Hi, Im not even sure if this is in the right place.

Basicly, I am getting alot of confused buyers, confused by the checkout process so I am wanting to see exactly what the "buyer" is seeing 1st hand from the time they click "buy it now" Maybe I have something set wrong.

I read about using "test" listings but Im not sure how they work.

Ive made (3) using auctiva but before I list them to ebay I want to find out some details:

--I know ebay will charge me for each listing so its better to make them cost me as little as possible. ($0.01 starting price, no extra listing upgrades)

--Does the shipping price effect what I have to pay ebay or PayPal?

--How do I go about "buying" my "test" listing items so I can see the "buyers" process?

--Will I actually have to "pay" for my items?

--Can I use PayPal? and if so what do i need to know so I pay the smallest PayPal fees?

--anything else Im not thinking of.

Or maybe someone can just tell me what I need to do to get this result below.

Example:

--I have (30) "main item" listings, each have multiple item qty. and are sold using BIN.

--Each has a seperate shipping price, example: shipping for 1 = $10, shipping for 2 = $20, 3 = $30 and so on.

--I also have listings for "accessories" for the "main items".

--These are also listed in multiple qty listings using BIN.

I am trying to make the shipping work like this:

--If a buyer buys any number of "main items", they will be charged shipping for each item.

--If a buyer buys (1) "accessorie" item by itself, they will be charged shipping for that item.

--If a buyer buys any number of "main items" and (1) or more "accessorie" items, they should be charged for shipping on the "main" item only (which is most the expensive shipping) and all additional "accessorie" items will ship for free.

--If a buyer buys (2) or more "accessorie" items and no "main" items, they should be charged shipping for the 1st "accessorie" item only and each additional will ship for free.

Im not sure what needs to be set where to accomplish this. I must have it wrong though because my buyers are confused when they checkout.

Hi Shawn,

1) Welcome to Auctiva! In order to proceed through the checkout process yourself, you will need to post a test listing in category # 14111; perhaps a "Buy It Now" listing with a price of one penny.

Then, you will be able to log-in with another eBay username, purchase the item, and proceed through the checkout process. If you don't have a second eBay account, you may need to solicit the help of a friend or relative who also has an eBay account. If you offer check/money order as a payment method and select that option during checkout, you actually won't have to pay for the item.

We also have screen shots of the Auctiva Checkout process available, which can be accessed by clicking the "Checkout Settings" link under the "My Account" tab within your account, followed by the small "View Screen Shots" link on the ensuing page.

2) In order to create shipping discount rules for buyers who purchase more than one of your items simultaneously, you will need to set up "Shipping Discount Profiles", which can be done in the "Preferences" section of your eBay account. When you are creating your listings through Auctiva, as long as you check the box next to "Make this item eligible for a shipping discount according to my eBay preferences", the shipping discount options set forth in your eBay preferences will automatically be applied to your buyers who purchase more than one item.

I'm uncertain whether it is possible to set up shipping discount prfiles which will allow you to accomplish exactly what you are looking to, so I recommend fiddling with the options that are available there. If you have any additional questions regarding this specific issue, I recommend contacting eBay's customer support department.

I hope this information proves useful. If you have any further questions or concerns pertaining to your Auctiva account, please file a support request using the appropriate link on our help page: http://www.auctiva.com/free-auction-software-help/help.aspx

-Mike