Question thread: Expanding efforts to reduce unpaid items

[seller_update@ebay]

Later this year, buyers will be asked to pay when accepting a seller's Offer to buyer or a counter offer. We’ll also introduce a new feature that lets buyers request a bundled offer on multiple items. This multi-item offer to buyers can be completed in one transaction. Sellers will be able to issue an offer for multiple items that they sell and then conclude in one transaction. These changes will reduce operational costs and unpaid items, and you’ll have more control and confidence to make better business decisions. You can learn more here, feel free to review and post any questions you may have below! 

Please note that eBay experts will be present and engaging on the boards between 8 am and 4:00 pm PST on 4.13.

[coffeebean832]

---

seller_update@ebay wrote:

---

@coffeebean832 wrote:

---

seller_update@ebay wrote:
This isn't a buyer initiated offer, right? It is actually a buyer initiated request for the seller to make an offer on multiple items (Presumably with combined shipping). Is that right?

Correct. This is a Buyer making a request to the seller on multiple items in a single 'lot'. Seller would then respond if they are interested in the offer. There is no commitment from Buyer or Seller to move forward with the request.

Will the buyer's request be limited to ONLY items that have "Make An Offer" enabled by the seller?

No, this will include any item that can be added to the cart (so Fixed Price and Best Offer items can be eligible).

---

seller_update@ebay 

This is interesting. On the one hand- if Make Offer is not on my listing then I do not want buyers submitting unsolicited offers. This is why I run order discount promotions.

On the other hand- can buyers use this as a work-around to the lack of a "request total" button in the following situations?

- using the app where the button doesn't exist in the cart

- on the website when items are on sale and the cart prevents buyers from requesting a total?

IMO it would be much better if eBay stopped restricting the ability to request combined shipping instead of encouraging offers when sellers do not want them.

---

@coffeebean832 - 

Can buyers use this as a work-around to the lack of a "request total" button in the following situations?

- using the app where the button doesn't exist in the cart

- on the website when items are on sale and the cart prevents buyers from requesting a total?

Yes, exactly. This flow will replace the "Request total" flow and be applicable for more scenarios (including the ones you mention). It will be a great way for Buyers and Sellers to negotiate on multiple items in one bundle.

---

seller_update@ebay- Does that mean eBay will be removing the request total link from the shopping cart after this new feature is fully rolled out?

[seller_update@ebay]

---

@dreamjeanie wrote:

I'm all for getting paid on a timely basis, but what about combined shipping on multiple items?  We already experience difficulty with buyers not being able to request a total for SO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS, and it appears to me that this process will only continue this difficulty.

---

Hi @dreamjeanie  - Combined shipping on multiple items is a pain point we're aware of and will be solving as part of the bundle offer feature. Just another reason we're excited to get it released!

[coffeebean832]

---

seller_update@ebay wrote:

---

---

Combined shipping on multiple items is a pain point we're aware of and will be solving as part of the bundle offer feature. Just another reason we're excited to get it released!

---

This is a really huge change because the way offers currently work- there is text that explicitly states shipping is not part of the offer price negotiations.

I wish we could preview a visual layout of this new bundle offer tool to see what it looks like and how it will function so we can provide feedback before it goes live.

In an ideal situation, a seller would have site preferences where they could enable or disable bulk offer- and if enabled, restrict it to item price exclusively, shipping cost exclusively, or choose both- and eliminate 'free shipping' items from the process if the seller selected that the feature was exclusive to ship cost on their items.

[lacemaker3]

seller_update@ebay 

Thank you for replying. It would have been helpful if this had been announced when it was fixed. I don't understand why eBay thinks that ignoring issues like this is a good idea.

I doubt that I will ever make an offer if eBay requires me to preauthorize the payment. That is completely unreasonable. It's probably contributing to the lower sales that many sellers are reporting.

Requiring immediate payment when a buyer accepts an offer or counteroffer from a seller is much more reasonable and sensible. This is the logical way that this should have been implemented from the first. eBay should listen to their customers and think things through completely before implementing schemes that are poorly thought out and programmed, as this has been.

