The shipping matrix contains the recommended shipping rates that a book buyer is charged on an order. The rate charged depends on the book buyer's country and the shipping speed that the book buyer selects. The recommended shipping rates can be increased or decreased. The rates are based on a 1kg or 2.2 lb parcel for the first item and 0.5kg or 1.1 lb for each additional item.
The priority and standard shipping speeds are primarily an expectation of the time it will take for an order to get to the buyer from the time you ship the parcel. Different jurisdictions use various terminologies to describe fast and slow shipping methods. We leave it open to you to select the method of shipment, as long as the order reaches the buyer within the stated time-frame for the stated shipping cost. We do notify book buyers that delays from customs processing are not included in the shipping time estimates.
While the shipping rates in your matrix can be altered for an entire country, you can still reduce shipping rates or request additional charges when you process an order.
Adjusting Your Shipping Matrix:
Tip: Increase your sales! If you do not include a buyer's country in your shipping matrix, the buyer is then shown your International Rate, which could be higher than what they would need to pay. Adding neighbouring countries, such as Ireland or other European countries, to your matrix will give buyers the correct shipping rate and speed and you will have an advantage over other sellers who have not added those countries to their matrix.
To add a country to your shipping matrix:
- [Sign On] to your AbeBooks.com bookseller account
- Under the "My Personal Information" select [My Shipping Rates]
- Select a country from the list in the top-left corner of the matrix
- Click the [Add to matrix] button
Buyers see your shipping rates and speeds in the search results and shopping basket.
To adjust the rates and speeds in the shipping matrix:
- Locate the country you would like to adjust rates or speeds for.
- Select your desired rates and speeds from the appropriate lists*
- Click the [Save Changes] button
* The values entered cannot exceed the maximum defaults. Please enter only numbers, decimals or commas (for example, 1.00 or 1,00).
How to offer free shipping with your books!
Shipping rates and speeds play an important role in many buyers' purchases. In order to attract more buyers to our website, AbeBooks offers a Free Shipping Room where buyers can search the inventory of booksellers who offer this discount.
Booksellers who have set their domestic shipping rates in their shipping matrix to zero will automatically be included in the Free Shipping promotion within one week of updating their matrix.
To set your shipping rates to "0," please use the AbeBooks Shipping Matrix using the instructions below:
- [Sign On] to your AbeBooks.com bookseller account
- Under the "My Personal Information" select [My Shipping Rates]
- Locate the country you would like to adjust rates or speeds for. Select your desired rates and speeds from the appropriate lists
- Click the [Save Changes] button
As soon as you update your matrix, buyers will see the new shipping rates and speeds in the shopping basket. However, the [Shipping Rates & Speeds] link in the search results may take up to 2 - 3 days to reflect the changes. When the search results update, the orange Free Shipping logo will also appear in the search results with your books.
Please Contact Us once you have changed your shipping rates so that we can add your books to any current promotions we are doing.
Notes:
If you would like to offer free shipping in any country, simply adjust the first item shipping rate and the extra item rate to 0.00. Then please do Contact Us we can ensure that you are included in free shipping promotions when we advertise this to AbeBooks buyers.
If you no longer wish to participate in the free shipping promotion, we suggest that you add the shipping rates to your shipping matrix on a Friday and then Contact Us so we can ensure that you are removed from general free shipping promotions.
Requesting extra shipping charges is not permissible unless these are for tax purposes or the buyer has requested insurance or a shipping upgrade.
