Automatic checkout applied to a non-buy it now auction at checkout prevents combined orders

[usedpcs.com]

I received a curious email from  Ebay after winning an auction that also had a buy now option. The message was titled " You won Automatic checkout is set for ...(item )"

I did not buy it now, I won the item by placing the highest bid.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM.. the message went on:

" You won this auction and have 1 hour to edit your details or sign up for additional services"

" If you take no action, we'll process your winning bid amount plus related costs, so you can rest easy"

Did Ebay change their policy for auction winners so they can no longer combine shipping from the same seller?

Is Ebay confusing Buy-It-Now with auctions ?

[woodland_gnome]

No eBay is not confusing Buy It Now with auctions.   Most BINs require "Immediate Payment"  before you commit to buy the item.  That is not what you are describing.  

eBay is experimenting (since last Fall, on and off) with requiring pre-authorization of automatic payment for auction bids  (like they have been doing for Best Offers, experimentally until last Fall and then universally since then; sellers can opt their listings out of the requirements) .   You are apparently in the test buyers group, and when you confirmed the bid you also consented to the pre-authorization hold and the automatic payment and confirmed your shipping address (and shipping option if the seller offered more than one to that address) and payment method (there is a link to "change" those on the confirmation screen).

The one hour is a window where you can checkout manually to change the payment method (not all are available in the pre-authorization flow, such as PayPal Credit) or possibly to set up combined shipping discount with the seller (e.g. if s/he has the multiple listings you are buying from him/her set up to calculate the combined shipping you can pay from the Cart which will calculate it).