eBay simple delivery (merged)

JWM

HomingPigeon said:

Maybe all the complaints are due to teething problems and will be resolved in due course.

My problem is that I have hundreds of postage stamps and eBay was an ideal way of using them up. I could sell them but you don't get anywhere near their worth. Ah well, not a big problem in the great scheme of things. 

It might not last but I am currently only listing items less than £10 which are large letter to use up my stock of stamps. Custom postage (ie post myself with a stamp) is still available.

allison445

Had an email update on this looks like they have changed the sizing and added a few other tweaks it is now expected to be live on the 20th May,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sellercentre/postage/simple-delivery

soolin

There's a new announcement, so yes they are tinkering. It's a bit long, but here it is:

Last month, we shared that Simple Delivery will be the only delivery option available for private sellers when listing eligible items. We’ve been listening to your feedback whilst rolling out this change, and are introducing a new parcel size option and new postage rates for Simple Delivery, which will come into effect on 20 May, 2025. We’re also working on bringing you even more of the features you’ve requested, and we’re adding a lower-cost option this month where buyers can collect their orders from Evri parcel shops.

New small parcel size option

After listening to your feedback about the services that matter most to you, we’re introducing ‘0-2kg small’ parcel size options to provide you with a lower price point. We recommend reviewing and amending your live listings that use small or medium parcels from 20 May, to make sure you’re offering your buyers the best prices. For example, if you have a 1-2kg medium parcel, you can change this to a 0-2kg small parcel if the dimensions fit. You’ll be able to amend this from your Active Listings or View Item page. To get the most competitive prices, consider enabling all couriers by going to postage preferences in your account settings.

A promotional postage rate

Until the new rate comes in, there’s a promotional rate for small and medium parcels (between 0-2kg) to match the Royal Mail pricing you’re used to. This only applies to items that are eligible for Simple Delivery, and will end at 11:59pm on 19 May. After this, the new postage rates will apply.

View the new rates

New collect from store option with Evri

To continue improving the Simple Delivery experience, we’re rolling out a collect from store option this month with Evri. This will be a cheaper, more convenient option for your buyers, where they can collect their items from the Evri parcel shop or locker of their choice, and save 15% or more on delivery costs.* If you’d like to offer this option to your buyers and have currently excluded Evri from your couriers, be sure to add them back in by going to your postage preferences.

Update your courier preferences

We know that it’s important in some cases for you to be able to choose your preferred courier. As a reminder, you can easily set your postage preferences from your account settings. Currently, Simple Delivery offers services from both Royal Mail and Evri. We recommend enabling all couriers for the most competitive postage rates.   If you have any questions or concerns, just get in touch—we’re here to help.    Thanks for being part of the eBay community.

MrChips

I'm an occasional ebay seller and just trying to understand these changes which I've just become aware of.

The stuff I sell is generally low price clutter I'm getting rid of.  When I make a sale I pack it up and send it through the post team in my office so there's no actual postage cost for me or to pass on to the seller.  How will this work under the updated regime?

If there's no way to opt out there'll be a postage charge incurred for something that won't get used?  

soolin

MrChips said:

I'm an occasional ebay seller and just trying to understand these changes which I've just become aware of.

The stuff I sell is generally low price clutter I'm getting rid of.  When I make a sale I pack it up and send it through the post team in my office so there's no actual postage cost for me or to pass on to the seller.  How will this work under the updated regime?

If there's no way to opt out there'll be a postage charge incurred for something that won't get used?  

If the item is a LL under 100g then at the moment it seems they are exempt from SD. for everything else you might have an issue. You will have to list with SD and choose either buyer pays or seller pays for label, and whichever way you choose eBay will issue you a pre paid tracked label. It is being reported, but difficult to find proper eBay guidance, that if the label isn’t used then the money is refunded, possibly as late as 30 days later. If you opted for buyer pays then they get the refund, if seller pays then you do. So if that is a feasible work round you would need to account for postage costs in the tem price as you won’t get any postage money otherwise.

Potentially as well you won’t be able to add any tracking details, and will have to wait approx 14 days to get paid.

Archergirl

JWM said:

HomingPigeon said:

Maybe all the complaints are due to teething problems and will be resolved in due course.

My problem is that I have hundreds of postage stamps and eBay was an ideal way of using them up. I could sell them but you don't get anywhere near their worth. Ah well, not a big problem in the great scheme of things. 

It might not last but I am currently only listing items less than £10 which are large letter to use up my stock of stamps. Custom postage (ie post myself with a stamp) is still available.

