topic Re: eBay plus express postage in Selling

eBay plus express postage

capesydney — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 05:54:48 GMT

An eBay Plus metro buyer can now now get free express postage on any of my eBay plus listings even though I have $12.20 express postage listed (Australia Post cost). Ebay pays you a token $4 towards your express postage. I have removed Express Postage from all my listings as I don't want to be $8.20 out of pocket each Express Postage transaction.

This is the first time I'm aware that eBay can override your postage. Anybody experienced similar or have any suggestions?

Re: eBay plus express postage

tazzieterror — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 05:59:46 GMT

There have been a couple of other topics created on here to discuss this as quite a few sellers encountered the same thing.

If you have a search through this selling forum they should be easy to find.

Re: eBay plus express postage

danieh_6 — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 09:46:16 GMT

Yes mate I got burnt for this too recently, Offer express, but set your processing time to 2 business days, I see what you sell I assume you pay $2.20, postage paid imprint or tracked letter for postage?

The policy WAS supposed to work if normal postage is $8.95 and express is $12.20 you supposed to set your express postage upgrade to $4 and the buyer get it for free express. But now its for all express under $15

Re: eBay plus express postage

davewil1964 — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:05:01 GMT

Express prepaid C5 envelopes are $72.65 per 10 pack. About $4.80 per envelope more than standard prepaid C5.

Express prepaid B4 envelopes are $86.30 per 10 pack. About $4.40 more than standard prepaid C4.

If the OP chooses to send 'free' by standard post, then adds the entire cost of express if that is chosen smacks of postage piracy. And if the entire cost of express is in the realm of $12 they are not quoting for letters but for parcels. Which start at $8.95.

I can understand them ratchetting up express costs to avoid people using it, while still retaining the 'advantages' of Plus, but it also behoves the seller to keep up with eBay policies in this regard.

Re: eBay plus express postage

digital*ghost — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:10:47 GMT

@davewil1964 wrote:

If the OP chooses to send 'free' by standard post, then adds the entire cost of express if that is chosen smacks of postage piracy. And if the entire cost of express is in the realm of $12 they are not quoting for letters but for parcels. Which start at $8.95.

One could also assume they are actually providing free standard postage, and not free express, if one were in the mood to be a little more charitable in their assumptions. It is possible, just rare.

Also, pre-paid express envelopes are for documents only, which once included things like CDs and USB sticks, but doesn't anymore.

Re: eBay plus express postage

davewil1964 — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:23:36 GMT

Fair enough.

I only send 'documents' and I don't offer express as an option. I only use it if specifically requested, which happens about twice a year.

Re: eBay plus express postage

digital*ghost — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:32:28 GMT

I'm finding express super popular at the moment, I'm getting more choosing that than I normally would the week or two before Christmas (which also saw spikes in express being chosen) but I charge for both standard and express. Currently there is an $8+ difference in the cost of my default postage and express, since I use letter post for regular mail, but obviously can only use parcel post for express.

Which is not wholly relevent to much of the points raised in the thread, except the increased popularity of express in current conditions (if being experienced by other sellers) could seriously be a killer for those who wanted to have Plus items but use letter post.

If eBay will contribute $4 an unlimited number of times for other sellers, perhaps it's not too much to ask them to re-assess their unwillingness to contribute $8 even once for other sellers. (Yar, I can hear the laughing from here ).

Re: eBay plus express postage

davewil1964 — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:37:15 GMT

Re: eBay plus express postage

danieh_6 — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 12:55:01 GMT

In my experience it really is documents only, if you send a CD or cord or something to the thickness of 20mm, its a risk cause you can get slacked with underpaid or no delivery.

Re: eBay plus express postage

davewil1964 — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 13:32:51 GMT

@danieh_6 wrote:
In my experience it really is documents only, if you send a CD or cord or something to the thickness of 20mm, its a risk cause you can get slacked with underpaid or no delivery.

I only send 'documents'

However, what is good for untracked should also be good for tracked or express. They go through the same AP systems I would imagine. It's just that some get pushed through the system 'faster' or get scanned occasionally.

Re: eBay plus express postage

digital*ghost — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 13:41:22 GMT

In the case of express letters, it might be that making them (flexible) document only enables machine sorting through the letter sorters, whereas if they allow them to contain anything, they'd have to hand-sort any that contain rigid items (i.e stuff you'd normally send in thick padded mailers, or flat boxes, as those have to be hand sorted). If the contents prevent machine sorting used for letters, express is likely only feasible if they were sorted electronically the same way parcels are, and so need to be sent through the parcel service (at least, for the next day guarantee to be able to be upheld where applicable, and when it's in effect).

Re: eBay plus express postage

4476.iveco — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 06:46:49 GMT

We have been using CD boxes for many small items over the last 5 years, sending as a large letter. On occasion if on the borderline of 20mm we put 3 x $1.10 stamps on & put it in the box outside the PO.....never had a problem & that way the staff in the PO are not responsible if over 20mm. Yes we have been caught a few times with the Ebay $4 where we clearly state $8 extra for express, but only a few times, so no big deal.

Re: eBay plus express postage

danieh_6 — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 08:00:48 GMT

The difference is some of the items I sell are phone parts, if I send them in a C5 or B4 express envelope they get pinged half the time nor will PO accept it.

Re: eBay plus express postage

nick01tech — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 06:39:14 GMT

I am also effected by this ridiculous scam.

As a seller you really need to sharpen your prices otherwise you do not sell. I charge a fair price but low profit. Next I offer free standard parcel post which costs me $8.95, and offer express postage option of $5.00.

With Ebay Plus, buyers usually choose the Express option at no cost to them, however it costs me to provide this option. Example:

Item Sells for $26.99

Ebay pays to $4.00 for Express postage

Ebay pays me 30.99

Hello, I am selling for under cost. Minimum payment should be 31.99.

When I contacted customer services, they were no help at all. I explained that if Ebay pays for $4.00 for Express postage, then the buyer should be paying the extra $1 for postage. Which is fair. They provided no answers except, I am exptected to cover the extra $1 cost. They will provide feedback on this matter to their manager, I'm sure everyone gets this standard reply.

At the risk of losing sales, by not offering Express Postage, I am not prepared to keep making losses at Ebays expense. So if my express postage was $15.00, I would need to stump up $11.00 because Ebay will only cover $4. The buyer does not pay any extra for Express.

Under Ebay Plus, they say that a fair amount for Express needs to be charged, max $15.00. My point is not matter what is charged, they only cover you $4.00. This is a Robin Hood policy, robbing sellers to pay buyers.

Has anyone challenged this policy, or is it best not to offer Ebay Plus.

Your views will be appreciated.

Re: eBay plus express postage

*tippy*toes* — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 01:17:50 GMT

I make sure my listings don't qualify for plus. I don't sell to be ripped off by eBay. I charge $12.50 for express for under500g. Why should I be out of pocket $8.50 because eBay has decided it's a good idea?

Re: eBay plus express postage

Anonymous — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 05:37:54 GMT

The scam doesn't stop there, ebay then take a final value fee from the $4 they have 'given' you so you areout of pocket even more than you think. I've just been caught with this rort so am changing all the listings to 2 day handling to avoid ebay plus