Why am I seeing different rates for different zones 7 & 8+ for USPS Priority Flat Rate
Summary: ajs_coins_and_alchemy is inquiring about the discrepancies in rates for different zones, specifically for USPS Priority Flat Rate, between zones 7 and 8+. However, the posts labeled as 'None' do not provide any further details or insights into the issue. The discussion includes a response from eoma689485, but similarly lacks content or clarification, leaving the inquiry unresolved.
Checking Commercial Rates for Priority Flat Rate packaging I found:
Standard Envelope:
- Zone 7 $9.62
- Zone 8+ $11.12
Padded Envelope:
- Zone 7 $11.02
- Zone 8+ $11.99
Small Box:
- Zone 7 $10.59
- Zone 8+ $12.10
Checked both eBay & PirateShip, same thing, so not a glitch? Didn't post screenshots because I don't believe this is a glitch ... I'm expecting someone to give me a really simple explanation and make me feel dumb because I haven't found any explanation anywhere ... and Google AI is getting ready to tell me I'm crazy because Google AI keeps telling me this is NOT a thing no matter how many times and different ways I ask it.
WHAT HAPPENED TO FLAT RATE!?!?
Fuel surcharge is a flat 8% ... if the flat rate packaging was same price no matter weight or distance, then the fuel surcharge shouldn't be the reason for different prices.
ETA: I found some suggestions regarding Priority Cubic & Select Zip Code rate changes ... I don't think Priority Cubic would apply to the variations in the envelopes ... and I checked the USPS zip code exception list I found ... I was using 2 different Zone 8+ zip codes, 1 was on the exception list, 1 was not, and they were both the same price. So I don't see the rural thing being at play.
eoma689485
·4 months agoPriority Mail Flat Rate packaging does not actually have "Flat" pricing across all zones for Commercial Base (eBay/PirateShip) rates.
While "Flat Rate" sounds uniform, Commercial Flat Rate Envelopes are physically treated as Zone-Based Pricing. For Commercial rates, they are cheaper in Zones 1–4, and then step up in price as the distance increases until they hit Zones 7 and 8+
When you walk into a Post Office, you pay the "Retail" flat rate (for example, $13.65 for a Small Box). This price is the exact same whether you are mailing next door, or across the country to California.
However, when you use Commercial Base pricing (via Pirate Ship or eBay), you get a discount ... but that discount is tiered based on distance/zones
If you are shipping to Zones 1–4, using commercial Flat Rate is a steal. If you are shipping a light item to Zone 7 or 8+, you are usually much better off switching to a standard calculated-rate using your own packaging or USPS Ground Advantage.
ajs_coins_and_alchemy
OP4 months agoOk ... finally dug up old threads talking about the zip code exceptions and deeply negotiated prices and guessing thats it ... I didn't believe it because one of the zips is Honolulu, not rural and apparently not on the master list I saw at the time but ... I guess that's why.