When buyer pays shipping, can they choose whether to include tracking or not?
No, not directly. The buyer is only presented all of the shipping services and companies you entered into the listing that you offer. Having a tracking number depends on if the shipping service/company that your buyer chose from your list includes it or not.
Buyers should always pay for shipping.. All though some sellers (usually new sellers) believe "free shipping" is actually "free" and soon discover they should have added the the cost of ship/handling to the price of the item
USPS first class postage stamps has no tracking. Seller takes a chance on a buyer making a and Item Not Received claim.
Problem is, one of my products is only $5 (buy it now pricing) unless customer buys a large quantity. Most customers want to buy only 2 and at that rate , I lose money on a $5 sale, when I include tracking. I can’t price it higher than $5 because that’s already higher than competition.
Problem is, one of my products is only $5 (buy it now pricing) unless customer buys a large quantity. Most customers want to buy only 2 and at that rate , I lose money on a $5 sale, when I include tracking.
That is true. You might want to consider raising your minimum price and add more of those pieces to your minimum quantity. Consider also that your time spent in packaging and shipping is worth something as well. There is a minimum price for items sold on Ebay below which it is probably not worth your while even if you are getting the occasional sale that way.
Problem is, one of my products is only $5 (buy it now pricing) unless customer buys a large quantity. Most customers want to buy only 2 and at that rate , I lose money on a $5 sale, when I include tracking. I can’t price it higher than $5 because that’s already higher than competition.
Those items will NOT qualify for the only cheap untracked services of 1st class letter & flats. Cheap, small, solid items are basically impossible to ship efficiently. Best bet is to increase quantity until it is feasible to do so or not bother trying to sell them.
Problem is, one of my products is only $5 (buy it now pricing) unless customer buys a large quantity. Most customers want to buy only 2 and at that rate , I lose money on a $5 sale, when I include tracking. I can’t price it higher than $5 because that’s already higher than competition.
 
@5219rene
The solution is simple. Then stated the amount you need for shipping on top of the price of the item. Buyers know you have to ship it. There are times where the shipping costs more that the product. It is a buyers decision to make if their need or want of the item is worth the price.
I think I found a good answer. Help article titled “eBay Standard Envelopeâ€
“eBay standard envelope is the low cost way to ship small, lightweight items up to 3 oz. to your buyers with integrated tracking and shipping protection. It's more secure than shipping with a stamp, and can help improve your Seller Ratings.â€
Make sure you both read the article carefully (as @dy60609 noted, there are only a few categories of items that qualify, plus it has to be non-rigid and able to go through the USPS scanning machines), and read up on some of the stories posted here on the boards about the ESE.
Nevermind, I just talked to an eBay rep and this eBay standard envelope does not sound like true tracking after all. Oh well…
Depends on what you're looking for. The tracking provided with eBay's "Standard envelope" (AKA ESE) is indeed not quite the same as the Delivery Confirmation and tracking that USPS provides with their package services. But it does provide protection against fake "Item not received" claims, and it meets the tracking requirement for Top Rated Seller evaluations.
However, as noted in other posts, your items probably don't qualify for the ESE. The option to print those labels is limited to selected categories, and the pieces themselves must meet the USPS criteria for a nonmachinable letter, including being flexible and not over 1/4 inch thick.
I think I found a good answer. Help article titled “eBay Standard Envelopeâ€
“eBay standard envelope is the low cost way to ship small, lightweight items up to 3 oz. to your buyers with integrated tracking and shipping protection. It's more secure than shipping with a stamp, and can help improve your Seller Ratings.â€
It can help sellers of certain types of items. It has it flaws, but it can help if the items you sell are eligible to use the program.
You sold items as "free" USPS Ground Advantage shipping which would be "tracked" at a cost of $3.91 - $4.51.
Seems that you could offer "free" 1st Class letter envelope rate and pay the non-machinable surcharge rate (untracked) and also offer Ground Advantage as a second choice allowing the buyer to choose.
