Combined postage

[sharowals-9]

Anyone else who offers combined postage and gives the buyer a refund from SD orders only to find out that Ebay will not refund you for the unused postage fee? I was told that I must just stop using combined postage - which is a little unfair to the buyer I think? I Hate this new system that Ebay are using! I have had buyers cancel their orders because I told them they have to wait 30 days for an SD refund which is why I do the refund and expect Ebay to refund me - which they clearly don't !

[brainuk]

OK, make sure you read this carefully.

If your buyer paid for the postage, then if you combined 3 items into one box and used just one label, then the buyer WILL get refunded by e-mail for the unused labels after approx 14 days (more like 20).
If you paid for the postage labels, then you can apply, using a link, to get the unused ones refunded and this is taking a fair bit longer. I have done quite a few now and after some expected chasing, I am getting them refunded.

[tressygirl]

That is correct eBay do not have to refund you the postage cost if you do this yourself.

  Whilst I understand why you are doing this, so your buyer does not have to wait 30 days for their few pounds refund,  it's not the way to manage this,  as eBay themselves will refund for that unused postage label.

You could list your items as seller pays,  then as long as you claim that refund for the unused SD label within 14 days, and postage used,   is tracked showing delivery, you are refunded,  and have that wait.

The whole situation with combined postage needs sorting,  I agree,  as no way seems the best way !

@sharowals-9 

[a45heaven]

@tressygirl 

Is stopping selling the answer until it is resolved ? Or at least reducing volumes.

It has been months since a Community manager said Combining Was being 'looked at', so maybe less issues for the Tech folk to deal with , may give them time to catch up?

[tressygirl]

Cannot disagree with what you have said above.

Combining postage is Such an issue for everyone, and the resolution is just not forthcoming !

@a45heaven 

[a45heaven]

@tressygirl 

The US site have concocted a process to allow combining to work, maybe the skill or desire to find a solution is lacking on whoever are the 'Techs' on the UK site. 

[brainuk]

If you sell a lot of items that buyers buy a few of, then your easiest bet for combining is the following:

Put a statement (As bold as you like) at the beginning of your description advising any potential buyers of multiples, not to buy them one at a time but to put them in their basket and purchase as one lot. This way eBay's system will work out the combined postage at a much more favourable rate.

[a45heaven]

@brainuk 

Put a statement (As bold as you like) at the beginning of your description advising any potential buyers of multiples, not to buy them one at a time but to put them in their basket and purchase as one lot. This way eBay's system will work out the combined postage at a much more favourable rate.

Thanks for that thought - But i took all my Set Sale items away from ebay many years ago to a simpler governed, lower fee site. Which leaves me just auctions here, that format removes the possibility of placing items in the basket for Bidders.

Also, with ebays 'Auto Pay' what ever narrative is shown on listings, ebay take multiple postages for each item won, leaving you hoping the Seller will refund you appropriately.

But why should Sellers be making the effort, when they pay ebay for what ever service they deem to supply. ebay dont even communicate with buyers these days. Im more than happy to communicate with my Bidders on general topics , but not being a messenger for ebay.