Frequently Asked Questions

Why has your stock been reduced so much?
Due to the many changes in Ebay in September 2008 regarding Ebay Shops and the because of the 'new look' listings which Ebay will be putting in place in the future, all our listings have been ended in order to redesign them and then relist them. The relisting of our stock has already begun and we will eventually have a large stock in the shop once again. 

Why do your items now require 'immediate payment'?
After Ebay removed a Seller's right to leave negative feedback to a non-paying customer there was a sharp increase in Ebayers committing to buy our items using 'Buy It Now' and then not paying (such behaviour from customers was previously 0% and suddenly rose to 20% to 25% of incidence). These Ebayers would then ignore all communication from us. Apart from wasting our time, it was also costing us money. Each time a listing was ended with 'Buy It Now' and the customer not paying, the fee we paid for a 30 day listing was wasted and then we had to pay the cost of relisting the item. With the higher fees that Ebay has now put in place for listing shop items this behaviour can no longer be overlooked and we feel the only way to discourage these kind of people is to ask for immediate payment or the listing does not end.   

How does this affect combined postage on a multiple purchase?
Combined postage is still possible. Postage is based on the weight and size of the parcel and is charged as per Royal Mail postal rates.  The way that a customer can save money is on packaging.  Packaging costs £0.40 per parcel.  If a customer buys three books then he or she will save money in packaging costs by the books being sent in one parcel. Previously we invoiced a customer with an adjusted cost of postage and packging. Now, with items being paid for by immediate payment, we simply refund the customer (through Paypal) with the change left over from the P&P. We also provide a receipt for each purchase which details all the costs including postage. The postage cost can be checked against the Royal Mail cost printed on the postage label on the parcel. 

How do I pay for my item(s)?
Through Paypal.  Payments must be in UK Pounds Sterling. 

How will I know if you have received my payment?
When you make a payment to us through Paypal you should automatically receive an email from Paypal confirming the transaction. 
Also, we make a point of emailing customers to confirm that we have indeed received the payment.

When do you leave feedback?
Positive feedback is left after a customer's payment is confirmed by Paypal. 

How is Postage calculated?
As mentioned above, by combining the weight of the item(s) and the weight of the entirety of the packaging and checking the size under Royal Mail's pricing system.

In the UK: we send item(s) by First Class through the Royal Mail.  At the request of the customer we can send the item by recorded delivery but the charge for this must be paid by the customer. 

To the rest of the world item(s) are sent by Air Mail through the Royal Mail. 
 

How is Packaging calculated?
Packaging is £0.40 per parcel.  We buy our packaging in amounts large enough to reduce the cost to less than the price of packaging in the shops which, depending on the size of the packaging, vary from £0.65 to £2.99. We feel we are making a substantial saving for our customers and by combining purchases you can save even more money on packaging.

What kind of Packaging do you use?
Depending on the size of the item, or the number of items bought at one time if a multiple purchase, packaging can vary from a bubble-wrap envelope through to a cardboard box.

There is also internal packaging as follows:
All items are tightly wrapped in a plastic bag, or bags, before being put into a bubble wrap envelope or cardboard box parcel.  This is for extra protection.  
If the item is very thin, such as a comic or a thin paperback, card will be used to stiffen the package. Usually the card is recycled from other things and therefore we do not have to charge for it, another reason for our low price for packaging.
Padding is used in cardboard box parcels to ensure the items bought do not move around in the box possibly causing damage.

To what countries will you mail items?
This is decided by two factors. (a) Countries that have Paypal and therefore customers can purchase items from us. (b) That the country is a destination that the Royal Mail can deliver parcels. 

John Helvin's Books is registered as a business with Ebay. John Helvin's Books is a part of another business called John Helvin. John Helvin is run from the following address which is the address registered with Ebay.  John Helvin, 4 St. Paul's Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 1AY, United Kingdom.  This address is not a shop; it is not open to the public, no stock is stored there and no money is kept on the premises.  All financial transactions are done through Paypal.