Shipping

[5219rene]

When buyer pays shipping, can they choose whether to include tracking or not?

[johnrj1226]

Solution - don't  sell single digit items unless you like to be an O N F P O  (Obviously Not For Profit Organization).  Postage used to be only a 3 cent stamp w/o tracking back when I was a youngster with acne in the late 1950s and we just traded stuff to get something we wanted but didn't have the money to buy. Learned how to win at a game of marbles.  In my entire life  have only lost  two items shipped Priority mail both never  came out of the  USPS Jamaica Sort Facility  in NYC on  two different occasions.   After college had 21 different mailing addresses in 5 different states had insurance coverage for loss  and was  made whole.

Life is still Good

[5219rene]

I think I found a good answer.  Help article titled “eBay Standard Envelope”

“eBay standard envelope is the low cost way to ship small, lightweight items up to 3 oz. to your buyers with integrated tracking and shipping protection. It's more secure than shipping with a stamp, and can help improve your Seller Ratings.”

[dy60609]

@5219rene 

Your item likely does not qualify for that eBay service.

Categories that qualify are limited

[jonathanbrightlight]

Make sure you both read the article carefully (as @dy60609  noted, there are only a few categories of items that qualify, plus it has to be non-rigid and able to go through the USPS scanning machines), and read up on some of the stories posted here on the boards about the ESE.  

[12345jamesstamps]

If I think I might need tracking I will pay for it 'out of my pocket' to be safe.

I prefer not to 'nickel and dime' a buyer...and maybe a 'potential repeat buyer'...about shipping.

I do sometimes have tracking if it is expensive as such.

But cheapo items in my category don't need tracking.

Very rarely lose an item in the mail from an 'honest buyer'

I prefer to do free domestic shipping...competition is fierce out there...LOL

[5219rene]

Nevermind, I just talked to an eBay rep and this eBay standard envelope does not sound like true tracking after all.  Oh well…

[mam98031]

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@5219rene wrote:

I think I found a good answer.  Help article titled “eBay Standard Envelope”

“eBay standard envelope is the low cost way to ship small, lightweight items up to 3 oz. to your buyers with integrated tracking and shipping protection. It's more secure than shipping with a stamp, and can help improve your Seller Ratings.”

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It can help sellers of certain types of items.  It has it flaws, but it can help if the items you sell are eligible to use the program.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@5219rene wrote:

Nevermind, I just talked to an eBay rep and this eBay standard envelope does not sound like true tracking after all.  Oh well…

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Depends on what you're looking for.  The tracking provided with eBay's "Standard envelope" (AKA ESE) is indeed not quite the same as the Delivery Confirmation and tracking that USPS provides with their package services.  But it does provide protection against fake "Item not received" claims, and it meets the tracking requirement for Top Rated Seller evaluations.

However, as noted in other posts, your items probably don't qualify for the ESE.  The option to print those labels is limited to selected categories, and the pieces themselves must meet the USPS criteria for a nonmachinable letter, including being flexible and not over 1/4 inch thick.

[iamalwaysright]

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@5219rene wrote:

When buyer pays shipping, can they choose whether to include tracking or not?

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No, not directly. The buyer is only presented all of the shipping services and companies you entered into the listing that you offer. Having a tracking number depends on if the shipping service/company that your buyer chose from your list includes it or not.