Is it Royal Mail or Buyer Protection??

[feather_workshop]

Hi, 

I am at my wits end! I sell the odd piece of costume jewellery on ebay and 1 out of 2 things I sell gets a 'not arrived' case opened.

I send them regular mail, large letter and always get proof of posting. Padded envelope, written clearly etc.

They aren't valuable enough to send as tracked, I just can't see people paying a lot of postage for them.

Does anyone else get this? I'm tempted to think Royal Mail isn't this bad and maybe it's just people saying it hasn't arrived when it has. Any suggestions? I've had enough!

[**peaseblossom**]

I think ebay buyers are used to tracked postage especially now that it's compulsory with ebay's "simple delivery",  so some might take advantage of untracked items.   You'll only know if you try switching to tracked, at least for a while.

[lucy_farmer]

If it's 1 out of 2 that don't arrive, I'd put it down to dishonest buyers who can see there's no tracking number.

(and I'm going to be slightly snobby and ageist here; the bits you're selling will be attractive to rebellious teenage girls who may think it's fun and easy to get their money back....)

I know R.M. can be a little slapdash (not nearly as bad as evri, mind you...) but half of your parcels going missing?  nah..... 

[style_wise]

First of all, your peace of mind is worth far more than the item. Personally I assume every Buyer is on the level, as it helps me act reasonably and feel calmer. As one of your badges says: Your anxiety is lying to you.

I also like this RM 2nd LL service too, but RM recently cut delivery dates in half for Second Class so it is very easy to get INR queries from impatient buyers. Also do you know in busy seasons - with delivery overload with lots of temporary RM staff - 2nd Class gets shunted to the side while they clear the Special, Tracked and 1st Class items? So you need protection for when delivery times will get even worse.

May I make a suggestion? If you increase your packaging weight so that LL goes over 250g you will automatically receive a Reference Number for each item. This is RM internal tracking and can be entered into the eBay system as such. If a Buyer opens an INR too soon (before a fortnight has passed with current RM 2nd delivery) then just re-enter this tracking number in the INR Case and apologise for RM delays. Once buyers know it's tracked they tend to wait more patiently. eBay has deeper access to this RM system, and CS can often help even when the item hasn't been scanned at delivery yet. The cost is £2, so just 45p solves a lot of anxious problems.

[feather_workshop]

Thanks guys, that's really helpful, I think I just need to bite the bullet and send tracked.

On another note I haven't actually looked at my items for a while and I've just check and all my prices have changed! 

Is this something I've missed?? They are all about £1-£1.50ish higher than they used to be! I best start paying more attention 🙈

[feather_workshop]

Scrap that last message. I've realised it's the buyer protection added on, I've never seen it from that view before, it doesn't show on my item when I look through my own dashboard.

[papso22]

I am just going to throw in that sellers who buy to sell need an ebay business account and business accounts do not have simple delivery or the buyer protection fee.

[the-nutwood-collection]

If you're sending via simple delivery, then INRs are eBay's problem, not yours.

Have I got this wrong - I'm a business seller?  I thought simple delivery protected private sellers against the need to refund INR cases that aren't delivered within the three day window.

[jckl1957]

Jewellery is not eligible for Simple Delivery.

@feather_workshop 

You may simply have a problem with dishonest buyers.

I sell mainly jewellery - only a few sales, maybe 3 to 5 a week.  I use stamps so no tracking, or RM Tracked 48 (costs £2.80) for anything over about £8.

I had one INR last year.  None this year.

Send everything tracked.  (And upgrade to a business account.)

[suelel1968]

Hi @feather_workshop . I don't use tracked. I do what you do and just get Proof of postage on large letter £1.55 and raise a claim against RM if it goes missing. Never not had one refunded up to £20. It's a bit of effort but not much. RM are totally hit and miss, but sales go down if postage goes up, it's as simple as that.

[feather_workshop]

Thank you, I always raise claims but all I get is stamps as compensation...stamps, stamps and more stamps! X

[jonatjonatjonat]

Conveniently ignored I see. Even says “I set up my business to spread good vibes, fun and positivity because I think we all need it in todays world!” In their item descriptions!

[papso22]

HISS  (head in sand syndrome).