My first AG order, couple questions
So is this Carlsbad, CA address the authenticator's facility? Also why is the shipping so high for a featherweight package with Ground Advantage? Last week I shipped a same-size one to Alaska and it was only $5.20.
19 comments
wastingtime101
·9 months agoDisclaimer: I did not read any replies, just responding to OP, so forgive if this info was already provided.
Recent sale shows item $750+ going to authenticator. Screenshot shows "1 more option applied" which is signature confirmation.
$4.95 for 4 oz Ground Adv to zone 7 plus $3.95 signature confirmation, total $8.90 is correct.
Sig conf is required for seller protections when total buyer pays (incl ship+tax) is $750+. The only exception to that rule is on packages going to eIS facility and this is all found on the help page.
gurlcat
OP9 months agoWow I'm 2 for 2 in fully-answered questions today. I think some of yall must have slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night or something!
tealt
·9 months ago@gurlcat
I mailed a package to the Carlsbad authenticator this morning. The item value was $850.
On the eBay label printing page signature confirmation was checked by default, and since this package was going to a business, I certainly wanted that.
I also added USPS insurance, because that would be quite a good sized loss for me if the package disappeared on the 400 mile trip to Carlsbad.
stainlessenginecovers
·9 months agoSig and/or 'irregular package' was added
dhbookds
·9 months ago@gurlcat click on that
and see what it says..........
gurlcat
OP9 months agoToo late; I had to just pay for the expensive label and get the package out in time to abide by my handling time.
adamcartwright
·9 months ago@gurlcat
They add the signature confirmation in automatically -- you're not even given a choice.
So that would explain your high amount.
Shipping last month to that Carlsbad location, my total with the signature added by eBay was $8.83.
gurlcat
OP9 months agoWhy would I add signature required for a package going to an eBay facility? Once they're done authenticating, they are responsible for sending it safely to the buyer, same as with EIS.
If I'm mistaken, someone please show me a screenshot of the policy page that says so.
EDIT: I did include a packing slip (another first for me, LOL).
tarotfindsandmore
·9 months agoYou don't. I've sent several items to that same facility. The label will default to the settings ebay wants. The price is still way off for a label purchased through ebay.
The package I just sent definitely didn't have any bells and whistles, just plain old Ground Advantage, for almost twice the normal price. No insurance, no signature.
a_c_green
·9 months agoI don't think you're going to find a policy carving out an exception based on the delivery address (to the authenticators or anywhere else). eBay wants Signature Confirmation on any package value of $750 or higher regardless of where it's supposed to go, in order to ensure that the recipient actually got it, even (or especially) when the recipient is eBay themselves (or the authenticators acting on their behalf).
As for the price, it looks like perhaps the SigCon surcharge was added automatically.
gurlcat
OP9 months agoThat sounds right because 1. I bought the label through eBay, 2. The item sold for $765, and 3. The math of regular GA shipping + signature checks out (signature adds about 3 bucks, right?).
But I'm giving this Best Answer somewhat tentatively, because of the first two replies here^.
@adamcartwright Do you remember noticing a higher-than-usual label cost to send that gold ring to AG? I would especially be curious because you live in the same state as the facility. Did you buy the label through eBay? If you don't remember the cost could you do a quick check to see what you were charged?
@tarotfindsandmore When you say: "The package I just sent definitely didn't have any bells and whistles, just plain old Ground Advantage, for almost twice the normal price. No insurance, no signature." - If what a_c_green says is right, then you and I were probably both automatically charged for Signature even though that wasn't explicitly shown on the screen. Did that item sell for at least $750, and did you buy the label through eBay.
As for your first reply, that item going to VA is concerning for sure. Was it also a Authenticated item? (I don't know if Carlsbad, CA is the only authenticator facility; I could see them having more than one, to reduce buyer's waiting time as much as possible). If that one wasn't an AG item, I can't imagine any reason why it would be so expensive. And since yours and mine were both shipped today, let's keep an eye out for other posts about outrageously-priced lightweight package labels, here in the Community. I've got a lot to do today, but if you see any other reports would you tag me? I'd like to be on top of this because 3-oz. packages are my most common sale.
tarotfindsandmore
·9 months agoMy package was just going to a buyer, but I think @nyr134 may have figured out my flub. It looks like I may have, inadvertently, changed my settings to "irregular package" somehow, which adds 4.00. I don't recall making any changes to the shipping settings (this was the third one of these items that I've sold) but the price difference is consistent the suggestion, as the first two shipped for around 4.50 and 5.25. I've "best answered" the reply so that anyone else getting strangely high shipping prices for itty bitty parcels will know to look out for this possibility.
gurlcat
OP9 months agoSorry that happened but thanks for letting me know.
tarotfindsandmore
·9 months agoThanks, these things happen. I'm kind of relieved that it was most likely "user error" (me!) rather than another crazy price increase or some glitch with the system. I can fix my screw ups. I still have no idea where the "irregular package" option even is on the label purchase page, but you can bet I'll be on the lookout for it from here on.
If nothing else, it's a good reminder to pay attention even when you're doing something you've done thousands of times.
Big picture, it's 4 bucks, so it's certainly one of the less painful lessons I've had to learn.
a_c_green
·9 months agoThe surcharge for Signature Confirmation is $3.95 if purchased on-line, or $4.95 retail at the counter.
Ref: https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm
dhbookds
·9 months agoIf it's the necklace, it's over $750.........so did you add signature required?
kibble-net
·9 months agoThis is my gut feeling as well. I see the "1 more option applied" on the screen, I assume that's signature confirmation service which costs a few dollars. Add that to the regular postage cost and everything seems normal.
adamcartwright
·9 months ago@gurlcat
Yes, it's Armada Drive.
That's very high for 3 oz. -- YIKES 😳
tarotfindsandmore
·9 months agoI don't know that the shipping fee has anything to do with the AG, so much as the location. I just paid 9.15 for a 3 ounce (6x5x1) package to VA this morning. You're about as far from CA as I am from VA. Something seems to be off with the shipping fees at the moment. I've never paid 9.00+ for a 3 ounce package to anywhere in the U.S.
ETA: There is definitely something weird going on. I also just shipped another package 2.5 times the weight of the one above and 10x8x4 to NJ (which is even further from me) for 6.37. Both packages were shipped using Ground Advantage.