combined postage

[megsman]

An increasing number of sellers say they will combine postage, but after you buy, ebay will not let them combine postage.

It used to be so simple, Request an invoice & the postage would be adjusted by the seller manually - everyone is happy.

Now I cannot make multiple purchases from a single seller as ebay won't let them combine postage, even though they want too.

So the seller doesn't make money, I cannot buy, and ultimately ebay looses money in fees - what a shockingly bad business model.

If I was a shareholder in ebay I would vote out the CEO responsible for loosing so much money & creating so much bad will towards ebay. 

[kopenhagen5]

Have you tried using the cart ?

[davewil1964]

Contact the seller(s) and have them set up a listing for the specific items you wish to buy. Works for my buyers.

Even if they are auctions, a multiple item purchase could well get a seller to the negotiating table.

[megsman]

G'day,

Yes, but it comes up with the message 'the buyer does not combine postage'. Every seller that has this problems cannot work out how to setup to combine postage, even after following the help guide. It should not be that complicated; just a simple check box with "Manually combine postage charges for multiple items"

Cheers

Damien

[megsman]

Thanks,

I'll give that a try.

Cheers

Damien

[collect247]

What you also need to realize is it's not that sellers can't work out how to combine postage but that not all sellers combine postage that's why that comes up

[megsman]

 I realise that may the case and that is why I ask the sellers manually & they reply 'they want to combine postage, but can't work out how tho do it'. Some refund after the fact, some change the listing to multiple items, some put free postage on ll but one. All these work arounds are not very efficient & in some cases the seller may loose money - again ebay needs to improve its unsound business model - it drives people away.

[digital*ghost]

I suspect ebay might be quietly trying to push sellers into adapting to a different kind of business model - one where postage costs are calculated up front, and without the need for post-sale invoicing. It is pretty much the standard way online shopping is carried out these days, though their quiet subterfuge of existing systems is (JMHO) stupid. 

[megsman]

It is interesting that ebay does not have an advise in the 'Postage & Handling' section of each listing, that states the 'Seller DOES / DOES NOT Combine Postage'

ebay obviously makes money from this lack of information.

I don't know if ebay making money by concealing this information is illegal, but certainly it is not the actions of a trustworthy business. 

[megsman]

Oh Yes, I agree, but ebay touts itself as the world wide garage sale, but it is stopping the average person from using the platform sussessfully. It is obviously setup now for busineses & not for the average person who occasionally sells something.

If it was me, I'd setup for both & make money accross the board.