shipping 2 items in same box i cant upload same track number to 2nd item why?

[h8s8n]

Well my header states it all i used to be able ..when a buyer bought multiple items but did not do the cart thing , to print a label , then go into my solds and add same tracking number to the 2nd item . All was good. What changed ? I cant do that now  it says " tracking number already used on another item ?"  so now im forced to send a $1 envelope to the buyer s it can be tracked  like a " phantom package " thats stupid...

[thedishwitch]

Did the buyer perhaps buy the two items on two separate accounts?  Same buyer.  Same address.  Different accounts.  That happened to me once and it is the only time I have not been able to combine shipping in one package/one label. 

So thinking I knew what I was doing, I purchased one label and then tried to upload that tracking number to the second order, since I placed them both in one shipment but it was a no go, got the message tracking number already used.  Got a ding on the second item for "no tracking uploaded at all."  Buyer was happy with the shipping refund for combined shipping but I will never do that again, two separate accounts same buyer gets two packages. 

[disneyshopper]

Are you using ebay's bulk shipping to print your labels?

If so, there is an option to COMBINE the purchases.  You then change the shipping method/package dimensions/weight as needed, and one shipping label and the tracking is uploaded to both purchases.