topic Re: FREE postage on multiples in Selling

FREE postage on multiples

gardening70 — Wed, 21 May 2014 09:35:14 GMT

Australian Sellers mostly add the postage cost onto their item then list as FREE postage. This is fine, but if a seller has mutiples of the same item and buyers buy more than one, then buyers are in fact paying full postage on every mutiple they buy. So an item listed at $15 (which includes $7 post) is fine for 1 item but start muliplying that and it gets nasty.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

davewil1964 — Wed, 21 May 2014 10:01:07 GMT

@gardening70 wrote:
Australian Sellers mostly add the postage cost onto their item then list as FREE postage. This is fine, but if a seller has mutiples of the same item and buyers buy more than one, then buyers are in fact paying full postage on every mutiple they buy. So an item listed at $15 (which includes $7 post) is fine for 1 item but start muliplying that and it gets nasty.

Where did you get that idea? I know for a fact that the majority of members who post on the powersellers board have decided NOT to offer 'free' post for parcel items. Including me.

I would be interested in any stats you have that support your position, though.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

davewil1964 — Wed, 21 May 2014 10:48:50 GMT

Because they are not parcels. Simple. And this me is not my PS me.

And if you care to look at my pre-list ID they are all 'free' post, even parcels. because I don't have a lot listed and am unlikely to get multiple purchases.

On my selling ID, however, only letter rate items are quoted with 'free' post. I you don't believe me simply look at the posts on this subject on the PS board. You are a PS, so it shouldn't be that hard.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

colic2bullsgirlore — Wed, 21 May 2014 10:52:46 GMT

Do a search on all categories for an a

I get 5,018,463 results for "a".

Selecting the appropriate check box gives 1,632,520 results for "a" with free postage

Approximately 33% of sellers that have an "a" in their listing title offer free post.

So the figures above suggest that 1/3 of all ebay sellers whether powersellers or not offer free postage at present.

sample two do a search for and

4,698,585 results for "and"
3,094,937 results for "and" with free postage

So approximately 70% of sellers with and in their title offer free postage

At a rough guesstimate...with a stiff breeze (and in the absence of any statistics from ebay other than distorted indoctrinated rhetoric) ........ I would suggest that somewhere between 33% and 70% of ebayers sellers whether powersellers or not offer free post..... 52% springs to mind

If you offer free post on your items then consider utilizing the best offer feature.

You can advertise that on your listing.

ie "If you would like to buy more than one like item or a number of different items from our inventory then please feel

free to use the best offer feature stating amount and price."

Re: FREE postage on multiples

china2u4u — Wed, 21 May 2014 10:54:04 GMT

Out of curiosity, how can you post a book at letter rates?

When I went into Australia Post to post a thumb drive recently, in an envelope, it was charged at parcel rates, not letter rates, becuse it would not quite fit through the narrow slot that Australia Post uses to 'measure' thicker envelopes for parcel rate vs. letter rate.

Your tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

harley_babes_hoard — Wed, 21 May 2014 11:45:31 GMT

That's what ebay told us buyers wanted. free post LOL

Re: FREE postage on multiples

bruce-linn — Wed, 21 May 2014 12:00:43 GMT

China,

Post your drive in a small padded envelope as a Large Letter. $1.40 for 125gms anywhere in Australia.

Best wishes

Re: FREE postage on multiples

davewil1964 — Wed, 21 May 2014 12:02:53 GMT

This does not however determine those items that are posted as parcels.

Refer my previous posts. Even the one where I am talking to myself. And, no I didn't report.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

cherry*135 — Wed, 21 May 2014 12:05:39 GMT

So an item listed at $15 (which includes $7 post) is fine for 1 item but start muliplying that and it gets nasty.

Yes, it does. Would put the buyer off buying more than one, unless the seller has written in the description that they offer reduced price for combined items, but only if the buyer requests a new combined invoice BEFORE they make payment.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

davewil1964 — Wed, 21 May 2014 12:12:18 GMT

If they are under 2cm, packed, they can go as large letters. Anything can, actually, but books are paper so doubly so.

