You do have a say in it - contact the seller before you bid or buy.

As said, you could contact the seller prior to purchasing.

Or only buy from those who use your preferred shipping method.

Once you buy, your say disappears as you have explicitly agreed to the advertised shipping method by buying.

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@maziansmarts wrote:

Isn't it about time that buyers had a say in relation to the method of shipping used? After all they are the one's that have to pay for it.

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In what capacity? 

You pay sellers for the items as well, but you don't get to tell a seller which items they stock or not. You can say "hey, I've been looking for X item but can't find it, is there any way you can get it?" But you can't message them and say "I want to buy X item from you, since I'm paying for it, I expect that you will have it available ASAP".

It's not that much different when it comes to postage - the seller is the one who runs the business, and therefore is in the position of deciding which postage options best suit their business and the majority of their customers. You can ask if they will consider providing a different option, but whether or not they agree, at the end of the day the only "say" you get in it is to choose to purchase or not, based on what is offered. 

But as a buyer you do have a say in the method of shipping used - if you do not like the sellers method of shipping then buy elsewhere.  Not rocket science really!

I'm a buyer and I do ask sellers about what postage methods they use. 

Domestically I ask because so many say 'Standard Postage' and actually send items requiring signature on delivery.  As a buyer with mobility issues I have no hope of getting to the door in time to sign for a parcel so I really need this info as I can no longer drive to the post office to collect it either.  I also have found sellers that specify tracking may also mean signature on delivery as well.  Sigh.

For overseas I mostly try to talk sellers out of using the Global Shopping Program for low cost items.

I don't think buyers 'need a say' in what sellers might do but I wish to God that sellers were more honest enough to say in the listing if they will only use signarure on delivery.  Then they and myself would save a lot of time asking and replying to questions.

Bit late to the party here 😀 but you can check their postage method prior to buying and if you'd prefer a different method, contact the seller to politely request a different shipping method. No guarantee they will be able to accommodate you but no harm in asking. If not, move on to another seller.

I only use Australia Post so if for example a courier was requested, my answer is a flat no sorry. I have had that request many times but never deviate from Australia Post. That's just me though

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@maziansmarts wrote:

Isn't it about time that buyers had a say in relation to the method of shipping used? After all they are the one's that have to pay for it.

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I don't see why the buyer should have the say as they aren't the one having to arrange the postage. I am often surprised on these boards how much extra people expect of ebay that they don't demand from other online sites.

I have several times asked sellers before a sale if they combine postage at all and usually they have been happy to do that, but that is not really a change to the shipping service as such.

Buyers are sometimes offered options such as express post, but basically, if you are buying something, you just need to read the seller's terms. You can enquire about alternatives but I don't believe you have a right to expect it as a matter of course.

I can't think of any other online sales site where I can dictate postage method. Sometimes, as I said, there will be options such as express/standard but as a buyer, my only choices are from what is offered, I am not 'given a say' in the method of shipping.