Shipping two different purchases in one package.

[wmontyj]

A buyer purchased one book and wants to purchase another and I am fine with that, however how can I combine two purchases (one is already paid for) into one envelope?  Can I sell something and ship it without actually buying another label from eBay?

[inceptions]

Hi @wmontyj 

Yes, sellers combine shipping for buyers all the time. The cost to ship is usually more than for one item but less than for two. Be sure you enter the package containing both items and adjust the weight and package size when you purchase your shipping label. You can refund the buyer his shipping/handling over-payment after you determine the combined cost. Be sure to list the tracking # on the other transaction.

(Not sure about shipping in an envelope though - remember that the item must arrive in listed condition to avoid having to refund.)

[shipscript]

After a buyer purchases two books, you can buy one label for the weight of the package that contains both books. The tracking number will apply to the first book that you label. Copy that tracking number to the second sale. Both will then share the same tracking number.  You can then refund any overpayment of shipping, if you choose.

Or, since one purchase is already paid, you can manage it another way to avoid the refund. The two books will ship for more than one book, but for less than two. The buyer can make an offer for the second book and you can counter with a discount that is equivalent to the excess postage that will be collected for two books. When you accept that offer, generate one label as above.

You may want to set up combined shipping for your future sales. 

Go to your account settings for Shipping Preferences:

https://www.ebay.com/ship/prf 

Turn on "Allow combined payments and shipping". That will allow a buyer to request a combined shipping invoice on the checkout screen. It will automatically be available at checkout for all items. You may want to advise buyers in your listings to put items in the cart and then use the option in the cart to request a combined shipping invoice prior to payment. 

Turning on the combined shipping option will also allow you to edit shipping rules.  If you would like combined shipping to be calculated automatically, you will need to set some shipping rules.

See this post for more info:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Ask-a-Mentor/How-do-I-make-the-shipping-cost-not-double-for-every-extr...