send offer doesn't account for free shipping?

Question

I want to send an offer to the people who have saved, or favorited, my bid. In my bid, I offer free shipping, but when I start the "send offer" process, it states that this will not include shipping. This seems a little strange. The buyer shouldn't have to worry about shipping if I'm already including it in the cost of the item. And as a seller, this is very counter-intuitive. If the item is $25 and includes shipping, why can't I just reduce it a few dollars and continue to include free shipping...

house*of*paws · Answer

Hi @werebob

eBay is merely indicating that whatever shipping cost is shown in the listing will be added on to whatever offer is accepted automatically.

If you think buyers might also be confused by phrasing ... you can add 'Shipping is FREE!' to the text box. [I'm pretty sure they're still putting a text box on the offer screen.]

woodland_gnome · Answer

S/h is not negotiable in offers, it is for the price only; the s/h to the buyer's location is as set out in the listing. eBay could word things better: Acceptance of the offer would CHANGE the price only, s/h is not affected.

wooden_flower · Answer

@werebob

What eBay is saying is that the offer is the item price only, and does not include any shipping charges specified in the listing. If you offer free shipping, then the shipping is still free.

They should say this more clearly.