Thread for sellers' experiences of Simple Delivery and if only their chosen carrier is actually used

[jjambadger27]

Yes, I know there are a lot of Simple Delivery threads but I imagine this one will be helpful for others too.

I'm holding off listing any more items and taking existing ones down tomorrow as there's no way that I want to use Evri. I asked earlier this week in the community chat if it's correct that eBay can override my choice of item carrier even if I've specified that I only want to use Royal Mail.

The response was "That could happen, but only under very specific scenarios. For example, if you disable Royal Mail can keep Evri only, but Evri doesn't deliver to the buyer's location, or doesn't offer the service needed, then it would be sent with Royal Mail."

Quite ambiguous. Whilst I'm left presuming that only Royal Mail will be used, I don't know for sure which isn't good enough. eBay could at least expand on these other scenarios - after all, they are apparently "very specific". eBay also haven't said what Standard Delivery or Express Delivery represents - Evri or Royal Mail, or RM Tracked 48 and 24 if you've chosen Royal Mail? 

It's rubbish that sellers will be guinea pigs in all of this, but with some brave souls using Simple Delivery already for selling, it would be good to know if their delivery company choices were adhered to or not. 

Better putting that here than some of the more all-encompassing long Simple Delivery threads, I reckon. 

[downsizingxs]

Express is 3 days? Are you saying that eBay calculates that you'll wait to dispatch for 2 days + 1 day delivery? Confused.

[downsizingxs]

Not even tried SD yet. Really confused now - did you opt for buyer to pay P&P or you?

[kath3735_wxmjn]

sorry, cannot join in this thread as i have never used and will never use SD.  My last item was finished a couple of minutes ago!  Sold my last item today as well...    Unless they change their minds in the forseeable future which i cannot see happening.   

[robe_2]

I'm 'lucky' as where I live there is no Evri collection point.However whoever in ebay chose Evri as a reputable carrier needs some serious counselling because Evri  = parcel lost; damaged; delivered to wrong address; late; thrown in garden; dumped in the woods; perm any one of these scenarios  and there will be a true horror account. If ebay insists on this reckless route (and they really do not know best) then its bye bye as I will not have Evri deliver anything to me and I will close my private selling account and also buy elsewhere. Such a shame, why 'fix something that is not broke'

[suelel1968]

No, the screen shot shows a delivery timeframe of 3 days whereas the cheaper option shows 2-3 day, neither of which take into account the three day despatch window, but the blurb says that it does take that into account.....if i paid for express i would not be happy with someone waiting 3 days to post. 

 I changed all my free post to £1.55 under 100g Large letter and set the packaging size and weight to 70g so buyer pays whether ebay agrees with my ability to weigh and size or not. So far that has worked. 

I tried to set the sizes on normal letter, but it didn't allow 0.5cm as a size, on my browser anyway. They always blame the browser.....

The prices of the SD listings were not as suggested when I did the screen shots. People have explained that as VAT. Thats bad. Have they ever heard of testing a system before it goes live I wonder. I never worked anywhere that didn't. 

On the plus side i sold some buttons which i have had for ages and adding £1.55 postage when it was free post previously seemed to make them more desirable. 

[nilem]

Just went through the process with an item listed a week ago on auction at £14.50 Free Postage.  Royal Mail standard 2nd class.

It's 105 x 12 x 2.5 cms & weighs 122g packed. On the order page Ebay had it as <100g & up to 0.5 cms thick (ie Letter not Large Letter), but I could manually enter the correct weight & measurements & select the option it fitted best, ie Royal Mail (I'd deselected Evri in my settings previously) 2nd class < 750g. The cost was £1.80. I've printed the label & will take it to the Post Office tomorrow. If I'd paid at the Post Office it would have been £2.00.

The label says Large Letter 122g on it & Post by 14/4/25. But Ebay have automatically marked it as dispatched already. It doesn't say Market Place seller on it which I've read on the forum it would.

It's been somewhat reassuring though I'll wait for what happens at the Post Office.

Also when I tried the 'Sell Similar' button on the item it came up with package up to 750g & up to 35 x 25 x 2.5 cms SD postage at £2.74. So the £1.80 cost may only have been because this was listed a week ago & if listed now would the postage would be £2.74.

[geosacha007]

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@downsizingxs wrote:

Express is 3 days? Are you saying that eBay calculates that you'll wait to dispatch for 2 days + 1 day delivery? Confused.

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Well I am going to put a note on every listing saying dont buy express as my dispatch time is 3 days and that will not change for express delivery. 

I have never offered express and don t want to now.

But yes ebay have said express delivery dates take account of the sellers stated dispatch time.

[suelel1968]

I was optimistic then that SD was going to allow for up to 250g @ £1.80.  RM reduced the price By 10p and EBay don't let us use it.... Hope I am wrong.

[suelel1968]

I just have a note saying that I usually post Mondays and Thursdays. This always covers 3 day despatch and makes those that order at the weekend quite happy.  I might just add a note to message me if something is urgent and they are using express delivery. But eBay should sort it out not sellers. 

[sumnites]

Left our listings as our PO is close and does Evri too. However our listings are a mess. On the active listings screen the postage amounts are pre SD.  Clicking on individual listings some have been changed to SD but doesnt say only the different amount gives it away.

We had an antique on signed for changed as SD standard £2.71. Found could still change it to custom no SD and reentered the Royal Mail signed for.  This item now shows on the overall listings screen as 'collection in person only' under post cost luckily this is NOT on the listing itself.

Then there is the hunt the SD where some listings have not been changed.

As said hiding which postage is Evri for buyers is not on plus they need to know if a postage method does not cover their location or carries a premium.

Ebay have no idea what they have let themselves and us in for.

[papso22]

If it's the account you are posting from all the listings look fine now.

It's interesting that the choice for buyers is only evident if you click on the details button next to the postage on the main listing page.  If buyers don't do that they will automatically go for the cheapest option as that is the displayed one.

Buyers who are unaware of SD will not think to click on the details to see the choice, I never did pre SD and there is nothing on the main page to let them know there might be an alternative.  So even if ebay were to specify which carrier did which the buyer would only see one on the main listing page, and if that was evri, could be put off purchasing.

[geosacha007]

I certainly didn't realise you got to see the choice if you click on more details.  Thanks for pointing that out.

[jjambadger27]

I've read elsewhere on this board that if Evri is deselected, the post options in Simple Delivery are now Tracked Delivery (Tracked 48) or Express Tracked Delivery (Tracked 24). Can anyone verify this?