Responding to requests for invoice/combined shipping.

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

If you receive a request for an invoice/combined shipping (Buyer clicked "Request Total" in cart, OR sent a message), but the total S/H charge for the couple of items adds up to the actual final cost to ship (there is no overage, or discount to be offered) ... what do you do?

Do you...

A) Send the buyer an invoice w/o changing the S/H price?

B) Send the buyer a message explaining S/H is accurate, no discount?

C) Ignore the buyer?

D) None of the Above.

I ask because I've experienced a few sellers who decide to choose go with Option C , and then when you (politely) follow up with them a day or two later, they get downright rude.

[xadexane]

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@ajs_coins_and_alchemy wrote:

If you receive a request for an invoice/combined shipping (Buyer clicked "Request Total" in cart, OR sent a message), but the total S/H charge for the couple of items adds up to the actual final cost to ship (there is no overage, or discount to be offered) ... what do you do? 

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With or without a message, sellers shouldn't send an invoice if the total won't change.

Whenever an invoice is sent the clock resets, pushing out the payment deadline for the buyer to pay.

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

Thanks for not answering and completely missing the point.

[southern*sweet*tea]

B

OR

depending on how bad I want to move some merchandise I'll send an invoice knocking a buck or so off the shipping.

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

Exactly what I figure any reasonable seller would do (mostly B, but the other is totally understandable)

I love the sellers who literally ignore you, and when you politely follow up, they lash out at you because the actual difference is pennies and they are offended that you are asking about pennies. Like, Hey Man, I didn't know it was only pennies, I thought there might be a solid $5 difference here, but because you didn't respond, how could I possibly know???

If the difference is pennies, then please, don't even offer me the pennies, just tell me the cost is the same or accurate. If the difference is significant enough, then send it on over.

[dbfolks166mt]

     There are a couple of other options and I have used both. 

1. Calculate what the actual shipping cost will be and communicate that figure to the buyer. Let them know that due to nuances with the cart and combined shipping it is difficult to get the shipping correct. Have them pay for the items and the shipping cost then once you have purchased the label refund them any overcharge. 

2. Combine the buyers cart into a customized listing with total cost and actual shipping, send them the link to the listing bundle use BIN with IPR and complete the sale that way. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@dbfolks166mt wrote: .... Let them know that due to nuances with the cart and combined shipping it is difficult to get the shipping correct. ... 

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I don't think that's true. The seller can use the eBay shipping calculator to figure out what the shipping cost would be for the new package; that's probably what the OP has done here.

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@dbfolks166mt wrote: ... 2. Combine the buyers cart into a customized listing with total cost and actual shipping, send them the link to the listing bundle use BIN with IPR and complete the sale that way. 

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Wouldn't that just delay the inevitable, i.e., charging the buyer the same shipping with no discount?  Then it adds a layer of inconvenience for the buyer, and the risk that they won't re-purchase. As well as the seller's dilemma about what reason to choose when canceling the original transactions.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@ajs_coins_and_alchemy wrote:

Thanks for not answering and completely missing the point.

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I think that answer was meant in imply, "Well, not option A".

Like some of the other respondents, I think that option B makes sense, though I'd be careful to sound apologetic/ regretful, pointing out that you are still charging the actual shipping cost. Maybe this is one of those special occasions where it makes sense to show the cost on the shipping label.

[monica-sells]

I sometimes allow the amount to be printed on the label so the buyer can actually see that you calculated the shipping correctly....many times with a class of items I sell, 1 item can go first class...but when you get 2 it exceeds 16 ounces, so it must go priority, which is approximately the same as 1 first class X 2 so it doesn't appear that you are "combining" shipping....

So, I print that amount on the label so they see that is what it cost

I "always" reply to any shipping question/request....

[dbfolks166mt]

@dbfolks166mt wrote: .... Let them know that due to nuances with the cart and combined shipping it is difficult to get the shipping correct. ... 

I don't think that's true. The seller can use the eBay shipping calculator to figure out what the shipping cost would be for the new package; that's probably what the OP has done here.

