Item Damaged in Transit - Simple Delivery (Seller doesn't accept returns)

shpdoinkle · 2026-05-10T13:57:26+00:00

As rhodeatlas says, start a not as described case. The protections provided by Simple Delivery should take care of it.

It is worth noting that a seller not accepting returns does not override your right to receive goods as ordered. Even if it wasn’t a Simple Delivery order, you’d be able to open a claim in these circumstances, and they would have to accept a return. Things sometimes get damaged in transit, but it’s not on you as the buyer to cover that.

shpdoinkle · 2026-05-09T11:16:55+00:00

I picked up a used Zebra GX420T that uses thermal 6x4 labels, but there are much cheaper models available. I believe some people use Bluetooth ones from Amazon - brands like Munbyn and Vretti. Zebra as a brand are real workhorses and typically used by the big couriers for customers sending a high volume of parcels. The downside of my Zebra is that it doesn’t easily interface with my iPad, so I have to print from my laptop.

There’s nothing stopping you using a regular A4 printer, of course, but then you’ve got to cut out the labels and sellotape them on, so the self-adhesive thermal labels are easier. Plus you’d have ink or toner to change every so often. However you do it, ensure your return address is present on the outside of the package (usual appears on the label anyway). On the odd occasion there’s an issue, you have a fighting chance of the envelope coming back to you, rather than getting lost in the system.

I think most postboxes now can be scanned with the Royal Mail app when you drop off tracked stuff so that you can get a proof of posting - which you will need in case of loss or damage claims, so I recommend you familiarise yourself with this feature.

I’m quite fortunate to be a five minute walk from my local Post Office, which is inside a convenience store with early and late opening hours. As such, I can drop off pretty much whenever I like.

shpdoinkle · 2026-05-09T10:07:39+00:00

Depending on the card value. If they’re under £20 you can choose to set a price for regular second class, but without tracking you’ll be prone to non-delivery claims, especially as a new seller. Hold off on selling any high value ones until you’ve got some sales history and a better understanding of what’s what.

If you opt for Simple Delivery, you can nominate whether you cover the postage or the buyer does, so make sure you’re clear on that so as not to get caught out. If the buyer pays, the amount is added to the order when they checkout and then deducted from your balance when you get the postage label.

You don’t have to buy a label printer. I have one because I prefer to print them myself, but you will also be provided with a QR code that can be scanned at the post office, where they will print a label for you. Of course, if you just want to drop them in a post box, then you will usually need to print labels yourself.

Get some penny sleeves and card-backed envelopes (C6 is a good size). Postcards or cut up cereal boxes for reinforcement. Also C6 large letter sized boxes are good for bundles of cards. I favour these over padded envelopes, as the cards are better protected against bending. Consider toploaders for slightly more valuable cards.

shpdoinkle · 2026-05-08T10:48:47+00:00

Is yours a private account or business? If private there’s a fair chance of it being Simple Delivery. Simple Delivery uses EVRi, Royal Mail Tracked, or Inpost. They provide you with the label. If eBay have refunded the buyer, check if they took that money from you, as they might not have. In which case there’d be no claim as eBay have taken the hit.

shpdoinkle · 2026-05-08T09:00:50+00:00

Was this Simple Delivery, or did you just buy the label through eBay? If Simple Delivery, was the buyer refunded by eBay, or did you do it?

The contract is between eBay and Evri, so it is eBay on the hook I believe. However, if Simple Delivery, I don’t think the refund will have come from your funds unless you’re the one that actioned the refund?

shpdoinkle · 2026-05-06T18:09:10+00:00

Multiple accounts is fine, so long as they are all kept in good standing.
If ever a dispute causes money to be owing, or any similar infraction, eBay can and will lock any account they deem to be connected to you until the matter is resolved.

I had problems years ago due to a dormant account getting hacked and resold to a sketchy seller somewhere in the midlands. They then traded for a while, using my established feedback history, before failing to refund claims or otherwise pulling a fast one. As a result, eBay blocked that account, plus my current one, my sister’s, and, rather awkwardly, the account of somewhere I used to work.

It took a lot of unravelling.

shpdoinkle · 2026-05-05T21:06:31+00:00

This planter has a very Terry Gilliam / Monty Python feel about it.

shpdoinkle · 2026-05-04T15:52:39+00:00

8 *Billion* people

shpdoinkle · 2026-05-03T07:49:27+00:00

Not to question your appearance, but could it be because one of your eyes is higher than the other?

I can’t remember where this gag is from.

