Simple Delivery - Not simple

[backfrombeyond]

I have had to cancel 2 orders recently because of Simple Delivery issues.

In the first instance the buyer purchased 2 items after I agreed a discount with them. Unfortunately they didn't combine the items in their basket. This meant I had to pay for 2 postage labels (I was offering free postage).  I was not able to combine the items, even though the weight would have been o.k., as eBay would have assumed I didn't post the second item if I didn't download and pay for the label. CS advised the only way to get a refund of the 2nd postage label was to cancel the orders.  Even then I didn't get a refund for one of the labels and had to contact eBay again. The next CS advisor told me that I had to fill out a claim form to get a refund and they sent me a link and although I completed the form on the 2nd of August there is still no sign of a refund. 

I have cancelled another order today and really annoyed the buyer as apparently he won't get his money back for 3 days, outrageous, what are eBay doing with his money in the meantime?

This cancellation was due to my error, I selected a small parcel size rather than medium when listing the item and know from the forum and comments I have read that Royal Mail are just flatly refusing to accept the wrong size boxes. In the good old days (2024) I would have just covered the extra postage myself.  

So just over the last month I have managed to annoy 2 buyers due to Simple Delivery and feel it is only a matter of time before the negative feed backs come rolling in.

[sml192]

Royal Mail aren't refusing any items.  There are a few Post Offices that are still refusing items where the size doesn't correspond with that on the label, although they aren't supposed to be doing so (Note, the Post Office and Royal Mail are different companies).  This only applies where the label is printed at the Post Office from the QR code.  If you print the label yourself or get it brought to you by Royal Mail then there is no size stated on the label, so there won't be any issues. 

[edwardian-dreams]

I read it takes 30-40 days to get the refund 

40 days , why?

all very biblical now 🙄

[thepillenwerfer]

As sml192 says re parcel size/weight.  Since the coming of Simple Delivery I'd say the majority of the things I've sent have been over-weight and/or size.  Initially I printed my own labels and had Royal Mail collect the parcels and since it's been introduced have got them to bring the labels.

As for combining items, make sure to tell the Buyers when you agree to do it that they must use the basket or they'll get charged the full amount.  It's even better to not mess about with 'Free' postage and let them pay it; they clearly know it isn't really free as they wouldn't be asking for combined postage otherwise.

[guymafo]

It’s not simple, you are correct.
On Vinted it’s simple, transparent to both buyer and seller. 

On here it’s ridiculously over complicated for a seller on initial listing, item specifics, the need to find postage work arounds, no combined postage, category dependent. A mess. For over 4 months. 

Vinted have the combined order or ‘bundle’ thing sorted. No faffing. Buyer can make an offer or just buy it, select preferred carrier and done. 

I’ve emptied my locker….

GM

[bish38]

i bought  two items a couple of hours ago from the same seller and the combined weight of them is under 2kg and small. The listing for each item stated £4.06 and at checkout ebay are wanting £8.12 for postage and I cannot find a “request combined postage” option. So I emailed the seller requesting this and have not heard back. Next step, i get an eBay agent to call me and after 20 minutes on the phone the advice i was given was to pay in full and then request a refund which may take 14 days………!!!!!!!!!!!

similarly I recently sold 2 items to the same buyer and i was unable to adjust / combine the postage or do any refund and the buyer wasn’t happy and it was all outside of my control where i could have quickly and efficiently dealt with it. I’m so cheesed off with it that I’ve stopped selling and now feel like stopping buying. Yes i really am disillusioned.

it’s not a good shopping experience and most definitely not a good selling one either as my hard earned feedback can go down the pan in a flash by an unhappy buyer GGGHHHRRRR

my sympathy and frustration goes out to others with these experiences.

[thepillenwerfer]

How did you buy the items?  In theory at least if you add them to your basket and then check out from there it should combine the postage but not if you click Buy It Now on one and then the other — not that that is at all obvious of course.

[backfrombeyond]

I didn't realise that Royal mail will take parcel that have been underpaid. I would still prefer to pay the correct postage as Royal Mail have enough problems already without eBay ripping them off.

[backfrombeyond]

Our local post office does refuse parcels and I think they should if the correct postage has not been paid.

[kyanyama]

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@backfrombeyond wrote:

Our local post office does refuse parcels and I think they should if the correct postage has not been paid.

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My local (nearest) post office accepts both RM & Evri (plus others) but I know for a fact that the post mistress will refuse my parcels if they are not compliant with size and weight.  Not that I would actually risk chancing it anyway!  But I avoid this PO like the plague only because of the attitude of the postmistress.  The rest of the staff are lovely and although they follow the rules they aren't rude.  The PO on my way to and from work only takes RM as they are in a small convenience store.

But It's been a month since I ended all my listings (14 July) - as I am waiting for the majority of problems with Not-So Simple-Delivery to be resolved first.  Fortunately I don't rely on this poor performing site to make a living - it must be very worrying for those who do.  I like buying - but no selling means I can't buy.😭

[thepillenwerfer · Accepted solution]

Your PO sounds like how mine used to be.  If you print your own labels there's no size or weight on them so they can't argue.  Neither are they stated on labels brought by postmen.

