NO LONGER SELLING DUE TO SIMPLE DELIVERY

[rugbyguy1960]

AS OF 15TH APRIL MY DAYS AS A PRIVATE EBAY SELLER WILL STOP AFTER 19 YEARS.

I AM FED UP OF THE GREED OF EBAY AND I HOPE OTHER EBAY SELLERS DECIDE TO NO LONGER LET THE EBAY CONTROL FREAKS HAVE THIS MUCH CONTROL OVER PRIVATE SELLERS.

[paulblueandwhite]

Just listed a new item: custom postage is still available without the need to change postage option.

A week ago had to change from SD to custom. 

Hope it stays this way: SD only optional and not forced. 

[rugbyguy1960]

All they need to do now is let sellers deal with RM direct aswell instead of sellers having to pay inflated prices. Make BPF optional for buyers who want that extra protection and reintroduce sellers fees and that would get rid of nearly all of these issues.

[crn303]

Excellent posting of yours Rugbyguy.  
Fancy a job at eBay, that’s if they could afford you.

[rugbyguy1960]

Thank you so much.

I'd only consider it if they could guarantee that if I made sensible suggestions they would be considered with a common sense approach and I'd only consider it in a advisory position which is something that is seriously needed.

[mattster-vinyl]

I have already removed most of my listings and moved them over to Discogs for Vinyl and CD selling.

So I just checked and had to amend what is left of my listings with the Simple Delivery options as eBay had “guessed” it wrong.

 
I haven’t sold anything for months, the people in my local shop/Post Office ask me why I don’t post anything anymore. I have also (like someone else posted on here) noticed that my local Post Office is now a lot less busy.

I also haven’t bought anything on eBay for months, as nothing interesting seems to be listed anymore as all the private sellers seem to have gone away....

[rugbyguy1960]

I know it's only wishful thinking by us in the UK but maybe just maybe the realisation is sinking in that the potential as it is could lead to losing more than could be gained.

[gnosemalf]

Due to prolonged illness, I've had a bit of a break from what was anyway fairly irregular selling. I thought I'd take it slowly and just list one or two items at a time to clear some space - then out of the blue, I got the eBay e-mail about Simple Delivery. The only thought that came into my head was, 'you cannot be serious!'.

Unless I am listing an auction (which I usually list with no reserve) and don't want to get caught out paying more in postage than the item sells for, I always list with 'free shipping' (in quotes because we all know that it isn't actually free). So, I thought that maybe the best place to find out what is going on is on here and though I haven't been able to get through 265 pages of posts, I think I have learned enough to realise that my fears were well founded. I don't see myself selling on eBay anymore.

I'd like to think that eBay would see how unpopular this move is and change their minds but (24 years) experience has shown that eBay doesn't take any notice of users' opinions. I'll probably buy less as well as about half of my purchases are from private sellers and judging from this response, fewer private sellers will likely result in fewer buyers - and to be brutally frank, unless I need something urgently, I buy a lot of things I need directly from China for a fraction of the price (the exact same item but not imported in bulk and sold on by sellers in the UK).

[parsley2003]

Somebody has said that combined postage is back so i've risked putting some back on seeing i still have custom postage, i hope i don't regret this 🤔

[parsley2003]

My postman who collects from me must wonder what's wrong nothing to collect for weeks. Have risked some relists again as not on SD yet. It's hard to start somewhere else after 21 years i just can't get into it

[gnosemalf]

You know that you have to pay Roysl Mail for collections now? Probably no coincidence that the 30p collection fee is introduced when 'Simple Delivery' is introduced.

[parsley2003]

Yes i know, it's not a problem originally it was to be 72p per item but they kept delaying it. I can't get to a post office or drop off  so i have no choice. They used to take everything for me letters and large letters and sometimes one i put a stamp on but i can get to a nearby post box for that. Parcel boxes are rare so far in Cornwall and usually placed near business estates or supermarkets not in town.

