Free Shipping vs Fast-n-Free Shipping - What's the difference?

[kate_lily]

I am noticing this on every item I search for... the same item, same free shipping USPS First Class, sellers each have 1000+ feedback responses, sellers each live equal distance from me.

Why does it appears in one listing as "Free Shipping" while the other's listing has the green font "Fast n Free Shipping" logo/icon? 

[couldabeenworse · Accepted solution]

Fast n Free Shipping is Free Shipping PLUS there is a high probability that you'll receive the item within 4 days.

[kate_lily]

@couldabeenworse

Thanks for the info.

But, when I sign into one of my accounts accounts and search for items that my other account sells; it only says "Free Shipping." My preferences are set up for 'ship within 1 business day' even though I most always ship same day. I would imagine that shipping with the same Ship From and Ship To zip code would display the "Fast n Free" logo, but this isn't the case.

* By searching, I mean.... if I am selling a Janlynn cross stitch kit, I do not solely search within my second account. I do a general search that results in everyone selling that specific kit, including mine.

[disneyshopper]

What METHOD of shipping is used?  If ebay estimates that delivery will take more than 4 business days, the FAST N FREE logo will not be displayed.

[pearlybaker77]

I guess I'm way off base here but I read that eBay determines with a secret algorithm if you get to offer Fast N Free but that one way to get there is to offer free shipping, get it in the mail the same day enough times and you get the Fast N Free Logo? Was this fake news? 

[partial*eclipse]

@pearlybaker77

You are replying to a thread that is 4 months old, for which the original poster indicted that he had received a satisfactory solution.

Sellers do not "offer Fast N Free." It's a logo that eBay puts on a listing if it offers free shipping and if eBay estimates that the package will be delivered within 4 business days.

Your information is not exactly "fake news," but it is a very sloppy interpretation of eBay's policies for determining estimated delivery dates.    In estimating delivery time, the factors include shipping service, handling time, and the timing history of that specific seller's  actual delivery scans.

[points13]

I think you are on the right track. Seem to remember something about having a history of items making within the time period is one of the determining factors.

[shopperclub]

I also could not find information easy to understand from eBay info. Maybe I wasn't reading correctly, or looked at the wrong place. BUT -- in the meantime -- here's what I found out reading these posts. "I" can't apply for "fast n free," only eBay decides who qualifies. And -- it seems that there is no discount on the shipping costs. (Interesting...) 

[nobody*s_perfect]

It's simpler than you think:  eBay's decision about whether to show the "Fast N Free" badge on any specific  listing is based entirely on their estimation of whether the package will be delivered within 4 business days.  

It's not a program or award; it has nothing to do with the shipping costs that the seller actually pays for the item that was listed with free shipping.