topic Re: Politely refusing combined postage? in Selling

Politely refusing combined postage?

van_werkhoven — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 19:57:17 GMT

I offer combined shipping, which is fine, for satchels. However, many of my items are sent via large letter. Some can be combined, but many can not, only one will fit in the large letter, and two large letters is still cheaper than a parcel.

Nonetheless I constantly get people asking for a combined invoice for two items, both of which are listed with $2.50 postage costs. I don't know what to say to these people. The truth is I CANT combine them, but I feel like, if I say that, I risk coping a low DSR for postage cost or even a neg for not combining because buyers don't care how australia post handles letters and packages, so at the moment I end up dropping a few dollars out of my profit to discount it for them.

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

aps1080 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 20:21:28 GMT

I was going to say "buyer expectations" and your explanation but having read it in your description, I like it.

The only thing I would possibly do is make it less wordy and point form.

And maybe bold some words to highlight.

Where you have "I LOVE TO combine shipping", I would add "WHERE POSSIBLE - See notes below"

"The truth is I CANT combine them,"

You need to say it like it is and maybe an indication in the description.

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

harley_babes_hoard — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 20:26:34 GMT

put your single postage price up to cover at least 2 items eg $5.00. If a buyer only purchases one item then refund them if you so choose. if they buy 2 items with postage @ $5.00 bucks each then you can combine postage happily for them.

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

treasuress.4207 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 20:58:05 GMT

When combining items, often it's more economical to use a satchel, which reduces the cost, however this isn't always the case unfortunately. With the items you have bought, it is actually more economical to post them separately, as combining them would actually increase the shipping costs, thanks to Australia Post.

That's what I use - for exactly the same reason. I've had no blowback yet.

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

dylan11235813 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 21:08:17 GMT

I have massive card envelopes (I think they are about A3 size). The postie must hate me. AusPost should make a fairer system.

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

bigbrickshop — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 21:16:29 GMT

@treasuress.4207 wrote:
When combining items, often it's more economical to use a satchel, which reduces the cost, however this isn't always the case unfortunately. With the items you have bought, it is actually more economical to post them separately, as combining them would actually increase the shipping costs, thanks to Australia Post.

We use similar.

You could add a cut and paste from the Aus Post site:

A large letter can be up to 360mm x 260mm in size, 20mm thick and weigh up to 500 grams. Anything larger than this is a parcel.

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

aps1080 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 21:38:22 GMT

dylan

We have a pretty good postal system in this country, considering how big it is. Yes, it is cracking under the strain but

we have plnety of options in most cases but you will always find some things just don't go. On the other hand,

satchels and letters as described above are great.

Some good examples are, you can post a DVD as a letter for I think about $1.70 across Aus. Satchels, 500gm, 3kg and5kg normal and Express make postage to far away places very enconomical.

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

dylan11235813 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 21:39:43 GMT

If something is under 500g I prefer to send as a letter and register rather than use a satchel, it depends on the order though, there is a little stuffing around. Plus stamps can be purchased cheap.

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

aps1080 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 21:55:12 GMT

That's why I have an account plus a Rubber stamp. Plus the $ value doesn't show.

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

phorum_junkie* — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 22:20:44 GMT

I state that I am happy to give a combined postage discount where it works out cheaper. In the rare case that it doesn't I just reply to the request explaining that combined would be more expensive.

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

clarry100 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 22:22:20 GMT

I've seen envelopes marked "Postage Paid" with some kind of rubber stamp.

Seems like such a stamp would be pretty easy to have made up (in China they can make anything you want).

How do you get these?

And what are the benefits, if any?

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

go-tazz — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 22:32:08 GMT

I put that I'm happy to combine postage where possible and will let a buyer know if items can't be combined,

(I let them know the weight of each item and why they can't be combined).

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

aps1080 — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:49:15 GMT

"How do you get these?

And what are the benefits, if any?"

You have to have an account with the Aust Post.

You buy the rubber stamp from them.

EVERYthing you post under that account has to be stamped with the rubber stamp.

No more paper stamps, no $$$ amount on the envelopes or boxes.

(You can often make a $ or two on the postage).

Only one piece od paper to be filled in which receipt is stapled to so easy to find a record.

That's just my HO.

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

cherry*135 — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 00:11:50 GMT

Put in something like this in description?

Item sent at letter rate $ 2.50 .

2 items at letter rate $5.00

Parcel rate for more than 2 items - up to 500g - $8.00

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

digital*ghost — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 01:13:14 GMT

I had the same issue early on, and usually if someone asked I'd explain about it being more cost effective to send as two packages due to the size etc, but gave a 50c discount on the total anyway because 1 payment for two items = 1 less PayPal flagfall. (I always said something along the lines of savings would be minimal due to it being more cost effective to send two packages, but I'll provide the discount as a thank you / courtesy for the multiple purchase - was always thanked kindly. 🙂 )

Re: Politely refusing combined postage?

springyzone — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 02:53:21 GMT

I don't know how it would affect your selling, but are you able to bump the price of your large letter items up $2.50 and then advertise them as 'free postage'.

You can't do better than free, now can you, so people who buy two iems should not be hassling you then.