In the fast-paced world of eCommerce, efficient shipping processes are crucial for the success of any online business. When it comes to selling on eBay, one of the best-selling platforms, optimizing your shipping strategy becomes even more essential. One effective technique to streamline shipping and enhance customer satisfaction is by offering combined shipping.
In this guide, we’ll explore the basics of eBay combine shipping:
- eBay combined shipping overview
- How to offer eBay combine shipping: Manually vs. Automatic
- How to combine shipping on eBay?
By implementing combined shipping effectively, you can save costs, improve buyer experience, and boost your overall selling efficiency on eBay. Let’s dive in to discover the power of combining shipping on this top marketplace for selling products.
eBay Combined Shipping Overview
What is eBay Combined Shipping?
Before learning how to combine shipping on eBay, you should understand what it is. eBay combined shipping refers to a feature that enables sellers to offer discounted shipping rates to buyers who purchase multiple items from their store. It allows sellers to consolidate items into a single shipment and apply cost-saving measures to enhance the overall buying experience. With eBay combined shipping, sellers can set up shipping rules and discounts based on factors such as item quantity, weight, or specific categories.
By leveraging this feature, sellers can streamline their shipping processes, reduce shipping costs for buyers, and encourage multiple-item purchases. eBay combined shipping is a valuable tool for sellers looking to optimize their shipping strategy, increase customer satisfaction, and drive sales on the eBay platform.
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Benefits of eBay Combined Shipping
If you’re looking for a way to earn money online, selling on eBay can be a great opportunity. However, eBay shipping fees can quickly add up and eat into your profits. That’s where combined shipping comes in as one of the top benefits of eBay stores. By offering combined shipping, you can not only save on shipping costs but also attract more customers to your store.
#1. Convenience
eBay combined shipping simplifies the shipping process for sellers. Instead of having to package and ship multiple items separately, sellers can consolidate them into a single shipment. This streamlines logistics, reduces the time spent on packing, and allows for easier tracking and management of orders. Sellers can save time and effort while providing a convenient and hassle-free experience for buyers.
#2. Increasing sales
By offering combined eBay shipping, sellers can incentivize buyers to add more items to their carts. The potential for reduced shipping costs encourages buyers to explore additional products from the same seller, ultimately leading to increased order values and higher sales volume. This strategy helps sellers cross-promote their products and capture more sales opportunities from each buyer.
#3. Saving costs
eBay combined shipping allows sellers to save on shipping expenses. By consolidating multiple items into one shipment, sellers can reduce packaging materials, optimize box sizes, and lower shipping fees. This cost-saving measure contributes to improved profit margins and overall business profitability.
#4. Enhancing customer satisfaction
Offering combined shipping options enhances the buying experience and improves customer satisfaction. Buyers appreciate the opportunity to save on shipping costs when purchasing multiple items from the same seller. It simplifies their shopping experience, reduces checkout complexity, and encourages repeat purchases.
#5. Boosting visibility on eBay
Utilizing eBay combined shipping can boost a seller’s visibility and search rankings on the platform. eBay’s search algorithm considers factors such as seller performance, customer satisfaction, and shipping options when determining search results.
By offering combined shipping, sellers demonstrate their commitment to providing a seamless buying experience, which can positively impact their search rankings and attract more potential buyers to their listings.
More shipping programs from eBay: eBay Global Shipping – Shipping internationally won’t be a struggle anymore
How to Offer eBay Combine Shipping: Manually vs. Automatic
If you are a seller and want to know how to combine shipping on eBay, let’s learn how to offer eBay combined shipping to your buyers first. You have two options to do so: manually or automatically.
Manual eBay Combine Shipping
You can manually combine shipping fees for your buyers by sending them an invoice with the new combined costs after they request it or after they pay. You can also send them a partial refund for any overpaid shipping fees after they pay. This option allows you to control how much you charge for shipping, but it also takes you more time and effort. Manual combined shipping is applicable both before and after the buyer makes a payment.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Control over the shipping fees
- Customize the shipping discount for each buyer or order
- Offer combined shipping even if the buyer has already paid
Cons:
- Spend more time and effort sending invoices or refunds
- Have to deal with more messages from buyers requesting combined shipping
- May lose some sales if buyers don’t request combined shipping or pay before you send an invoice
Automatic eBay Combine Shipping
You can automatically offer shipping discounts to your buyers by creating rules on your Shipping Preferences page. You can choose from two types of rules: flat rate or calculated rate. Flat rate rules let you set a fixed amount for each additional item or order. Calculated rate rules let you set a percentage or dollar amount off the total shipping cost for multiple items or orders. This option is only available for transactions before payment.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Save time and hassle by applying the discounts automatically at checkout
- Don’t have to send invoices or refunds to buyers
- Attract more buyers by showing the shipping discount on your listings
Cons:
- Have less flexibility in setting your own shipping rates or free shipping
- May lose some profit if the shipping discount is too high or too low
- Unable to offer combined shipping if the buyer has already paid
How to Combine Shipping on eBay?
