unable to figure out a set rule for combined shipping

[joliefran]

With the recent increases in USPS shipping, I am finally breaking down and charging my buyers for shipping, something I have never done in 18 years on eBay.  My problem is that I have small items, where adding another one or two would cause a negligible increase in shipping cost and then I have some heavy items, 1 to 5 pounds, where a second item would simply double the shipping cost.  Is there a way I can set this up so that it most accurately portrays a fair price to my buyers?  Thanks!!

[richard1rst]

The short answer us No I do not think you can.

I have struggled with this for years.

Let’s take a hypothetical item that has a shipping weight of 2 pounds and your buyer buys 2 of them. Part of that 2 pounds is the box it is in. So 2 identical items, individually having s shipping weight of 2 pounds each, would not weight 4 pounds packaged together, but more likely only 3 since there is only one box being factored in, not 2 boxes.

Now, eBay will add together the 2 pounds twice and get 4 pounds for a package that only weighs 3 pounds and use that to calculate the shipping. Through the post office, for example, 4 pounds does not cost double what each 2 pound box costs so some automatic discount is automatically factored in.

Even though eBay is working with the wrong weight.

But it gets worse if your buyer gets 2 different items. eBay will calculate each at 2 pounds and add that together which will result in a higher figure than the example above.

BUT WAIT it gets even worse if the items are close to one cubic foot each. Even if you specify the size of the box eBay ignores that rather than adding them together to get the overall size of the box, which will also be inaccurate anyways since 2 items could probably fit a box only 1 1/2 times larger than the single box. So if the 2 items together exceed one cubic foot you will eventually be charged a dimensional weight much higher than 4 pounds. But eBay will quote the standard 4 pounds not the dimensional price so you wind up losing

The flip side of that is first class mail. Two items heavier than 8 ounces each becomes 1 pound plus which automatically becomes a TWO POUND priority mail package. (OK, maybe if you are lucky a small flat rate box or envelope) Not only is there no discount but you have to charge MORE or you really lose.

The long and short of it is that there are SO MANY variables that I am not convinced that a “one size fits all” calculation is even possible.

If I am asked in advance I recalculate the shipping manually and sent them an invoice with the true shipping. Otherwise, after I ship I refund the excess.

[joliefran]

That is about what I thought the situation is.  Thanks for your help!!

[penguins_dont_fly]

@joliefran 

In order for combined shipping to work correctly, the listings being combined must have the SAME shipping method. And I have found that it doesn't work very well with First Class if the items can go over 15.99 oz when combined ....but does work with Priority and Parcel.

Let me tell you how I do it ... this method is spot on 99.9% of the time.

All of my listings are set to calculated Priority.

I add 1 lb to the weight of the pre-packaged item when listing ... I use exact weights like 1 lb 7 oz (not 1-2 lbs) ... Let me note here that I sell fragiles. All of my items are going to use sturdy boxes and plenty of packing materials.

My combined shipping rule says "combine all weights and subtract 14 oz".

This gives me 2 oz of packing material per item, plus the box on the first item only. (I use very lightweight packing material. If you use heavier weight stuff, lower the "subtract" amount)

In my listings I state that combined shipping is automatic when they use "Add to Cart"

So ... 3 listings ... 

#1 - Listing weight 1 lb 7 oz (23 oz)

#2 - Listing weight 2 lb 4 oz (36oz)

#3 - Listing weight 1 lb 2 oz (18 oz)

The calculator takes the biggest one first and then does the calcs on the smaller ones.

36+(23-14)+(18-14) = 49 oz (3.06 lbs)

____

If you sell less breakable items, you can tweak this to fit your average Tare Weight (empty box+packaging).

But it does require that you enter "custom weights" when listing instead of the generic 1-2 or 2-3.

____

Another thing to look at might be Shipping Promotions under Promotions Manager. I haven't played much with it because my method is working for me, but it might work for you.

The thing to remember with Promotions Manager is that the buyer will always get the greatest discount available through PM promotions if you have more than one that the item qualifies for ... And ... that Promotions aren't stackable.

That means if you offer a discount on the item (Sale or multi item discount) and a Shipping Promo at the same time, the buyer will get whichever is the greater amount off, not both.

[dtexley3]

I've reached the same conclusions as Penguin, it's just not possible for the shipping calculator to do this.  I've pointed this out to eBay blues multiple, multiple times with no real help. 

Some people work with shipping rate tables to force a workaround, but eBay's rate groupings don't match the USPS zones, so there's always locations where either the seller or buyer get jacked on the calculated shipping charges.

I include in my listings instructions to either contact me or request an invoice and I will work out the combined shipping cost as eBay's system is showing them inflated costs.