Listing Description Allowed Media Mail, Now that Item sold, eBay is not allowing media mail shipping
When I list an item, I always double check on the shipping requirements/availability, ESPECIALLY when it comes to Media Mail. When I listed a vintage calendar, the media mail shipping option was available based on the listing category. Now that the item has sold, the media mail option is no longer available.
Anyone else have this issue, and if so, how did you resolve it?
Thanks! DeeDee
10 comments
albertabrightalberta
·1 month ago@left_coast_eclectic
"Anyone else have this issue, and if so, how did you resolve it?"
The resolution is that you ship by Ground Advantage and learn from the mistake! It's an inexpensive education.
rarelikecrazy
·1 month agoI agree. This should be an EASY fix! If the error can be caught one place, it should beable to be caught from the beginning - not in the shipping process.
fm2000
·1 month ago · EditedeBay allows a seller to select any shipping method in their system (like MM and ESE) when you create a listing, but actually gate Media Mail and ESE shipping options by category when you go to actually print a label (illogical, but I suspect gating it on both ends might break something on their end). Even if your item qualifies for MM (calendars don't), it won't let you print a MM label on eBay if it is in the "wrong" category (you can, and should, print a MM for the item if it qualifies for MM on a third party shipping site supported by eBay like Pirate Ship, you are not at eBay's shipping gating mercy in that situation.)
Unfortunately, calendars don't qualify for MM regardless. How much was your calendar worth? You might be able to send it as an untracked large envelope/flat, which is actually a superior service (faster than MM in theory) though without tracking. Many calendars are now unsellable because of today's new outrageous GA prices. Some are small enough and flexible enough for large envelope/flat shipping, how I send calendars now. Ask your local post office if it is flexible and the right size before sending it that way, you have to use stamps or buy the postage at your PO.
eoma689485
·1 month agoEveryone has that issue - Calendars do not qualify for Media Mail.
Media Mail is intended for completed, fixed informational content (like an encyclopedia, textbook, or novel). Calendars and planners feature large grids, lines, and blank spaces meant for the recipient to write in appointments or notes, the USPS classifies them as interactive stationery.
left_coast_eclectic
OP1 month agoThank you. Why would eBay make Media Mail available as a shipping option, or is this just another eBay platform inconsistency?
bdmh-enterprises
·1 month ago · EditedThe listing creator will have all shipping options available unless the option is blocked at the top category level. This is only done for Media Mail and ESE in very few categories. eBay expects sellers to know what shipping options their items qualify for before selling them.
The buy label tool however will block services based on sub categories as well as price, weight and dimensions.
So yes another eBay inconsistency, but it's better than loosing listing options in some categories which is certainly what would happen if they tried to align the two systems better.
simba6
·1 month agoA calendar vintage or otherwise is not allowed as media mail. Just because the eBay category allowed it does not mean USPS will. They look in most of those packages. Have to ship another way.
left_coast_eclectic
OP1 month agoThanks. I would have not offered the option of Media Mail shipping, if eBay had not made it available. Just another, amongst many, of eBay's shoddy attention category details.
simba6
·1 month agoeBay tries to make everything handy and save sellers look up time. However, AI does not get it right all the time. For some time now the USPS has been cracking down on media mail misuse.
kensgiftshop
·1 month agoEbay needs to get the Media Mail option fixed.
There are still a lot of listings showing Media Mail when they don't qualify.