topic Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post in Selling

Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

twicetoldau11 — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 04:49:27 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I have a bunch of books by the same authors (e.g. James Patterson) and usually I'd bulk them together in a listing (say 8 titles) - usually what happens is I'll get buyers message me saying "I want 6 of the titles listed but I already have 2 of them can I swap them out" etc.

So I tried using a variation listing - so sellers could make their choices and "theoretically " I could combine them at the end. This way I could give choice to the consumer (a good thing) and not have the hassle of mix and matching listings. So I structured it the following way - large PBK's were $5 each plus $9.60 post but if they purchased more than 1 book from me, I'd absorb the post. So it was $9.60 for 1 or all 43 books listed,

I took this approach only to cover the issue of someone buying only 1 book .

I made a graphic (see end of question to explain the process. So far I have had only 3 buyers use this approach successfully (all have given glowing feedback) but I have also lost a bunch of sales (where the books are in the buyers cart!) because of the steps required by the eBay system to combine post have confounded the buyer.

So my question is - is there a way I can allowing buyer choice in a way that's simple/intuitive (you know like on other webstores) but not getting burnt on post if they only buy 1 book ? Note I have reverted back to bulk listings...

Regards

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

janeababe — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 13:50:54 GMT

I’ve just had a look at your listings.
Everyone one of them is listed with “free postage”…. So I’m a bit sidetracked with what you’re actually asking here?

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

twicetoldau11 — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 22:58:00 GMT

Hi Janeababe,

thanks for having a look, really apricate you taking the time.

As I indicated in the message above, I've gone back to bulk listings purely because I was spending way too much time after work dealing with confused buyers or refunding postage.

Below is an image of one of the original posts - but the issue wasn't necessarily with the first page of the listing. The issue came at the back end when (most) people:

1. Couldn't find the request total (for instance it's apparently doesn't appear when using the eBay app...)

2. Panicked as the post added up - sent me a panicked email and bailed from the purchase before I could send new invoice.

3. sent me frustrated emails wanting to bypass this system and "just buy them"...

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

domino-710 — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 23:34:38 GMT

Your listings are showing - FREE POSTAGE.

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

twicetoldau11 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 00:14:08 GMT

Hi Domino-710,

thanks for taking the time to answer - as already stated in my other messages (above)

I have reverted back to a free post/bulk model so my current lists are not the issue - I'm trying to find a way to continue using variation/multi-purchases without the issues I've outlined. What I have put up in images is what I was (past tense) doing and would like to continue doing without the buyer confusion and hassle.

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

zanadoo_56 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 02:09:33 GMT

I would not ask the buyer to request a total from the Cart. That means they are committed to the sale and no doubt the initial postage amount scares the off, plus they may decide to add a book or two before buying.

I'd suggest they got through Contact Seller (provide image or link so they know where to go) to request an invoice with the revised postage.

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

twicetoldau11 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 08:09:10 GMT

Hi zanadoo_56,

thanks, much appreciated

I’ll look into it

is there anyway of automating this process?

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

janeababe — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 08:33:05 GMT

I don’t sell, but I do use the cart when buying.
My most recent bulk purchase from the one seller, the cart automatically adjusted the postage and I didn’t have to contact the seller at all. Overall, postage ‘would have been over $60’ but because it was automatically adjusted in the cart, I only paid about $37. (Or there about) and two items were large.

So perhaps there is a setting you can adjust in the cart function so that your buyer will only pay a

max of $9.80 or whatever costs you set.
😌

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

twicetoldau11 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 09:01:53 GMT

So it can be done/?I thought there must be a way, now just got to find it. Thanks!

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

davewil1964 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 10:04:36 GMT

Not with 'Contact Seller'. It means they contact you, you work out a price and post a listing for the required books at the agreed price. They buy and pay, you ship.

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

twicetoldau11 — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 22:36:05 GMT

Hi davewill1964.

Gahh!!

I've been an eBayer since 2001 (closed my original account in disgust when the then CEO stated they didn't want eBay to be a flea market but another Amazon 😂) came back in 2011 and still can't work out to automate what should be a straightforward process.

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

eol-products — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 08:45:59 GMT

I have set a maximum shipping price for 3 items or more and just exclude larger items from the discount.

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

twicetoldau11 — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 04:34:40 GMT

Hi eol-products,

thanks for the advice do you do this manually or automatically and though what mechanism - changing something in the flat rate, shipping etc. ?
thanks

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

eol-products — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 06:28:42 GMT

It has been many years since setting it up but in my listing is a check box called calculated postage rule. I just select it when I list smaller items below 5kg. If i remember there was a bunch of options on setting calculated postage rules and they can be hard to implement if your items vary too much in size. I cant remember where to find it though.

Re: Selling Multiple Books by the Same Author - allowing buyer choice but not getting burnt on post

twicetoldau11 — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 07:04:44 GMT

Thanks gives me another avenue to look at

cheers!