How do you charge extra for the additional shipping cost?
Summary: lud-4367 inquires about how to charge additional shipping costs on eBay, noting the lack of an option to charge extra fees after a purchase. ilikehockeyjerseys suggests using eBay's 'Send Invoice' feature if the buyer hasn't paid yet, or creating a new eBay listing as a workaround. They also mention that sharing e-transfer info with a buyer post-purchase might be permissible, but recommend verifying this with eBay. itolduandso warns against using methods outside of eBay's platform due to possible violations of terms of service, even arguing that eBay bots might penalize such actions. They, along with byto253, propose creating a 'private listing' for the additional cost as a safer alternative. dinomitesales challenges the creation of new listings, citing fees and potential buyer disputes, and suggests relisting the item with adjusted shipping terms as a straightforward solution. itolduandso further suggests selling the cost as a digital item to ensure eBay rules compliance while covering the seller's fee concerns.
So, if a buyer is willing to pay extra for the additional shipping cost, how do you charge extra? It seems that there's no option to charge additional fees on ebay. During the paypal era, people were able to send additional invoice, but I don't use paypal any more. Asking a buyer to send additional fee through ebay message is prbably major no-no. The only way I can think of it at the moment is to cancel the purchase and relist the listing with a new price. Is there any other way? Thanks in advance.
dinomitesales
·1 year agoI don't follow the logic in creating a new listing to receive additional payments from a buyer. That would require you to pay eBay fees on the additional funds. And if the buyer is savvy or nefarious they could just file a claim with eBay and get their money back after the fact since you didn't ship anything.
I agree with @ilikehockeyjerseys, it's been proven many times that you can freely exchange contact information with a buyer after a sale has already taken place and eBay has received their cut of the transaction. They just don't want you talking before the sale has taken place, as they're concerned you'll try and take the sale off platform.
Of course, this is only an issue if the item has already been shipped out. Based on OPs explanation, it seems like the item hasn't been shipped and the buyer just wants to pay more to use a different service or get it faster? Just cancel the sale, relist with the proper shipping adjustment, and have the buyer re-purchase. Seems pretty straightforward - not sure why this is such a topic of discussion.
itolduandso
·1 year agoSell as digital item.
https://export.ebay.com/en/listings/how-to-list-and-deliver-digital-items-on-ebay/
https://www.ebay.ca/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/electronically-delivered-items-policy?id=4289
The key is to have the buyer confirm they are satisfied with the digitally delivered item. That removes the ability to file a case.
You still have to send them the "digital item", unlike in Etsy, where the digital item is sent automatically at the end of the purchase and the sale is closed and done.
In Ebay you need to do the extra step.
And yes, I think paying fees to Ebay is fair and having buyer paying those fees also fair, if you don't want to pay them.
Because I have better chance buyer will go purchase additional listing, then cancelling the sale, buyer has to accept the cancellation, and then relist it and then send the link and have buyer purchase it ... 2 steps instead of one.
byto253
·1 year agoAnother vote for and exclusive listing. "Exclusive listing for <buyer> name for expdited shipping" (or whatever the shipping is) For a picture find a net image of a blank cardboard box or envelope or something generic. In the description repeat the "Exclusive listing for <buyer> name for expdited shipping."
But you can only give the buyer until your ship by date, and tell them if they would like that type of shipping to please buy it through the listing by X date as you have an eBay requirement to ship by that date. If they choose not to buy the additional shipping you will ship it as stated in the listing.
itolduandso
·1 year agoI would be on the safe side. I just created a separate private listing for a buyer who wants to purchase a China made item. The tariff on the item will be over 100 dollars based on the calculator for DDP in Stallion Express, so I have added a little more to account for any surprises and charges plus ebay fees and I have created a secondary listing. The buyer purchased the item as normal on Ebay plus shipping and then purchased the 2nd listing for 130 USD to cover the tariffs.
How else am I supposed to do this?
