Can't request Combined Shipping Invoice on Discounted Items? Any fix?

[mondex]

I'm asking this as both a seller and buyer, but it occurs from trying to buy something.

As a seller (of comics), I have my shipping policies set up to automatically combine shipping.  As a buyer, I went to purchase 4 comics from a seller, and they apparently don't have combined shipping in place, but when I was looking for the invoice request link it informed me I couldn't because one or more items was discounted... So I emptied my cart and didn't buy anything.  The comics were each discounted a dollar or two, but shipping was $6 per comic, which adds more than the discount.  It didn't make sense to pay $24 shipping on a package that I know is costing the seller around $6 to send.  In fact, I'll probably just go to mycomicshop instead, because even though their comics are often a little more per issue, it will be cheaper overall.  So this is a real-world scenario in which an ebay policy is actually driving me to purchase from a different website, even though I'd rather purchase through ebay.

I've sold a lot of items but I didn't realize or possibly forgot this was a thing lol.  I don't see any options about it in shipping policies.  I realize that for variety sellers or big-item sellers, not automatically combining shipping for discounted items can make sense.  But for many smaller items (cards and comics), it doesn't.  I want my own discounted items to be automatically combined, and I want that option from other sellers that want to offer it.  Is there any way to offer this?  Am I missing where the option?  Please let me know IF you know what I'm talking about.  I think the seller (who is not mycomicshop btw) would've probably rather have taken the sale with the combined shipping than get nothing, so I hope they put in an option for this in shipping policies at some point if there isn't one.  Thanks,

[wastingtime101]

There are many factors that prevent buyers from requesting a combined total through the cart, and as you've discovered, discounts are one of them. Sellers have protested for years, but that's how eBay wants it to work and I don't see it changing.

You've also demonstrated how buyers are easily turned off when sellers do not set up automatic combined shipping rules.

A lot of sellers have a misconception that setting up automatic combined shipping means it has to apply to all of your items. It doesn't! You can set up only specific items or categories to combine - you do it at the listing (or biz policy) level. You can set up a variety of different combined shipping rules, too.

Personally I would like to see more options for sellers in the combined ship arena to alleviate the pain points (for example setting up item limits where it combines up to X items, then starts over because seller has to ship in multiple packages). But as things currently stand I think a lot of sellers would benefit from the existing rules, but they're afraid to learn or change or deviate from their manual process.

[mondex]

Yeah I have rules set up for my own items.  I try to be generous on shipping (free beyond the 1st issue for most comics) because I want people to buy more, so I don't care if shipping ends up eating a few dollars.  They should just add a toggle to turn on/off so you can choose if discounted items are included in combined shipping or not.

Anyway, thanks for your reply.  I always see you answering people's questions.  Are you secretly an AI? lol, have a good day

[12345jamesstamps]

I do free domestic shipping to get 'repeat buyers'.

For International Shipping I don't...and buyers can't put a bunch of items in a shopping cart and ask for a total.

I do refunds on combined shipping for International Buyers all the time. 

I probably lose buyers because of this...but then eBay loses fees as well due to less International Buyers.

I even give refunds without the buyer(s) even knowing there is a discount.