cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

shipping multiple oversize boxes to same address

I am learning the hard way- my first sale is a wonderful 14 piece blow mold Christmas set to an out of state buyer. Unfortunately, I did not calculate shipping.  Now I am unable to find an inexpensive way to ship 8 oversize boxes to same address.  I can not find a way to combine shipments. 

Otherwise, using UPS ground shipping calculator I would need to pay around $30 per box! Spoke to ebay rep- they suggested asking the buyer to pay the additional cost. They already paid my estimated amount of close to $50.   any suggestions?

Message 1 of 10
latest reply
9 REPLIES 9

Re: shipping multiple oversize boxes to same address

Aside from canceling the sale, taking the hit on eBay's final value fee, and selling it locally, no, I don't have any suggestions.

 

Just a warning: $30 per box is probably a low estimate for things of that size.

Message 2 of 10
latest reply

Re: shipping multiple oversize boxes to same address

Your options are pretty limited.  You could check with a local freight shipper, typically cheaper but slower than other options, but you'll probably still be eating a decent chunk of money.  If you are not willing to eat that chunk, big or bigger, in the end you will cancel the order and refund the money.  If you go that route you should message the buyer first, fess up to the error and how much it would cost you, express your intent to cancel the order, and beg forgiveness.

 

People 'round here don't want to hear that.  It is a violation of all that is good and holy where a deal is a deal and reneging is a violation of eBay rules.  But honest (even if careless) mistakes are made and simply refunding the money is kinda sorta no harm no foul.  You'll probably end up with a black mark on your record one way or another.  There is a solution to that which I dare not describe but you can probably guess at it.

 

As a buyer I  had the same thing happen to me a few years ago.  I ended up paying an extra $20 for shipping because I still wanted the item at that price and I didn't ding the seller because it seemed like an honest mistake and not a bait and switch.  Unless you grossly underpriced a valuable antique you probably won't be so lucky.

 

As you've figured out by now, shipping one-off items is expensive,  a tedious time suck, and even if you know what you're doing ebay can throw you a curveball at print label time or the shipper may fail to deliver on time.  There is a "pandemic" of late delivery in supply chains these days.

 

An item like this, unless it is some high priced antique, is probably best left to "local pickup only".   That has its own issues, particularly a sharply limited market especially if you live in a place where there is not a high population density. 

 

Good luck. 

Message 3 of 10
latest reply

Re: shipping multiple oversize boxes to same address

Here is my thought, just consider it.

First, ask your buyer to cancel this order. Then, you should use the combined shipping and re-calculate the shipping cost. After that, let your buyer know about the cost and if they still want to purchase, they will make a new order.

Good luck!

Message 4 of 10
latest reply

Re: shipping multiple oversize boxes to same address

You cannot ask buyer to pay extra shipping. That eBay rep gave bad information

Message 5 of 10
latest reply

Re: shipping multiple oversize boxes to same address

"You'll probably end up with a black mark on your record.  There is a solution to that which I dare not describe but you can probably guess at it."

So evidently I suck at guessing games.  What's the solution to a "black mark on your record"?

I, and probably others, would like to know the secret.  

Message 6 of 10
latest reply

Re: shipping multiple oversize boxes to same address

Just cancel their order & start over.

Message 7 of 10
latest reply

Re: shipping multiple oversize boxes to same address

Ive done the same and sadly ate any profits in shipping out the merchandise. 

Message 8 of 10
latest reply

Re: shipping multiple oversize boxes to same address

thank you! 

Message 9 of 10
latest reply

Re: shipping multiple oversize boxes to same address


@dakett_36 wrote:

Spoke to ebay rep- they suggested asking the buyer to pay the additional cost. 


They probably don't work for ebay anymore. That is one of the biggest no-nos there is.

 

 

Your choices are to eat the difference or tempt a negative and cancel the sale.

Message 10 of 10
latest reply