Combining P&P I’m sure I don’t have too!

[Portabledoor]

Now I?m sure this is going to divide people but I don?t offer combined P&P but I think I would discuss it if a buyer emailed me before bidding to ask but I wouldn?t take much off because P&P doesn?t become free just because you are sending more than one item because postage goes on size as well as weight, so what you might save on a bag you may loose in size of package.

Anyway I have had to buyer demand that I combine p&p after they have bid on an won items, they said they will not pay unless I combine and have stated that it would be impossible to ask me if I combine p&p before bidding and that if I don?t combine p&p I am breaking ebay rules. I?m sure this isn?t true but they have both threatened to leave me negative feedback if I don?t combine.

I have knock £2 off one and 25p off the other and the 25p one hasn?t paid and the other has paid but sent me a shitty email. I really don?t know what they want from me, actually I do because the 25p person told me that all other ebayers wouldn?t charge P&P for the second item because its going to be free to send two items!

I really don?t know why I bothered with ebay because I vowed not list anything again because I got sick of being ripped off. anyway rant over :)

[thisisyesterday]

hmmm no you don;t HAVE to combine it
generally people do, because it often IS cheaper to send one parcel rather than 2 separate parcels, but unless you specifically state that you combine shipping then it should be assumed that you won't

you certainly aren't breaking any rules by not wanting to do it

and as for not charging p&p at all for a second item I have NEVER come across a seller who is willing to do that, so your buyer is def taking the piss.

I have to say, I've had no end of hassle off ebay recently, both buying and selling.
it's def a buyers market though, cos they can leave you negative and you can't leave it for them, which I think is grossly unfair :(

I would maybe e-mail them back and tell them you have passed ALL of their messages to you onto ebay, that you will not be held hostage and if they don't pay up then you will open a non-paying bidder dispute and let ebay deal with them

[Portabledoor]

I just think its really rude to pressume someone will combine and then get your arse in your hands when they won't. I only post by recorded delivery because I got sick of things being 'lost in the post' I put this in my listings so buyers are aware of why P&P isnt really cheap.

I told them that I would open a non payment case and she said she didnt care and then she said that she will pay the full amount but then that she will leave negative feedback! I think buyer know they can get away with making demands.

[fergoose]

but if you get paid in one payment then you are saving paypal fees and only need to use 1 amount of packaging

most sellers welcome 1 buyer for multiple items - seems mad not to offer them a postage discount don't you think?

[StealthPolarBear]

yes as far as I understand it, combining P&P is a FAVOUR - you are not obliged to do so

[fergoose]

if the buyer has already paid for one item then you can't combine anyway

the whole point of combining items is that they pay for all items at once in one payment

if they are expecting to pay separately but save on the postage then that is a contradiction

if they pay separately you have to post separately

if they want to combine items, you will have to refund what they have paid so far, then send an amended invoice for all items together with any discounts applied.

[sixlostmonkeys]

Although you are not obliged to combine the P&P it is good form to do so - it encourages buyers to buy more than one item from you. generally it is cheaper to post more than one item in one package and so it is only right to pass on the saving to the buyer - otherwise you will be overcharging on the P&P.
If it doesn't actually cost less to place in one package I would contact to the buyer briefly explaining about the weight and size etc but still offer to discount some money as a gesture of goodwill.
If you refuse to combine the P&P you may find that the buyer will pay for each item separately which will result in more paypal fees for you and you would have to wrap and post each item separately to cover yourself should a dispute arise.

[Portabledoor]

well the two women bullied me into giving them discounts one I gave a discount to ended up costing me money in P&P and the other one did come in under, now the one that came in under even though she had bullied me into giving her a discount is threatening to give me neg FB unless I refund her the P&P. I would never behave like these people, I look at the total and if I think the p&p is too high then I dont bid, if a person doesnt state that they combine I would never demand that they do after biding on and winning items. I dont know if people do it because its online and not face to face or would they been cheeky so and so in RL too.

[sixlostmonkeys]

remember to add them to your blocked bidders list

[KaraStarbuckThrace]

Portable - if a buyer bullies you and threatens you with neg feedback, please report to ebay!! This is definitely against the rules!

[Vix1980]

I personally do combine p&p, but i work it out on thed basis of the actual material costs aswell as my time packing it up and taing it to the post office, i dont think you should make extra money on p&p so when i see people who dont combine i think thats what theyre doing and will not bid on there items, why give someone extra money for something your not getting!

Just this week i won 2 make up brushes, i asked before bidding if she combined p&p, she said yes so still wanted £3.50 to send to of the lightest make up brushes, they came today in a recycled envelope (dont have any problem with it being used) and a large letter stamp, so really its cost her 50p to send these out and im left feeling ripped of by £3! starting to really hate ebay

[FattyAcid]

Combine the postage and charge what it actually costs - what is the problem with that?

If not send things individually

[KaraStarbuckThrace]

FattyAcid - that is what I do, and I state clearly on my listings that I will combine postage.
However if it does not state it on the listing, buyers cannot demand it.
If they are not happy with this then they shouldn't bid! The seller is the only one who will lose out if they don't offer. Or they can send an email before the bidding ends to request postage combining.

[Portabledoor]

Kara that's my point extactly, if you dont like the p&p dont bid, if you're not sure if the seller combines ask but dont bloody pressume and then demand that the seller combines also don't get your knickers in a twist when the seller does combine and you dont think its enough.

all of my items are sent recorded delivery, in unused plastic postage bags, so my p&p aren't the cheapest but I state why it's not.

also I know its against ebay rules bla, bla, bla but I personally don't mind if a seller makes a little money on p&p (not loads of money) but its the only thing about item that you can be sure of when your bidding so dont even see why anyone would ever bitch about the price if p&p .

I think people want something for nothing.

[Portabledoor]

yeah, you work your p&p out on large letters if its just t-shirts and it becomes a packet when you put more than one item in it, also it depends on what size packets you have for items and if you need to go out a buy a bigger bag.

I also think get over it, if a buyer combines p&p then that nice but if not just shut up and pay for the items you bid on and won because you knew what the price was when you bid.

[Librashavinganotherbiscuit]

I combine my postage (well I've only just started but I have made the decision to if asked).
How I work it out is cost of packet second class recorded PLUS 50p per item for petrol/packing etc. This means the minimum a person will save is the 75p (think it's 75p) that it takes to turn second class posted into second class recorded but it could be more.