Ebay Simple Delivery and oversize parcels

fwor

I've only just started selling via Ebay since Simple Delivery came into operation, and I can't quite get to grips with it.

I'm selling an item that is more than 61cm x 46cm x 46cm, and although I have enabled all four carriers in Simple Delivery (RM, Evri, Inpost and DHL) when I go to select the size of the item for shipping, it offers me nothing larger than Medium Parcel.

As far as I can tell, Evri will accept parcels bigger than the Medium Parcel limit, but I don't get the option. Please can someone suggest a way around the problem?

savergrant

What category are you listing in?

Also is this a new seller account or were you an established seller? Finally are you using eBay classic. Mobile site, or app?

fwor

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82150043#Comment_82150043

It seems a lot more complicated than I was expecting!

Category is "Collectables > Animal Collectables > Taxidermy"

I'm a long-established seller - the account has been active for 20 years.

It's the conventional browser-based (not mobile) Ebay website. I've tried with both Firefox and Brave (Chrome-based), so I don't think it's a browser issue.

soolin

Assuming the work is cased I'm not sure I'd be risking selling it on ebay unless you have some sort of professional packaging. You might be better off selling on a local group where you can get the buyer to collect. Alternatively set your listing up as collection only- but be very careful to read through all the postage options and don't miss anything and accidently sell it with free postage.

Alternatively If you are going to risk ebay then contact them and explain that you cannot list as the postage options are too small, I noticed someone mention on a facebook group that they had managed to get ebay to remove the SD option for a listing.

Lastly be prepared for ebay to ask about licenses etc , although taxidermy is allowed in certain categories ebay do get muddled between restricted items which need licenses and fully allowed items.

fwor

Ah, OK - so there is no easy way to override Simple Delivery, and go back to the previous "not very complicated" Delivery?

"Collection in person" is pointless IMO - you limit yourself to a tiny market.

There is no issue with fragility, licences or anything like that. I will probably just not bother - it will probably only fetch a tenner or so.

savergrant

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82150326#Comment_82150326

I'm really surprised simple delivery is available on that kind of thing, let alone compulsory.

fwor

I'm surprised you're surprised, given that I haven't said what the item is!

So what happens if a seller sells in a category where Simple Delivery isn't available? Ah well, it's not very useful for me to know that - it doesn't help with my current problem.

soolin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82150696#Comment_82150696

You mentioned a rather niche category- which is why I also picked up on professional packaging.

savergrant

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82150696#Comment_82150696

While not knowing what the item actually is, seeing as you are listing in a category called 'animal collectibles/taxidermy- I'm very surprised ebay allows such items and especially that they are happy to arrange the postage. I should have thought such items would require specialist handling and likely be oversized and heavy to transport.

Fwiw I have recently sold a printer cartridge and simple delivery was not available. I charged the buyer £3 postage and have purchased a label through ebay. However if the package is lost or damaged I will need to claim compensation as ebay will refund the buyer from my funds.

My guess is ebay consider that category to be a high risk of damage in transit.

savergrant

My only thought is that if you do list with simple delivery and it defaults to medium parcel; when an item sells and you go to create the postage label you have the option then to report the parcel as larger or heavier than stated before generating the label.

In my experience almost all simple delivery labels are evri, although I have had a couple of royal mail ones.

fwor

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82151935#Comment_82151935

I guess so, but it's a risk - I have to sell the item before I know whether that will work or not!

Is it fair to assume that I have to list the item with Simple Delivery shown, but I don't have to use Simple Delivery to ship it? If so, I think I'll abandon the plan to list it as an auction, and sell it Buy It Now with enough added to cover what it will actually cost to ship (and ship it tracked myself using a carrier of my choice).

BTW, despite the "exotic" category, the item itself is not in any way exotic. Not fragile, no licence needed - it's very ordinary.