At AbeBooks, we have learned that happy customers frequently become return customers. Often, buyers who are satisfied with the service and products of one bookseller will do business with that bookseller again in the future. Good service includes a low postage fee and speed for ordered items.
When you receive an order you can further adjust the shipping charge if needed. Extra charges can be requested for a heavy/oversized items or multi-volume sets, to pay applicable taxes, or to purchase insurance for a valuable item. Likewise, if a book is light or if the shipping charge is too high, you can also reduce the shipping charges when processing the order.
You can find instructions on adjusting your overall shipping rates and speeds here.
To request Extra Shipping Charges for a multiple item order
The way that you request extra shipping for a multiple item order depands on the payment method.
Payment processed by Abebooks (Credit Card)
If payment is being processed by AbeBooks then please follow the instructions below:
1. Select the [Extra Shipping] option in the status column
2. Click the [Save Order Changes] button
3. Enter the extra charge in the "Increase By" text box. We also strongly encourage you to enter an explanation in the ‘Comments’ field. Buyers are more likely to accept extra changes if they understand them
4. Click the [Save Shipping Details] button
If you add a charge on multiple items in one order, you will need to add the shipping amount for each item in the order. Therefore you should divide the extra shipping amount by the amount of items and enter the appropriate amount in the extra charge field for each item.
For payment methods other than credit card (not processed by AbeBooks)
If you need to request extra charges for orders where payment is NOT processed by AbeBooks, you need to contact the buyer directly after processing the order, notifying the buyer of the total order value (to include any increase or reduction in shipping costs) and payment instructions. Such orders should not be shipped until payment has been received. If payment is not forthcoming then the order should be cancelled.
To reduce shipping charges for a multiple item order
If you wish to reduce the shipping charges for a multiple item order when payment is processed by yourselves, then you will need to agree on this when arranging payment with the buyer.
Alternatively please follow the instructions below on reducing shipping charges when payment is by credit card.
Payment processed by Abebooks (Credit Card)
You will need to reduce the shipping for each book in the order; you cannot reduce the shipping cost of any one item to zero. If you attempt to reduce the shipping to zero, an error message will appear and you will be asked to insert shipping changes again. For example: you receive an order with two items in it. The shipping on the first item is £7 and for the additional item it is £3. If it would cost you only £5 to ship both items, then you can reduce the shipping cost of the first item by £3 and the second by £2 when you process the order.
For instructions on increasing or reducing shipping costs on single item orders please click here.
