Sending by Royal Mail Special Delivery?

[cantisque]

Hello,

I seem to only have the option for "simple delivery" and while that has worked fine for lower value items I am trying to list something that I'd want to specifically send via a guaranteed service.

The problem with the simple delivery system is that it doesn't tell you upfront what service it's using.

I would pay the extra few £s to go with the higher priority courier service, but if it sticks me with something like Tracked 48, will eBay take responsibility if it arrives damaged because they didn't give me any choice? Somehow I doubt it.

While on the subject, another gripe is that you need to give the dimensions and weight at the listing now, which you may not necessarily know until it's been boxed up.

Can I list an item (seller pays postage) and when it sells, get my own tracking number and attach that to the item? Would I lose out on any seller protections doing that?

[thepillenwerfer]

e-Bay cover parcels against loss or damage up to £750 with few exceptions.

When you list something e-Bay recommend a size/weight.  Provided you don't over-rule that they'll honour that price even if the parcel is bigger or heavier.

All the information you need is here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/posting-items/setting-postage-options/simple-delivery?id=5575.

[3942rick2005]

https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Seller-Central/how-do-you-list-anything-bigger-than-61cm/m-p/7914713...

or

https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Seller-Central/How-do-you-list-anything-bigger-than-61cm-Part-two/m-...

I devised these to get back to Special Delivery.

[papso22]

I am all for workarounds that make ebay systems work as ebay intended, but can't seem to implement properly, but I would be wary of recommending them to avoid mandatory simple delivery where the item meets all of the simple delivery requirements.

So as a way of making any legitimate opt outs work, they are fine, but as a way of avoiding simple delivery for items that must be sent by simple delivery, they could get the seller into trouble.

[thepillenwerfer]

Exactly.  You also "work around" and "opt out" of the advantages, like e-Bay dealing with AWOL/damaged parcels and the Seller not having to refund on them.  Of course the OP may be selling something for more than £750 or one of the things that Simple Delivery doesn't cover.

[department28]

'I would pay the extra few £s to go with the higher priority courier service, but if it sticks me with something like Tracked 48, will eBay take responsibility if it arrives damaged because they didn't give me any choice?' 

Even though eBay covers you for lost or damaged parcels for (eligible) items sent with Simple Delivery, some sellers would understandably prefer to use a service that gives the best chance of the item being delivered safely into the hands of the buyer.

It is being able to eliminate as much risk as possible of an item arriving damaged, that is - for some sellers - more important than being compensated if it is lost, or arrives damaged, due to being sent by an inferior service...

Compensation might be a consolation, but it can't make up for the loss or breakage of a really nice, possibly rare, or 'one-off' item.

[millcottage]

Last year and over previous years I have sold Gold full sovereigns. I have done this via auction starting at £1 and let gold coin find its price (that it always has). For postage I set it as Free and use Royal Mail special delivery.

If I was to sell a coin this month I expect it to reach about £575 plus maybe. When I list with the new simple delivery can I select Royal Mail special delivery?

Postman who lives next door say they are told to treat special delivery like gold dust and I have having used it dozens of times over the years never had an item go missing.

[thepillenwerfer]

Precious metals can't be sent by Simple Delivery.  I'd expect you to not even have the option to when you list it but what one would expect and what does happen are very different things.

[millcottage]

That’s good news that I will be able to select Royal Mail special delivery.

Thanks