Likely most would choose the low-cost 1st Class but still think/expect tracking.
(UPS Ground Saver rates are crazy town for that item)(I would delete that option)
What I do with items under $5, and I have a few of them, I offer volume pricing and charge shipping on the first item. This way, they only pay the one price for shipping, can get a discount on any additional quantities they want, and you get tracking. I think people want tracking nowadays and I know that when something goes astray, as they do, you need that tracking to protect you. I actually have items that are cheaper than the shipping cost, and people do buy them.
Solution - don't sell single digit items unless you like to be an O N F P O (Obviously Not For Profit Organization). Postage used to be only a 3 cent stamp w/o tracking back when I was a youngster with acne in the late 1950s and we just traded stuff to get something we wanted but didn't have the money to buy. Learned how to win at a game of marbles. In my entire life have only lost two items shipped Priority mail both never came out of the USPS Jamaica Sort Facility in NYC on two different occasions. After college had 21 different mailing addresses in 5 different states had insurance coverage for loss and was made whole.
They can't if you don't include it as an option for shipping. You would have to use stamps on it and mark it as shipped on the ebay system. The option would be created using the USPS economy option, putting in any postage you would want to charge the customer, and then creating your own label, or marking the package with the address for shipment.
Tracking protects you though, so you really don't want to do that.
When buyer pays shipping, can they choose whether to include tracking or not?
The buyer pays the shipping you specify and, as noted, tracking is automatically included with ground advantage. However, with such a low feedback score a single Item Not Received would be highly destructive to your metrics. Under your current circumstances I would never even consider sending something without tracking as proof of delivery. Even if the buyer asked for it.
iamalwaysright
·1 year agoNo, not directly. The buyer is only presented all of the shipping services and companies you entered into the listing that you offer. Having a tracking number depends on if the shipping service/company that your buyer chose from your list includes it or not.
12345jamesstamps
·1 year agoIf I think I might need tracking I will pay for it 'out of my pocket' to be safe.
I prefer not to 'nickel and dime' a buyer...and maybe a 'potential repeat buyer'...about shipping.
I do sometimes have tracking if it is expensive as such.
But cheapo items in my category don't need tracking.
Very rarely lose an item in the mail from an 'honest buyer'
I prefer to do free domestic shipping...competition is fierce out there...LOL
luckythewinner
·1 year agoBuyer can choose from the shipping services that you offer.
If you offer a service that does not provide tracking, then the buyer can choose it.
But the buyer cannot stop you from including tracking, since you are the one buying the label.
reallynicestamps
·1 year agoIf a buyer wants an untracked shipment, expect an Item Not Received claim.
I am old and cranky.
johnrj1226
·1 year agoBuyers should always pay for shipping.. All though some sellers (usually new sellers) believe "free shipping" is actually "free" and soon discover they should have added the the cost of ship/handling to the price of the item
USPS first class postage stamps has no tracking. Seller takes a chance on a buyer making a and Item Not Received claim.
5219rene
OP1 year agoProblem is, one of my products is only $5 (buy it now pricing) unless customer buys a large quantity. Most customers want to buy only 2 and at that rate , I lose money on a $5 sale, when I include tracking. I can’t price it higher than $5 because that’s already higher than competition.
 
itsjustasprain
·1 year agoThat is true. You might want to consider raising your minimum price and add more of those pieces to your minimum quantity. Consider also that your time spent in packaging and shipping is worth something as well. There is a minimum price for items sold on Ebay below which it is probably not worth your while even if you are getting the occasional sale that way.
bdmh-enterprises
·1 year agoThose items will NOT qualify for the only cheap untracked services of 1st class letter & flats. Cheap, small, solid items are basically impossible to ship efficiently. Best bet is to increase quantity until it is feasible to do so or not bother trying to sell them.
mam98031
·1 year ago@5219rene
The solution is simple. Then stated the amount you need for shipping on top of the price of the item. Buyers know you have to ship it. There are times where the shipping costs more that the product. It is a buyers decision to make if their need or want of the item is worth the price.
