Shipping option changed from Media mail (Customer selected) to Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope
I got an email from eBay yesterday and the buyer had selected Media Mail as the shipping option. It was for some 3.5" floppies. When I went to print the shipper, it showed that Media Mail was the Buyers preferance, but it was greyed out, and Priority Mail was shown as the 'selected' option. I was not able to changed it BACk to what the listing was set for. I sent the buyer a message and askd how they wanted to handle this, but so far I haven't heard from them. Finally, in desparation, today I shipped it, as an off-size Priority Mail item. I hope this works. I have never seen this before. Has anyone else experienced this? Trying to speak to a live person on Customer Support is basically impossible. I just hope the buyer doesn't get hit with additional charges, or that the USPS doesnt just reject it at some point. According to eBay, shipping is super easy! Except when THEY do something like this!
mersi-t
·4 months agoThis has just happened to me. I’m sending an old program for a play. Customer chose media mail and paid under $5. eBay is changing it to FED EX ground (who will definitely fold the envelope) and charging ME the extra $4. How can I fix this so that I am not taking such a hit?
fm2000
·2 years agoI would not send memory modules in regular letter mail; if you used stamps and did not pay a nonmachineable charge it will be sent through letter sorting machines. Memory modules are not flexible and may be cracked, or possibly torn out of the envelope when it goes through the letter sorting equipment. Coins seem to make it through letter sorting equipment ok, but even a laptop memory module is bigger than a coin and can be easily cracked.
If it is cracked, it may not be obvious, leading to all kinds of drama with the buyer when you try and have the buyer troubleshoot the problem. A big potential headache that is definitely not worth the small amount of money you might make, I have been there and done that and learned the hard way.
computorite
OP3 years agoOK, per several notes here, I have opened my account at Priate Ship! I can't wait to try it, to see how much it saves me. Shipping is getting very expensive! If Ican save even a little over eBays rates, it'll be worth it, I'm sure. Thanks for all the help, everyone! The Community has always been my best friend. It took me awhile to figure it out this time, since I haven't used it for a long time.
Bob
fm2000
·3 years agoIn some categories you can list software in, eBay may or may not allow you to choose Media Mail when you go to ship it. You need to have an account with a third party provider like Pirate Ship, so you can print the Media Mail through them (you can import your eBay listing through PS, it is easy.) If you sell lots of software, this is something you will run into often.
It is a good idea to have a backup provider like Pirate Ship anyway, in case eBay's shipping system is down when you go to print labels.
anasazirose
·3 years agoIF the item qualifies for media mail (blank media doesn't), and ebay doesn't make it available, you can purchase the label on Pirate Ship and enter the tracking number into ebay.
Ebay ought not to let media mail be offered for an item when they won't allow the label for media mail to be purchased for that item.
buyselljack2016
·3 years ago@computorite
as explained, blanks do not qualify as MM.
but as an aside:
Please enlighten me. What is "an off-size Priority Mail item", and why would you expect charges/rejection?
Likely could slip those into a Padded FRE
computorite
OP3 years agoI was trying to do that by memory and it failed me. When you see the various entries for Priority Mail, the very first one does not give an dimensions, or anything about envelopes or small, medium, large boxes, etc. THAT was the one I was looking for, and it wasn't there. So, I selected the FRE padded envelope and gave my dimensions, hoping ti would make it to the destination without being tagged (rejected) by the USPS or cause the buyer to be charged for excess postage. She received it yeasterday and I haven't heard anything negative, so far. I will reimburse her if it does.
I have read those rules over and over, over the past 20+ years, and I never saw that restriction. From now on I will include an OLD software with it! LOL
nobody*s_perfect
·3 years agoIf a package contains any items that are not eligible for MM, then the package is not eligible. If that were not the case, sellers could toss an old paperback into any package and then ship it via MM. You might find this chart useful. It was prepared for USPS staff, so it probably reflects questions and issues that are commonly asked.
https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2013/04apr/Media-Mail-Guidelines.htm
buyselljack2016
·3 years ago@computorite
If you selected Padded FRE for the label, and used a Padded FRE then there would be no additional charge for you or the buyer from USPS.
