2LB vs 3LB Ground Advantage Question
Summary: The discussion involves shipping cost discrepancies with USPS Ground Advantage, where items weighing 2 lbs are costlier to ship than those at 3 lbs. namtrag1 asks if they should alter the shipping weight or add rocks to increase it. Others suggest clean rocks or sand, while some mention adding scrap cardboard for weight and box reinforcement. christworks and others discuss their experiences with various shipping label adjustments and the potential for charges by USPS for incorrect weights, highlighting discrepancies and efforts by some to bypass the weight classes for savings. Opinions vary on whether to adjust actual package weights or rely on experiences with no additional charges for overstating weight.
If my item weighs 2lbs it will cost me more to ship via USPS Ground Advantage than if its 3lbs.
Do I falsify the shipping weight and say its 3lbs and not the real weight(2lbs) or should I place a few garden rocks to increase the weight to 3lbs ?
What to do
aspme
·2 months ago · EditedIt's a Crazy New World! just shipped a part that was 7x7x9 1.4 lbs. packaged up for shipping $9.52. double boxed it, 10x10x10 2.4 lbs and the label was like $5.97 just makes you shake your head! spent the past 20 years trimming flaps and looking for the lightest packing materials trying to stay under the next weight tier... now we're trying to figure out the best way to add weight. at least until the people running the USPS come up with a new scheme
biggerbulletsllc
·2 months agoNope, Just add enough weight to bring it up to 3lbs.
christworks
·3 months ago · EditedI've sent couple dozen packages shipped at the 3LB rate without weighing them down, including packages that weigh 8 oucnes, and there have been no charges. I give my packages to the USPS clerk and have them scanned. The clerk and postmaster know I am overstating the package weight on certain packages. They have no issue with this and there are no flags coming up in their system.
If you want to spend time weighing down packages and jumping through hoops to save a few dollars, be my guest. I will continue to do none of that and still save a few bucks.
stainlessenginecovers
·3 months ago@christworks you mean 'not yet'. Does NOT matter what happens at the counter, there are many 'other' points where packages are weighed.
christworks
·3 months ago · Edited@stainlessenginecovers I do not expect to be charged at all. I have connections to USPS who told me now almost three weeks ago that there would not be any charges for overstating the package size until *** perhaps *** when the ounce based weight classes were eliminated. However, they were not sure whether that change would actually happen in July as there was some debate on how it would roll out.
I may very well start being charged next week. I won't know until it happens. I will keep testing.
Now, if you have verifable informatoni from sellers who have been charged for overstating the package weight, by all means post that info. So far everything I am seeing is unverified. If I have missed a post here, kindly let me know.
In the meantime, so far as the counter, yes it does make a difference. The work stations were updated a few months back with the goal of catching packages that are not in compliance. Before, if you had a pre-paid shipping label, it was completely on the clerk to catch a package that was not compliant. That's not the case now. The workstation software is now set up to flag just like the APV system. If it isn't flagged at the work station, it won't be flagged in the APV unless you have an anomaly. For example, a heavy package is sitting on top of your lightweight package when it passes through a APV point.
warrenshobbies
·2 months agoI did 10 trial labels that were for packages weighing 2 pounds but I printed the label for 3 pounds. Every single package has been caught by the USPS and I've been charged the extra for the 2 pound to 3 pound savings.
christworks
·2 months ago · Edited@warrenshobbies A couple of questions:
1) Do you get an acceptance scan at the counter with the clerk for the packages where you were charged?
2) Were any of the packages going to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or any zip code (not city name) that USPS classifies as rural?
3) What is the earliest date of your trial label?
warrenshobbies
·2 months ago · EditedAn acceptance scan doesn't mean anything, electronic payment items are weighed at our local hub.
All of the package's destinations qualified for the new reduced cost for 3 pound weights.
June 24th was the first one caught, and the adjustment was billed on July 6th. The charges through PayPal, billed to our CC look like this.
fm2000
·3 months agoBased on reports so far, weigh it down. No need for rocks, add some scrap cardboard to weigh it to just over 2lb. This can also help reinforce the box and help prevent a customer from cutting the item inside the box as well.
kibble-net
·3 months agoYes, you need to include rocks. If you declare it as 3 lbs but it only weighs in under 2, you will be charged more. Does this make sense? No, but does anything make sense these days?
stainlessenginecovers
·3 months agoIt's actually only 2 lbs 1 oz triggers the 'lower price'.
I've read that Pirateship is just returning labels back to sellers at 3 lbs to get the lower cost, even if it weighed 1 lb.
warrenshobbies
·3 months ago2 pounds, one ounce is 3 pounds.
I just got hit with my first underpayment for using a 3 pound label on a 2 pound package. Good luck to those that use pirateship.
deserdog
·3 months agoPirate Ship is going to have a problem. Just yesterday, I shipped a 14 oz. package. I paid Pirate Ship $7.13 for the label. When I printed out the label, it was a 3.0 lb. label. I did not change it, Pirate Ship did.
stephenmorgan
·2 months agoI shipped one on June 30 weighing 1lb 13oz. I tried my hardest, I even double boxed it, but I could not get it past 2 pounds. For myself, Pirate Ship did not automatically adjust the weight to 3 pounds and I paid the higher 2 pound rate.
I just checked the rate for the new box calculations of rounding up to next inch. This new measurement calculation triples the rate from a few days ago. 3lbs from 88310 to 10001 in 12" X 12" X 12" box is $6.07. With the new calculation box becomes 13" X 13" X 13" and cost $24.20.
deserdog
·2 months agoTime to cut down the box
stephenmorgan
·2 months ago · EditedI only use new boxes and of my inventory of boxes I have 7 various sizes that are just at or just below a cubic foot under old measurements. With the new measurement they measure quite a bit over a cubic foot.
toomuchstuffagain35
·2 months ago · EditedLooks like I better start keeping some of the heavier weight boxes I usually just break down and recycle. Cut them down further and use as filler/reinforcement.
tobaccocardyahoo
·3 months agoI would make sure the rocks are clean rocks.
lakefor94
·3 months agoI have heard that beach sand has been preferred wherever available. Don't forget to fully close the zip lock bag.