5219rene
OP1 year agoI think I found a good answer. Help article titled “eBay Standard Envelopeâ€
“eBay standard envelope is the low cost way to ship small, lightweight items up to 3 oz. to your buyers with integrated tracking and shipping protection. It's more secure than shipping with a stamp, and can help improve your Seller Ratings.â€
dy60609
·1 year ago@5219rene
Your item likely does not qualify for that eBay service.
Categories that qualify are limited
jonathanbrightlight
·1 year agoMake sure you both read the article carefully (as @dy60609 noted, there are only a few categories of items that qualify, plus it has to be non-rigid and able to go through the USPS scanning machines), and read up on some of the stories posted here on the boards about the ESE.
5219rene
OP1 year agoNevermind, I just talked to an eBay rep and this eBay standard envelope does not sound like true tracking after all. Oh well…
nobody*s_perfect
·1 year agoDepends on what you're looking for. The tracking provided with eBay's "Standard envelope" (AKA ESE) is indeed not quite the same as the Delivery Confirmation and tracking that USPS provides with their package services. But it does provide protection against fake "Item not received" claims, and it meets the tracking requirement for Top Rated Seller evaluations.
However, as noted in other posts, your items probably don't qualify for the ESE. The option to print those labels is limited to selected categories, and the pieces themselves must meet the USPS criteria for a nonmachinable letter, including being flexible and not over 1/4 inch thick.
mam98031
·1 year agoIt can help sellers of certain types of items. It has it flaws, but it can help if the items you sell are eligible to use the program.
dy60609
·1 year agoYou sold items as "free" USPS Ground Advantage shipping which would be "tracked" at a cost of $3.91 - $4.51.
Seems that you could offer "free" 1st Class letter envelope rate and pay the non-machinable surcharge rate (untracked) and also offer Ground Advantage as a second choice allowing the buyer to choose.
Likely most would choose the low-cost 1st Class but still think/expect tracking.
(UPS Ground Saver rates are crazy town for that item)(I would delete that option)
gloryglorygifts
·1 year agoWhat I do with items under $5, and I have a few of them, I offer volume pricing and charge shipping on the first item. This way, they only pay the one price for shipping, can get a discount on any additional quantities they want, and you get tracking. I think people want tracking nowadays and I know that when something goes astray, as they do, you need that tracking to protect you. I actually have items that are cheaper than the shipping cost, and people do buy them.
johnrj1226
·1 year agoSolution - don't sell single digit items unless you like to be an O N F P O (Obviously Not For Profit Organization). Postage used to be only a 3 cent stamp w/o tracking back when I was a youngster with acne in the late 1950s and we just traded stuff to get something we wanted but didn't have the money to buy. Learned how to win at a game of marbles. In my entire life have only lost two items shipped Priority mail both never came out of the USPS Jamaica Sort Facility in NYC on two different occasions. After college had 21 different mailing addresses in 5 different states had insurance coverage for loss and was made whole.
Life is still Good
mam98031
·1 year agoThe tracking protects YOU far more than it does the buyer. You should always ship with tracking so you can prove delivery.
gloryglorygifts
·1 year agoThey can't if you don't include it as an option for shipping. You would have to use stamps on it and mark it as shipped on the ebay system. The option would be created using the USPS economy option, putting in any postage you would want to charge the customer, and then creating your own label, or marking the package with the address for shipment.
Tracking protects you though, so you really don't want to do that.
1786davycrockett
·1 year ago@5219rene
The buyer can not request tracking -- besides, tracking is automatic with nearly all USPS services, except First Class Letter mail.
richard1rst
·1 year agoThe buyer pays the shipping you specify and, as noted, tracking is automatically included with ground advantage. However, with such a low feedback score a single Item Not Received would be highly destructive to your metrics. Under your current circumstances I would never even consider sending something without tracking as proof of delivery. Even if the buyer asked for it.
inhawaii
·1 year agoIf you (the seller) ships USPS Ground Advantage, tracking is included at no charge.