topic Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications? in Selling

Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

bobbiegower — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 01:05:09 GMT

Hi, a buyer has bought 2 items and has paid for them separately (including individual postage) but has asked for both items to be posted in the same package. It was my understanding that where items were paid for individually that I had to send them each with their own unique tracking number to be eligible for Paypal protection. Am I still protected if I post 2 items in the one package as per the buyers request? Thanks for your help.

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

curraone — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 01:15:25 GMT

Short answer, no. However you upset the buyer if you don't do what he wants. Rock and a hard place.

Will it be a parcel, or an envelope?

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

bobbiegower — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 01:17:02 GMT

It will be a parcel 🙂

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

aussiebargains_2011 — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 01:29:01 GMT

I'd send them both in a parcel, attach the same tracking number to both items and refund any over payment on postage

people are basicaly honest

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

k1ooo-slr-sales — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 01:31:45 GMT

Bobbie, confirm the buyer request in eBay messages so you can refer PayPal to the message, and send with tracking.

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

digital*ghost — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 01:37:43 GMT

This happens relatively frequently with my items. If ever I'm sending with tracking etc, then I would generally agree with the buyer's request, but as a matter of practicality, I'd refund any excess postage from the lowest value payment, with the notion that if I had to, I would at least be able to qualify for seller protection on the highest value payment.

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

black*poppy — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 01:42:54 GMT

You can't add the same tracking number to two items that aren't combined.

OP, I suggest taking photos when you package the items to show both going in the same bag. I guess you could also involve scales (before packed with items displayed, and after). Not sure if it would actually help in a dispute but can't hurt

Put the tracking on the most expensive item.

When you do the refund in paypal, refund with the item that DOESN'T have tracking (the cheapest one), and put a note in the message that this item is in parcel tracking number xxxx.

I've had to do this many times, no one has tried to claim INR so far. Most buyers are honest, but def open to scamming.

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

black*poppy — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 01:43:21 GMT

Ditto DG re: cheapes item

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

curraone — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 01:50:17 GMT

@black*poppy wrote:
You can't add the same tracking number to two items that aren't combined.

You can combine items in Click and Send

And you definitely manually enter the same tracking number for various purchases, I have done it recently - bad idea though because the buyer bought 20 items, and i didn't realise every time I entered a number she would get an automatic email.

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

digital*ghost — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 01:54:06 GMT

The main issue with being able to prove that you sent items paid for separately in a single package (via combining items and tracking information), is that you then prove to PayPal you don't qualify for seller protection.

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

black*poppy — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 02:02:53 GMT

Can you use click and send without the special white packages? If the OP doesn't have them on hand, it will take a few days to organise getting some, you can only buy them online.

My apologies, I've tried in the past to manually put in the same tracking number and it didn't work (some message about already in use). That was awhile ago. Just tried it now and it was fine.

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

bobbiegower — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 02:31:21 GMT

Thanks everyone. In the end I just decided to send them separately but refund one of the postage amounts, got a decent price so it doesn't hurt too much! Just a bit gun shy as I had my first scam attempt a couple of weeks ago, I'm sure this buyer is honest but a few bucks extra is worth it for peace of mind 🙂

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

clarry100 — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 02:38:40 GMT

We have had mixed results when adding the same tracking number to two different items like this.

Sometimes it will accept it and yet other times not. If not then we get the error message about already in use or something like that.

So I don't know just exactly what the enabler is.

I'm thinking that perhaps underneath somewhere it checks the mailing address for a match and if it exactly matches then it will be allowed.

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

bakeandfry — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 03:41:23 GMT

digital*ghost Community Member
12:54 PM
The main issue with being able to prove that you sent items paid for separately in a single package (via combining items and tracking information), is that you then prove to PayPal you don't qualify for seller protection.
~~
When i sold i had a person buy two things off me and they sent a message asking can i post both in the same box, i did, and to think i thought i was covered for seller protection, i could of easily lost $360!!!

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

phorum_junkie* — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 06:53:22 GMT

I make no bones about it, my listings say that combined postage discounts are only given on items paid for on the same invoice and if separate payments are made they will be sent individually with no discount.

Re: Posting 2 items in 1 package, Paypal implications?

digital*ghost — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 07:12:19 GMT

It's probably worth mentioning that I have heard some seller's have successfully defended INR disputes with the same tracking number over multiple (separate) orders. I don't know if this is because PayPal didn't notice the tracking numbers were identical or not, but I also think there is a slight difference between qualifying for seller protection and a buyer's claim being unsuccessful, in that if a claim is unsuccessful, the original payment is retained by the seller and the buyer doesn't get a refund, whereas if seller protection comes into play, the payment is retained by the seller and the buyer is still refunded (so it's PayPal who loses out, and therefore they are presumably more stringent with their policies).

In other words, while combining items does compromise protection, there's still a chance, even if small, you can defend an INR, but probably no chance you can defend a chargeback.