If I negotiate on the side send emails and ask the buyer to pay 130 USD extra, I think I would be kicked out by Ebay.
If I create listing and add 130 dollars, customs will charge the tariffs on the total amount including the amount that is supposed to cover tariffs.
Anyways, so using the secondary listings offers some flexibility here.
I know there is a room for abuse... like agreement with the buyer to list it cheaply for smaller amount and then creating separate listing and hide it from the official invoice on ebay, but this is illegal to do and would never want to do that something like this, but I think charging the buyer extra to cover tariff, I don't see why that should be considerd as illegal. Probably not entirely all right but not illegal.
Anyways, I wanted to share because this was dicussed here as a way to handle extra charges.
itolduandso
·1 year agoNot a safe thing to do with the etransfer or Paypal. Ebay did strike a seller and buyer in the past and I have seen it, not once, any payment negotiated outside of ebay is against the ebay T&C.
You create the listing for the additional shipping, as suggested (and call it something that doesn't make somebody else buy it, maybe put there in condition saying it's poor condition or something) and then send the link to your buyer to the additional ebay listing. The purchase should be processed on Ebay platform. Yes you need to pay ebay transaction and selling fee, but that would be needed even if your shipping had initially reflected what the buyer wanted to pay.
Ebay bots are unpredictable and it doesn't matter you call ebay support somewhere in call centre. They tell you want they want. EBay bots scan messages. If they detect something they don't like, it may end up locking you out.
ilikehockeyjerseys
·1 year agoI agree with you that people should use a "private listing" to keep it on the safe side.
But it is factual that eBay customer service will instruct sellers to exchange info to resolve payment issues that cannot be directly resolved on the eBay system. Things like refunding a US buyer for a return label. Or having a buyer repay for an item that was previously refunded via an INR.
It is even on the official eBay help page...
https://www.ebay.ca/help/selling/managing-returns-refunds/return-shipping-sellers?id=4703#section5
Offer to send funds for the return shipping cost
Use the shipping calculator on the carrier's website to find out how much return shipping will cost. If you're unable to determine the cost, contact the buyer and ask them to provide a quote.
Ensure that the amount includes tracking, and on items that have a total cost of $750 or more, include signature confirmation.
Here's how to send funds to the buyer:
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I have never heard of bots nerfing an account for exchanging info in these situations, but nothing surprises me with stuff like that, and I 100 percent agree with you that the safest way is just to make another listing for the shipping upgrade.
ilikehockeyjerseys
·1 year agoIf the buyer hasn't paid, you should be able to change the shipping cost by using the send invoice to buyer feature. https://www.ebay.ca/help/selling/getting-paid/sending-invoices-buyers?id=4139
If the buyer has already paid and you want to play it safe, you could make a generic eBay listing called something like "Shipping upgrade for Dave". Let's say Dave needs to give you $20, make it a $20 Buy It Now w/free shipping. Send the buyer the link to the listing, they pay you through there. You two are squared up.
You should double-check this with eBay, but you're allowed to exchange Paypal+eTransfer info to resolve problems like this if the buyer has already paid for an item.
If this is a buyer who has reached out to you but hasn't bought the item yet, there are a lot of ways that you can add a different shipping service like creating a new shipping policy.
https://www.ebay.ca/help/selling/posting-items/setting-postage-options?id=4089
lud-4367
OP1 year agoThanks. This is very helpful. Does it mean I can message buyers with my email address and phone number for interact?
ilikehockeyjerseys
·1 year agoYes, you should be allowed to do that if they have already paid for the item. Usually the context has to do with things like arranging label payments for returns. Like I said, it's always a good idea to message the customer service first to clarify stuff like this because policies do change, but most people here can likely confirm that they have been instructed in the past by eBay to exchange info in similar situations.
An easier way to do it might be to go to your order page, click print packing slip, and the buyer's phone number should already be there on the packing slip. Some buyers do not include phone numbers with their address, but most do.
lud-4367
OP1 year agoThanks for clarifying it agin. Appreciate it.