Royal Mail Tracked 48 + Age Verification Option Missing?

[reecfranci-4]

We've sold an item that requires age verification and usually do so through the above service. Issue is that it is missing on the Royal Mail website. Also tried to get the label at a post office and it had been removed from the system there as well. Post office worker had no idea why it wasnt coming up. Does anyone know what is happening with this service? Parcel needs to be shipped by tomorrow.

Thank you!

[mikeretyred]

I too have a bid for some chisels I'm selling, but Royal Mail are putting obstacles in my progress towards getting a business account. 50 mins on Royal Mail helpline resulted to find out that it was a 'Personal' users helpline.  Rang the recommended 03457 950950 Business helpline who eventually advised that the Royal Mail Business team would contact me sometime next week and that it would take some time to set up and verify a business account for me. Today's Friday, I have a bid and the listing ends Wednesday.

Question: how can I either stop or pause my listing until I can get an obstructive Royal Mail to give me a Business Account and show me how to get an Age Verification Service?  Mike

[drilleasy]

I’ve just been hit with an £11.00 shipping cost on a £26 drill bit, which is completely unreasonable. Royal Mail is no longer a viable option due to the new age verification requirements, and their services at the advertised £6.78 rate are simply not accessible for these items.

I have already updated my listings to comply with the new verification rules, but the reality is I’m now being forced to use alternative couriers like UPS at significantly higher costs, with no practical choice. This puts sellers like me in a difficult position, as we’re left absorbing costs or passing them on to customers, making us uncompetitive.

Given that it’s widely known Royal Mail services cannot be used under these conditions, why is eBay still allowing or presenting them as a shipping option at unrealistic prices? This disconnect is misleading and is directly impacting my business.

[555njp]

I raised this question in the last community chat but didn’t really get an answer. However, I spoke to a friend of mine in RM who confirmed (and the info is also on RM’s website under restricted items) that many of the listings eBay say fall under “bladed items” requiring age-verification actually do not.

The examples that affect me are mainly lawnmower blades but I also occasionally sell drills, screwdrivers, chisels etc. All these items (legally) are NOT classed as “bladed” but as “pointed” items. The requirements to ship these are simple - ensure any pointed or sharp ends are suitably protected with cardboard before placing inside a bubble envelope or outer cardboard box. This is to ensure the item doesn’t injure anyone in transit and that it doesn’t damage the carton and come out en-route. Then use any regular RM service.

As long as you package correctly you do not LEGALLY need to use an age-verified shipping service which only applies to swords, knifes and spare blades. Even cutlery is exempt.

As I said - more info is on RMs website.

[555njp]

Ran out of time to edit……….!

What I was going to add is - Unfortunately EBay is being over zealous in categorising what counts as bladed so you have to list as using age-verified service to avoid the listing being removed then buy normal postage direct from RM or at a PO counter.

More info is on RM’s website under prohibited and restricted items: “sharp or pointed, formally sharp objects”.
That way you are legally compliant, but possibly not eBay compliant 🤣

[drilleasy]

I have spoken to the Post Office, who confirmed that age verification is not available as a service through them. They advised that age-verified delivery options are only offered by a limited number of courier services that are NOT available through their services.

[555njp]

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@drilleasy wrote:

I have spoken to the Post Office, who confirmed that age verification is not available as a service through them. They advised that age-verified delivery options are only offered by a limited number of courier services that are NOT available through their services.

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I know it’s not. You can only buy it online, and only then if you have a business account with Royal Mail so 90% of us cannot access it.

My point was that you don’t legally need age verification to send a chisel, mower blade or drill bits….! It’s just eBay’s AI that is classing them as ‘bladed’ when they are not (they are classed as pointed/sharp).

You can send all of those perfectly legally through RM without using an age verified service buying your postage direct, online through RM or at the PO but not via eBay as it won’t let you.

[drilleasy]

I have a business account with Royal Mail and age verification is there but I am NOT able to use it as although I can see it I can't click on it. I have messaged eBay who stated that my drill bis must use age verification as they have blades. Drill bits are NOT restricted but eBay wont budge so I have taken all my items off that have been affected by this false decision . I have just paid UPS approx £13 60 for collection service as the nearest UPS is miles away. Total order £26.00.  I could have just cancelled the order but  the customer had no option either. My sales on eBay are a fraction of what they where and there is nothing anyone can do. That is unless anyone knows better...

Royal Mail already struggle to deliver efficiently, so introducing age verification with timed deliveries and repeat visits would be impractical. According to the Post Office, this is exactly why the service isn’t offered—and it does make sense.

[mikeretyred]

eBay-eXASPERATION !
Problem bein’ that eBay insist on Age Verification, Royal Mail obstruct all those who enter attempting to purchase that advertised service.
An iMPASSE !
The solution: don’t sell on eBay … and certainly don’t go near Royal Mail!
Mike (Disgusted of Downham Market)

[ynotdeer]

I too have just encountered this problem. Almost certainly the reason for the removal of the service is simply that they (RM) don't want to incur any extra cost. All the postal services are getting very expensive in this country and the services getting worse. It makes many sales simply not viable. The total stupidity of it also is the fact that very, very few people with any hostile intent go out and buy a fish knife to harm another person, they simply walk into the kitchen! The law about bladed items may be a good one but what about metal bars? Glass objects? Heavy sculptures? Pointed sticks? Pens and pencils? Bananas?

[dantwocats]

This is a joke and has been for some time ,if only eBay stuck to UK law on bladed items  most of these items could be sold without the need of Age Verification as they are not bladed items within UK law,

[atomika1]

Age verification items - postage

Okay, so when creating or revising a listing - scroll down to primary service and you will see UPS Age Verified and beside that there is 3 dots option to change the service.
If you click on it, you can go to age verification at bottom of custom postage list
and this will provide below postage options:

Standard 2-3 Day Courier with Age Verification
Express Courier with Age Verification
Economy Courier with Age Verification

You can list with any of them and set the postage cost manually.

This works