Not combining multiple items as a seller

[myjellybeana]

I recently had 8 items bid on by the same buyer and I knew they were going to ask for combined shipping. They also are bidding on two other items ending next week.   These items are prepackaged by manufacturer in 9.5x9.5x3  inch boxes so I purchased some 10x10x3 inch boxes to ship in. Because of this I don’t want to combine my items and don’t offer that in listing.  Each item has a separate auction number

Sure enough after winning all the auctions they sent an email a few hours later asking to combine and invoice for combined shipping. I answered back it was not possible.   Am I wrong for doing this?  I would have to go and find different boxes and would still have multiple boxes to ship. I think some buyers don’t understand about the post office surcharge for oversized boxes also.  I know combining is good business practice but I also see the difference between combining multiple orders of pencils as opposed to multiple orders with car tires. The buyer knew the size of the items when bidding.

I guess I just want reassurance that I’m not a bad seller and not greedy for not giving the buyer a “break”

[pickermall]

I would probably run to Home Depot, Lowes or WalMart and buy a box for a buck or so... calculate the shipping cost and add that to the invoice to the buyer (as well as adding in the cost of the box and gas money if you want to)

[ms.rodriguez*]

Figure out what size box you need to combine all of them.   Then see if the buyer will actually save on shipping.  Sometimes, with the new postal surcharges, if the box is over 30 inches, there is an extra 15.oo fee.  If the buyer saves money, you go out and find a box at your local store. Any clean box that did not contain meat, flammable items, coffee, bleach, hazardous materials, etc . will be good enough.     If the bigger box results in a higher shipping fee, immediately email the buyer . Explain. Give box dimensions and weight and tell them that they can verify this information at www.usps.com.

Sometimes, instead of one big box,  you can send the 4 boxes in 2 bigger boxes.  Anyway, you will have to work a bit. But in the end, if you save the buyer money, you have a repeat customer. 

[lightlily_arts]

I would not feel bad at all.  All of my items are pre-packaged for shipping, and I wouldn't want to have to find other boxes and repackage.  I refuse to do it for fragile collectibles.  Also, oversize packages cost more due to surcharges.

[house*of*paws]

Hi @myjellybeana 

You wouldn't look like a greedy seller.  You would look more like an incompetent seller if you shipped nonbreakable items in 8 separate boxes for $70 when they could be shipped in 1 or 2 larger boxes for a lot less.

[myjellybeana]

Thank you for your understanding. I thought it would be better to prepackage my items and be able to ship quickly. I was able to order my boxes and packing supplies through Amazon. I do not charge buyers for the supplies I purchase just what postage I am charged by eBay. I am a senior citizen who is just trying to downsize not have a business so can’t run to Walmart, Home Depot to try to find a box for one person.  Also am selling at or below previous sales for my items.  I guess I was caught off guard that one person would want so many😆

[myjellybeana]

I wouldn’t consider myself an incompetent seller.  I’m a senior citizen who is just trying to do some downsizing. I’ve been selling at a rate I’m happy with one item at a time.  I purchased boxes for the size I needed and do not charge buyer for any supplies.  If I combined everything the box would be too heavy for me to lift and handle.  Also buyer wanted me to wait until they purchase more items next week 

[stainlessenginecovers]

As others have stated; you can go to Walmart, Home Depot etc. and buy a large box to fit them all in BUT..

Before you do that; just figure the cost for a 24"x24"x24" box to fit 10 of those in and use the zip code of the buyer at usps.com

Then you can intelligently tell the customer that 'to put in a large box this size (give them size and weight of 10) would cost $XX vs individually costing $XX. Also tell them you would have to go purchase this larger box at a cost of $xx for the box and $xx for time/gas to go get it. If the big box is more with the added costs, customer would understand. You can also tell them to input your zip, their zip, size and weight in the usps.com website and they can see themselves (if it costs more)

Bottom Line- Communication is key