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Combined shipping questions please
Hello, I am new to combined shipping and have questions as I am fumbling pretty good. Someone sent me a combined shipping invoice request. So I combined the items into one box and then went to the invoice with my new info. I manually entered the weight and dimensions into the calculator. I do actual shipping not flat rate.
First, do I put the actual black rate or green discounted rate into the invoice for the buyer?
In my case, the two items were first class rate shipped separately , but it changed to priority mail rate when combined because of weight (over 16oz). The actual calculated shipping rate ended up more than shipping them separately first class. Is this common? Is it because I used the actual rate instead of the green discounted one?
Also, is it better to change your settings to automatically combine weights versus doing it manually like I did?
I ended up asking the buyer to just pay separately since it cost more combined and I will ship them separately. But it just seems like it should still be cheaper in one box and I am afraid that maybe I screwed something up.
Thanks in advance for your help.
mr_lincoln
Mentor3 years ago@cjndao
In order for all items on a multiple purchase to be tracked the tracking number has to be added to each separate purchase. If you print your labels through eBay it can be done automatically IF you use the Combined feature in the Print labels in bulk label flow. Otherwise, if you print just one label you would have to manually add the tracking number to each of the other items on the multiple purchase.
Since ebay never put the word Combine on the single label flow page when you go to purchase a label or the Awaiting shipping - print shipping label page in Seller Hub the following is the 'round about convoluted way to combine through eBay and print one label for all the items AND have tracking uploaded on each item automatically. The last paragraph covers how you can refund the shipping overage tot he customer.
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Here is one way to get to a page where you can COMBINE multiple items and print ONE label. This link will take you to you "Awaiting shipment - print shipping labels" page in Seller Hub. Manage orders awaiting shipment — eBay Seller Hub
Once you are there use the check boxes on the left for ONLY the items you want to combine. Then above the list of items is balloon titled "Shipping" with a pull-down menu and on the menu list the first choice is to print shipping labels, click that.
The next page is the Bulk label page so again use the check boxes on the left to select the items to be combined and then click the Combine balloon button above the list.
The next page will show ALL selected items ... you then change the weight and dimensions and shipping method (if necessary) so that the new cost for the Combined shipping costs appears in the upper right hand corner ... you can add insurance too if need be. Once you are satisfied that all the information for weight, dimensions, shipping method are correct you can cycle through the review, purchase and print the label.
This Bulk label flow does NOT add the receipt portion to the label page, it just prints the label. If you want a receipt it is a secondary "summary" print function on the page.
If you want to refund the shipping overage you need to do that on the individual transactions in your Sold file (See all orders in Seller Hub). On the left of each transaction is a pull-down menu and near the bottom of the menu list is the "Send refund" function, click that. The next page lets you use another pull-down menu to select the reason and in the typing field you can add a message and then lower down on the page are fields where you can enter the dollar amount to be refund ... cycle through completion via the blue button at the bottom of the page ...
cjndao
OP3 years agoMore super helpful info. This is all new to me. Thank you very much for taking the time to share this. You guys are great.
mr_lincoln
Mentor3 years ago@cjndao You are more than welcome! That's why they pay us the BIG BUCKS! Well, maybe not so big ... well, maybe zero zip zilch since we are volunteers ... anyway, copy that an put it somewhere for future reference.
cjndao
OP3 years agoHa ha! I copied all of the info first thing. Thanks again and have a good day.
disneyshopper
Mentor3 years agoI use Calculated shipping, and in the past, there has only been one instance in which the weights of 2 first class packages bumped the weight into priority. There was no way to "uncombine" at the time, so I ate the extra shipping cost and sent the items via priority. I believe ebay now allows one to uncombine, but I have not run into that situation since.
cjndao
OP3 years agoThank you very much for the truly helpful info. Knowing that occurrence is rare is a big help. Much appreciated!
wooden_flower
Mentor3 years agoMost sellers charge the retail (store) rate, not the discounted rate, but it is your choice. You can share your discount with the buyer, if you want to do that. Looking at your items, you are charging the discounted rate, so you needed to use the green discounted rate to quote your buyer the correct amount.
There are times that it may cost more to send one priority package than 2 first class packages, although usually not.
cjndao
OP3 years agoThank you very much for the truly helpful info. I did not realize that I was using the discounted rate to the buyers in my listings so the green makes sense now. Much appreciated!
cjndao
OP3 years agoMay I please ask how you could tell by looking at my listings that I was charging the discounted rate? Thanks again
wooden_flower
Mentor3 years agoThe first class retail rates all end in 5s or 0s - like $4.75 or $6.30. The discounted rates end usually in 4s or 9s, but are pretty much any other than 5s or 0s - like $4.09 or $4.74.
From this page - https://www.usps.com/business/prices.htm - you can also look at the rate charts for all of the usps services. Pick a service, like first class package, then click either commercial pricing (discounted pricing), or at the post office (retail) to see the chart for that service and price type.
cjndao
OP3 years agoWow, very inciteful. That is great. Again thank you so much for your time and knowledge.