Simple Delivery ANYTHING BUT SIMPLE!!--make SD optional

[martinr1945]

Hello All--I've been selling on eBay for approx 18years with fairly good results but sometimes less than impressed with eBay's strange policies-hey ho I've put up with them as they no doubt are privi to info I don't have. HOWEVER now things have changed--I sell large ocular items,varying weights,sizes and values. It seems that now eBay will tell me the weight,the box size and the carrier (EVRi would you believe it!) and on top of that I have to do a 14 mile round trip to drop my parcel off. I have a +3000 100% feedback and that didn't come using EVRI (or Hermes as they used to be)-further to that I spend alot on packing and new boxes etc and these have to be paid for--could I suggest to eBay's management that if they really think Simple Delivery is a step forward they also include a 'simple option to opt out'. Frankly I'd rather see SD scrapped but eBay no doubt wish it to continue as I think it might be influenced by profit? and it may well be useful for casual sellers BUT good and regular eBayer sellers need to be considered too. What do you think we can do to change this sad situation?

[trace-ken]

Hi, I’m in the same boat, simple delivery means I have to get transport to drop of my small value parcels as the Post office closes at 5pm (no good for me) and my local Evri drop off had to close its service (apparently because they were so bad at at it and lost parcels). I’m just a private seller and my local Yodel drop off is very close and I’ve not encountered problems from my end (although a buyer did have their parcel stolen from their front door as they didn’t designate a safe place of arrange delivery time). I have just stopped selling completely and until they change the delivery and allow custom with Yodel I have had to quit. I have 100% positive reviews and 250+ and was very proud that I offered a good service. Surely eBay must see that this is a terrible business model but it seems they are not concerned. I was advised by eBay that my last item (only £2.50 selling price in auction)  should be sent outside of their postage. I did that, big mistake. I spent £2.69 with yodel and sent it off, it was a lovely womens top and I added another lovely top as a bonus and eBay are not only holding onto the postage money but they decided it was a letter through Royal Mail price and charged that. I spoke to eBay and they said I will not get any postage costs until 30 days are over. The buyer was happy with the purchase, happy with the delivery costs and I have currently sent it and am 20p down. I know it doesn’t sound a lot of money but it helps me pay the bills. I have loads of drafts and will not list them unless eBay change this silly simple delivery and allow custom and a choice of carrier. It’s crazy and it is affecting anyone who wants to sell.

[xyz307xyz]

You can turn Evri off (except for exceptional circumstances) and you could then also have Royal Mail collect.

Does that help?

[martinr1945]

Thanks for your reply--Yes it's a big mess--apart from other policy issues we will not use EVRi and there appears an upcharge if RM is specified? Even if EVRi offered a great service (which they don't!) they won't pickup and that means we have a 14 mile round trip to the parcel drop off location. We are going to give eBay 4 weeks to correct this policy error after which I think we'll be shifting to another platform--kind regards  martin r

[martinr1945]

It looks viable until eBay miscalculate the weight and parcel size and increase the RM cost too,still creates problems with combination shipping and basically telling us how to conduct our business--not going to happen--kind regards  martin r

local RM hub will not accept parcel if it's overweight (which I fully understand)

[brainuk]

Well, I don't know if you are doing anything wrong but I have toggled EVRI to OFF in my postage preferences (because I have at least one brain cell). This means I only have RM as an option. I offer Free Postage to buyers (but I obviously still have to pay for it. Going into a Post Office and get Tracked 48 for a small parcel and it's virtually £4.00. Order the label yourself on the R$M website and it is £3.45. I only have RM as an option and my small parcels up to 2kg costs me £3.38!!

[martinr1945]

Not sure whether you're trying to be rude but it seems that way? To answer your comment politely - it is difficult to send an item 7.8kgs when eBay say it's under 5kgs and the suggested box size is 50% too small--and including free postage in the listing to make the new SD system workable is not acceptable--we are the clients aren't we?

[brainuk]

You are right but if eBay has supplied the label and the size and weight are wrong, the Royal Mail's deal is to tell the Post Office to accept any item as long as it fits inside Medium parcel and that is 20kg and 64cm x 46cm x 46cm.

[martinr1945]

Sounds great but,as is often the way with eBay's new policies,it doesn't work. That said I'm glad you're getting on with the new SD policy and wish you good luck in your future eBay sales  kind regards  martin r

[xyz307xyz]

Not sure what you mean on weight and size; unless you mean it's literally over the below:

"up to 20kg, For a Royal Mail parcel shop drop-off or collection – dimensions should be up to 61cm x 46cm x 46cm"

"When you're creating your listing, we'll recommend the weight and dimensions of your parcel, as well as the delivery service. If you think our recommended parcel size is incorrect, you can select a different size from the available pre-set options. If we can't determine the parcel size, you'll be asked to provide the details."

Combination shipping - you just use the labels provided.

[trace-ken]

That’s too expensive in my view. £3.38 when Yodel offer £2.69. You obviously don’t want what is best for your customers pockets. It would put me off buying from you so if you see profits decrease then that could be part of the reason as costs are already inflated with buyer protection.