Once upon a time you could send books at special rates.....

Re: FREE postage on multiples

jensmanchester-australia — Wed, 21 May 2014 12:16:33 GMT

So an item listed at $15 (which includes $7 post) is fine for 1 item but start muliplying that and it gets nasty.

On free post items the seller is unable to offer any form of discount on the invoice.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

cherry*135 — Wed, 21 May 2014 12:24:02 GMT

OK, I was going on listings with separate postage.

They seller could still offer a partial refund through paypal for free post items? Deducting the 9.9% ebay fee from the total amount of the refund.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

jensmanchester-australia — Wed, 21 May 2014 12:40:41 GMT

If you do too many refunds or partial refunds through Paypal they don't like it and they can restrict your Paypal account.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

china2u4u — Thu, 22 May 2014 00:17:36 GMT

I tried that, but because the padded envelope would not fit through the slot, Australia Post refused to post it at letter rates, and told me that it had to be posted as a small parcel < 500g for $7.20. Does your P.O. not use the magical cardboard with slot measuring device to sort out letters from non-letters/parcels?? I wish I had an eBay seller friendly P.O. near me!!

Re: FREE postage on multiples

china2u4u — Thu, 22 May 2014 00:19:44 GMT

Re: FREE postage on multiples

china2u4u — Thu, 22 May 2014 00:24:12 GMT

Please tell me your PS eBay ID so that I can have a look.

Re:

Because they are not parcels. Simple. And this me is not my PS me.

And if you care to look at my pre-list ID they are all 'free' post, even parcels. because I don't have a lot listed and am unlikely to get multiple purchases.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

davewil1964 — Thu, 22 May 2014 08:32:39 GMT

@china2u4u wrote:
Please tell me your PS eBay ID so that I can have a look.

Re:

Because they are not parcels. Simple. And this me is not my PS me.

And if you care to look at my pre-list ID they are all 'free' post, even parcels. because I don't have a lot listed and am unlikely to get multiple purchases.

On my selling ID, however, only letter rate items are quoted with 'free' post. I you don't believe me simply look at the posts on this subject on the PS board. You are a PS, so it shouldn't be that hard.

No.

What I said is what I said.

If a book can go as a letter (for $1.70) that is the way it goes. As I self-insure for these, I can just put them in the red box anyway.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

chezzy — Thu, 22 May 2014 10:13:22 GMT

@china2u4u wrote:
I tried that, but because the padded envelope would not fit through the slot, Australia Post refused to post it at letter rates, and told me that it had to be posted as a small parcel < 500g for $7.20. Does your P.O. not use the magical cardboard with slot measuring device to sort out letters from non-letters/parcels?? I wish I had an eBay seller friendly P.O. near me!!

Then perhaps don't use the 'puffy' padded envelopes. You can get flat cardboard mailers that should do the trick. Or pack the item between some cardboard and pop in a normal envelope, reinforcing it with some sticky tape if needed. You are not limited to AP's padded bags.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

misterforgetfulsbooks — Thu, 22 May 2014 10:54:40 GMT

a bit of a gripe of mine too

okay, the items are $29.99 free post, post = $13.40ea. for 600gm

you want five of them and don't want to pay $149.95 because you believe the post will only cost $16.70 because you sell similar stuff and know the postage for them.

You therefore inform the seller that you want to pay $100 for these five items because of the combined postage being cheaper.

To which the seller says they cannot do it, you then just inform them they have lost a sale and you move on.

Some people just don't want to make sales.

Re: FREE postage on multiples

chezzy — Thu, 22 May 2014 11:24:14 GMT

Yes, I had some manchester on my watch list, a price I was willing to pay (when I got around to it!). Postage was seperate and based on Australia Post satchel prices. Description also encouraged combining items - and gave an idea of postage costs (only a couple dollars extra for an additional item to be added, so quite reasonable). Next thing you know, the listing had been changed to free post, item price increased 'accordingly' and any mention of combining completely gone from the description.

So those listings got deleted from my watch list and they have missed out on sales.