Combined shipping on Ebay, hidden item limit?

[Alder | 243]

This is my first time using combined shipping on ebay. I loaded up my cart with a bunch of things from the same seller, over 70 items. The cart automatically combines shipping and it shows a shipping fee of $25 for everything. But when I go to check out, it says "To make your checkout easier, we've grouped these items for you to purchase first". It only has the first 40 items and the shipping is still > $20. Is my only option to go through with 2 transactions and spend double the shipping I was quoted in the cart? Is it limited based on value or number of items? Is this set by the seller or by ebay?

[captmorgandrinker | 1,649]

I think it's set by ebay.   I was purchasing hockey cards from a seller and they mentioned something about only being able to buy 40 in a single transaction.

Might be worth messaging the seller and explaining your predicament?   They may be willing to refund excess shipping paid if you end up having to do two transactions.

[Tabonga | 2,317]

Another option is to contact the seller and see what he/she would charge for shipping (my guess is if the items are valuable enough he/she is going to be flexible. 

Once you get the number you can load the items in the basket and request a total for everything from the seller - you have committed to buy them at this point though.  I doubt they would stiff you at this point since you will have the communication on prices to back you up.

Edited April 19, 2022 by Tabonga

[RH | 4,903]

32 minutes ago, Tabonga said:

Another option is to contact the seller and see what he/she would charge for shipping (my guess is if the items are valuable enough he/she is going to be flexible. 

Once you get the number you can load the items in the basket and request a total for everything from the seller - you have committed to buy them at this point though.  I doubt they would stiff you at this point since you will have the communication on prices to back you up.

That approach has been hit-and-miss with me, but I think it works for this context.  I've had both good and bad experience with that feature.