Simple delivery: will I have to stop buying my postage elsewhere?

[johnwash1]

At present I use RM's Click and Collect.  Very convenient for me.  And it means ebay don't know when I dispatch earlier than they expect (my buyers do, because I message them) and so they don't use their 'algorithm' to screw over my EDDs.

Does 'Simple Delivery' mean I'm going to be forced to use ebay for postage?

[tpogodin]

I don't think they'll make Simple Delivery compulsory until a collection option is added for all services. 

Regardless, I still have my reservations based on previous experience. When I switched to Royal Mail collection, due to the closure of my local post office, I was originally buying via eBay but for some reason the actual collection date was booked with a 1 day delay (for example a label bought on a Monday was automatically booked in for collection on the Wednesday).

On the Royal Mail website you can book collection for the the next day up until midnight so I've been avoiding buying postage via eBay to ensure swift dispatch.

[marcusrowland0]

I mostly sell photographic items, which I really prefer to have handled by Royal Mail - I don't think they've ever lost or damaged a parcel I've sent anywhere in the UK.

The Simple Delivery thing started coming up for me when I posted listings at the start of the month, but initially only appeared when I posted a new listing. As of today I'm having to de-select Simple Delivery if I repeat a listing, as well as when I create a new one. I have to assume that nobody responsible for this insane mess has ever had to deal with Evri losing or damaging a parcel, and that all of them have the time to visit two or more drop-off points whenever they want to send a parcel. I unfortunately am not in this position, and this does become compulsory I will probably have to stop selling here.

[wintersdawn1]

Use the link below to de-select evri for Simple Delivery:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/ship/prf

[marcusrowland0]

Thanks - took me three attempts to get it to work but I got there in the end. This still isn't ideal since I wouldn't be able to print labels in advance, and I send enough parcels that I really don't want to end up sending them to the wrong people, but at least I will hopefully not have to send anything via Evri.

[ladieswear1]

Just come off the phone with ebay customer services, There is a problem in that Simple Postage cannot be changed to Advanced Postage on all listings, when creating a new listing. It is a know problem with ebay it development.  

[marcusrowland0]

Haven't encountered that one yet. Maybe try creating the listing as a modified copy of one of your existing listings?

[eastern-lights]

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@marcusrowland0 wrote:

Haven't encountered that one yet. Maybe try creating the listing as a modified copy of one of your existing listings?

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That is how I work, and it works. I use Sell Similar, it is defaulted to Simple Delivery but can be changed to Advanced Postage with a few clicks.

[suewoo666]

Yes!  Simple Delivery will be mandatory...

This is the end of eBay for me after 20 years. There is no way to charge a small amount for packaging - eBay, on their 'Simple Delivery' hide anything else so if you want to pack your, possibly fragile, item securely you will have to foot the bill for this. Today I queried with eBay why my £3.75 postage, which my buyer paid, was reduced to £3.06 in the breakdown as being eBay's estimate of the postage cost on the date it was listed (!!) and then i got nothing - i had to post it through Evri - it didn't even let me see the buyer's address until the label was printed. The label position on the page is then set so you need to use an A4 label sheet for every two labels rather than 4. I had a long and tortuous 'debate' on the phone with an agent who eventually told me that Simple postage is now mandatory and they will be letting sellers know 'next week'. I am absolutely furious.

This, on top of Buyer protection Fee, has made it impossible to sell competitively on eBay. My buyers don't need protection from me!! I have 100% feedback rating over 20 years - this is just another money-making scam from eBay. The price with the protection fee is not competitive for anything and i am not even getting views let alone watchers!! Identical listings where items sold for £10 plus £3.75 postage and packing 6 weeks ago, have necessitated me reducing to £2.75, few people, if any looking, and now a silly offer of 75p!!!!! - Then i lose out on the postage as eBay pocket the difference between what Royal Mail Charge and their estimate of Evri! Evri - which used to be Hermes and smashed an antique set of China worth over £100 a few years ago by leaving the box out in the rain until it was so sodden that it collapsed!! Well done eBay - no regard for your customers!

[suewoo666]

No!  I have been told it is becoming mandatory and users will be told next week!!!

Yes!  Simple Delivery will be mandatory...

This is the end of eBay for me after 20 years. There is no way to charge a small amount for packaging - eBay, on their 'Simple Delivery' hide anything else so if you want to pack your, possibly fragile, item securely you will have to foot the bill for this. Today I queried with eBay why my £3.75 postage, which my buyer paid, was reduced to £3.06 in the breakdown as being eBay's estimate of the postage cost on the date it was listed (!!) and then i got nothing - i had to post it through Evri - it didn't even let me see the buyer's address until the label was printed. The label position on the page is then set so you need to use an A4 label sheet for every two labels rather than 4. I had a long and tortuous 'debate' on the phone with an agent who eventually told me that Simple postage is now mandatory and they will be letting sellers know 'next week'. I am absolutely furious.

