Help Me Understand Ebay Shipping Rates

[keith_kaz]

Ebay is charging me $3.88 to send a USPS First Class envelope. However, when I use their shipping cost calculator it shows the following. What am I missing?

Standard services

Service/Delivery time New York City Chicago Los Angeles

USPS First Class 2-5 business days

$1.20

$1.20

$1.20

[candd205]

3.88 is for a package

1.20 is for a flat (an envelope)

When you list an item, you chose whether you want to mail it as a package or a flat.

[keith_kaz]

BTW, this is for a 9"x 6" x 1" padded envelope with tracking. My post office confirms the $1.20 they would charge if I bring to them for shipping. What's worse eBay says I'm saving $1.42 by using their label service. Things that make you go "hmmmmm".

[bat197]

Try Pirateship.com 

[keith_kaz]

I get no such option. These are the options and First Class doesn't differentiate flat vs package.

Standard services

Rendered 7 out of 7 options in Standard services

Standard services

RECOMMENDED

USPS First Class

2 - 5 business days2 to 5 business days

FedEx Ground or FedEx Home Delivery

1 - 5 business days1 to 5 business days

UPS Ground

1 - 5 business days1 to 5 business days

Standard Shipping

1 - 5 business days1 to 5 business days

DGM SmartMail Expedited

2 - 5 business days2 to 5 business days

eBay Standard Envelope for Trading Cards, Stamps, Postcards & Coins up to $20

3 - 6 business days3 to 6 business days

Tracking included: Yes

Insurance included: Yes

Standard Shipping with Adult Signature Required

1 - 5 business days

[nanniestreasurechest]

3.88 is for a package

1.20 is for a flat (an envelope)

When you list an item, you chose whether you want to mail it as a package or a flat.

 The $1.20 is when you use stamps on a flat envelope and there is no tracking.

The $3.88 is for the package and will include tracking. 

[nanniestreasurechest]

@keith_kaz  The $1.20 would be without tracking. 

[hertzgirlz]

The problem is the 1" thickness.  It cannot go as a letter unless it is less than 1/4" thick--it has to go as a large envelope and those are the higher rates.  Can't believe your post office would let it go for the letter rate and if I was you I would ship it thru them if they do--it will probably save you a couple bucks.  I ship jewelry the same way in the same padded envelopes and it usually costs me between $3 or $4 depending on where it is going.

[dream*peddler]

Hey Keith - I noticed you said ebay is charging $3.88 for a First Class envelope.  You're sending a First Class package.  That might explain the difference.  I would not trust the P.O. to honor the $1.20, nor the package to arrive at its destination.  

[lucille.b]

Yep, what Hertz and Dream said.

The minute the thickness exceeds 1/4 inch, it turns it into package rate.  So if you are sending any kind of jewelry in that envelope, even the tiniest ring,  it would be thicker than 1/4 inch and now it's First Class package rate. 

I recall having the same exact questions many moons ago.  Why does a 2 ounce letter cost (at that time $1) and this 2 oz envelope cost (at that time $3?).   It was that the 1/4 inch thickness turned it into package rate.