Purchase order number input

[ensilnfny]

Hello eBay,

Can you guys put a text place so buyers can type in their PO# ?

Regards

Reza

[shipscript]

Very few shoppers will use purchase orders.

A workaround solution would be to create a separate shipping address with an attn line, or parenthetical, for the PO#. Then edit that shipping address at checkout to insert the new purchase order number.

That way, the PO# will appear on the address label for the receiving dept.

[rfmtm]

Why can't buyers just put their PO# in the message to seller when they pay?

[shipscript]

@rfmtm 

Messages sent to the seller can be overlooked, and the PO# needs to be on the package. Many sellers are just not very savvy about the purpose of a Purchase Order.  It is quite simple for a buyer to change the address at checkout to add the PO# there, and it puts the PO# fully in the buyer's control.

In the corporate world, the seller will ask for a Purchase Order to ensure the buying company has authorized the purchase—that the order did come from that company, and that some employee has not run amok with the business account. For the buyer, the PO# must be attached to package so that the receiving department can compare the package contents with the order that was placed, and so it can be delivered to the correct project or department.

[rfmtm]

That's what's nice about Amazon, it specifically asks for a PO number from a business account buyer, and puts it on the packing slip, shipping label, and communication emails.

For ebay, I would be afraid that using "PO" as in "PO Box" in an address field, may mess up delivery.  I think it might be safer putting after the last name, if it fits.

I agree sellers often miss the message to seller with payment, but maybe those sellers who often receive PO numbers should be a little more alert.

As far as putting the PO# on the shipping label, you can include it, if you manually paste it into the field provided for custom labels on the create label page.  Although it prints on the postage label it is sideways and not prominent.  Using a postage service like PirateShip allows you to include two reference lines on the label at the bottom.

Another way to make it prominent is to just paste it in as a comment on the packing slip and/or postage label PDF preview, before you print it.   I often do this to add some advertising or a special delivery note to the carrier.

[shipscript]

@rfmtm  

Yes, you are correct to suggest PO in the address line might trigger a PO Box error. But "Order#" or "Attn#" would work. The limitation is that only one vendor at a time could be paid at checkout, unless multiple POs were added at checkout.  

There are certainly many ways a seller can add the PO# to the package, but will they in every case if asked? 

@ensilnfny 

For a PO# field to be effective, it must be part of an individual sale, so the cart is one place to request it. At the top of the shopping cart page is a link to "send us your feedback".  You can add a suggestion using that form.

The other place, and probably the most likely place, is on the Checkout page. Purchases from separate sellers are listed there, and checkout has a similar feedback form at the top of the page.

[rfmtm]

My question would be how to reliably instruct and/or remind the buyer to add it to his address at checkout?  At least on Amazon a business account buyer can't miss the option to either enter or decline using a PO# in the checkout flow.