Selling maternity bundles - maximum P&P is less than the price I need to charge

[Loueytb3]

Argh - this is turning into a nightmare.

First bundle I have calculated P&P at £8 (its a box of clothes). Filled in form to find that I can only charge a max of £4 P&P. I've seen that I can change the postage to courier and then put the amount I will charge in the description, which I've done. But assuming that someone bids, how do I make sure they pay the P&P? I think normally an invoice automatically gets sent out with the right amount on it once the auction finishes. Is there something I need to change on my settings to make sure that an invoice is sent out which adds on the P&P?

Help!!

I had this problem. I ended up listing it in the Baby section, I think.
Bloody ridiculous though!

Or you could put your starting bid higher to make up the postage. I've had to do this for dvds when I've sold boxsets. But yes agree it's bloody ridiculous!

I was going to start the listing at 99p to avoid listing fees. If I start at £8 to cover postage I will get stung on listing fees. Also, I probably won't make as much on the auction as its started higher. If I list in baby does it get enough traffic for maternity clothes? Also, do you get to add lots of photos free?

I wonder if I'm better off making smaller bundles of eg tops or trousers rather than bigger bundles of a mixture of things.

Just wait until next free-posting weekend to have a reasonable start price that helps to cover your true costs. Ebay had 2 free-listings weekends in the last month, so probably will have at least one more in the next month.

I would think bundles of 2 outfits in each would do well, similar colour tones & styles (mix and match between them). That's the way I would shop for such things, anyway.

As long as you put "maternity clothes" in the title with correct size, I imagine that buyers will find it, no matter where listed.

Hi, you could put postage as courier and than include your postage costs on the listing itself. I always put something to the effect "Please note that due to the bulk and weight, postage is £..... by Standard Parcels...". I highlight it as well so it is obvious. I have done it a few times, I think is what ebay recommends for heavier items anyway. I make next to nothing on postage, usually add 25 to 50p depending of the packing required, so when buyers get the items they can see the P&P costs as resonable, never had any complaints or low stars yet.

you can send £2kg for £3.99 with Collect Plus

www.collectplus.co.uk/

I thought even with courier, you had to state postage costs and I'm sure you can't charge more than that. It is annoying, but really you just have to split it, or pay it out of the money made on auction.

Collect plus will also send a box up to 5kg for £4.99,

Yes I thought £4 was the most you could charge to stop extortionate costs and fee avoidance.

Fergoose how does it work with collect+, do they deliver directly to the house or does the buyer need to collect from somewhere, the only time I dealt with them was when I bought something from a retailer and I had to collect it. The shop I collected from seemed completelly unsure of what to do and it took ages to sort out, so I was not impressed as a customer. Maybe I just had a bad experience? Their prices are competitive compared with Royal Mail and I assume I can just drops th eitems, no need to wait around fro collection?

Regarding the use of "courier" option this is the link from ebay so I just follow their advice.

They deliver to the buyer at home - but you the seller just drop it off at your convenience, so no waiting for courier to collect which is fab. You print out label at home, stick it on parcel then take it to the shop. They scan in then courier comes and collects from them. Delivery is about 3-4 days I think, but often sooner. Full online tracking too so you are fully covered.

Thanks fergoose, I might give them a try, they are cheaper than Royal Mail, and it seems pretty straightforward