People who make their living on e-Bay won't be using Simple Delivery as they'll have Business accounts.  If they are fraudulently using a Private one they deserve all they get.

An e-Bay Seller, or Buyer, under-paying doesn't necessarily cost Royal Mail anything as e-Bay could be paying the difference or Royal Mail are willingly accepting less money per item for more custom and ultimately more money overall.  We aren't party to the details of the arrangements between e-Bay and RM/Evri so don't really know who's making what.

[backfrombeyond]

Business sellers are lucky that they don't have this problem, as someone who works full time and sells on average 2 things a week, when a sale goes wrong it is a pain.  

[decorative_accessories]

I'm in the same leaky boat. I'm 76 and have been on here on and off since 1999. I've also had 2 orders go wrong recently after a long period of eBay inactivity for health reasons. eBay prices start so low eg £3.38. I might be sending a mug or a large heavy flat collectable wall calender. On my listing I always give an accurate post cost RM 48hr tracked with the proviso that any savings I can make at the time of packing and posting I will refund to them. I always do even if it's 30p though I'm usually spot on. The beauty of doing it myself is I'm able to confirm to the buyer it's been picked up ( I totally rely on home collection due to disabilities) and the day it should reach them. If I get an anticipated 2 hr slot I also advise them. It's always appreciated. My worry is I won't be able to give buyers this level of service because I won't know what's going on. Everything I sell is my own stuff and proceeds go to my local community foodbank, the homeless and a wildlife charity. The alarm bells rang when I sent a message re delivery to the buyer and eBay intervened with a mssg that they now liaise direct with my buyer re delivery queries. It's a mess and a muddle not of my making and sadly I'm ready to bail out. I hope the powers that be read our comments. Their motto should be

IF IT'S NOT BROKE.  DON'T FIX IT !

[decorative_accessories]

p.s. I will NEVER use shape shifters Evri, Hermes, Yodel or whatever they're calling themselves this week. DPD have gone downhill too. Too many problems with my home orders. They're only as good as your man in the van on the day. Industrial scale pilfering (read reviews), their idea of a safe place is a stranger's shed 3 streets away and most of their hubs are like The Bermuda Triangle. Things go in and are never seen again. Oh and the big calendar is costing £9 to send by the only means I trust. I can't imagine RM/Parcelforce with continue to accept £3.38 for larger heavier items. eBay seem to want to deter private buyers and become Amazon 😟

[bish38]

I’m with you all the way. I’m the wrong side of 65 and still working and have sold bits and pieces to clear good items which I have bought over the years. It took me ages to become tech savvy with eBay and they keep moving the goal posts and it was always hard to keep up with but it seems like a total headache right now. Like you said -
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Sent from my iPhone

[decorative_accessories]

Thanks just how I feel. It seems sly and dishonest to rely on RM either not noticing or caring that you've sent a double piano stool not a small soft toy. We shouldn't have to risk RM demanding the excess postage before the item is handed over. Imagine trying to keep track of what's happening with non-deliveries, payments, unfair feedback etc. I regretfully think I'm out after 26 years of positive feedback. I'm 76 and don't take well to change and muddles not of my making. My charities will be the losers because the proceeds get split between my community foodbank, a homeless charity and an animal rescue centre 😥

[decorative_accessories]

Sorry, something I forgot. When I looked at existing listings that eBay had revised, on some my full postcode was showing. I only ever give the town or first post of the postcode. Also when I tried to do minor revisions, my words were all mixed in with pages of graphic and typesetting codes. A nightmare 🤕

[bish38]

So I think your experience is just like mine in many ways. As for the postcode thing i agree and like to maintain my privacy. I have nothing to hide but that’s not the point !
There are most definitely dodgy rogue private and business sellers on eBay but I’m not one of them and I also don’t think you are. What was once hard work , but enjoyable is now just an unnecessary hard grind and leaving me, a good assiduous seller open to bad feedback when you’ve done everything right. The removal of the ability or opportunity to communicate with a buyer regarding postage and small or partial refunds has really messed it all up. Personally I’M ON STRIKE and I don’t when I’m going back.
I’m really sad it’s got to this.

Sent from my iPad

[brainuk]

What I am curious about is this.
Ebay has a 1.2/5 rating on Trustpilot (fully justified in my opinion) and Evri has a 4 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot!!! What the hell is happening? Evri..... 4 out of 5? Seriously? It should be .4 out of 5.

[bish38]

I don’t use Evri, many of my items are glass items or fragile collectibles and I require swift and efficient passage without loads of Depot Drops which is what I think happens with Evri.
When I receive by Evri it’s usually like a slow boat to China and sometimes the blokes cant even speak English and the only time I’ve had fragile deliveries arrived broken is with low cost operators. I’m lucky living very close to a P.O. With friendly and helpful staff who I’ve got to know and I’ve never had a problem with my deliveries. The odd problem delivering to an address in a block of flats ( understandably )
Royal Mail are top boys they are swift and efficient.

Sent from my iPad