Change of Shipping Total on Auction

[chestnut451]

I'm selling vinyl LPs and am charging $5 for shipping including the cost of the special box.  However, I can fit 3-4 in one box and have had purchases buy several different auctions incurring $5 each.  My auctions state I can combine up to 3 LPs in a box, and if someone wins multiple auctions, I change the shipping total on the invoice I sent to reflect the number of boxes this one purchaser would get (some buy 4+ LPs).

I know I pay a FVF on the shipping, but does ebay reduce the fee based upon the actual shipping charged or am I eating that fee.  In one case, I had someone buy 4 individual LPs amounting to a $20 shipping fee.  I got them all in one box and charged him $5.  Did I pay a fee on the other $15 I didn't charge him?

And I can't offer to combine within the listing itself because some are lots of 2-3 and people are winning multiple auctions - so I can't say $5 combined shipping, and I don't want to overcharge people either if I add money per additional items because of the box limit.

I can't find that info anywhere in My Account.

Thank you.

[onefootflipper · Accepted solution]

You pay final value fees on what is actually paid. And if you refund money then you get the final value fees back on that money.

[stainlessenginecovers]

ebay fees are charged on the actual payment, since a 'purchase' is not paid for until a purchase is paid for. 

When selling 'lots'; just charge separate flat fee for that listing. If a customer buys 'another' lot, they will pay, you will keep and as long as you ship separate, no loss of either side. 

[chestnut451]

Thank you!  I wasn't sure how it was working. 

[pjcdn2005]

Do you often sell more than 3 or 4 albums to one person?  You could set up combined shipping on your listing in shipping preferences so that the first album is $5 and the rest are free.  After you set it up you have to tell which system you want that rule associated with.   https://www.ebay.com/ship/prf

It might help sales as buyers will not be waiting for an invoice and/or refund and will not have to assume that you will combine as you listing states.  I can confirm that not all sellers stand by their promises to combine so some buyers may be a bit skittish.

I noticed that your listing states Paypal only. Considering that hasn't been possible to accept Paypal only for many years you might want to delete that.  eBay already has a list of payment sources listed on each of your listings.

[ms.rodriguez*]

$5.00 to ship an album is cheap. I charge 5.00 to 5.50 to ship a Hot Wheels depending if the box weighs 4 ounces or 5.   Feel free to add a dollar or so more to cover the price of those shipping boxes. I am sure that you pay more for your boxes than I do for mine.  Goodluck on your sales.