When it comes to how to combine shipping on eBay, sellers have the flexibility to offer this service either before or after the buyer makes a payment. Let’s explore each approach in more detail:
How to combine shipping on eBay before payment?
Regarding the combination of shipping on eBay prior to payment, sellers are presented with two alternatives: manual or automated methods. By understanding and implementing these options effectively, sellers can streamline their shipping process, optimize their overall operations on the platform and help buyers save costs.
#1. Manual method
The manual method can be used to apply for buyers who purchased the items but have not yet a payment yet. Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to your My eBay or Seller Hub.
- Scroll down to Order, and choose Awaiting Payment to see orders that are unpaid.
- Click on Send Invoice under the product.
- Enter the new shipping cost for the combined items. You can use the Shipping Calculator to identify the shipping fee or write down a custom rate that you decide.
- Write a message to the buyer (optional).
- Click on Send invoice again, and done.
The buyer will receive an email with the revised invoice and the new shipping cost. They can then pay for the items with the combined shipping discount.
#2. Automatic method
The automatic method involves setting up your preferences to offer combined shipping and payments to your buyers automatically. Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to your Shipping preferences page in My eBay or Seller Hub.
- Click on Edit next to Allow combined payments and shipping.
- Choose the time period during which you are willing to combine payments for purchased items, such as 3 days or 30 days.
- Click on Save once done.
Sellers have the choice between two combined shipping rules on eBay: flat shipping rules and calculated shipping rules. Click on Edit next to each to set the eBay combine shipping rules
- The first option is a flat shipping rules where a base rate is set for the first item, and a smaller amount is added for each additional item. This provides buyers with a discount based on the number of items purchased.
- The second option is calculated shipping rules which offer sellers two alternatives:
- Combine all item weights: In this case, the combined shipping rate is determined by the total weight of the entire package.
- Combine all item weights and subtract an amount: This option is similar to the flat shipping rule, but it allows sellers to offer buyers an additional shipping discount for each additional item purchased.
- Click on Save to finish.
Now, when a buyer adds multiple items from you to their cart, they will see the combined shipping discount automatically applied at checkout. They can then pay for the items with the combined shipping discount.
Pros and Cons of combine shipping eBay before payment
Pros
- Increases transparency: Buyers can see the total cost upfront, including shipping, which can lead to higher customer satisfaction and fewer cancellations.
- Encourages more sales: Buyers may be more likely to purchase multiple items at once to take advantage of combined shipping discounts.
- Saves time: Sellers can streamline the shipping process by combining items into one shipment and printing one eBay shipping label.
Cons
- Delayed payment: Offering combined shipping before payment means sellers might have to wait longer to receive payment for the items. This delay could potentially impact their cash flow or ability to reinvest in inventory.
- Inventory management challenges: Sellers must ensure that all items included in the combined shipment are in stock and available for immediate shipping. If any item becomes out of stock after the buyer has already paid, it can lead to complications and customer dissatisfaction.
How to combine shipping on eBay after payment?
Sometimes the buyer may pay for the items separately before you have a chance to send them a revised invoice with the combined shipping cost. In that case, you can still provide a combined shipping discount by issuing a partial refund to the buyers if they ask for that. Follow the below steps to combine shipping after payment.
- Go to the items page in My eBay or Seller Hub.
- Check the boxes next to the items that you want to combine shipping for.
- eBay will ask you to confirm that you want to Combine orders per buyer for the selected items. Click on it to combine the shipping.
- After printing the label, go back to your Sold items page and click on Send refund in the dropdown under one of the items that you combined shipping for.
- Add a message to the buyer explaining why you are sending them a refund and that you have combined shipping for their items.
- Enter the amount of the partial refund that you want to send to the buyer. This should be equal to the difference between the original shipping cost and the combined shipping cost for each item.
- Click on Send Refund.
The buyer will receive an email with the partial refund and a message from you. They will also see the tracking number for the combined package in their purchase history.
