Unable to purchase ESE
I have a had a few sales recently and when I go to purchase a eBay standard envelope label, it says “Something went wrong. Please try again laterâ€. When I called support they turned me to another discount shipping website, but they don’t offer ESE prices. I have had to pay out of pocket for USPS ground advantage in order to ship the item before the deadline. USPS ground advantage is more than the buyer paid for shipping. Any help or update on when this issue will be fixed, would be greatly appreciated
7 comments
ryry-jj
·9 months agobefore you wait around and think its a glitch. clean up your cache and delete cookies on the page you are trying to access. ESE is an eBay thing, and what number did you call, anyway? eBay doesn't have a phone number to call.
Finally, are you sure you are listed in a category or sub category that accepts ESE?
parkvt995
OP9 months agoWhen I chatted to the support bot, it told me how long it would wait for someone to call me, I confirmed my number, and someone from eBay support called me a few minutes later.
fm2000
·9 months agoAccording to the spreadsheet on the ESE information page, many subcategories in Toys & Games do qualify for ESE, even ones where it doesn't really make sense. When someone tries to buy ESE shipping for a non-qualifying category, the option to buy ESE shipping is greyed out, with a "i" icon that says "ESE cannot be purchased for items of this category" when you click on it. What the OP is describing is a glitch in eBay's system.
If this happens and the item is a low value, low risk item, and you only have 1 or 2 of them, I'd just mail it with a stamp. Buying GA shipping, which is almost 6 times more expensive for a 1oz envelope, is just lighting money on fire. Or, just try another browser, computer etc. or wait until the glitch is resolved.
You can actually buy letter tracking from third party sites, like Letter Track, but eBay's system won't take that tracking number. eBay will only take letter tracking via ESE. It is a major pain it won't, even though third party letter tracking is just as valid as eBay's ESE letter tracking (and literally uses the same system.)
parkvt995
OP9 months agoIn the sense of using a 3rd party letter tracking, would I send the tracking info to the buyer? Could I also use USPS First Class mail letter as an option? It is about the same price as 3oz using ESE
Also what if the glitch isn’t resolved by when the order is due to be shipped? I don’t want to get a ding on my rating for something that is not my fault
fm2000
·9 months agoeBay's system won't take any third party letter tracking numbers (it could technically work, if eBay enabled it, but it doesn't currently.) The third party tracking number will enable you to keep an eye on its progress and you could give it to the buyer to calm any fears around not having a tracking number, but it isn't "valid" for eBay seller protection unfortunately.
Yes, use a stamp, that is first class mail letter. It should still arrive on time. You will get a ding for not providing a tracking number but that only matters if you are TRS. They could also lie and say they didn't get it, but if it is an item that appeals to people who are overwhelmingly honest, I wouldn't worry about it.
eBay doesn't allow us to buy non-ESE first class letter postage, or large envelope first class postage, so you have to use stamps to send non-ESE first class envelopes.
1786davycrockett
·9 months ago@parkvt995
The category which you have chosen for your card listings is "Toys & Hobbies" -- try changing it to "Collectibles > Non-Sport Trading Cards".
The ESE does not recognize listings in the "Toys & Hobbies" category -- that's probably why you can't choose the ESE option.
christworks
·9 months ago@parkvt995 Make sure you are listing in a category that allows you to purchase ESE. Here is the list of categories. It will open as a spreadsheet. That's from eBay.