Automatic Combine Shipping for multi item orders

[theriverretail]

(originally posted to Ask A Mentor, but I think this question belongs here instead. )

Trying to set up combined shipping.  Case: customer orders more than one item from us.  When they check out they see shipping for each individual item, not a combined shipping rate for everything in their cart.   There is a "request combined shipping" link at the top of the cart.  BUT, I want combined shipping calculations to happen automatically -- without having to bother us - the seller.

What I've done:

Read everything I can find in the help section, and searched the forums and youtube going back 3 years.

On the shipping preferences page (https://www.ebay.com/ship/prf)

  --  Allowed combined payment

-- created a calculated shipping rule

-- offer calculated shipping on the listings:

In the shopping cart (from my buyer account - not our seller account) there's a shipping price for each item, not combined shipping

Note:  If the buyer orders more than one unit of an item, combined shipping appears to work.

So, what am I missing?  Or is my perception of 'combined calculated shipping' incorrect?

If it matters, we do not have a store subscription (but that's never mentioned as a requirement).

[pjcdn2005]

You need to associate those listings with the calculated shipping rules. If you go into revise one of your listings you will see a  long box below your domestic shipping section which has the option of using your calculated shipping rule. Once you check that off the rule will be set for that listing. 

It may be possible to do that in bulk edit rather than doing it listing by listing.

[theriverretail]

Thank you for the response.

As noted above we have chosen calculated shipping on the listings.    Is there another location to choose/set calculated shipping too?

[pjcdn2005]

I understood that you are using calculated shipping but I did miss that you are using business/shipping policies.  The way that I described to you is the way that I do it as each listing is set up separately not with a policy.   I'm not that familiar with shipping policies but whichever way you use, ebay still needs to know whether or not you want to use combined shipping with that particular listing. 

I'll post a screenshot of what it looks like on one of my listings and show you where I would check off that I want that listing to use my combined shipping rule. But if you use shipping rules your listing page will probably look different.   I am 'guessing' that you have to add the shipping rule to your shipping policy or do a separate policy.  But I will tag someone who I know uses shipping policies and they will know for sure how it is done.

@wastingtime101 

[wastingtime101 · Accepted solution]

Go to this page @theriverretail 

https://www.bizpolicy.ebay.com/businesspolicy/manage

Edit the policy and check the box to apply your combined shipping rule.

That needs to be done for every policy associated with the listings you want combined.

[richard1rst]

---

@theriverretail wrote:

(originally posted to Ask A Mentor, but I think this question belongs here instead. )

Trying to set up combined shipping.  Case: customer orders more than one item from us.  When they check out they see shipping for each individual item, not a combined shipping rate for everything in their cart.   There is a "request combined shipping" link at the top of the cart.  BUT, I want combined shipping calculations to happen automatically -- without having to bother us - the seller.

Careful what you wish for. "Automatic" calculations are rarely correct on multiple orders. There are just too many sometimes conflicting variables. Your best instructions to the computer will almost never give you the best result..

[theriverretail]

Thanks.  This appeared to fix the issue.

[theriverretail]

Thanks for the word of caution.  What problems have you seen?  One that I can think of is that USPS Ground Advantage only goes up to 20 pounds, but if the combined weight of the order is over 20# you get pushed to Priority Mail rates.  Also, if we don't have accurate weights for items.

[c_miracles_vintage]

I would also say a concern for me when you a some items that are very large would be if the combined items pushes the box size into dimensional weight charges. 

[wastingtime101]

---

@theriverretail wrote:

Thanks for the word of caution.  What problems have you seen?  One that I can think of is that USPS Ground Advantage only goes up to 20 pounds, but if the combined weight of the order is over 20# you get pushed to Priority Mail rates.  Also, if we don't have accurate weights for items.

---

That's inaccurate @theriverretail . Ground Adv limit is 70 lbs just like most USPS package services.

The "catch" of combined shipping by weight is the system uses the box size on the listing - they don't have a way for sellers to dictate an increased package size when you sell multiples. If the multi-item order ends up having to ship in 2 separate boxes, the buyer is still paying 1 combined shipping cost.

I use combined shipping rules, but use a separate biz policy without combined shipping on any item that's particularly large, heavy or fragile that needs to ship separate.