My first sale, ....a couple of questions

[beezray]

I thought I read (but now can't find it), that ebay automatically sends an invoice at the end of an action when an item sells. I also see a tab that says "send an invoice".  Am I suppose to send one? I see ebay has reduced cost shipping labels, and thought it looked like a good option, since it's only $2.66, but if ebay automatically sent an invoice, with the $3.50 shipping price listed during the auction, will it cause a problem?  Or do I somehow refund the difference? It also says on the page where I purchase the postage through ebay "Total shipping cost paid by buyer -Free" What does that mean? Can I only buy a label through ebay if I offered free shipping in my auction? Sorry for the newbie questions. Help please! Thanks very much.

[lintbrush*]

---

@beezray wrote:

I thought I read (but now can't find it), that ebay automatically sends an invoice at the end of an action when an item sells. I also see a tab that says "send an invoice".  Am I suppose to send one? I see ebay has reduced cost shipping labels, and thought it looked like a good option, since it's only $2.66, but if ebay automatically sent an invoice, with the $3.50 shipping price listed during the auction, will it cause a problem?  Or do I somehow refund the difference? It also says on the page where I purchase the postage through ebay "Total shipping cost paid by buyer -Free" What does that mean? Can I only buy a label through ebay if I offered free shipping in my auction? Sorry for the newbie questions. Help please! Thanks very much.

---

Yes, eBay sends and invoice.  There is no reason to send another one unless you have to make some type of shipping adjustment (like multiple item purchase shipping discounts).   

Shipping isn't just postage alone.  Shipping price encompasses the expenses it costs to ship.  $3.50 to ship a top is more than reasonable.

$2.66 for postage

.35 to eBay for shipping FVFs

.50 for bubble mailer

.10 to PayPal against the shipping.

I think you were right in line. 

When you look at the PayPal transaction, does it show the customer paid shipping?  Your listing shows a $3.50 shipping charge.  It shouldn't be free.

Congrats on your first sale

Edit:  When you buy your postage on eBay (and on PayPal), there is an option to "Display postage cost on label"  I don't ever show it.  There isn't a reason to. You'll run into buyers who nickel and dime you without actually understanding the expenses involved in shipping.

[castlemagicmemories]

Buyers can pay from the PAY NOW tab on the ended listing.

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

---

@beezray wrote:

I thought I read (but now can't find it), that ebay automatically sends an invoice at the end of an action when an item sells. I also see a tab that says "send an invoice".  Am I suppose to send one? No, don't bother.  

I see ebay has reduced cost shipping labels, and thought it looked like a good option, since it's only $2.66, but if ebay automatically sent an invoice, with the $3.50 shipping price listed during the auction, will it cause a problem?  No problem.  Use the difference to cover your handling costs.Or do I somehow refund the difference? It's possible but not advisable.

It also says on the page where I purchase the postage through ebay "Total shipping cost paid by buyer -Free" What does that mean? It means your buyer did not pay anything for the shipping;  the "Free" box was checked off on the listing form.

Can I only buy a label through ebay if I offered free shipping in my auction? You can purchase postage through eBay for any transaction.  Sorry for the newbie questions. Help please! Thanks very much.

---

[beezray]

Thank you so much for responding. No need to send an invoice...got it! My auction just ended an hour ago, so I don't have a PayPal transaction yet.  I'm assuming it will include the $3.50 shipping cost listed in the action.  I'm still just a little thrown by the line on the eBay postage page where I purchase the label where it says "Total shipping cost paid by buyer -Free".  I don't get what that means, but I'm assuming that I can purchase an eBay label, and it won't affect the cost of shipping charged in the auction? I do see where it has the option for displaying postage value.  Thanks for the heads up on that. 

[beezray]

Thanks for the reply. That's really strange about the free shipping. I can still see the auction page, and it wasn't listed as free. I guess I'll find out when the auction is paid. I appreciate the help Thanks again!

[soh.maryl]

You are welcome to come here and ask questions.  That's what we are here for.

But have you read any of the Seller Information Center at all? 

[lintbrush*]

@beezray

The reason you're likely seeing Free right now then is because the buyer hasn't paid.  

Don't buy the shipping label until they do.  Things can change from the information you currently see - like the shipping address and name of recipient.  They may choose a different address during checkout (gift, snowbirds, etc)

[pjcdn2005]

If you want to see what is on the invoice you can click on send invoice and it will pop up.  You can then close it, you don't have to send it.  

[beezray]

Thank you for the tip!

[beezray]

Yup, that makes sense. I'll bet that's why it says free. Thanks for all of the great info. I really appreciate it!

[mikgile-39]

The reduced price on the label is your seller discount for purchasing the label online. If you give the buyer that price you will actually lose money because ebay charges a final value fee on the shipping price.  You charge the buyer the full cost for the label and use the shipping label discount to cover Ebay's final value fee on the price the buyer paid for the shipping. IF there is any remaining amount you use that to cover some of the cost of the shipping materials you used on this item and the other items you sell. Most buyers will pay for their item in a day or two. Sometimes it may take a few days if they are bidding on other items you have for sale. You mainly send invoices when buyer are interested in purchasing multiple items from you and want combined shipping.  If in a few days the buyer has not paid you can send the invoice. You should turn on the unpaid item assistant and after 4 days if the buyer has not paid the unpaid item assistant will step in and send a message to the buyer each day over the next 4 days reminding them to pay. Then if they do not pay it will cancel the sale and refund you the final value fees on your next invoice. Some buyer may need a few extra days to pay if they are waiting on their next pay check. They may message you asking for a little extra time. If you decide to you can turn off the unpaid item assistant for that item and give them a few extra days. IF you are running auctions it would be a good idea to include at the end of your items description how long you are willing to wait for payment so buyers will know when they need to pay.