Auction, selling, and combined shipping question

[elementa-60]

Hi all, 

I'm new to this so this might seem obvious but please bear with me. I have multiple listing for action figures (all up for auction) with $9.99 allocated for shipping for each item.

I've just had a msg from a buyer who'd like to buy 4 - 5 of these figures with combined shipping. 

I'm happy to do this, but I'm not sure how it works. Does the buyer then have to bid on my auction items still? Do I have to figure out the postage for 4 - 5 items then invoice the buyer before shipping? 

Any and all advice welcome!

Thanks

[gutterpunkz05]

Yes they still have to bid, and then you can send them a combined invoice.  Sounds like your potential buyer wants to know the approx combined postage cost before bidding.  That is something you will have to calculate depending on size, weight and the ability to safely ship items combined, sometimes it is not practical, and on other occasions it can actually work out more expensive than individual shipping.

[elementa-60]

Many thanks - very helpful!

[twyngwyn]

You can get the buyer to bid on each one, then end early (ensuring your buyer wins it before someone else) then issue them a combined invoice.

Be careful if there are multiple watchers, because you might get a higher price...

You can also suggest your buyer bid & take their chances (waiting until the end).

I generally will only 'end early' if items have been listed for a long while......if yours are new listings, be extra-observant!!

[davewil1964]

If you have an idea of what they are worth, maybe negotiate a price with the POTENTIAL buyer and set up a BIN listing.

Fraught. As you would have to end the auctions.

There is no guarantee the POTENTIAL buyer will win all, or any, of the auctions so all you could give them is ballpark postage.

Are we talking sale amounts where postage becomes irrelevant as a percentage, or are you expecting 'low' amounts for any sales?

[*sons_n_daughters*]

As mentioned, work out the cost to send and then send the potential buyer a quote. I would then let the auctions run their course, because you've started the auctions low, so there could be other interest. Once they sell, which it looks like they will as you have a bidder, you can send an invoice with the agreed postage amount.

As you are new, I will say, you could quite easily lose money on some of your items. You have several auctions starting at 99c. If you only get one bid, then add the postage cost, the fees you have to pay will be more than you'll have. You'll be out of pocket. Auctions should never be started at 99c, despite what ebay recommend. As there are no bids, I would edit the listings and increase the start price. That goes for your $1,99 listing too.

Your Game of Thrones listing, you are going to lose big time on that if it sells. You've listed it with free postage. You're looking at minimum close to $11 to post, then by the time you pay fees on the sales amount, you may as well throw it in the bin. It's mint in box. Price it accordingly. Search ebay sold listings and see what they are selling for. Funko seems to be quite popular with collectors.