Confused about eBay postage calculator

[2012rly]

Australia Post have recently eliminated Registered Post (i.e. which included tracking, signature and Insurance) and I've been running down my stock of prepaid Registered Post stickers.

I just went to do my first listing under the new system, and eBay offers 3 options for calculated postage:  A)  Australia Post Parcel Post Parcel B)  Australia Post Regular Parcel plus Tracking C)  Australia Post Parcel Post Parcel plus Signature

However, to have parcel tracking, Australia Post require a signature, so option B seems redundant. I checked, and the price for option A) and B) calculated by the eBay postage calculator is the same i.e. just the Regular Parcel Post cost, which does not include tracking.

Also, there seems to be no option D) that includes Extra Cover (i.e. Insurance).

I'd like to offer Insurance to my Buyers as an option. I called Customer Service, who said to just choose option C) if you want parcels tracked, then add Insurance to the Handling Cost. However, that would mean all Buyers would be invoiced for Insurance, whether they want it or not. Customer Service said to just refund the Insurance if they didn't want it, but that seems like a hell of a lot of messing around, and would invariably lead to confusion.

 Any ideas?

[peridot55555]

I don't use calculated postage unless it is absolutely necessary - if an item fits in a satchel, that's the way it goes (& that's most of my items).

Regular parcel post has had tracking since April (without extra cost), but U have to pay more for sign on delivery post.  U are correct in saying the line 'Aus Post Regular Parcel + tracking' is redundant.

The only way to have insurance would be to build it into the cost of postage & U would have to say so in your Terms of Sale or in the description.  U would have to send an email asking the buyer if they wanted insurance & where the buyer doesn't want insurance U would have to send another invoice without the insurance.

I'm not happy about 'Aus Post Regular Parcel Registered' - this is redundant, but it is the ONLY line U can use to offer registered letter post - should read 'Aus Post Regular Letter Registered'.

Why Don't eBay give us a blank line where we can type in what postage we are offering?

U can use your registered stickers on small, medium or large letter mail - I have been using the registered pre-paid letter post, but the larger envelope is going up by 60 cents on Oct 7 (it will be fun & games changing every listing I have).

[digital*ghost]

All regular parcels posted over the counter now have tracking included in the price, and signature on delivery is an optional extra at a cost of $2.95. That doesn't include insurance, which costs an additional $1.50 per $100 cover (eg to insure an item worth $150, it would cost $2.95 for the signature, plus $3.00 for the insurance, so an extra $5.95 on top of the postage cost). I should note that I'm pretty sure customers who have a business account do not get tracking as standard on their parcels, hence the 3 separate options. 

Registered is still available, but only for letters (including large letters). The current over-the counter price for registered is $3.20, rising to $3.50 next month. 

You're not able to offer insurance as a separate, optional extra for customers, so I think the best option is to include the cost in the postage price when offering a paricular service such as SOD, and I'd recommend noting in the listing that the service price includes secure (signature) delivery with full insurance. For items under a certain value, I personally just offer the registered / SOD option without the cost of insurance, but for higher value items, I include insurance costs in with the P&H charge. 

[australiapoststore]

Hi 2012rly 

I hope you are having a great day. I can certainly assist you on your pricing question.

Digital*ghost is correct in that since April 8 this year, all regular parcels posted over the counter now have tracking included as a standard feature. Signature on Delivery is an add on feature and costs $2.95. For high value items we recommend adding Extra Cover on your parcel which costs $1.50 per $100 (or part thereof). 

Business customers that have an eParcel account with us receive tracking on all their parcels as a standard feature of their eParcel account. More information about eParcel accounts can be found here: http://bit.ly/UwAJgr

I hope this information has been helpful. If you have any further questions please let me know.

Regards

Paul 

Australia Post eBay Store 

[digital*ghost]

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@australiapoststore wrote:

Business customers that have an eParcel account with us receive tracking on all their parcels as a standard feature of their eParcel account. More information about eParcel accounts can be found here: http://bit.ly/UwAJgr

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Thanks for the clarifying reply, but just in regards to this - eParcel does have tracking, but do those with parcel contracts now get tracking? It's been a little while since tracking was introduced on the majority of domestic parcels, but I recall a bit of disappointment back then that those with parcel contracts were denied tracking labels.