Is eBay Simple Delivery compulsory, and what if the parcel is lost?

Is eBay Simple Delivery compulsory?

For many private listings, yes. eBay’s help page says it is the only delivery method when a private seller lists an eligible item on eBay.co.uk.

Eligible means a Buy it now price, or an auction start price, of £750 or less, inside the size and weight limits. Smartphones and some other electronics over £300 are not eligible. The page has a section for choosing a preferred carrier, and it names Evri, Royal Mail and DHL with different size caps. It does not say one courier is forced on every parcel.

When the item sells you get a prepaid label and a QR code. The label lasts 7 days. You can drop it off or book a collection where that is offered. You do not have to own a printer.

eBay’s Simple Delivery help page says Simple Delivery is the only delivery method for private sellers who list eligible items on eBay.co.uk. Eligible items are priced at £750 or less, using the Buy it now price or the auction start price. Some electronics, for example smartphones, priced above £300 are not eligible. The page lists size and weight limits for Evri, Royal Mail and DHL. Source

When can I opt out of Simple Delivery?

The opt-out is narrow. eBay says custom postage is only for specific categories priced at £20 or under, typically a letter or large letter of 100g or under. The £20 is the item price and excludes the eBay Buyer Protection fee.

You may also see custom postage for an item the programme will not carry. The listing flow shows which path you are on. There is no general switch to turn Simple Delivery off.

eBay’s Simple Delivery help page says you can opt out and choose custom postage only for items in specific categories priced at £20 and under, typically letter or large-letter size and 100g or under. The £20 limit is the item price only and excludes the eBay Buyer Protection fee. Some prohibited or restricted items can also show custom postage. Source

What if the Simple Delivery parcel is lost?

eBay says you are protected for loss or damage from the scan into the carrier’s network until the parcel is marked delivered. Before that scan, this sentence has not started.

Get the acceptance scan. Keep the drop-off receipt. Photograph the item, and any serial number, before you seal the box. If the buyer says it has not arrived, stay in the eBay order. eBay says it deals directly with the buyer on a delivery problem or a non-receipt.

Do not post a replacement because of a chat message alone. Read item not received and a lost parcel.

eBay’s Simple Delivery help page says you are protected if the item is lost or damaged from the moment it is scanned into the carrier’s network until it is marked delivered. eBay says it works directly with the buyer if there is a delivery problem or the buyer does not receive the item. Tracking is uploaded for you. The label is valid for 7 days. If you post with that label and it is scanned within your handling time, eBay says your seller performance and service metrics will not be affected by a late delivery, and you can ask for negative or neutral feedback about delivery to be removed. Source

Will a late scan count against my seller standards?

eBay says no, if you used the Simple Delivery label and the carrier scanned it within your stated handling time. You can ask for negative or neutral feedback about delivery to be removed.

That protection is about lateness. It is not a promise about every “delivered” dispute. Keep the scan and the receipt anyway.

eBay’s Simple Delivery help page says you are protected if the item is lost or damaged from the moment it is scanned into the carrier’s network until it is marked delivered. eBay says it works directly with the buyer if there is a delivery problem or the buyer does not receive the item. Tracking is uploaded for you. The label is valid for 7 days. If you post with that label and it is scanned within your handling time, eBay says your seller performance and service metrics will not be affected by a late delivery, and you can ask for negative or neutral feedback about delivery to be removed. Source

What if I would rather not use a courier?

Check the listing is actually eligible before you argue with the label. Over the price caps, or outside the size limits, this programme is not the rule.

On SilentSale® you choose tracked Shipping or PIN Pickup for the order. Buyer and seller each contribute £0.30 + 3% of the item price to SilentCover® (£0.60 each on a £10 item), a discretionary protection service. Stripe processes the payment and holds the funds until completion. tracked Shipping has 72 hours after delivery to report an issue. A courier parcel can still go missing. PIN Pickup has no courier: the buyer pays in the app, inspects, and shares a 6-digit PIN.

Read selling fees compared, how you get paid and SilentSale® and eBay. Collection on eBay is a separate guide: code, QR and cash.

Stripe processes payments and holds funds until the order completes.

For Shipping, report problems within 72 hours after confirmed delivery, or the collection scan for a locker or parcel-shop order. Confirming receipt closes the window early, so inspect first.