EBay’s stupid postage system

[melliferam]

I had listed a large kitchen tap and it just sold at auction for its start price of £5.  Which is hardly worth my while bothering but at least it means it will be re-used.  But I see somehow eBay decided the postage cost is £2!
But it’s a large kitchen tap, must weight around 2kg and with its tails won’t pack down any smaller than 45 x 35 cm.  Yet somehow it’s priced like a large letter.  
what can I do.  If I use the eBay system the parcel will clearly be picked up at some point as under paid for postage.  So presumably I cannot use the hilariously named simple delivery service.

But if I don’t I assume it will seem like I haven’t sent it.  And it will probably cost more than £5 to send it.  So it will cost me money to sell the item.   Should I just cancel the sale and throw it away as it would be cheaper and easier than going through with the sale?

[department28]

Apparently, if Simple Delivery has selected the label, even if it is underweight for your item, it is supposed to be ok to use it. 

Did you select a size when you listed the item?

'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.'

[ruby*ryan]

@melliferam 

Was it the tap that sold on 6th for  £5.92?

If so, it looks as if the buyer selected to have it sent to an Evri drop off shop, for £2.46.
This is fine, just print off the label/get it printed at an Evri drop off place, and you will see the address will be for another Evri point (corner shop, Tesco etc).

[melliferam]

Sorry yes I listed it for £5 but of course eBay adds its cut to it now, rather than taking a cut when it sells.  Which eBay has redefined as selling for free.  But it tells me the postage is £2 but then it says something about vat, which might make it £2.46.  But a large heavy parcel, which incidentally most Evri shops won’t accept as it is deemed too large, surely will not be £2 or £2.46 if that’s what Evri get.

And possibly eBay simply assigned a postage rate which I didn’t notice at the time was too little.  Won’t the buyer then gets charged for underpaid postage?

I really hate with a passion this new simple postage scheme.

[ruby*ryan]

@melliferam 

It certainly won't be too large for an Evri shop to accept. 

Evri do a cheaper shop-to-shop rate, as it's more 'environmentally friendly', and this is the service your buyer is using. As I said, it's absolutely fine to send it, your buyer won't be charged extra, and neither will you as it's ebay that have the account with Evri.

I think it's a really good option, especially if the buyer is going to be out all day - it's a shame eBay don't advertise it more.