Combined total requests encourage multiple item sales, but can’t request from app. Why not?

[krys888]

I’ve recently learned that ebay does not see the app’s functionality as a priority even though 35%-45% of users are on mobile. The ability to request combined totals encourages multiple item sales. Buyers can NOT request combined totals from the app. Why is this not a priority over the other updates you’ve made to the app? Without that option on the app, mobile buyers interested in multiple items, have to either go to the website from their phone (with no mouse; your site is awful to navigate without a mouse) to make the request or just pay for all of it and wait for the seller to refund the shipping (more steps for the seller) or NOT purchase the multiple items. Why wouldn’t ebay WANT buyers to have a one step (rather than 15 steps) click to request a combined total? I’m just trying to better understand so I can plan accordingly. Thank you.

[earlyant-77]

Ebay makes more money if you don't combine shipping.

[slippinjimmy]

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@earlyant-77 wrote:

Ebay makes more money if you don't combine shipping.

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Not if the multiple item purchase is not made because getting a combined shipping discount is made difficult.

Quite often buyers using traditional desktop access are prevented from requesting totals for multiple items, it's not just an app thing.

[earlyant-77]

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@slippinjimmy wrote:

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@earlyant-77 wrote:

Ebay makes more money if you don't combine shipping.

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Not if the multiple item purchase is not made because getting a combined shipping discount is made difficult.

Quite often buyers using traditional desktop access are prevented from requesting totals for multiple items, it's not just an app thing.

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I'll agree with that. But a lot of sellers will refund the overage when they buyer can't request a total. That's found money for ebay right there(and now paypal).

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

I ran into this the other day. Posters here keep telling posters to use IPR but that prevents their buyers from requesting a total. Now that PayPal is no longer refunding, this is going to hurt buyers, sellers or both.

[dtexley3]

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@krys888 wrote:

I’ve recently learned that ebay does not see the app’s functionality as a priority even though 35%-45% of users are on mobile. The ability to request combined totals encourages multiple item sales. Buyers can NOT request combined totals from the app. Why is this not a priority over the other updates you’ve made to the app? Without that option on the app, mobile buyers interested in multiple items, have to either go to the website from their phone (with no mouse; your site is awful to navigate without a mouse) to make the request or just pay for all of it and wait for the seller to refund the shipping (more steps for the seller) or NOT purchase the multiple items. Why wouldn’t ebay WANT buyers to have a one step (rather than 15 steps) click to request a combined total? I’m just trying to better understand so I can plan accordingly. Thank you.

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completely agree and most other sellers that post on this issue also agree.  eBay doesn't see combined orders as a priority.  It's difficult to do on the desktop and impossible in the apps.  Been that way for YEARS now.

[parkersparrow]

I was on the phone with someone from customer service awhile ago. I forget what dept. , but it wasn't one on the regular reps that just read the scripts. I mentioned this problem & they were supposedly going to pass it along to the app developers. She said the app was still in beta. All I know is i've lost many sales, especially overseas sales because it's such a hassle to get it sorted out.

[dtexley3]

I've found the following process works well for all involved, and has the advantage of working each and EVERY time.

I explain to the buyer that eBay has system issues that make it a bit more work to combine orders, but I have a workaround in case eBay won't combine.

1. Buyer puts the items they want in the Cart.  I explain in advance that i can't see their cart, but this will help THEM with the following steps.
2. If the buyer is not using an App, check to see if "Request Total" or "Request Invoice" is available.  If it is, click on that and go to step 8.
3. If using an App or the button in step 2 doesn't work the buyer must open each item and send me (the seller) a message, one for each listing.
4. Either on the last item or in a followup message the buyer notifies the seller that they have completed step 3 and sent messages for all the items they want.
5. At this point the seller calculates shipping, decides on any price discounts, etc and lets the buyer know what the ending costs will be.
6. Seller then uses the "reply with offer" on each item sending the agreed upon price for the item.  It can be the original price if that's what was agreed to. I do make sure to tell them that shipping will be adjusted with the invoice, but eBay WILL show the original shipping on the offer.
7. The Buyer accepts the offers, BUT DOES NOT PAY!!!!  Very important that they don't pay until they receive the invoice.
8. Seller goes to Orders, Awaiting Payment and generates the invoice, adjusts shipping, applies any discounts, etc and sends it to the buyer.
9. Buyer Pays, Seller ships.

