No idea at all.  Not afraid to say that.  It's been well over a year since I've sold on eBay so things have changed as I can see, but it's not an easy thing to digest.

I've been taking some time to read through the immense amount of documentation looking for anything that actually describes the process we're discussing here.  Nothing was found and during that excursion I noted a few things that don't line up with how it actually is.  The step by step help refers to things that do not exist.  No surprise there, of course.

So I'm sorry I didn't magically understand the new system.

But from a buyer's point of view, they made a purchase (entered into a contract) knowing they were purchasing a specific postage option on offer.  So how is it eBay allows a seller to change postage service after the buyer has paid.  If you ordered and paid for a new car in the colour of red, and the manufacturer decides to paint it blue because it saves them some money, you'd be pretty p***ed off about that.

I know we're not talking about cars but again, if a buyer pays for Aus Post parcel post at the time of checkout, then that's what they should expect.  eBay should be giving me the label all set to go and the cost is already deducted.  Instead, and despite printing the label well before funds were available for payout, eBay waits until I've been paid before charging me for it.

If the option to use Australia Post directly is allowed, then in future I will set up an auction as local pickup only and state in the description that delivery is possible and open to negotiation after a successful bid.

Thanks for the tip.