Seller handling combined shipping on multiple items

[miniaturesun]

I had someone buy three items from me. When I printed the label, I was given the option to combine the orders. Before this they all had their own shipping cost. This put everything together with a single shipping cost. My question is, do I need to refund the difference, or does ebay balance things out? Is there an easier way?

[klhmdg]

When this happens, I always refund the difference in shipping if there is any.

[chevymontecarlo88]

---

@miniaturesun wrote:

I had someone buy three items from me. When I printed the label, I was given the option to combine the orders. Before this they all had their own shipping cost. This put everything together with a single shipping cost. My question is, do I need to refund the difference, or does ebay balance things out? Is there an easier way?

---

I agree with @klhmdg and i will communicate with the buyer to let them know. Sometimes buyers do get upset thinking they overspent on shipping not realizing you will/have refunded them the difference. (if there is a difference)

[worldcoinauctions]

I use a fixed shipping price that works in my favor with about 80% of sales. I do cap shipping at a certain amount, so if a customer buys 4-20 items they pay the same price. 1-4 items, no.

[casprrr]

If you can safely combine the orders into a single package (I deal in antique glassware and sometimes items can't be combined due to size or risk of damage), the easiest way is to use the combined shipping that it sounds like eBay has already prepared. Carefully check to make sure that the package size and weight are correct; combining multiple items may require a larger box than the one indicated. Measure and weigh the package, purchase the shipping label, subtract its cost from the amount the buyer paid, and refund the difference less any handling fees that you may charge.

It becomes more difficult if you are unable to use a single package. In this case, you will need to divide the order between multiple boxes and purchase shipping labels for each. When purchasing additional labels, eBay will warn you that you've already purchased a label for this order - ignore this and continue. Apply the correct label to each package . When doing this, I write "Box 1 of 2" and "Box 2 of 2" on the packages so that the buyer isn't alarmed if one arrives earlier than the other, and I also message the buyer let the buyer know that they will receive their order in more than one box.