Combined postage discount does not apply when checking out

KRDmum

Found some of the items at a free postage (same seller) so changed them over, and now only got £15 to pay, which not as bad, even if I had to do that. Still what a bizarre way to have postage discounts set up?! They simply don't work lol

KRDmum

Yey! Got the difference in postage refunded, so really happy with that!

ballisticbrian

Maybe they hope buyers won't realise. Many see an offer and think nothing more of it other than that they believe they're getting a good deal when in fact they're not.

This is really sad, it's clearly an aspect of the eBay system, not something a seller could even do if they tried - to manipulate discounts presented by eBay itself.

The reason for the issue is that sellers are able to offer postage discounts of that type only for the same item under the same advert.

To apply discounts across different adverts or even items under the same multi-variation advert, the seller has to tick a box to apply previously set up postage "flat-rate postage rule profile".

There may be a good reason that they haven't set that profile up and applied it such as items in multi-variation listings which are completely different size to the others (e.g. would be a small parcel for a king size duvet but a large letter for the pillow cases).

Flyonthewall

ballisticbrian wrote: »

This is really sad, it's clearly an aspect of the eBay system, not something a seller could even do if they tried - to manipulate discounts presented by eBay itself.

The reason for the issue is that sellers are able to offer postage discounts of that type only for the same item under the same advert.

To apply discounts across different adverts or even items under the same multi-variation advert, the seller has to tick a box to apply previously set up postage "flat-rate postage rule profile".

There may be a good reason that they haven't set that profile up and applied it such as items in multi-variation listings which are completely different size to the others (e.g. would be a small parcel for a king size duvet but a large letter for the pillow cases).

For the items I was looking at, they'd all weigh almost the same (not enough to make a difference for posting) and they'd be in the same size box, maybe give or take a cm.

One says "£1.00 P&P for each additional eligible item you buy" and another says "£2.00 P&P for each additional eligible item you buy" and the 3rd doesn't state that line, but it is £3 for each additional item.

Different listings, same item brand and type and same weight and size (give or take a few grams/a cm).

They've got no reason at all to offer different postage discounts for each.

Just looked at some of their other items, same type of item but different weights and sizes. One item is £1.99 for additional items but doesn't state it as if an offer, another doesn't have one, different items to above one at £1 and another at £3 but again not stated as an offer.

They seem to send the same types of items through various different ways too (which as a business is stupid as sending in bulk through 1 or 2 is surely better for cost and time than sending who knows how many different ways in smaller amounts).

Their whole postage thing is a complete mess of couriers and RM and different discounts. Regardless of the reason you think they'd sort it so it makes some sort of sense! The chances of actually getting a discount on anything is stupidly low.

ballisticbrian

errr, ok just to reiterate if my post didn't make sense; on the "postage tab" next to the postage price, where itr says "£x for each additional item", that means only that item, not the sellers other items.

Flyonthewall

ballisticbrian wrote: »

errr, ok just to reiterate if my post didn't make sense; on the "postage tab" next to the postage price, where itr says "£x for each additional item", that means only that item, not the sellers other items.

You said it can apply to others too if they tick the box. Something they obviously hasn't done because they've different offers on every listing.

Their whole postage system is still a complete mess with offering different discounts on items and different ways of sending them and the chances of someone buying two items exactly the same are, for the items I looked at, fairly low and so you're never likely to get a postage discount because it's not like it is offered on other items too.

For similar items you'd think they'd offer the same discount though anyway even if it only applies to that one listing/item. Why does one item deserve more of a discount than another when it's basically exactly the same just a different image on it? Costs the same to post 2 or more regardless of which. Then to send one via RM and another through a courier or two different couriers when their value, weight and size are both the same is really stupid.