Shipping Calculations

[discount.electronics.for.sale]

I need advice on a shipping calculation issue. I list items with calculated shipping based on dimensions (1lb, 6x6x6). However, when a customer purchases 20 of these items, the calculation often results in an overcharge of 4-5 times the actual value. How can I ensure that shipping is properly calculated based on the weight and size of each item?

[onlinecentral · Accepted solution]

My wish list for the shipping calculator would be a table to enter the number of units in one column. Then either the dollar amount or else the weight in the other column. Until that gets implimented, here are some alternatives.
1a) Continue offering a separate shipping charge. You can encourage your buyers to put their purchases into their cart. Then request an invoice from you.
1b) Continue offering a separate shipping charge. You can issue a partial refund after the buyer completes checkout.

2a) Abandon the separate shipping. Offer free shipping and inflate your sell price to cover that cost.
2b) Abandon the separate shipping. You can keep or refund any any excess shipping as you see fit. Once in a blue moon a customer will ask for a shipping discount from me in advance. I reply to their message with a Best Offer.

Your screen shot shows Priority Mail. I don't know if that choice is the default for the shipping calculator or is your normal method. Consider using USPS Ground Advantage at 2 to 5 day delivery.

[discount.electronics.for.sale]

Thank you for your response. Typically, I refund customers the shipping difference. However, I recently encountered a situation where a customer falsely claimed an item as "Item Not As Described" (INAD) to obtain a refund on shipping, despite my offer to refund the difference.
Unfortunately, eBay sided with the customer, leaving me responsible for the shipping costs and potentially awaiting the return of the item.

I personally opt for Priority Mail due to its tracking capabilities and the availability of free boxes, which aligns with my other business practices. Based on your experience, it seems that such incidents are common on eBay, and there might not be much I can do to ensure shipping is properly calculated separately.

[ebeths_eclectic_collectibles]

Funny thing is that lately I have experienced the opposite where a customer purchases multiples of the same thing and they under pay for shipping as eBay doesn’t adjust for the dimensions  when I have to use a larger box. 

[albertabrightalberta]

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@discount.electronics.for.sale wrote:

I personally opt for Priority Mail due to its tracking capabilities and the availability of free boxes, 

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Although you don't get free boxes as with priority mail, ground advantage offers tracking and insurance, just as priority mail does and shipping speed (in my experience) is identical. 

I've never had to buy boxes for my (previously) first class or (now) ground advantage shipments. Between getting free packaging from various stores (before they compact it) or from Amazon shipments, friends and family, there's no shortage of shipping supplies.

[robbie31415]

You said you don't want to offer free shipping to prioritize value.

Well your competitors beat you on the few listings I checked.

Almost all your shipping prices exceed item price so that is gross.

For instance one of your competitors charges 12.00 with 4.95 shipping.

You charge 11.99 with 13.95 shipping.

Where is the value ?

Another competitor offers 2 pc listing for $20 with free shipping.

Adding yours with your discount you give for buying more. 22.78 + 27.90 shipping.

Not good.

[pjcdn2005]

@discount.electronics.for.sale 

You can set up combined shipping when you are selling multiple items from the same listing. If you aren't using business policies you would set up a combined shipping rule on your selling preferences page and then check off that particular rule on the listing.  I don't use business policies so am not sure how you would that with policies but I suspect that it is done right on the shipping policy. I do know that it can be done. 

Just a warning that setting up a combined shipping cost will not change the box size.

Someone who can explain how to combine with a shipping policy is @wastingtime101   If he is around today I'm sure that he will pop in to this thread.

[wastingtime101]

Hi @discount.electronics.for.sale .

1. Go to your Shipping Preferences page and set up a calculated shipping rule to combine shipping by weight. https://www.ebay.com/ship/prf

2. Go to your biz policy mgmt page and edit the biz policy by checking a box to apply the combined shipping rule. https://www.bizpolicy.ebay.com/businesspolicy/manage

If at any point you opt out of biz policies, you can check the box to apply your combined shipping rule at the listing level instead of the biz policy level.

[discount.electronics.for.sale]

Thank you for your valuable insights. I've implemented your suggestions and made adjustments to my shipping policies in hopes of enhancing the eBay buyer experience.