New simple delivery postage option

[redbuddycat]

I stopped selling on eBay after nearly 19 years when the postage changes came in as it just looked too complicated. But I have been sorting out at home and thought I would give it a try.  On the postage option I deselected Evri as I always prefer to use Royal Mail.  Back when you could set the postage yourself selling worked really well. RM picked up from my home and brought the label. I just charged the buyer the exact cost of the delivery.  Two of my items listed have sold. One was a low value sewing pattern and I had put the postage at £1.55  2nd class Large Letter.  When I clicked through to the eBay sale details to print the label I was told that the buyer had paid £1.55 but had chosen 2nd class small parcel and I would have to pay £3.35 to post.  It has happened again on a similar size low value item that I selected I would send by second class large letter but pay the £1.55, free to buyer. Again EBay tell me I must pay £3.35 for a small parcel in spite of me not selecting this option.   Can anyone tell me if I am doing something wrong on my listing please?  It’s not really worth my while selling stuff on eBay at this rate. I would rather take it to a charity shop. Sorry for the long post. Thanks.

[style_wise · Accepted solution]

I think you're listing correctly, but that after you've sold an Item you're making a basic error that is easy to make because eBay want to sell you a Simple Delivery label. When you've charged £1.55 Royal Mail, you don't click the 'Get label...' tile. This just leads you to buy an SD label from eBay which, as you say, is more expensive for Large Letter size than paying Royal Mail directly.

[redbuddycat]

Thank you for that explanation. Does that mean I can still arrange my dispatch directly with Royal Mail as I used to do? I didn’t think eBay allowed that anymore, or penalised sellers by maybe paying a lot slower. Thanks again though, it would be great if I can still post like I used to.

[redbuddycat]

Hi again, thanks very much for your response …… I can now see that I am able to carry on as before, although there will not be tracking for my low cost large letter bits and pieces.  I was quite irritated with eBay as I thought I was being forced to send things by small parcel when it was not necessary.  I will arrange direct with Royal Mail as before from now on. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

[style_wise]

My pleasure. Some parcel categories are also exempt from SD (see help pages for info).

Did you accidentally buy Simple Delivery postage? If so you will need so send yourself directly with Royal Mail with Tracking in order to request a SD label refund. Here is the cheapest way plus two other steps:

1) cheapest way to get Large Letter tracking number is to make your LL weigh over 250g (e.g. add packing). This automatically gives you a 'Reference Number' on the receipt. This is RM internal tracking and can be added to eBay Item as actual tracking number (eBay has access to internal RM system). This RN comes automatically for all parcels and LL 250g or more.

2) change Tracking number where SD was accidentally purchased Order Details > Track Package > Add Tracking

3) you have 14-days to request a SD label refund from eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/claims/simple-delivery/refund/seller

[redbuddycat]

This is so helpful, thank you.  Unfortunately I had already posted the first large letter envelope at the small parcel rate but your advice prevented me getting the eBay label for the second envelope which has now been sent via Royal Mail for £1.55.  It is really useful to know that I can claim it back in future if I mistakenly purchase a label through EBay simple delivery. And that I can tip the weight over 250g to get the tracking.

Much appreciated. 😊