New eBay Shipping Process SUCKS!
Summary: purgepixie expressed frustration with eBay's new shipping process for certain categories like clothing and shoes, which resulted in a reduced shipping cost being charged to the buyer and enforced use of FedEx without an opt-out option. kensgiftshop and mamacassidy suggested checking for an authentication process, but purgepixie confirmed there was none and that the supervisor mentioned the change as part of a new rollout. Other participants like mcdougle4248 linked to articles discussing eBay's managed shipping trial, while valueaddedresource speculated it might be related to the Authenticity Guarantee program due to price criteria discrepancies. purgepixie concluded that the situation seemed like a glitch needing eBay's attention.
Have you had the experience yet of eBay taking over your shipping process for your listings? It just happened to me and I HATE IT! Apparently, this is the new normal for eBay for certain categories like clothing, shoes, etc.
So, I had a new pair of sneakers listed (not flagged for item verification)- with a shipping cost of $22 (including handling fee.) I sold the shoes and when I went to create the shipping label, the page that came up gave me a button that said "Print Free Shipping Label." I was very confused since we all know that either the buyer or seller pays for the shipping of items. In this case, yes, the shipping label was "Free" to me because the buyer paid it. It also said on the same page that the item would be shipped thru eBay via FedEx. I don't typically use FedEx for any of my shipping bc they aren't as convenient for drop off, they're typically more expensive, etc.
Anyway, I clicked on the "Free Shipping Label" button and was taken to a page that says, print you label- the Fed Ex label. I was given no choice, no ability to change the shipping service. Furthermore, it turns out that eBay automatically changed the shipping cost in my listing to $14.95 (my actual shipping charge on the listing was $22) and that's what the buyer was charged-$14.95 (not $22.)
According to eBay when I called, this is a new process being rolled out by eBay for certain categories like shoes. I never received any communication about this new process. Did anyone? And we CAN'T OPT OUT! Apparently, sellers are now stuck with having no control on how much postage is being charged for their items (regardless of whatever cost for shipping is in your listing), and which shipping company will be used.
Please eBay, communicate what the hell is going on and why sellers can't opt out of this "New Process!!!"
valueaddedresource
·1 month ago@purgepixie I do believe the people suggesting this is because of the Authenticity Guarantee shipping program that has been around for a while, not the new program are correct.
I know you said there was nothing about authentication and the item is shipping directly to the buyer
But it's important to understand that Authentication criteria is dynamic and if an item initially meets the criteria , then ends up not being authenticated for whatever reason, the mandatory shipping still "sticks".
I see the Vans in your sold history show an initial price of $82.00 with a strikethrough showing they actually sold for $65.60.
Just to test, I did a sell similar and found that item appears to have an authentication price threshold of $75 at this time.
You can replicate this by doing a draft and changing the BIN price - at $74 it still shows seller selected shipping options, but at $75 it says: This item is eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. This includes verification by an authenticator before it's delivered to your buyer. eBay shipping via FedEx Free label provided to you.
So what likely happened here is your item initially hit the criteria based on the original price, so it had the $14.95 shipping attached, but since the discounted price didn't meet the threshold, it didn't go to authentication.
I've actually seen this exact scenario play out before with Authenticity Guarantee, so as confusing as it is, I don't believe this is the "new" program that is being tested.
purgepixie
OP1 month agoThat may be what happened. I have a sale going on my whole store for 20% off everything (almost) and 20% savings from $82 is $65.60. I've just never had any authentication hit any of items so I've never experienced this before. It still seems like a glitch that eBay needs to fix. I appreciate your thoughts and comments. Thanks!
mcdougle4248
·1 month agoThank you! As always such great info.
bdmh-enterprises
·1 month agoThere's a bunch of similar listings also with $14.95 "eBay shipping" both authenticity and not. This would indicate these listings are part of the new 'managed shipping'. While I would hope such a thing would be optional for sellers, eBay has been known to just add global opt in options (eIS for example) to existing listings with little to no comunication.
@purgepixie I'm curious if you have any such new global option or if you're listing page has any new options for shipping shoes that include this "eBay shipping" option?
purgepixie
OP1 month agoNot that I've seen. I only ship to North America. Thanks!
mcdougle4248
·1 month agoTo me, it sounds very similar to the information in @valueaddedresource article here: https://www.valueaddedresource.net/ebay-managed-shipping-us-test/
Be sure to scroll down the page and check out the video.
mamacassidy
·1 month agoI agree that it sounds like the new managed shipping, however, the article says "invited sellers", so I would think that only certain people would be part of this and that they would have been made aware of the change beforehand. The fact that this seller wasn't aware beforehand is concerning.
If they make the change, I'll roll with it. But I'll definitely have to update my listings, so hopefully they give us some advance notice.
purgepixie
OP1 month agoThanks for the link. I watched the video and read the comments. Unfortunately, I still don't know why my item got snared in this pilot program as I live in California not the East Coast.
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 month agoThe $14.95 shipping charge is the charge when the authenticity guarantee is in effect.
Although the price level is usually $100 and up, some brands may have lower levels.
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling-tools/selling-authenticity-guarantee?id=4644&st=3&pos=1&query=Selling%20with%20Authenticity%20Guarantee&intent=sneaker%20authentication&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1344
purgepixie
OP1 month agoBut no authentication was asked for/required and the Supervisor I spoke with confirmed that there was no authentication needed. Also, the address on the mailing label was to the buyer not eBay.
mamacassidy
·1 month agoAs someone else mentioned, this was probably sent to the authenticator. Did you happen to notice the address? Was it a personal address, or was it an ebay address?
purgepixie
OP1 month agoPersonal address. No authentication required.
stainlessenginecovers
·1 month agoNo other VANS 'new' shoes are showing $14.95 shipping. Your listing shows that to me??
I wouldn't go by ANYTHING that you were 'told' on the phone- those reps make things up all the time.
purgepixie
OP1 month agoI agree but I also talked to a supervisor who also said this was something new eBay was rolling out. Waiting for more info from eBay
kensgiftshop
·1 month agoDid you notice if the listing had the option for the buyer to pay extra to have them authenticated?
If so, that might be why they are shipping FedEx.
purgepixie
OP1 month agoThanks for suggesting. I did check and no authentication was required or even suggested.