     It may or may not be the case seems to be inconsistent. I have had multiple issues with cart purchases especially when it is a BIN IPR item there just doesn't seem to be a way to fix the combined shipping as it treats the IPR items as individual items even though they are in the cart. Agree you can calculate the shipping based on the size and weight of the combined package. Sending an adjusted invoice may work or it may not. Coordinating with the buyer based on calculation of the combined shipping, having them pay the original invoice and refunding them any excess shipping is traditionally what I have done. 

@dbfolks166mt wrote: ... 2. Combine the buyers cart into a customized listing with total cost and actual shipping, send them the link to the listing bundle use BIN with IPR and complete the sale that way. 

Wouldn't that just delay the inevitable, i.e., charging the buyer the same shipping with no discount?  Then it adds a layer of inconvenience for the buyer, and the risk that they won't re-purchase. As well as the seller's dilemma about what reason to choose when canceling the original transactions.

     Not charging the same amount but listing the packaged bundle with the correct size and weight of the combined shipment. Always the risk that they won't repurchase canceling is simple if they coordinate with the buyer and utilize buyer requested. 

[ms.rodriguez*]

I let them know that due to the size of the item and the weight, there is no discount.  If the items can't be packed together , I will let them know.

[house*of*paws]

[Not having read any replies before answering ... so sorry if repetitious.]

Hi @ajs_coins_and_alchemy 

I think the best option would be an A-B combo:  Send the invoice w/o changing price ... with an asterisk explaining that combining shipping didn't produce a discount in this case.  Sorry.  😞  

[I'm a buyer only ... so take that into account.]

[slippinjimmy]

Definitely B

I have only run into this situation once or twice.

Because I state in my listings that I will combine to save money for the shipping I would be inclined to offer a least some small refund so as to fulfill my stated promise (which does not specify the exact percentage/amount of the discount). There are plenty of times when the multiple items don't even change the actual shipping charge so I can discount while putting extra in my pocket, this more than balances out a small loss that rarely happens.

[rovemele-zmdmfp]

combine shipping to me is they pay shipping on the highest shipping of item plus $3 for any added item after so let say shipping on one of there items is 10.00 and they added 2 more items for those i will charge 3.00 each on shipping so that 16.00 total shipping for all 3 items i will charge them they save and i do as well so i just send them a new invoice and tell them to pay that one i just sent ( keep in mind this is for items that you know will fit in the main box ) so just my 2 cent info and i always answer regardless if it can or cant be done

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

Thank you to everyone who responded (and/or continues to).

My reason for posing this question was not to seek advice for myself as a seller, but to start a conversation and see where people are at on the issue. I used to charge shipping but have since gone to free shipping, so I no longer face this as a seller.

I asked this, as an EBayer who buys & sells, so I see both sides. As a buyer, I've experienced a few sellers who have chosen Option C (to ignore) and then proceeded to be rude.

Like, as a seller, I can guesstimate what the final shipping postage will be, but I don't know what service someone uses, will they use flat rate packaging or not? Do they charge buyers the commercial rate? The Retail Rate? Do they have their own flat rate system they use? Do they subsidize? Do they overcharge?

I used to charge $5 for FCP, $10 for Priority Envelopes, and $15 for Med FR Boxes. That system undercharged some (less than commercial rates) and overcharged some (More than retail rates.) but it was a simple and consistent system I used.

Let's not even get started on how in the world can you know someone else's business model. Does a specific seller charge a buyer for insurance? Signature? Do they even use insurance/signature? Do they eat that cost? Do they pass it along?

So even an experienced seller, acting as a buyer, may not know what to expect as a shipping charge from a seller. How can one know what to expect if they never worked with them before. I've been shocked in some cases... one seller I frequent charges $4 for the entire order, no matter the size. (They don't advertise this shipping discount). Another seller just charged me a random amount for shipping to make sure their "unknown" cost would be covered, turns out they charged me double the actual cost...

However, some sellers just expect you to know the shipping charge they would pass along, and when you request an invoice, and there is no discount to be had, they ignore you, because you must be acting stupid or something.

Yes, these sellers suck and there are more good sellers than bad sellers. Yes these sellers make the rest of us look bad. Just been an experience I've faced several times and felt would be interesting to bring up as a topic to discuss!

Thanks!

AJ