Simple delivery - is there any way around it?

[jocol_7214]

Hi guys, I sell pokemon cards on Ebay and just like everyone else I've been forced into this simple delivery thing. When I am selling cards it isn't a problem as the system always gives me a Tracked 48/24 large letter. 

I've decided to sell my old Xbox Series S on ebay however and I want to send it DPD next day, as they're the courier I trust the most. I assumed that ebay would show me the buyer's address before I generate the simple delivery label so I can just buy the postage elsewhere but as far as I'm aware they don't? 

Is there any way around this? 

I really don't trust Royal Mail to send a potential £150 parcel, being totally honest. I've already disabled Evri for the same reason.

[jckl1957]

With Simple Delivery, the item would be covered for damage in transit, or loss by the carrier.

However, if you really don't want to use it, you can buy your own postage direct from DPD and send it that way.

You will lose out on any difference in postage between SD and DPD but you would be able to claim back for your SD label and may be able to change the tracking.

[jocol_7214]

So I would have to generate the simple delivery label and then claim back the cost of purchasing from DPD with eBay? 

How do I submit that claim?

And how would I change the tracking number?

[jckl1957]

No.

You would have to pay yourself for the DPD label.

You would then have to claim the cost of the Simple Delivery label as you would not use it.

There is a post, in this forum I think, dealing with how to claim back the label cost and change the tracking.

Personally,  I would just use SD.

I have actually used it a couple of times with no issues and it seems to me (personal opinion) that the vast majority of people moaning and complaining have not actually used it and are seeing issues where there are none.

[dls-online · Accepted solution]

To clarify a few points:

(1) With Simple Delivery, you MIGHT be covered for damage or loss by the carrier. You also MIGHT not, as there are a heck of a lot of exemptions. Simple delivery is new and currently being tested by us all!

(2) Agreed, you can claim back on unused Simple Delivery labels as long as you complete this form within 14 days of creating the unused Simple Delivery label:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/claims/simple-delivery/refund/seller

(3) Yes, tracking can be updated manually. This is done as follows:

• Go to "Orders Paid & Dispatched"
• Click on "View order details"
• Within the "Postage" section there's a small dropdown arrow next to "Track Package" - click on that.
• Click on the "Add tracking" option
• A box will come up with the current tracking number (i.e. the pesky Simple Delivery forced one). Delete that and replace it with your own DPD one.

[jocol_7214]

Lovely mate, thanks a lot.

I looked through that link and it says I have to offer free shipping to the buyer.

Should I update my listing now to free shipping?

 

[dls-online]

You can only get a refund for an unused Simple Delivery postage label if you were the one who originally paid for the unused Simple Delivery postage! So yes, if you're planning to circumvent Simple Delivery (which is exactly what I've been doing too), then it's recommended you offer free postage, so you can then claim back the cost for the unused Simple Delivery postage label.

If you had the buyer pay for the postage instead, then they'd automatically receive a refund for the unused postage instead (after 14 days of it not being used).

Hope that makes sense. Cheers : )

[jocol_7214]

Okay I think I've got it.

Just for clarification:

1) Set free postage 

2) Generate the pre-paid label with SD to get the buyer's address 

3) Buy the postage externally and swap out the tracking 

4) Fill out the above form to get refunded on the unused SD label

Is this all correct?

[dls-online]

As a workaround to Simple Delivery, you are correct, that 4-stage summery is absolutely spot on. Just make sure when you complete the refund form (4), that you do that within 14 days of generating the Simple Delivery label (2).

When doing this, to make sure I don't forget, I've literally completed the form as soon as I've sorted the alternative postage.

[j.p.greenwood]

According to the E-Bay rules no carrier will cover a Games Console using Simple Delivery, read his to see why with the sources so you can form your own opinion.

https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Seller-Central/Where-you-REALLY-stand-on-shipping-using-Simple-Deliv...

[jocol_7214]

That's great mate, thank you.

Unfortunately it appears I'm stuck with SD as I can't edit the listing at all. People have already bid on it so I'm stuck with paid shipping. Great.

According to another commenter consoles aren't even covered under SD anyway.....

[jocol_7214]

Is that for Royal Mail as well as Evri or just Evri specifically?

I already have Evri disabled for SD. I don't trust them.

[dls-online]

Very helpful indeed, thank you J.P.

I did see a user say "With Simple Delivery, the item would be covered for damage in transit, or loss by the carrier" which I thought was a risky statement to make, considering all of the conversations of late, and indeed Marco from eBay including links to the SD exemptions in his response to your very valid questions.

Until we're seen a proven track record of ebay providing compensation for electrical items etc, I would suggest alternative postage would be a better course of action.

[j.p.greenwood]

You need to read the full post and form your own opinion, that's why I included the links so no-one can accuse me of misrepresenting what E-Bay are saying.

[jocol_7214]

Okay great.

The only problem is I can't set the postage to free as I can't edit my listing. Not entirely sure what to do here.

[j.p.greenwood]

That's your decision to take, you could always cancel the listing and relist and message current bidders there was an issue with the shipping without going into detail, but as I say, that's your decision to take.

[jckl1957]

To cut briefly through the misinformation:

You have chosen only to use Royal Mail.

Simple Delivery uses Royal Mail Tracked 48 (Tracked 24 if the buyer chooses Express Delivery.)

The item you are selling is not on the RM prohibited or restricted list for RM 48.

There is no reason why you should not use the service you currently have advertised on your listing to send your item.  You would need to package it carefully, but that is commonsense anyway.

[suelel1968]

You asked for a way around it. Fbook MP.

As others have said until everything is clearer it's too much of a risk. 

[jocol_7214]

I did originally want to use DPD as they're who I trust the most but I've looked into their prices and for any parcel that's above £50 it's.... expensive. So Royal Mail it is.

I gave their customer services a call just now and they say there's no reason why they wouldn't pay out if the label was generated through eBay so I think I'll be okay. SD is very annoying but what everyone's telling me is much more of an inconvenience.

Appreciate the help mate, enjoy your Sunday 

[j.p.greenwood]

>Simple Delivery uses Royal Mail Tracked 48 (Tracked 24 if the buyer chooses Express Delivery.)

Could you show me a link where it says this in the E-Bay terms so I can update my post possibly?

While the items may be going through the internal RM system as Tracked, unless it's specifically stated somewhere in the T's & C's that they're either officially using that service there's the possibility that claims could be declined later.  Also, until someone from E-Bay addresses the outstanding question of whether the Simple Delivery compensation claims are being paid for directly by E-Bay, or whether E-Bay are acting as an agent and it's the couriers that are actually liable it's still an uncertainty that E-Bay or the Couriers could use to deny claims.

Some may read this and say I'm being overly nit picking, they may not feel the same way if their claim in three months is declined and they can't get a straight answer as to why, with both parties saying the other is responsible, thus the clarity is needed in the T's & C's now, so members can make fully informed selling decisions.