flip flop of postage rates
Perhaps it is me. I ship a lot of flat rate envelopes. For instance one week it may be $8.40 for a flat rate envelope, the next it is $8.75, and the following week back to $8.40. Has this happened to anyone else? I just need to be consistent as I have to eat the cost of the excess shipping if I guess wrong - and yes I can go into the shipping prior to quoting shipping but I have had it change over night. It is one way or the other. I just would like to know. TIA
8 comments
wstoler
·1 year agoRather than trying to second guess what the postage would be, I recommend building an extra 50 cents or so into your pricing (either shipping or the product). That way you're covered. Remember to figure in the vigorish (eBay cut) that they'll take out of your shipping cost (usually 12% to 15%, same as your final value fee).
You may want to subscribe to stamps.com (about $21 a month) to check their rates vs. eBay's rates. I sell on multiple platforms and also ship for my clients, so it's a program that comes in handy in finding the correct rate and way to ship. You'll need to transfer the tracking number to eBay's system, but I've found this gets me a better rate in many cases.
valueaddedresource
·1 year ago@llama_lady since September 2024, USPS Flat Rate shipping isn't exactly flat rate any more - there are different "flat rates" depending on whether or not the zip code it is shipping to is one of over 17,000 locations which are now charged the published commercial flat rate instead of the discounted rate that eBay and other label providers can offer as part of the negotiated service agreements.
More info:
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/USPS-Rate-Increase-Sept-16-2024-based-on-zip-codes-not-zones/m-p/34680780/highlight/true#M488187
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Announcements/USPS-Rate-Changes-Effective-September-16-2024/ba-p/34661022
https://www.savethepostoffice.com/postal-service-puts-zip-code-to-use-with-rural-surcharge/
llama_lady
OP1 year agoThank you. When I get asked questions about combined shipping costs now, I will have to reply with - send me your zip please. I have had to eat too much postage and am trying to curtail that.
12345jamesstamps
·1 year ago'I have had to eat too much postage'...I also have that problem for I charge free shipping.
But shouldn't the goal be 'repeat buyers' and not 'nickel & dime buyers' for shipping...just my thoughts.
Selling the same items I would focus on repeat buyers more than anything else.
I am at 25+ % 'repeat buyers every month as a base.
Yea...I lose somewhat with shipping but gain it in selling more...and moving items out and bringing new items in.
I usually hit the post office for accurate postage.
Somewhat off the subject...loved visiting my grandparents all the time in Deland, Florida...doing Ponce de Leon Springs swimming and...as a kid my grandmother took me to bingo and the Greyhound Races all the time even if I was still in grade school...LOL
wastingtime101
·1 year agoHi @llama_lady - not necessary to engage in more back and forth. Simplify it. If you're shipping in a flat rate envelope where it could be $8.40 or $8.75? Quote the $8.75 price. Easy, done, and 35c won't break the buyer's bank. On the other hand, repeated absorption of 35c on your end adds up fast.
That said, I hope you are factoring in your fees. You pay eBay fees on total amount buyer pays (item+ship+tax) so charging buyers actual postage rate means you lose $ on every sale unless you're building those fees into your item costs.
deserdog
·1 year agoHere is a more detailed answer:
Some ZIP codes may incur higher shipping costs for Priority Flat Rate Envelopes due to USPS implementing a new policy that affects negotiated rates for certain zip codes. Specifically, USPS no longer provides the reduced eBay rate for shipping labels to some 17,000 ZIP codes and instead charges the published commercial rate, which is higher. This means that while some zip codes still qualify for discounted flat rates, others will be charged the commercial rate, even for Priority Flat Rate envelopes
deserdog
·1 year agoSome zones cost more for priority flat rate For instance, for me to ship pfre to zip hesperia Ca 92345, the cost is $8.40. But to ship pfre to Fairbanks, AK. 99710 is $8.75.
You may be charging a flat rate to your buyers but you use Ground advantage which is not flat rate. And costs to ship will vary depending on the buyer location or zone.