If you used "packaging" other than a Padded FRE with a Padded FRE label, then someone could (should) end up being charged.
computorite
OP3 years agoYes, I selected Flat Rate Padded Envelope, even though I used a box that was about 8x6x6. The customer received it OK and wanted to pay me for the extra postage, But I told her it was covered. I will try not to make the same mistake again. Maybe, if Pirate Ship saves me some money, it will all be worth it.
Thank you.
Bob
nobody*s_perfect
·3 years agoYou'll save $ when you use Pirate Ship for Priority Mail cubic postage (because eBay doesn't offer it) and for eligible Media Mail items when eBay labels decides not to offer MM. Other than that, AFAIK Pirate Ship's prices for domestic shipping are not better than eBay's. It does offer other advantages, especially with record-keeping.
computorite
OP2 years agoI have shipped 2 or 3 item using Pirate ship. Most things I sell can go by Media mail, and the USPS doesn't offer a discount on that. Also, when I have to ship something by Ground Advantage, or Priority, there isn't enough discount to make it worth the trouble, maybe only pennies. They give a good discount, but then, so does eBay. I keep my account just in case eBay's system is down.
The other day I was shipping two laptop memory modules. They are very small and weigh less than an ounce apiece, and, missing the 'old' days when I would ship it by First Class, I decided to try it. I printed the Packing list on heavy photo paper and taped the modules to it, using a trifold and a large business envelope. The weight for the mailing was 1.4 ounces, and I used 2 forever stamps. I gave the buyer a heads up message and a photo of the actual envelope. No tracking number, of course. He should be receiving it in another day or two. It's an experiment, and I don't intend to use it except on VERY rare occasions.
computorite
OP2 years agoIt was a shipment of one full box and one nearly full box of 3.5" floppies, so I doubt they would have all fit into a FRE. By 'non standard' I menat a something else besides an FRE, in this case a small box.
pjcdn2005
·3 years agoUnfortunately, there are some categories where ebay allows the seller to offer media mail even though that item is not allowed to be used for that item. In those cases, the label will default to another service. There are also cases of an item that is allowed to be sent media mail and media will still be grayed out. For example, there may be a book listed under collectibles that is eligible to be sent media but ebay doesn't recognize collectibles as a media category. In that situation, you may have to print a label with another online label provider such as Pirate Ship.
kensgiftshop
·3 years agoThere has to be something on them to be considered media.
To buy Media Mail through Ebay, the item has to be listed in a category that qualifies for Media Mail.
monster-deals
·3 years agoEbay has known about the manga category for about 2 years and hasn't fixed it.
monica-sells
·3 years ago"...According to eBay, shipping is super easy! Except when THEY do something like this..."
Blank media no longer qualifies for media mail.....so, it is not available when you go to use ebay labels
https://pe.usps.com/text/csr/ps-334.htm
It's a funny rule...IF there was something recorded on them, then yes, they are eligible
computorite
OP3 years agoOK, I learned something! I have never sold or shipped blank media before, so this has never come up for me.
If I chose 'USPS Priority Mail, 1-4 days', I can list my dimensions and it goes, I guess, based on the total volume of the package, not to exceed 70 pounds. That's what I was trying to say by the 'non standard, etc'. I went ahead and sent it as a FRE with my actual dimensions. It was receive yesterday, and so far, I haven't heard any complaints. I'll pay the extra if they were charged for it. I did consider wrapping the diskettes in tissue and putting them in a FRE. Then I didn't know whether to unfold the boxes and put them there, too, or what. Hopefully, this won't come up again, since I don't have any more diskettes!
I will certainly keep Pirate Ship in mind for those times when things don't go right at eBay Thanks for tip, everyone!