A Shippig Uh Oh?

[Former_Member]

Out of 80 something sales I have never had an upgraded shipping request.... until now. So I did a reserved listing and changed the shipping price in the box to a little higher for what priority costs... Is that right? I looked around on Etsy help but never really found the answer.

Thanks so much (this team is amazing),
Rebecca

[Former_Member]

That's what I would have done! If they had already purchased, I would have invoiced them through PayPal for the difference in shipping costs between regular and Priority. Etsy doesn't charge us for shipping costs, so you did it just right.

[hydeandstitched]

I've been charged via paypal separately for upgrades in the past, but I always prefer if the store will just change the shipping cost on a reserved listing. I always do for any orders like that which I receive!

I think you are in the clear ;)

[Former_Member]

Yep, i make a reserved listing with the special shipping cost and let the person know of the link to the item as well and put their user name in the description and title.

[hydeandstitched]

In retrospect, the one disadvantage of this method is you may lose some potential relevancy by not getting a purchase on the initial item. I still think the benefits of a reserved listing outweigh the second charge method. If you know they are going to be ordering very soon, you could always temporarily reserve the actual listing.

This really only applies if you have stock or relist the same items.

[Former_Member]

Ah, amazing! Thank you Brandon, Claire, and Erin!

[Former_Member]

I suppose if the item was a one off and you are sure they want to purchase the item with upgraded shipping you could change the title to say it is reserved, change the shipping cost and when sending the person a message tell them how long you will reserve the listing for making it clear that if the time is up and they haven't made purchase then the listing will be reverted back with the lower/ standard shipping cost.

[Former_Member]

That's what I usually do.

[AtHomeWithLolly]

I agree with Claire, if I am convo'd asking about shipping times or such, I suggest the various methods and include the priority and express mail estimated delivery times and costs as quoted by USPS.COM

Once the buyer tells me which way they want to go, I then adjust the postage for that amount, put it up as a RESERVE LISTING FOR ____ and the purchase proceeds. I have done that many times.

How does that effect relevancy, Brandon? I am interested in that, as I wouldn't have suspected it changed a thing other than the shipping cost to the buyer.

[HausofAriella]

I do the same thing. The only time that I just invoice someone for the difference is when they've already bought the item before telling me they would like a shipping upgrade. The only thing you shouldn't do with shipping upgrades is make separate listings for them since that's against Etsy's rules.

[hydeandstitched]

Is it against Etsy rules even for a reserved listing? Or is it just for multiple long standing listings with different types of shipping options?

[SunshineOnWater]

It sounds like you did the shipping right!

In relation to this question, If someone wanted a specific item and convo'd you about it, is there an automatic "reserved" icon or something on Etsy? Or do you go under you listings and add in your own photo for the main picture with your own text saying "reserved for _" ?
Just curious!

[hydeandstitched]

I always put 'RESERVED FOR ____' first in the title so other buyers know to skip past as they browse.

[SunshineOnWater]

Ahh, Ok Thanks! I wasn't sure but good to know Brandon!

[AtHomeWithLolly]

Ariella, could you explain your last sentence in a bit more detail. You have me wondering now.

It is OK to add RESERVE FOR to an existing listing?
It is NOT OK to make a brand new listing for a custom order or a change in amount, price or shipping fees, correct?

Do you have a link to this Etsy rule, so I can make sure the Etsy police don't put me in jail any time soon. I think I am ok...but want to verify it!

[hydeandstitched]

I looked around and do not see any direct references to this. I think Ariella might be stating that you cannot create two long standing listings for the same item with different shipping options. I do not think this would apply (if it even is a rule) to reserved listings.

[HausofAriella]

No, I meant that you can't have separate listings for add-ons to other listings that can't be purchased by themselves like shipping upgrades (as in a listing for $5.35 for priority shipping that you have to buy with another listing for the actual item) or gift wrapping. I think you probably could create two listings with different shipping options as long as the buyer could purchase the listing by itself.

Adding reserved for and changing the shipping on an existing listing would be fine. Making an entirely new listing for the item with the new shipping price would be fine too.

Sorry I wasn't more clear.

[hydeandstitched]

Got it, it all makes sense now!