so i'll have to get used to it.

[john1297576]

Being as unhelpful as possible, ebay gives no details of categories that can be exempt from Simple Delivery.

First of all looking at one of your listings of a Comic, I click list similar to see what category you are using, as ebay no longer shows this on listings.

I suggest you try category Books, comics, magazines. That would probably cover most of your items, then select Large letter as method of postage, you will then find you are able to select your own postage method and cost. You can also send combined invoices for multiple sales.

This should enable you to do your own thing, but if you need to have tracking, then use Tracked 48.

So long as your individual listings conforms to requirements for being exempt, then what happens after sale is up to you.

I only sell now postcards and badges, as Simple is too complicated and inconvenient for me, and I see that many sellers lose money through not understanding it or errors made with wrong labels and costs.

[61stephenuk]

Comics and Graphic novels seems to have custom postage available for private sellers, may be worth trying a listing there.

[sky_9999]

Thanks, i'll have a look for that.