Simple Delivery Update (ie eBay are going to make it even WORSE!)

[genuinegameguru]

Today I had a message from eBay informing me that there was going to be some “Changes to some of your listings”. They went on to tell me that “Starting 26 Dec, we’ll begin updating eligible live listings to Simple Delivery.” 

As I understand it currently, items in certain categories priced BELOW £20 can be listed without ‘Anything But Simple Delivery’ which is what I have being doing, although eBay have made it increasingly difficult to do this (ie overriding my templates, and often defaulting to SD if I subsequently amend details)

The majority of my listings are below the £20 threshold, but I have managed to list one or two slightly pricier items with MY postage rates not Simple Delivery. However this new dictum suggests that ALL  Live listings will be FORCED over to this STUPID system!

Not only do I detest it as a Seller, but it also fails Buyers. I have had two Sellers CANCEL auctions that I have won because Simple Delivery has charged THEM much more than they have charged ME! (And they have been below the £20 threshold)

Does anybody know if the sub-£20 exemption is going to remain? 

 

[parsley2003]

From what i understood by reading it the exemptions will still be available. Disaster for me have still got custom on everything and been able to refund overpaid postage for combining. And what a time to do it - happy new year

[*vyolla*]

On todays eBay Community chat is was said:

The change is that it will be updated to eligible listings so if there is listings that are eligible for SD that do not have SD on it they will now have SD as the postage option.

[vinylscot]

I don't have many listed on my private account, but about 50% of them are on custom delivery, because the system has allowed it when I set up the listings (reasonably recently, not pre-SD times).

Does this now mean that they will automatically be changed to SD because I COULD have chosen that at the outset, even though custom postage was also offered and selected? Apart from the hassle, it makes a nonsense of the listings where you may offer to combine postage, etc, and that is taken out of your hands.

It looks like an effort to put an end to custom postage, and will be very disrupting for many sellers.

[filmware]

yes, a "Merry Xmas Everybody" from Ebay !

[moonlight-rhapsody]

It gives me no pleasure to say this, but ebay seem to keep finding new lows to sink to.  They’re deliberately launching this on Boxing Day, when they know many sellers will either be away or with family, and won’t be able to keep an eye on their listings. And particularly for sellers with many listings, it’s likely to give them something to worry about over Christmas as to what they will find when they return to their account.  Plus it’s evidently a roll-out, so people may have to keep checking the status of their listings all over the Christmas and New Year period if it hasn’t happened on Boxing Day.  

Just what sort of people are running ebay to think that launching this on Boxing Day was something a decent company would do?  Do they have no regard whatsoever for their reputation?  No, they don’t, because as has become glaringly obvious in recent time, if you’ve got enough money you can ride roughshod over everybody without worrying about the consequences.  Even at Christmastime.

[the_book_seekers]

I think if I were a private seller receiving this message I'd be putting my listings on time away until after Christmas to give myself some breathing space and to not spoil the holidays. 

[department28]

'Does anybody know if the sub-£20 exemption is going to remain?' 

Surely they would not have reintroduced Custom postage for the under £20/large letter items, only to take it away again? That would be madness!

I would think they will only be applying SD to those 'eligible' items that had somehow avoided being previously switched over, although goodness knows, that will cause more than enough trouble...😱

[judydoodles]

Already done just that, put myself on "time away" because minimal views improved slightly over November's complete desert, but sales have been abysmal, my worst for 22 years!  The first weeks in December should have been busier than normal, but they've been worse.  Equally I've only spent a few quid myself on here!

I'm sparing myself the Post Office queues and won't worry about EVRI or RM not coping with an entirely predictable seasonal backlog.  It's strangely liberating. Good wishes to all and I hope I'll feel like restarting ..maybe in Feb. 26?

[rwil2172]

I have just attempted to relist an unsold item. I can't find a way of opting out of Simple Delivery. Once my listed items have finished or moved to 'Unsold', I will not be relisting them.

There seems to be the option to choose to remove certain couriers, with the exception of DHL - are they associated with Ebay by any chance?

[jonatjonatjonat]

There seems to be the option to choose to remove certain couriers, with the exception of DHL - are they associated with Ebay by any chance?

aside from having signed a contract with eBay to be one of the simple delivery couriers, no.

The only reason DHL can’t be removed is they are the only courier for oversize and bulky goods. 

[berniehurn]

I’ve just cancelled my shop subscription due to this stupid option. What is the point?? You would think eBay is being run by someone called Starmer 😡

[suelel1968]

My take on the response on the Community was that Kat really did not know exactly what was going to happen so was suitably vague. I do have some listings which are under £20, but have been able to be listed as Yodel parcel. I am now assuming these are the ones being referred to.  

[gjalp]

Any listing of mine that is currently on custom and is flipped to SD will be ended. Forever. Never to return. If it’s all of them then that’s the end of the road for me as a private seller.

[pjdj89]

I completely agree with you. This new Simple Delivery setup has taken away way too much control from sellers. Not being able to choose our own courier, add our own tracking, or use the postal method that actually suits the item is a huge step backwards. I want items delivered safely, not dumped outside or delayed for days. The fact that eBay forces this system on us and then keeps the money until they feel like releasing it is just ridiculous.

It honestly feels like they’re pushing away the small, reliable, occasional sellers who helped build the platform in the first place. I’m also at the point where I’m not sure it’s worth continuing if this is the direction they’re going.

[papso22]

If they push away all the business sellers masquerading as private sellers by selling on private accounts, I will be delighted.

[jonatjonatjonat]

A limited company as well this one.

[theelench]

Corporate greed never takes a day off or a holiday, especially one centered around family, kindness and giving.

Happy Christmas Eve.

Hope you enjoy your Christmas.

[suelel1968]

Did anything happen?

[jckl1957]

No.  Not for jewellery sales anyway.

If you look at my listings, (feel free to make a bid or buy something😀), most are under £20 and large letter, and are still eligible for custom postage.