How to Combine Shipping on eBay & Save Money on Many Items

eBay’s checkout process is famous for its quirks. One moment you’re snagging several deals from a single seller, and the next, you’re staring at a shipping total that costs more than the items themselves. While the platform supports it, figuring out how to combine shipping on eBay can be frustrating, as the option is frequently hidden behind specific settings or app limitations that aren’t exactly user-friendly. If you’re tired of paying double (or triple) for postage, you’re in the right place.

How to Request Combined Shipping Before Payment

The most cost-effective way to save on eBay is to combine shipping before you pay. This allows the seller to send you a revised invoice with a single discounted shipping fee, preventing the need for later refunds.

Here is the step-by-step process to request a total on your computer:

1. Add Items to Your Cart: Navigate to the listings you want and click Add to cart for each one. Do not click “Buy It Now,” as this may force immediate payment depending on the seller’s settings.
2. Access Your Shopping Cart: Click the Cart icon at the top right of the eBay homepage.
3. Find the “Request Total” Link: Look at the top right of the items from that specific seller. You will see a button or text link that says “Request total”.
4. Review and Submit: On the next page, you can add a brief message to the seller. Click Confirm and submit the request.
5. Wait for the Revised Invoice: eBay will notify the seller of your request. Once the seller updates the shipping cost, you will receive an email with a New Invoice. You can then click “Pay Now” from that email to complete the transaction.

Note for step 3: If the seller already offers a combined shipping rule (e.g., “$1 for each additional item”), the discount might be applied automatically, and the “Request total” link may not appear.

Why Can’t I See the “Request Total” Button?

If you are struggling to find the button, it is usually due to one of these three reasons:

• Fixed Price/Immediate Payment: Some sellers enable an “Immediate Payment Required” setting. This bypasses the cart’s ability to request a total.
• Discounted Items: If the items are already part of a “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” or similar promotion, eBay’s system often prevents further manual discounts.
• Global Shipping Program (GSP): Items shipped through eBay’s International Shipping/GSP generally cannot be manually combined by the seller, as eBay handles the international leg of the journey.

How to Combine Shipping on the eBay Mobile App

Requesting combined shipping on the eBay mobile app can be a bit trickier than on a desktop because the “Request Total” button is often hidden or unavailable due to app interface limitations. However, you can still achieve it using these methods.

Method 1: The “Add to Cart” Strategy

For most orders, the best way to prompt a shipping discount is through your shopping cart:

1. Add Items to Cart: Instead of tapping “Buy It Now,” tap Add to cart for each item you want from the same seller.
2. Navigate to Cart: Tap the Cart icon (top right) to view your items.
3. Check for Automatic Discounts: eBay’s app often calculates combined shipping automatically if the seller has pre-set “Combined Shipping Rules.” If the shipping total looks correct, you can proceed to checkout.
4. Look for “Request Total”: If the discount isn’t automatic, look for a Request Total link near the seller’s name within the cart.

Note: If you don’t see this button, it’s likely because the seller requires “Immediate Payment” or you are using an iOS/Android version where the button is suppressed.

Sometimes, technical glitches or regional restrictions can hide certain checkout features. If the ‘Request Total’ link simply won’t appear, a VPN like LightningX VPN can help by allowing you to switch your virtual location to a different region, potentially resolving interface errors caused by your local network or ISP.

Method 2: Contact the Seller Directly (The Most Reliable Way)

If the “Request Total” button is missing on the app, follow these steps to ensure you don’t overpay:

1. Message the Seller: Before paying, go to one of the item listings, scroll down, and select Contact Seller.
2. Ask for a Bundle: Ask: “Hi, I want to buy [Item A] and [Item B]. Can you offer a combined shipping discount?”
3. Wait for Instructions: The seller will either: Send you a private offer for both items with a reduced shipping price, / Tell you to pay the full amount and promise a partial refund via eBay once they generate the shipping label.

Method 3: Use Your Mobile Browser (The “Workaround”)

If the app is being stubborn, you can force the desktop view on your phone to find the missing “Request Total” button:

1. Open your mobile browser (Safari or Chrome) and log in to eBay.com.
2. Go to your Cart.
3. In your browser settings, select “Request Desktop Website.”
4. The page will reload in the desktop version, where the Request Total button should now be visible above your items.

How Sellers Combine Orders During Shipping

While you usually handle the request as a buyer, it’s helpful to know how it works on the seller’s end. This ensures you know what to expect once you’ve made your purchase.

When you buy multiple items from the same seller, eBay’s system flags them as “eligible for combination” in the seller’s shipping dashboard. Here is what happens:

• The “Combine” Tool: Before printing a label, the seller selects all your orders and uses a “Combine orders” dropdown menu. This merges all your purchases into a single shipment with one tracking number.
• One Package, One Tracking Number: The seller packs everything into one box. Once they upload the tracking number, it will automatically update for all the items in that bundle on your “Purchase History” page.
• Manual Refunds: If you have already paid full shipping for each item, this is the stage where the seller calculates the actual cost. They will then issue a partial refund to your original payment method for the shipping difference.

Items Ineligible for Combined Shipping

Not all items can be grouped together. Understanding these exceptions will save you time and prevent frustration at checkout.

• eBay International Shipping (GSP): Items shipped through eBay’s official international programs usually cannot be combined. eBay handles the logistics and charges separate fees for each parcel to ensure customs compliance.
• Immediate Payment Required: If a seller has the “Immediate Payment” setting enabled (common for “Buy It Now” or highly discounted items), you must pay for each item individually. You’ll have to ask the seller for a refund after the fact.
• Items from Different Countries: You cannot combine shipping for items listed on different eBay sites (e.g., one from eBay.com and another from eBay.co.uk), even if they are from the same seller.
• Oversized or Fragile Goods: Some items are too heavy or delicate to be packed together. Sellers may refuse to combine them to prevent damage or because they exceed carrier size limits.
• Auctions and Fixed-Price Mix: If you have already paid for a fixed-price item, you cannot “add” a newly won auction to that shipment once the first label has been printed.

FAQs: Common Issues & Fixes

Q1: What if the seller refuses to combine shipping, or the “Request Total” link is broken?

A: If you’ve tried all the methods above and still encounter issues, or if a seller isn’t honoring their stated policy, you can contact eBay Customer Service for further assistance with your specific transaction.

Q2: I already paid for everything. Can I still get a discount?

A: Yes, but it is at the seller’s discretion. Message them immediately and ask for a partial refund for the shipping difference. Most sellers are happy to do this to save on their own supplies and fees.

Q3: Why can’t I see the “Request Total” link in my cart?

A: This usually happens if you are using the mobile app, if the items are on sale, or if the seller requires immediate payment. Try using a desktop browser or messaging the seller directly.