USPS shipping costs have gone haywire.
I noticed how USPS shipping costs have gone haywire. Different shipping costs to the same states.
N.C. for example a 5 ounce package to destination X cost $5.45. Shipping cost to destination Y for a 5 ounce package cost $5.89.
CA. for example a 5 ounce package to destination X cost $5.77. Shipping cost to destination Y for a 5 ounce package cost $6.24.
NOTE; The packages in these examples are the same dimensions.
Rural delivery?
Greed?
Can't wait for the next USPS increase LOL.
Ridiculous is what it is.
16 comments
christworks
·6 months agoChiming in to post this link to the interactive zone map. Some folks may find this useful.
kibble-net
·6 months agoIt's not greed, USPS is literally not allowed to make a profit.
How much does UPS or Fedex charge?
wastingtime101
·6 months agoThe rates you're quoting differ based on zip code even though they are shipping to the same zone.
Effective Sept 16 2024 (a year and a half ago), USPS changed the price structure.
While USPS still offers deeper discounts through eBay & other platforms to higher volume zip codes, zip codes with lower volume no longer get that deeper discount. Instead they are rated at the standard online commercial discount.
Some people refer to it as a rural surcharge, but that's incorrect. It's not a surcharge; it's a lesser discount.
You can refer to the USPS DMM published commercial rates to see rates for these lower volume zip codes. https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c451
cardsforauction
·6 months agoI think you are describing "Zones" at least that's what I think USPS called them when I first heard about it back years ago. I remember seeing the chart in the post office and also online. Whatever you call it, the prices are slightly higher on the west coast and east coast, at least for me being in Texas. I'm sure Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico are probably higher as well. I think other carriers do the same, and not much we can do about it. The prices in the examples you give are not much higher prices. You could always explore other carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Go online and type in the two zip codes, the from and to destination with dimensions, weight, service, and you can compare there.
marchair
·6 months agoWhat I think is bad is that my usual 3-4 pound GROUND ADVANTAGE packages suddenly cost about $9-11 more than they did 2 months ago. If I were to ship a 10 pound package to zone 8, it would cost me $26.60 at the discounted rate (through Ebay or Pirate Ship). If I had a 3 pound package, it also would cost $26.60! And all the weights in between 3 pounds to 10 pounds are the same price. (I didn't check prices for more than 10 pounds. I rarely shipped anything weighing more than 5 pounds.) So now I'm offloading heavier items to the local St. Vinnies or for local pickup only. I'll be changing my business plan to selling only items weighing less than 2 pounds packed -- except for a few with a high enough value to absorb the extra shipping cost.
lakefor94
·6 months ago@marchair , I am saving money on the 2 lb and up packages buying UPS Ground Saver thru PirateShip.
Less expensive than USPS Ground Advantage.
marchair
·6 months agoI use Pirate Ship, but since the closure of Staples, last year, there is no local place to send UPS packages. The prices I quoted were from Pirate Ship, for 3-10 pound packages. So I'm frustrated because suddenly a 3 or 4 pound package costs as much as a 10 pound package.
lisa5768
·6 months ago@foster9
Back in late 2024 USPS began charging higher prices for package deliveries to less populated zip codes. This is true for both ground advantage, priority weight and distance, and priority flat rate.
bonanza125
·6 months agoUSPS has been losing billions each year. They are still the cheapest when it comes to pricing. Even though prices have gone up and will continue to go up each year I am thankful to receive some kind of discount on that price cause it beats paying retail. You could be paying $8 to $10 a package instead.
simply-the-best-for-you
·6 months agoThis isn't new. It's been years that BOTH distance & weight mattered.
lakefor94
·6 months agoWell..... Maine is not the closest state to the middle of the country. Just be glad you are not have to ship everything from @inhawaii . EVERYTHING, he ships is zone 8. Though I don't think he offers any free shipping so the buyer pays, done deal.
Do you offer free shipping, @foster9 ?
foster9
OP6 months agoNo. But I will offer free shipping on certain items. For example a bar of gold valued at $3.000.00 or a rare redline Hot Wheels valued at $600.00. Although I don't have such items.
lakefor94
·6 months agoTrue and I don't think sellers offering items like that care what shipping costs.
gurlcat
·6 months agoI don't know why but this cracked me up. -Not in a mean way, I swear. Just ... something about an eBay seller with dreams of someday having inventory grand enough for free shipping, it struck me as irresistibly charming.
You would be played by Will Ferrell. I can't decide who should do the score though (oh the possibilities....).
mtgraves7984
·6 months agoRural delivery?
Greed?
@foster9
I'd think it's rural delivery. If it was greed, wouldn't they have gone up to both locations?
theteamsetguy
·6 months ago@foster9 ,
Correct the USPS has tried to set their prices more in line with actual costs. The cost to send packages to remote areas has gone up. This makes a lot of sense since it is a lot more costly to deliver packages to remote areas.