Quick question - what happened to the USPS postage discount?

[miketuch11]

I just paid the full price postage on the below item that I just sold today 11/21/2018, Thirty bucks plus 21.49 postage parcel select for 18 pounds to Illinois. They used to give you around a 10 percent kickback, which kindof made up for the FVF on the whole price of 51.49. Not today, man. I paid full price. So I made 3 bucks on the deal, paying 20 for the scope a few years ago and made a few dollars with it. So it's all right, I ain't mad or nothing, just notice that I'm being squeezed for a few dollars more. (BTW, I started in 98 and quit until 02.)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/302964004879?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1561.l2649

[koinonia215]

I don't think you get a discount for parcel select. You don't receive one for medial mail, either. The discounts vary by type of mailing and distance from you.

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

"Parcel Select" is the discounted online rate.  The retail equivalent, called Retail Ground, would have cost you $30.00. So  online postage saved you $8.51, which is way more than 10%.   

The percentage of "eBay discount" is merely the difference between USPS's published online rate and their retail rate. eBay backs into it by figuring the difference. So the percentage varies a lot depending on specific weight, zone, etc. They don't do it for ground shipping because the names are different.  I have no idea why USPS uses the same term for online and retail services for Priority Mail, but confusingly uses different terms for their ground service.

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/notice123.pdf

[miketuch11]

Ah so, boys, I didn't know that. Thanks! Don't need any more replies.