Wether it's related to SD i don't know, the business has been taken over recently and there will be more changes yet like 3 day 2nd class deliveries. They were trialling 39 areas and soon it will be everywhere

[jazz_monkey]

Give it about a year and someone at ebay will propose a clever new marketing campaign under the banner "buying is free".  Many internal powerpoints will then be prepared on the impact of switching to a new system of "seller fees" to support this completely new and innovative business model.

[parsley2003]

Yes they are already turning things around 

[rugbyguy1960]

That's if there are enough buyers because there are a lot of sellers not selling.

[rugbyguy1960]

I hope it's not just a sweetener that lasts until the 20th. Maybe we're actually being herd now.

[rugbyguy1960]

Very true. Well hopefully it's been noticed that this unhappiness really isn't easing much.

[parsley2003]

I'm just fed up that i never needed to take it off because SD wasn't put on my account on the 15th April a whole month hanging around waiting and we still are in limbo 

[rugbyguy1960]

I don't think anyone expected a response on a scale like this.

So many changes and dates being changed again and again. Now even more amendments. Hopefully the 20th will bring a definitive decision.

[moonlight-rhapsody]

So I asked Google the question "Is ebay's Simple Delivery a disaster in the UK?".  This is the reply I got back:

===========

Yes, for many sellers, eBay's Simple Delivery is causing significant issues and is often considered a disaster, particularly due to its mandatory nature and lack of flexibility. While it aims to streamline the shipping process and provide buyer protection, many sellers find it cumbersome, expensive, and restrictive. 

 

 

Here's why Simple Delivery is seen as problematic:

• Mandatory and Limited Options:

  Simple Delivery has become the default and, in some cases, mandatory shipping option for private sellers, leaving them with limited control over their shipping choices. 

   

  • High Costs:

    Some sellers believe the integrated Simple Delivery costs are inflated, potentially impacting their profitability and making them less competitive. 
  • Inaccurate Weight/Size Calculations:

    Sellers often struggle with accurately estimating the weight and size of their packages, which is a requirement for Simple Delivery, leading to potential discrepancies and penalties. 
  • Lack of Flexibility:

    Sellers have limited options for opting out of Simple Delivery or customizing their shipping choices, even when their item requires a specific carrier or service. 
  • Evri's Issues:

    Some sellers have reported negative experiences with Evri (formerly Hermes), the primary carrier used in Simple Delivery, including issues with pickup and delivery. 

  Impact on Business:

  The changes to shipping and the lack of control have caused some sellers to reconsider or quit selling on eBay altogether. 

    

   

  Reasons why some sellers are unhappy with Simple Delivery:

  
  

  Loss of control:

  Sellers can no longer choose their preferred couriers or services, impacting their business operations and potentially leading to higher shipping costs. 

   

  • Difficult to opt out:

    While opting out might be possible, the process can be challenging, and sellers can find themselves automatically defaulted to Simple Delivery. 
  • No advance notice:

    Some sellers felt that eBay didn't provide sufficient advance notice about the changes to shipping and the mandatory nature of Simple Delivery. 
  • Increased costs:

    Some sellers believe the costs associated with Simple Delivery are higher than what they would pay for their own shipping, impacting their profit margins. 

  Uncertainty and stress:

  The changes to shipping and the lack of control have caused stress and uncertainty for sellers, who are now unsure how to best manage their online businesses

  ===========

   

  I couldn't help laughing though when I saw what AI had finished off with:

   

  AI responses may include mistakes.

   

  It reminded of HAL in 2001 A Space Odyssey when he (it) says "I know I've made some very poor decisions recently".

  🤣

[parsley2003]

Love it, mistakes are the norm here now. I have to admit that even though i can't use Evri as can't get to a drop off they have been very good recently because i get everything delivered to the house having no transport. They inform me now when they have something to deliver that they have received from the seller and leave things in my safe place as being deaf i can't hear someone at the door. But being local drivers maybe i just have a good one in my town and am lucky