Question for the ebay experts - Best offer on multiple items

[GagHalfrunt]

Don't know the answer to this, couldn't find it on ebay which hardly surprising.

Have an item listed at Buy it Now $25 with $12 shipping, 2 available and allowed "or Best Offer" in the listing. Buyer offered $21 for each, so the offer came in at $21 x 2 = $42 but it doesn't mention the shipping fees. So is that offer $42 + $12 + $12 shipping for a $66 total or does ebay automatically combine shipping so that it's $42 + only a single $12 shipping charge for a $54 total since it's a single purchase?

It makes a difference in whether or not to accept the offer because it's an item that won't fit in flat rate boxes and the extra weight vastly inflates the shipping price.

 

[nakedfrog]

In my experience, shipping doesn't seem to be automatically combined. Generally I've had to buy the items, not pay immediately, and then do "Request total from seller" to get combined shipping.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

In my experience, shipping doesn't seem to be automatically combined. Generally I've had to buy the items, not pay immediately, and then do "Request total from seller" to get combined shipping.

You are correct. I'd give you a cookie, but I don't know the smilie code. Thanks.

 

[EOM]

I've just put the total, with shipping in the comments box that i'm expecting to pay and they'll adjust it when they accept it.

 

[Midwayman]

Best offer shouldn't include shipping if shipping isn't free. When I've used it before it always mention if it includes it or not somewhere on the submit page.

 

[K7SN]

I always enquire or include shipping when making such an offer; Like "I'll by three keyboards for this price and pay for $3.00 for shipping." Research the sellers with higher prices and free shipping; then reduce the cost per unit so the price you offer is the single unit shipping cost divided by the number of units to be purchased and make an offer to the free shipping seller. If your in the ball park and give some reference this other seller is well below free-shipping sellers asking price; almost always the free shipping seller will point out the shipping cost which often is inflated 400% or more for handling (how they make their profit) and give you a counter offer. If your not in a hurry and several sellers you can save some more money;

I like Dell Keyboards and the tricks above and managed to get 10 keyboards (Only needed 4 at the time) for what I could by 4 with shipping. Used three more since then and still have three spare keyboards left.

Unless the shipping cost of $12.00 reflects within 10% of actual cost (UPS, USPS, etc,) I'm sure the OP would be my last resort.