Thank you, this is me £9 item in a letter size, is it up to £10 or is £10 included?
I'm guessing it will be the same for overseas postage which I buy online 

MrChips

Thanks - I'm not bothered about the tracking as I don't use that at the moment, and nothing I sell is particularly valuable (it's typically second hand or never used child clothes/shoes).  Also not overly fussed about the delay in receiving the funds - it's a bit annoying but ultimately of little consequence.

The postage change, however, is is a real inconvenience, and doesn't feel like it's a beneficial change.  Sounds like it will make selling far more complicated for those who want to bypass SD.

soolin

Archergirl said:

JWM said:

HomingPigeon said:

Maybe all the complaints are due to teething problems and will be resolved in due course.

My problem is that I have hundreds of postage stamps and eBay was an ideal way of using them up. I could sell them but you don't get anywhere near their worth. Ah well, not a big problem in the great scheme of things. 

It might not last but I am currently only listing items less than £10 which are large letter to use up my stock of stamps. Custom postage (ie post myself with a stamp) is still available.

Thank you, this is me £9 item in a letter size, is it up to £10 or is £10 included?
I'm guessing it will be the same for overseas postage which I buy online 

Again the FAQs are not clear, but it appears to be up to £10 excluding postage, so you should be OK.

savergrant

soolin said:

MrChips said:

I'm an occasional ebay seller and just trying to understand these changes which I've just become aware of.

The stuff I sell is generally low price clutter I'm getting rid of.  When I make a sale I pack it up and send it through the post team in my office so there's no actual postage cost for me or to pass on to the seller.  How will this work under the updated regime?

If there's no way to opt out there'll be a postage charge incurred for something that won't get used?  

If the item is a LL under 100g then at the moment it seems they are exempt from SD. for everything else you might have an issue. You will have to list with SD and choose either buyer pays or seller pays for label, and whichever way you choose eBay will issue you a pre paid tracked label. It is being reported, but difficult to find proper eBay guidance, that if the label isn’t used then the money is refunded, possibly as late as 30 days later. If you opted for buyer pays then they get the refund, if seller pays then you do. So if that is a feasible work round you would need to account for postage costs in the tem price as you won’t get any postage money otherwise.

Potentially as well you won’t be able to add any tracking details, and will have to wait approx 14 days to get paid.

You're basically offering free post to the buyer. Ebay will withhold their postage charge and credit the rest to pending funds. If what is reported is true ebay will then credit the value of the label if it is not used. Your pending funds will become available after positive feedback or about 14 days after the sale. As with anything else list for a price you will accept and a buyer will pay.

savergrant

soolin said:

There's a new announcement, so yes they are tinkering. It's a bit long, but here it is:

Last month, we shared that Simple Delivery will be the only delivery option available for private sellers when listing eligible items. We’ve been listening to your feedback whilst rolling out this change, and are introducing a new parcel size option and new postage rates for Simple Delivery, which will come into effect on 20 May, 2025. We’re also working on bringing you even more of the features you’ve requested, and we’re adding a lower-cost option this month where buyers can collect their orders from Evri parcel shops.

New small parcel size option

After listening to your feedback about the services that matter most to you, we’re introducing ‘0-2kg small’ parcel size options to provide you with a lower price point. We recommend reviewing and amending your live listings that use small or medium parcels from 20 May, to make sure you’re offering your buyers the best prices. For example, if you have a 1-2kg medium parcel, you can change this to a 0-2kg small parcel if the dimensions fit. You’ll be able to amend this from your Active Listings or View Item page. To get the most competitive prices, consider enabling all couriers by going to postage preferences in your account settings.

A promotional postage rate

Until the new rate comes in, there’s a promotional rate for small and medium parcels (between 0-2kg) to match the Royal Mail pricing you’re used to. This only applies to items that are eligible for Simple Delivery, and will end at 11:59pm on 19 May. After this, the new postage rates will apply.

View the new rates

New collect from store option with Evri

To continue improving the Simple Delivery experience, we’re rolling out a collect from store option this month with Evri. This will be a cheaper, more convenient option for your buyers, where they can collect their items from the Evri parcel shop or locker of their choice, and save 15% or more on delivery costs.* If you’d like to offer this option to your buyers and have currently excluded Evri from your couriers, be sure to add them back in by going to your postage preferences.

Update your courier preferences

We know that it’s important in some cases for you to be able to choose your preferred courier. As a reminder, you can easily set your postage preferences from your account settings. Currently, Simple Delivery offers services from both Royal Mail and Evri. We recommend enabling all couriers for the most competitive postage rates.   If you have any questions or concerns, just get in touch—we’re here to help.    Thanks for being part of the eBay community.

Ebay admitting that simple delivery isn't cheaper for 70% of transactions? Their only possible justification for that claim is if sellers consistently overestimate the size and weight of parcels....