Combined postage

[honeyvintagecurios]

Hello does anyone know how Ebay work out postage when a buyer purchases 2 separate items?  I sold 2 items to one buyer and it automatically combined the p&p but to the weight of 1 item. I just don't understand it, there is nowhere to change it so I just posted them together and pray it gets there ok!

This automated p&p is a complete nightmare for me as I can't ask for signed for post on high value items anymore.

Basically I just hope for the best everytime I post a parcel!

Any valid help appreciated

[**peaseblossom**]

Simple Delivery only approximates the weight, so it's supposed to be OK if the item weighs more than it says on the label.    It automatically covers items for loss or damage in transit for up to £750.   So as long as the buyer opens the correct case (not received or item damaged) ebay will issue the refund themselves and the seller keeps the payment.

@honeyvintagecurios 

[xyz307xyz]

It's not defined anywhere (public). The algorithm seems to have changed at least twice since Simple Delivery came in.

As long as your packed item is still under the absolute maximum size and weight mentioned here - https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/posting-items/setting-postage-options/simple-delivery?id=5575#se... the label should be valid.

(I guess it's possible that if a seller chose e.g. Large letter under 1kg for each of 2 items and the combined package of 2 items was actually e.g. 35cm x 35cm x 35cm and 12kg, ebay may take it up with them.)

[honeyvintagecurios]

I don't understand why Ebay would be automatically combining p&p for me without amending postage fees, ie one of the items was under 1kg but with the two it was over 1kg but Ebay didn't up the p&p to reflect this?

[xyz307xyz]

Ebay and each Simple Delivery courier's contract covers millions of items, and they all hope for those millions, overall, they make some money from it. They all accept it's based on ebay's guesses and aren't too worried for each individual item. When the contracts are due for renewal, they can change the prices and other terms based on what they've learnt to date.

[neovass0]

The purchase of multiple items by one buyer is a constant fear, since simple delivery was introduced, as the automated postage label never makes sense. Previously I was delighted when a single buyer purchased multiple items. The inability to change a simple delivery label after the fact, is still the biggest problem. Even if it is after the sale of just one item, so many sellers, in so many threads, have reported that they've had to cancel an order and ask the buyer to purchase again from an amended listing. It just makes us all look silly. 

  For sellers who opt to pay for the postage, I don't understand why, instead of taking the postage payment automatically, they don't allow us to simply select and pay for the correct postage after the sale. They can still make it compulsory to purchase the label through ebay and withhold the delivery address on the label, as they do now. Yes, I understand, in listings where the buyer pays postage, it isn't feasible as the buyer can't be obligated to buy an item, not knowing what the postage cost is going to be.