Pros and Cons of combine shipping eBay after payment
Pros
- Flexibility for buyers: Allowing buyers to request combined shipping after payment gives them the freedom to decide based on their specific needs and preferences.
- Immediate payment: Sellers receive payment for each item individually, allowing for faster access to funds. This can be beneficial for sellers who rely on a steady cash flow to manage their business operations.
Cons
- Additional work for the seller: Sellers may need to manually calculate shipping costs and adjust invoices for each buyer who requests combined shipping.
- Limits transparency: Buyers may be surprised by the total shipping cost once they receive the invoice, leading to lower customer satisfaction and more cancellations.
- Decreases incentive to purchase multiple items: Without the upfront discount for combined shipping, buyers may be less likely to purchase multiple items at once.
Choosing Combined Shipping on eBay: Factors for Before or After Payment
There are essential aspects to take into account regarding selecting combined shipping on eBay, whether before or after payment is made. By assessing them carefully, buyers and sellers can make informed decisions that optimize their shipping costs and overall experience on the platform.
1. Item size and weight
- Before payment: Combined shipping before payment is more suitable for smaller, lightweight items. It allows sellers to calculate accurate shipping costs upfront, considering the combined weight and dimensions of the items. Buyers can see the total cost, including shipping, before making a payment decision.
- After payment: For larger or heavier items, it may be more practical to offer combined shipping after payment. This approach enables sellers to assess the specific packaging requirements and select the most cost-effective shipping method based on the combined weight and dimensions.
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2. Shipping carrier discounts
- Before payment: If you have access to shipping carrier discounts for combined shipments, it’s beneficial to offer combined shipping before payment. This allows buyers to see the reduced shipping costs upfront and encourages them to take advantage of the savings by purchasing multiple items from your listings.
- After payment: If the shipping carrier discounts are applicable only after the items are packaged together, it makes more sense to offer combined shipping after payment. You can calculate the discounted rate based on the final weight and dimensions and refund the excess shipping fees to the buyer.
3. Buyer behavior
- Before payment: If your target audience consists of cost-conscious buyers who actively seek sellers offering combined shipping, it’s preferable to display the combined shipping costs before payment. This transparency can attract more buyers and encourage them to make multiple purchases.
- After payment: Some buyers prefer individual shipments or may not be actively seeking combined shipping options. In such cases, offering combined shipping after payment allows you to assess buyer preferences and tailor the shipping method accordingly. You can offer refunds or discounts for combined shipping on subsequent purchases.
By considering these factors, sellers can make an informed decision on eBay how to combine shipping, ensuring a positive experience for both themselves and their customers.
Combine Shipping on eBay: FAQs
- How to combine shipping on eBay app?
To send an invoice for an item on the eBay app, follow these steps:
- Locate the item you want to send an invoice for in the Seller Hub.
- Navigate to the “Orders” section.
- In “My eBay“, click on “Sold” to access additional links.
- Look for the “Actions” button and select “Send Invoice“.
- From there, you can adjust shipping costs and leave a message for the buyer.
Please note that sending invoices through the eBay mobile app may not always work. In such cases, you can still combine shipping on eBay by accessing eBay.com on Google Chrome. Then, switch to desktop site mode, and follow the same steps as you would on a PC or laptop.
- Is it safe to combine shipping on eBay?
Yes, it is safe to combine shipping on eBay as long as the seller follows eBay’s policies and guidelines for shipping and packaging. Sellers should ensure that items are packaged securely and shipped promptly to avoid any damage or loss during transit. By offering combined shipping, sellers can provide a better shopping experience for buyers while saving time and money on shipping costs.
- Does eBay global Shipping combine?
eBay Global Shipping Program (GSP) does not offer combined shipping for multiple items. Each item is shipped individually to a shipping center in the buyer’s country, where they are then consolidated into a single package and shipped to the buyer’s address. Shipping and import charges are calculated separately for each item based on its weight and dimensions, and the buyer is responsible for paying the total shipping and import charges at checkout. However, some sellers can offer their own combined shipping options outside of eBay shipping supplies.
Conclusion
In summary, eBay sellers can benefit from offering combined shipping, which can save time and money while improving the buyer’s experience. Whether you choose to offer combined shipping before or after payment, it’s important to have a solid strategy and communicate clearly with buyers.
We do hope that this blog has given you insights into how to combine shipping on eBay. For personalized guidance and support, contact Litcommerce now for further support. Don’t forget to join our community and explore our Retailers blog today to take the next step towards success with eCommerce.
