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Why are postage rates more than ebay charged?
Summary: nigeltroll expressed concerns about discrepancies between quoted and actual shipping costs on eBay, affecting their earnings. Several participants, including eastlaneave and jacbarcollectibles, suggested using calculated shipping instead of flat rate to ensure accurate charges. They emphasized the importance of entering correct weight and dimensions, as USPS rates can vary significantly. mr_lincoln and comics-scifi-collectibles echoed this advice, warning that flat rate shipping could lead to further losses. Despite the guidance, nigeltroll plans to continue using flat rate shipping to see if it resolves the issue.
I just sold an item, the charge that was quoted and paid by buyer was not the amount I was charged once I purchased the postage, which means it comes out of my earnings. if the amounts that are calculated are correct then why are we being charged more . It should charge what it says it was going to cost to mail out!! this is not acceptable. I do not understand why it charged more for item when the actual weight was less than I even put down!!Why? they say its what was agreed on by the carrier. its the USPS, not some other carrier, so if rates went up, which I know they did, this needs to be corrected thru ebays automated system, but no one seems to care
mr_lincoln
Mentor2 weeks ago · EditedHi @nigeltroll
You apparently have a mistake on your shipping settings like the weight and dimensions or possibly a discount you are offering unknown to you. On this item (5"Treasure Trolls 1st Edition - Ono Magical Troll - Galoob MINT IN BOX) I see on YOUR listing $ 6.07 to ship USPS Ground Advantage to me at 17579 in PA. Not going to happen, Retail price for that to ship to me at 11 Ounces is $ 11.35 and down at 4 ounces it shows $ 8.75 Retail USPS Ground Advantage. The item in a box (for secure shipping) is not going to ship for $ 6.07 to me ... it will cost you more and you have to review your settings to figure out where the mistake is.
nigeltroll
OP2 weeks agoI don’t understand why they put the item weight with no box consideration..I put higher weight but if you see it less, then the listing is not what was put on by me..I still don’t know…I am going to do flat rate for everyone..thank you! For letting me know!
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor2 weeks ago@nigeltroll In order for the buyer to be charged the correct shipping price you MUST enter the package dimensions and weight on the listing form and then select Buyer Pays CALCUATED shipping, NOT flat rate.
USPS shipping prices are all over the place with the recent price increases.
Shipments under 1lb to rural zip codes including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico are now charged the 1lb rate.
USPS raised rates on July 12th 2026
https://community.ebay.com/forum/announcements-57928/topic/usps-rate-and-service-update-466150/
This is why I only use Calculated Shipping> buyer pays>
I recommend subscribing to the announcements page. Click on Join on the right hand side.
https://community.ebay.com/forum/announcements-57928/
nigeltroll
OP2 weeks agoI did use correct calculation and size of box..that’s why I can’t understand why it’s wrong…so I will try flat shipping this time, see how it goes! Thank you
mr_lincoln
Mentor2 weeks ago · Edited@nigeltroll
We see a lot of mistakes in the area of shipping from new or low activity Sellers until they figure it out. Use Calculated NOT Flat rate shipping, otherwise you will continue to lose money. YOU have to enter both Weight and the dimensions of the box the item will ship in, period. Short of that you will continue to lose money on shipping and those losses comes right out of your pocket. Three of us have posted here for you with combined experience spanning over 30 years of selling. At the end of the day the choice is yours what you do.
nigeltroll
OP2 weeks agoThank you! I am going to try flat shipping on my items this time..see how it goes..we have been selling for 20 plus years, this just seems to have started lately! Thank you
comics-scifi-collectibles
Mentor2 weeks ago@nigeltroll I can tell you exactly what will happen. The same thing as happened with the troll doll listing as it was set up as FLAT RATE, not calculated.
The troll listing had a fixed price shipping of 6.07 anywhere in the USA
jacbarcollectibles
Mentor2 weeks agoYou appear to have listed that item with Flat Rate shipping and not Calculated shipping. So the buyer only paid the shipping charge you entered on your listing without taking into account where the buyer was located.
nigeltroll
OP2 weeks agoThe flat rate is my husbands items, mine are the trolls..guess I will lean to flat rate asps well, thank you
eastlaneave
Mentor2 weeks ago@nigeltroll
That sounds frustrating.
When "the Buyer pays for shipping", that money is given to you/the seller.
- Then you pay for the shipping label.
- The amount the buyer pays for shipping could be more or less than the actual final shipping cost, it is based on the settings chosen in your listing when you created it.
- The amount you pay for shipping is based on the actual final shipping details you enter before you click to print a label.
Be sure to always enter the correct weight and dimensions when you list your item, and use Calculated Shipping, you should never need to type a price.
The troll listing had a fixed price shipping of 6.07 anywhere in the USA
But, USPS charges by weight AND destination.
Use calculated shipping instead of a fixed price shipping, because USPS rates are volatile now, and don't follow some logical rules.
Review the new rates
https://community.ebay.com/forum/announcements-57928/topic/usps-rate-and-service-update-466150/
nigeltroll
OP2 weeks agoI calculate more for weight, but it still does whatever it wants, and you can’t change it..ebay us messing with the prices..
eastlaneave
Mentor2 weeks ago@nigeltroll
Don't do flat rate, that's the problem you have right now.
You want Calculated, that looks something like this:
You never type a price for the shipping, just use calculated and enter accurate weight and dimensions.