EBay’s postage cost suggestions

[HorribleHettie]

I’ve started selling on eBay recently and have just accepted the postage costs that eBay has suggested. The post office never weighs the parcel, they just print out the label, attach it, and take the parcel. It was niggling me so I’ve just googled whether the eBay-suggested costs are always correct and apparently they’re not (d’oh! should’ve realised that, obvious really).

So what happens if it’s under the amount required? Will the buyer be asked to pay the difference on delivery? If so, can I just reimburse them? And is there an additional penalty cost or do they only have to pay the difference?

And what do those of you with more selling experience do - do you always weigh your parcels before listing the item?

It's key to make sure youre selecting the right postage price for your parcel. I generally know what weight range mine are, and will weigh it if unsure.

I only use Royal Mail and the print at post office option. The PO always weigh the parcel, the postage label doesn't print otherwise.

No problems so far.

Are you using the eBay prepaid label? You need to tell them the parcel size and weight range correctly on listing - depending what it is, it’s likely be be under 2kg, but you have to select the higher option if needed.

I tend to select higher as I have been stung before when a buyer asked to combine items/postage 🙈

I tend to select higher as I have been stung before when a buyer asked to combine items/postage

I had this recently when someone bought four separately-listed items on buy-it-now The buyer didn't ask to combine postage but ebay automatically worked it out. PO confirmed it was correct postage when I took the parcel in.

We use Royal Mail 48hr tracked delivery insured for up to £150 and 2kg
£3.45 print off from eBay

do you guys need a lister on your product ?
if you are i can suggest you a product lister

If you underlay postage the receiver will have pay the underpayment and a penalty fee.

I always check the size and weight of package myself and but online from Royal Mail

I thought eBay suggests what parcel size to pick based on your listing and what other people have used.

I’m sure I read on eBay under posting guidelines it says don’t worry if you have picked wrong weight post carrier accepts and buyer doesn’t pay. I think eBay spends so much money on postage the bottom line tends to even out with some parcels over weight and other under.

Thanks all for the replies and sorry for my disappearance - been a hectic couple of days!

I listed a few things last night and when it came to the postage bit it only asked for parcel size.

@quintessentially166I was actually wondering if it was something like that. Can you remember where you read that?

If you look in help centre under Simple Delivery…it actually says ‘if you do not select the recommend parcel size you may be liable for extra costs’.

Thanks @quintessentially166i was just reading that. It says that if the item is below 20kg (which is over 3 stone I think) and the size doesn’t exceed 61cm x 46cm x 46cm which is also pretty big, then you’re covered by the costs they automatically generate (this is for Royal Mail). Seems pretty good to me! Nothing I sell will ever be heavier or bigger than that so it sounds like I don’t have to do laborious weighing of each item.

Also be aware that if you use royal mail through ebay you cannot get refund if anything is wrong as it counts it as being despatched as soon as you have printed the label.

One time I picked the wrong size by accident ( I swear it defaulted back ‘large letter’) and then had to bear the cost of the postage myself. If I’d bought through the PO I would have been able to get a refund.