This may sound complicated but once you've been through the process a couple times it's easy and it's safe.  Both the buyer and the seller know what's going on each step of the way and it's easier for both parties to track.

In the end the Buyer pays the CORRECT amount for items, shipping and sales tax (if any) and the seller doesn't pay any extra fees or have to do a partial refund for shipping or discounts.  And eBay has ALL the documentation for the transaction, no guessing, no possibility of external emails, nada. 

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

I would like to point out a relevant point to this issue. If you allow combined shipping PLeASE note this in your description. You would not believe how many sellers I have passed by when buying things like puzzles because they don’t say they will combine.

its especially confounding because many of these sellers will combine when asked. Noting it may just earn you some sales.

[tsme35]

I put that I combine shipping and still get ask if I combine shipping lol

[tsme35]

Its a good work around but some buyers don't have the patient, I've tried, some get it others are "its too hard to figure out" and then a lost sale, but we've been asking it for years and you would think now ebay is pinching .25 per transaction on MP, its a money maker for them

[dtexley3]

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@parkersparrow wrote:

I was on the phone with someone from customer service awhile ago. I forget what dept. , but it wasn't one on the regular reps that just read the scripts. I mentioned this problem & they were supposedly going to pass it along to the app developers. She said the app was still in beta. All I know is i've lost many sales, especially overseas sales because it's such a hassle to get it sorted out.

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Multiple blues have "promised" that our seller feedback on this issue has been passed to the "appropriate team" (janitorial?) for review over the last 2 years.  I rarely bring it up anymore as it has gotten some very testy replies.

[parkersparrow]

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@dtexley3 wrote:

I've found the following process works well for all involved, and has the advantage of working each and EVERY time.

I explain to the buyer that eBay has system issues that make it a bit more work to combine orders, but I have a workaround in case eBay won't combine.

1. Buyer puts the items they want in the Cart.  I explain in advance that i can't see their cart, but this will help THEM with the following steps.
2. If the buyer is not using an App, check to see if "Request Total" or "Request Invoice" is available.  If it is, click on that and go to step 8.
3. If using an App or the button in step 2 doesn't work the buyer must open each item and send me (the seller) a message, one for each listing.
4. Either on the last item or in a followup message the buyer notifies the seller that they have completed step 3 and sent messages for all the items they want.
5. At this point the seller calculates shipping, decides on any price discounts, etc and lets the buyer know what the ending costs will be.
6. Seller then uses the "reply with offer" on each item sending the agreed upon price for the item.  It can be the original price if that's what was agreed to. I do make sure to tell them that shipping will be adjusted with the invoice, but eBay WILL show the original shipping on the offer.
7. The Buyer accepts the offers, BUT DOES NOT PAY!!!!  Very important that they don't pay until they receive the invoice.
8. Seller goes to Orders, Awaiting Payment and generates the invoice, adjusts shipping, applies any discounts, etc and sends it to the buyer.
9. Buyer Pays, Seller ships.

This may sound complicated but once you've been through the process a couple times it's easy and it's safe.  Both the buyer and the seller know what's going on each step of the way and it's easier for both parties to track.

In the end the Buyer pays the CORRECT amount for items, shipping and sales tax (if any) and the seller doesn't pay any extra fees or have to do a partial refund for shipping or discounts.  And eBay has ALL the documentation for the transaction, no guessing, no possibility of external emails, nada. 

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Lately when the request total from seller button isn't available i've just been asking what the items the buyer wants and then I just make a special listing for them with all the items. 

[dtexley3]

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@parkersparrow wrote:

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@dtexley3 wrote:

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Lately when the request total from seller button isn't available i've just been asking what the items the buyer wants and then I just make a special listing for them with all the items. 

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I did that for a while, but it was a hassle when the buyer backed out, or if I forgot to delete the individual listings when they did.  Also eBay has in some instances charged sellers with FVFs on one or more of the individuals items flagging them as transactions outside eBay because the listing was pulled after an offer.