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USPS Ground Shipping Rates
Has anyone else experienced a 35% USPS rate change through Ebay shipping? I sold an item and Ebay was going to charge $6.93. I went direct to USPS and it was $5.17.
13 comments
mr_lincoln
Mentor2 weeks agoHi @soccerballsrus
-What were the two zip codes involved?
-What was the original listing's weight and the package dimensions?
-What was the actual weight and dimensions once the item was packed for shipment?
-What shipping service are you using?
soccerballsrus
OP2 weeks agoI don't have that handy, but none of that is relevant. The package is going to the same place and is input in eBay with the same information that I input on the USPS website. USPS Ground Advantage. USPS direct is significantly less than USPS through ebay.
mr_lincoln
Mentor2 weeks ago@soccerballsrus
Double check your listings, I checked a few Sold items of yours and I saw BOTH USPS Ground Advantage AND USPS First Class (which is NOT possible to purchase through eBay). I also saw TWO item Locations: Midvale, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. Granted those two cities/towns are between 10 & 15 miles apart but it seems odd you would have two distinctly different City & State locations for your items.
eastlaneave
Mentor2 weeks ago@soccerballsrus
The information requested by @mr_lincoln is needed for us to figure out what's happening.
USPS has changed rates recently, and some items are more expensive than before.
soccerballsrus
OP2 weeks agoI understand weight, dimension and zip code is relevant, obviously. But the fact remains, ebay charges more for USPS Ground for a shipment, than going direct to USPS and the first time it happened I paid the higher price through Ebay, but this time I figured I would check USPS direct. In my business, I do a lot of shipping with Ebay and without. I know what I'm doing.
My envelope is 7x5x1, weight is 4oz. USPS Ground Advantage. Shipping to Joe Blow, 1234 S 5678 W, Magna, UT, 84116.
This is the address Ebay provides. I go to print a label and it is charging me $6.93. I go to USPS website and put in the exact same information and my rate is $5.17, a difference of 35%. Bottom line, Ebay is charging 35% more for the exact same service.
jacbarcollectibles
Mentor2 weeks agoWhen it comes to shipping charges all of the information on weight, dimensions and zip codes is relevant. Also the shipping class you used in the listing and the one you purchase at the post office are important.
soccerballsrus
OP2 weeks agoTwo options. USPS Ground Advantage through Ebay or USPS Ground Advantage through USPS direct. The shipping information is exactly the same. I would expect Ebay to be cheaper. But then again, I have a USPS account and I do not pay retail rates. That's probably the difference, but Ebay has never been more expensive than my USPS account until two weeks ago.
Mr L, East and Jacbar,
For giggles, do me a favor. Next time you ship something USPS Ground Advantage, note the price Ebay is charging you. Take the same customer information, go to USPS.com and put the exact same information in and see what USPS would charge for the same service and let me know what you find out. Thanks.
mr_lincoln
Mentor2 weeks ago@soccerballsrus
Sellers pay Commercial rates, I would do that test but nothing I ship goes in an envelope. So you are saying you buy a USPS Ground Advantage label at the Post Office for less than eBay's Commercial rates? And then you manually add the tracking number to the sold item?
soccerballsrus
OP2 weeks agoYes, although I don't go to the Post Office. I buy the label on their website.
soccerballsrus
OP2 weeks agoAlso, I just received an email from eBay about them lowering their shipping rates for calculated shipping.
soccerballsrus
OP2 weeks agoTo your point, there is a place where you can add the tracking number without buying on ebay.