Priority Shipping Cost are listing as WAY too high

[ashlynde]

I am having a serious problem with my listings. I have used Priority Mail many times in the past, and the calculations for it have always been fine, up until just recently. I was alerted to the problem when buyers started sending me emails asking why was shipping so high (sometimes more than $45) to send a package in the US. I checked out my auctions, and saw for some reason Priority was listing WAY high costs. I wondered if instead of listing for Priority mail, the costs were for Priority Express, although sometimes the costs are still too high. I don't know why things have gotten so wacky. Anyway, I called arranged for tech support to call me (actually, I had to do this twice, because the 1st time the phone rang and they immediately hung up. I was assured they would call me back momentarily, which they did not) and tried to explain the problem. It took a while, but it seemed like finally the woman I was speaking to understood what I was asking. She said eBay would be in contact with me within 72 hours. They didn't. I called on 10/18, and only got a response last night (10/23). Whatever, the response I got was incredibly frustrating. 

Here's their response:

"I would like to give you a follow up on the technical issues that you have reported on the listing. Our technical department concluded this is not a technical problem related to our site. USPS Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box is Expedited considered as expedited because edd is w/in 1-3 business days."

As you can see, they didn't address my problem at all. So I tried again.

Here's my follow-up email to the above response:

"My question was not about Priority Medium Flat Rate box. My problem is how eBay is listing fees for Priority mail. I understand the Priority mail is considered expedited, compared to 1st Class mail, Media Mail and Retail Ground, but the cost for Priority (JUST Priority) should be less than $20 to send a 3 lb package even to Alaska (go to https://postcalc.usps.com/, enter my zip code [31707] and the zip code 99501 for the destination to see for yourself). But if you look at item 162704925559 (or, if this item has ended, look at an item that will begin today - 162706184857) under Shipping and Payments, the price for Priority mail, (which I have used LITERALLY hundreds of times and never had this problem until just recently) it lists a price of $45+. I don't know what's wrong. I think it may be listing prices for Priority EXPRESS, which is different from Expedited. This issue is having an effect on my sales, because customers don't want to bid on items that cost 4-5 times more to ship than the cost of the item. If people do bid, they bid less, which means eBay gets less fees. So please, please, please look into this problem and figure out what is happening. Because there IS a problem."

Here's their response to the above:

"Good day!

Thank you for contacting eBay.

I understand that your losing sales due to a high shipping cost of your item. My name is Ramil, let me assist you.

Alyx, when you use calculated shipping, buyers looking at your listing can choose to see all the shipping services you offer by clicking See more services in the Shipping section. When they do, a table of shipping costs will appear based on the buyer's location. Only the shipping services you offer are shown. For international shipping, any handling costs are included in the shipping cost.

When the buyer pays for the item, shipping costs are calculated automatically based on the buyer's location. If you've specified multiple shipping services, the buyer can select from the list of shipping services you offer.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any other questions please let us know.

Thank you choosing eBay. We value your business."

That was sent within minutes of my previous email. That seems to me to clearly be a form letter. I can't seem to get anyone at eBay to actually look at my problem. What can I do? I am incredibly frustrated. I have responded to the 2nd email already, reiterating the problem, but so far I haven't gotten anywhere. I am offering multiple shipping services and trying to work around the problem, but I don't want to work around the problem, I want them to fix it. I've been a member of eBay for almost 20 years, and I am about ready to just be done with them. 

Any suggestions?