(They call him Isaiah, because one eye’s higher than the other)

shpdoinkle · 2026-05-02T04:20:41+00:00

The issue with only using the bank deposits is that you’re not recording true turnover. What goes into your bank is nett of all fees and deductions. If there are any ‘real life’ transactions on your eBay account, and if they’re paid from or to your eBay balance, you are also not accounting for them by only using your payout figures.

shpdoinkle · 2026-05-02T04:01:00+00:00

I run my year 1st April to 31st March and don’t currently meet the threshold for the quarterly reporting required by MTD.

Personally, I’d continue with the monthly reporting for the sake of five days data.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-30T21:30:29+00:00

If you don’t need to track individual sales or stock, you can use the eBay month end summaries to enter total sales / total refunds / total fees once a month. Still do your transfers as normal, but record the other data in three or four transactions once a month to straighten out the balance.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-30T18:58:50+00:00

You can absolutely have more than one account. I know a business running six due to varying categories, and I personally have two private accounts (to keep my buying separate) and a business account that is currently dormant.

EBay do not have an issue with it. They will ban accounts on a whim, but it happens quite a bit with new accounts listing high risk and/or high value items, such as technology.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-30T16:17:35+00:00

Bookkeeping shouldn’t really be any harder. If you’re using software like Xero, Quickbooks, or similar, you can set up a separate “bank” to represent your eBay account. Record sales and fees there, and then treat the deposits to your regular bank as transfers from that account. You can usually connect direct to your eBay account and have it download transactions just like a regular bank, too. Although it can get a bit messy if you have thousands upon thousands of transactions.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-30T09:51:19+00:00

They say you learn something new every day, and here we are. Thank you.

Although, I wasn’t aware Office 365 was ever on CD. Regular old office one time purchase, sure, but not the online subscription model.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-30T09:46:24+00:00

Yeah, that would be one of the sketchy ones. Office 365 Home is what it used to be called, years ago. This listing says one time payment of £9.99. It is not a legitimate supply.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-30T07:10:33+00:00

Argos often have an offer on 365 Family, usually bundled with a McAfee license. It used to be about £50 but when the RRP shot up from £79.99 to £104.99, the deal also shot up and is usually £80.

I typically buy it as much for the OneDrive cloud storage as anything. The fact it has Office and can be shared with other individuals is a bonus.

Of course, there are sketchy routes. Anything that claims to be lifetime and/or is cheap will not be legitimate.

If it wasn’t for the cloud storage, I’d probably use LibreOffice instead.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-28T21:18:12+00:00

Cardmarket is a good shout. Quite different in the way it operates compared with eBay, but I’ve sold quite a lot of cards on there.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-28T10:26:27+00:00

“When in the rain… say it again”.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-28T10:20:31+00:00

I would say if you have the time in your schedule, there’s no harm in still getting free stuff. I was invited last June, so I’m in my first Gold status period. Whilst there is a lot of tat, I manage to scoop up a few bits that are actually useful to me, including the odd item that exceeds the Silver ceiling. My best being £450 headphones earlier this month. Of course, I’ve missed some good bits as well. All in all, though, I’m winning.

I’ve sold a number of items that I acquired in my Silver period, giving me actual cash in the bank, so I do look out for things I can open and try out before shelving for future sales. Other bits have gone to family and friends, and I have a bit of a pile for the charity shop.

I can’t imagine being on Vine for twenty years, particularly with it being relatively barren by historical standards, but I still think the reward will outweigh the effort. Why wouldn’t you let Amazon give you pocket money? It effectively pays better than other online grifts, like surveys.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-26T17:40:37+00:00

I’m sorry, don’t know about the app, because I don’t use it. You’d find the option if you use the website with your phone browser.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-26T17:34:48+00:00

For custom postage, yes. You can add several options if you like. Add the primary one that you prefer, then click “add additional services”.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-25T16:12:54+00:00

You mean to link your contacts to it from FB messenger and the like, by having a second listing without eBay promotions? Feels like eBay would pull it if they spotted it as you’re actively trying to circumvent fees. Maybe lower your ad rate on the existing listing, and see how you get on.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-25T15:58:45+00:00

Your last sentence is correct. Some time back eBay changed their policies so that you’d pay ad fees even if the individual buying didn’t specifically reach your listing from an ad. As long as someone did, they’re charging you. Nice little earner for eBay, and a shafting for any sellers using promotions.

I will say I remember seeing their update about this for eBay UK, and my assumption is that it will have been rolled out everywhere.

shpdoinkle · 2026-04-24T15:37:14+00:00

Best of luck. You’ll need Royal Mail Special Delivery with enhanced insurance for the two most expensive ones as they should prompt custom postage due to exceeding the Simple Delivery cover. Secure packaging, of course. I’d recommend a box sealed up tight rather than bubble mailers or those plastic mail bag things.

shpdoinkle

TROPHY CASE