[tyler@ebay]

---

@coffeebean832 wrote:

---

seller_update@ebay wrote:

---

@coffeebean832 wrote:

---

seller_update@ebay wrote:
This isn't a buyer initiated offer, right? It is actually a buyer initiated request for the seller to make an offer on multiple items (Presumably with combined shipping). Is that right?

Correct. This is a Buyer making a request to the seller on multiple items in a single 'lot'. Seller would then respond if they are interested in the offer. There is no commitment from Buyer or Seller to move forward with the request.

Will the buyer's request be limited to ONLY items that have "Make An Offer" enabled by the seller?

No, this will include any item that can be added to the cart (so Fixed Price and Best Offer items can be eligible).

---

seller_update@ebay 

This is interesting. On the one hand- if Make Offer is not on my listing then I do not want buyers submitting unsolicited offers. This is why I run order discount promotions.

On the other hand- can buyers use this as a work-around to the lack of a "request total" button in the following situations?

- using the app where the button doesn't exist in the cart

- on the website when items are on sale and the cart prevents buyers from requesting a total?

IMO it would be much better if eBay stopped restricting the ability to request combined shipping instead of encouraging offers when sellers do not want them.

---

@coffeebean832 - 

Can buyers use this as a work-around to the lack of a "request total" button in the following situations?

- using the app where the button doesn't exist in the cart

- on the website when items are on sale and the cart prevents buyers from requesting a total?

Yes, exactly. This flow will replace the "Request total" flow and be applicable for more scenarios (including the ones you mention). It will be a great way for Buyers and Sellers to negotiate on multiple items in one bundle.

---

seller_update@ebay- Does that mean eBay will be removing the request total link from the shopping cart after this new feature is fully rolled out?

---

Hi @coffeebean832 - I heard back from the team on this one:

The Request Total link will be replaced with a 'Bundle Offer' option as the feature is rolled out.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

BUT - you're replacing  RQT  which is typically used to offer a discounted shipping option for mutliple items with a "bundle offer" where the buyer can ALSO name a price on the items as well as expect combined shipping discounts?

Sorry, that will NOT be happening on my sales.

I don't mind giving a combined shipping discount but I'm not going to play the "make me a discounted offer on items as well" game, especially when the "buyer" also has the option to reneg on the "offer".

At least with RQT they were already committed to buy.

[tyler@ebay]

---

@coffeebean832 wrote:

---

seller_update@ebay wrote:

---

---

Combined shipping on multiple items is a pain point we're aware of and will be solving as part of the bundle offer feature. Just another reason we're excited to get it released!

---

This is a really huge change because the way offers currently work- there is text that explicitly states shipping is not part of the offer price negotiations.

I wish we could preview a visual layout of this new bundle offer tool to see what it looks like and how it will function so we can provide feedback before it goes live.

In an ideal situation, a seller would have site preferences where they could enable or disable bulk offer- and if enabled, restrict it to item price exclusively, shipping cost exclusively, or choose both- and eliminate 'free shipping' items from the process if the seller selected that the feature was exclusive to ship cost on their items.

---

Hi @coffeebean832 - the team let me know they're definitely planning on an input-phase from both Buyers and Sellers. I'm happy to get them your info for inclusion in that if you'll send me your selling id (I can never remember it, sorry)!

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

tyler@ebay I'd be happy to have my selling ID (which is also my posting ID) added to that "input-phase" list.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

tyler@ebay

 I'd be happy to have my selling ID (which is also my posting ID) added to that "input-phase" list.

[todaysdailysteals]

What is the update ? 

[d-k_treasures]

I wish we could preview a visual layout of this new bundle offer tool to see what it looks like and how it will function so we can provide feedback before it goes live.

Yes - since whoever designed it most likely never used ebay before, and sellers don't want to end up with some junk code out of a college textbook - we would prefer something designed and written by someone who knows what the actual problems are.

[tyler@ebay]

Hi everyone - 

We're closing this board from further questions and replies. We will continue to work with our internal teams to make sure outstanding questions are addressed next week. 

Have a good weekend!

Tyler