This, on top of Buyer protection Fee, has made it impossible to sell competitively on eBay. My buyers don't need protection from me!! I have 100% feedback rating over 20 years - this is just another money-making scam from eBay. The price with the protection fee is not competitive for anything and i am not even getting views let alone watchers!! Identical listings where items sold for £10 plus £3.75 postage and packing 6 weeks ago, have necessitated me reducing to £2.75, few people, if any looking, and now a silly offer of 75p!!!!! - Then i lose out on the postage as eBay pocket the difference between what Royal Mail Charge and their estimate of Evri! Evri - which used to be Hermes and smashed an antique set of China worth over £100 a few years ago by leaving the box out in the rain until it was so sodden that it collapsed!! Well done eBay - no regard for your customers!

[johnwash1]

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@suewoo666 wrote:

No!  I have been told it is becoming mandatory and users will be told next week!!!

Yes!  Simple Delivery will be mandatory...

...

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I'll believe it when I see it, since I've heard incorrect statements from CS so many times.

But if it really does happen it's clear there'll be a mass exodus to v, eb.d, fb, g.mtree, freegle, ebuyg.mm, et.y, etc.

It's not year 2000.  Ebay isn't the only game in town.

However, like many others, I shall continue selling here (as well as exploring other options) until I definitely find that I can't prevent SD on my listings.  If that happens I shall end all my listings and relist for local collection only (which of course will be a killer, but will preserve my listings until someone in the ozone layer gets a clue and reinstates Sensible Delivery as an option).  So, ebay, if you're listening, don't give up yet, you haven't lost me yet!

[suewoo666]

Update!!!

Thanks to everyone on here who came up with suggestions.  I tried it last night on items listed but still with more than 24 hours to run so that i could revise them.  Trust it will be the same if i list a new item - i will try that later today to check if you can still list a new item with old-style postage option.  In the meantime... this is from memory as i have now changed all mine still active.

Open the item - click revise listing.  Go to postage options and there is a large message that comes up on a black background over the top of the 'normal' listing banner appearing to only give you one option 'Simple Delivery' However, click on the other option just visible underneath - I think it says Advanced Options or similar and it takes you to a pop up where you can change your current option (which had already been changed to Simple Delivery by eBay (!!) so again click the other option and it gives you the chance to use Royal Mail and the drop down lets you put the price in.  All my items were £3.75 postage so i didn't need to change my choice and am assuming that i could have done, i didn't look further.

Some of my items finish this evening so if this has worked i'll be happy and post the result.  However, the agent i spoke to gave the impression that, from next week, there won't be a choice,.  Maybe they've realised and changed their mind.... maybe not!!?

[johnwash1]

@suewoo666 

What?  Each one?  Individually?

Wish me good luck if I had to do that with 200+ items.  Unless bulk relist works, this is a non-starter for me.

[suewoo666]

Sadly, that only takes evri off Simple Delivery - it doesn't allow de-selection of Simple Delivery by other couriers.  So they will still charge the customer what they want and you won't get the payment!

[netrgr72]

I spoke with eBay yesterday as the ‘opt out’ of simple postage, and select own method button disappeared on my listing page. Was told that eventually eBay wants everyone to go through Simple pay and other options will probably be fazed out. I really do hate being strong armed into doing things. They say it’s because lost or damaged parcels end up on their shoulders. I have never had issues making a claim with Royal Mail and I’ve never had to with EVRI. I collect Tesco Clubcard points with Evri postage. Will that still be an option?! Can’t collect Nectar Points anymore either. Also noticed the ‘offer free postage’ option has disappeared, so can’t just send it foc and add the postage charge to the item. 

[kath3735_wxmjn]

same with me,  not going until it actually comes in.  Then it will be a case of deleting all my items.

[kath3735_wxmjn]

so how do lost and damaged parcels end up on E Bays shoulders?  Someone puts in a claim and it is the  seller who has to cough up in the end!   

[ceres_plantery]

You can revert back to old way if you go down to the postage area and you will see this

Postage is now easier. CLICK ON Switch to advanced options

and it will show you this 

 Then you click Switch to advanced options AGAIN just above. You will be taken to the old format. 

[eastern-lights]

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@kath3735_wxmjn wrote:

so how do lost and damaged parcels end up on E Bays shoulders?  Someone puts in a claim and it is the  seller who has to cough up in the end!   

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And how does what they are doing decrease the likelihood of lost and damaged parcels?

[dd6art]

Most of what I sell on eBay is drop shipped. I produce artwork for mugs and things and a printer prepares it and posts it on my behalf. I have no control over this so I can't sell with simple delivery. I will have no option but to close my eBay operations mid April. They have effectively killed my business (small as it is) and this is a disaster for me. I can't be the only one I this position?

[eastern-lights]

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@dd6art wrote:

Most of what I sell on eBay is drop shipped. I produce artwork for mugs and things and a printer prepares it and posts it on my behalf. I have no control over this so I can't sell with simple delivery. I will have no option but to close my eBay operations mid April. They have effectively killed my business (small as it is) and this is a disaster for me. I can't be the only one I this position?

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You could convert your Ebay account to a business account. As I understand it Simple Delivery is not being inflicted on business accounts, as isn't the Buyer Protection fee or payment holds. Open to correction.