Forced Shipping Protection for low value items?
Summary: lbsevp is confused about why a trading card sold for less than $20 incurs additional shipping protection costs via USPS Ground Advantage, despite already being insured for up to $100. memoriesforsale explains that eBay automatically adds insurance to certain shipping options and suggests unselecting it, noting that an issue ticket has been opened. lbsevp further shares cost details and considers reporting the issue. fm2000 and 12345jamesstamps recommend using stamps for shipping inexpensive items to save costs, mentioning a potential minor risk.
Why does a trading card that ultimately sold at auction for less than $20 cost more to ship via USPS Ground Advantage than a trading card that sold for more than $20? When I look at the detail I see shipping protection is somehow automatically added to cards that sell for less than $20 and I don't know how to cancel that. The issue is that USPS Ground is already insured for up to $100 so I do not understand why extra shipping coverage is being charged. Ridiculous - can someone explain?
lbsevp
OP3 weeks agoAppreciate the replies and suggestions - something to consider. However, my issue is that my buyers have paid for USPS Ground Advantage (only option offered) as I did expect that the card would sell for over $20. I have no problem using funds provided by seller to pay for Ground Advantage, but do have problems with (A) eBay automatically adding (without option to de-select) ShipCover insurance on a service that already provides the necessary coverage, and (B) not having a way to readily communicate with eBay to resolve the issue.
I admit I am pretty new to selling on eBay, so if there is a way to easily submit my issue to Customer Service, can someone please explain how to go about doing that. I tried "Contact Us" and I get an error page, and the AI system is a joke.
12345jamesstamps
·3 weeks agoJust use a stamp...which I do for anything under $50.
And mark it shipped(untracked).
And eBay might send a notification 'buyer still waiting for you to ship it'...just ignore that and you won't be penalized.
On the plus size...your buyer will get item so much quicker....like 4-5 days top.
fm2000
·3 weeks agoIf it is over $20 eBay prevents you from using ESE. Just mail it with a stamp, don't cancel the order, that is the worst thing you can do. Using GA is lighting your money on fire, use a stamp. There is a minor fake INR risk but I would just use a stamp.
memoriesforsale
·3 weeks agoAs of 9/16/26 I noticed that eBay automatically adds insurance to USPS Media Mail shipping. We have not found this added to USPS Ground Advantage shipments. You can unclick the insurance option. This was reported to eBay yesterday...a ticket has been opened. Hopefully, it will be fixed soon.
lbsevp
OP3 weeks agoThanks. In my case it added to US Ground Advantage. When I look at shipping payment details it shows:
USPS Ground Advantage $8.75
ShipCover Insurance $1.70
eBay discounts -$3.13
TOTAL $7.32
This for a card that sold for less than $20. This does not happen with cards over $20.
Makes no sense given the coverage provided with USPS Ground Advantage. I suppose I have to report this and see where it goes, and forces me to rethink eBay as a selling platform.