eBay

mpkeyper289 · ‎04-06-2018

I'm not new to eBay, but I am just a casual seller. I need advice on how to proceed with this...

I listed several items for auction that ended on March 31, 2018. Before my items ended, I received a message on March 24, 2018 about a plate I was selling. The buyer said she loved both items and asked if she could have one shipping charge. She didn't state what other item she was interested in, so I wrote a reply asking her which two items she was interested in. (All I could tell is that she was interested in the plate.) Then, she bid on a small tureen that I had listed. I didn't receive a reply from her, so I sent another message. I said that I saw she'd bid on the small tureen, so I was going to assume that she's interested in the plate and small tureen. I also said I've never done combined shipping before...but I didn't think it would be a problem. Yet, I could only offer USPS Priority Mail shipping because both items are too heavy to send combined shipping via USPS First Class Mail. Again, she didn't reply.

I went ahead and changed my eBay account to include calculated combined shipping. Days passed, I never heard from her, and she never bid on any other item. She ended up winning the small tureen auction, so I waited for payment. Also, I went ahead and relisted my other items that didn't sell. From what I understand, eBay's policy is the buyer has 7 days to pay. Since she still hadn't paid for the small tureen by the 3rd day, I planned on sending her an invoice on the 5th day if I hadn't received payment.

On April 4, 2018 (the 4th day), I get a new message from her about the item she'd won (the small tureen.) She asks me if she can combine shipping with another item I'm selling. I replied, "Yes. I updated my eBay account to include combined calculated shipping. After you bid and win the items you want, the calculated shipping should be applied when you go through checkout. If you accidentally pay for more than one shipping cost or you already paid for an item, I can always refund the shipping cost to you and send you a new shipping invoice. I would only be able to ship via USPS Priority Mail for the combined items; USPS First Class Mail only allows up to 13 oz (despite eBay saying 16 oz.) Since I don't know your zip code and what other items you are interested in, I can't give you a guesstimate for the shipping cost." I also said that she must've missed my other two messages to her after she'd asked the same question with the plate. I stated that I never received a reply from her, and I copy/pasted the message.

She replied and said, "Thank you! I definitely want the tureen here and will check for other items" and gave me her zip code. Again, she still hasn't paid for the small tureen. Yesterday, I see that she bid on another item I am selling (not the plate.) If I'm calculating correctly with eBay's policy, she must pay by tomorrow for the small tureen that she already won on March 31. Can I wait longer than 7 days for payment, or will I lose my right to make an unpaid claim if she never pays? Should I go ahead and send her an invoice telling her to pay for the small tureen but not shipping?

Thanks for the help!

lintbrush* · ‎04-06-2018

There is no rule set in stone about 7 days. That's a way throw back when checks were being sent.

It used to be 4 days before you can open an Unpaid.

A few years ago they changed it to 2 days.

Once opened, the buyer has 96 hours to pay.

You have a month before you can no longer start the Unpaid process. You can do it from day 2 to day 30.

And I'll back what the other poster responded. Your post office is wrong.

Yes, counter/retail availability for First Class is 13 oz.

If they are looking "online", their mistake is likely because they are looking at USPS ClickNShip which only offers a Retail Rate postage - thus the 13 oz cap.

Commercial Rate First Class is up to 15.99 oz.

I'd print off and bring in Page 15 of Notice 123

https://pe.usps.com/CPIM/FTP/Manuals/dmm300/Notice123.PDF

(Click on First Class Package Service under the Commercial Prices table of contents)

View Best Answer in original post

sam9876 · ‎04-06-2018

If you print your own postage online, First Class packages can weigh up to 15.999 ounces.

fern*wood · ‎04-06-2018

You have around a month to file an unpaid item case.

If you print labels online you can ship up to 15.9oz 1st class mail.

mpkeyper289 · ‎04-06-2018

Thanks for the replies. What will happen if she doesn't pay by the 7th day?

My post office wouldn't accept my printed label because they said the USPS website says First Class is now only up to 13 oz. (I found it on there too.) Then, they proceeded to complain to me that eBay needs to fix their shipping stuff.

fern*wood · ‎04-06-2018

@mpkeyper289 wrote:
Thanks for the replies. What will happen if she doesn't pay by the 7th day?

My post office wouldn't accept my printed label because they said the USPS website says First Class is now only up to 13 oz. (I found it on there too.) Then, they proceeded to complain to me that eBay needs to fix their shipping stuff.

Nothing will happen on an unpaid item unless you open an unpaid item case. If your buyer is still shopping, then I would want them to finish before paying so I could send a combined shipping invoice. Once a buyer pays, you are required to ship within your handling time frame and could no longer wait for the second purchase.

Your post office is misinformed. Online 1st class shipping up to 15.9oz has been allowed for a couple years or so ---otherwise it would not be available when you print online.

lintbrush* · ‎04-06-2018