USPS Calculated Shipping Mess - $7.90 - 1 ounce ship to myself in Sacramento
Summary: kindsvater expressed frustration with increased shipping rates after USPS announced rate changes. Initially, eBay stated rates would not increase except in Hawaii, Alaska, and rural areas, but kindsvater noticed significant increases even for urban shipments. shire123 mentioned shipping a package at a cost consistent with past rates, suggesting differences based on destination. oregon_bins explained that shipping costs to rural areas have risen, leading them to switch to calculated shipping. kindsvater noted discrepancies between eBay's rates and actual commercial rates, considering using Pirate Ship for better pricing.
USPS said it was increasing package rates weekend of 7/12
eBay initially said its rates would not increase
Then eBay said only Hawaii, Alaska and "rural" rates would increase
But everything has massively increased.
I switched to calculated shipping to try and keep my regular shipping rates for urban buyers with the new rates for rural. But it isn't working.
Looking at my products I see $7.90 - up over $2 - using my own location to ship to myself. I'm in Sacramento metro - as urban as it gets.
This isn't working. I already have a pissy message and lost sale.
stainlessenginecovers
·3 weeks ago@kindsvater Confusing thread as everything you list shows
FREE Shipping?? So what was this 'buyer' complaining about??
kindsvater
OP3 weeks agoLooking at Pirate Ship which shows a retail price versus commercial price, shipping to myself is $7.90 retail and $5.17 commercial.
The problem appears to be the calculated rates eBay is showing are retail rates instead of commercial rates.
authentic*vintage
·3 weeks ago · Edited$6.24
$5.40
$5.40
$5.73
$5.40
$6.95
$5.89
$5.83
$7.69
$5.73
$5.28
$6.98
$7.42
Calculations
Total Sum: $79.94
Average Amount: $6.15 (rounded to the nearest cent)
My flat rate shipping charge to the buyer is $6.50 - if you are doing a flat rate, you have to come up with an average cost that will work for you and your expenses.
shire123
·3 weeks agoSomething doesn't sound right about your situation. Had a 7 ounce box this AM to ship from Wisconsin to Florida. 6x6x4 box. Cost through ebay labels was $5.97 . That is in line with what things have cost in the past.
oregon_bins
·3 weeks agoThe difference is you sent an item to a non rural zip code so you are being charged the 8 oz price.
Everyone who sends items via ground advantage to rural zip codes (or anything outside the Continental 48 states as well) is now being charged for a full pound.
Since the change I have had three 4 oz packages that have been under $6 to send, But one package that was 4 oz that was $8.40 to send. That is because the person who bought that happens to be from a rural zip code. There's absolutely no cheaper way for me to send this $15 item.
So I personally just changed all of my listings from free to calculated shipping for the first time since I've been selling for 12 years (and lowered all my prices by $5)