Will we ever be able to enter fractional dimensions when listing?

[rfmtm]

While ebay did add the ability to add fractional dimensions when creating a shipping label we still can't add fractions when we list an item.  This means calculated shipping many times is not going to be right and forces the seller to reenter all the dimensions again when creating the label.  Rounding up is not the answer either as cubic rate rounds down to the nearest 1/4" and can make a big difference in cost.

Also half the time listings set to Ground Advantage show up on the create label page as buyer selecting Priority.  All this just further slows the whole shipping process down and introduces a chance for errors.

[ethylsgarage]

No shipping service accepts fractional measurements. That's why you can't enter them when you purchase a shipping label.  They all round up to the next whole Inch or CM. The only thing fractional is weight. In some shipping classes weight is rounded up to the next Pound or Half Kilo.

[stainlessenginecovers]

They (ebay system) may have 'allowed' that, but the Shipping Companies ALL want 'next size up' so when you put 13-1/2" or 13.5"; the 'calculator' rounded it UP TO 14" . 

[krazzykats]

This morning, I discovered that a 1oz Ground Advantage package measuring 1"x1"x1" has the same shipping cost as a 4oz package measuring 12"x12"x12".   😁

[rfmtm]

USPS, UPS, and FedEx all round weights up.  However, dimensions are handled differently.  For regular services dimensions are rounded to the nearest inch, they are not rounded up.  For Cubic Rates dimensions are round down to the nearest quarter inch.  These carriers and ebay all allow fractional entries when creating a label to correctly calculate Cubic Rates.  The problem is you can not do the same when you create a listing, which means you a have reenter the dimensions to get the best discount.

[rfmtm]

Yes, 13.5" would be rounded to 14", but 13.4" would be rounded to 13".   Only weight always round up.

[rfmtm]

Anything below 16oz or below is calculated differently than everything over 16oz.

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@rfmtm wrote:

Yes, 13.5" would be rounded to 14", but 13.4" would be rounded to 13".   Only weight always round up.

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That is NOT correct- it's ALL rounded UP. 

Is your package size correct?

Please make sure you enter the correct package size and dimensions to avoid additional charges from your chosen carrier (i.e., enter 14 when it weighs 13.2 oz) 

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@rfmtm wrote:

Anything below 16oz is calculated differently than everything over 16oz.

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That is also not correct. 15.1 oz is to be changed (by the shipper) to 16 oz which then 'changes' it to 1 lb 0 oz and is MORE $$ that 15oz. 

So, BELOW 15 oz is different than 16oz AND 16 oz is the same as 1 lb 15 oz (as far as pricing) 

[rfmtm]

That ebay statement is misleading as it is for weight only as shown in the example and does not apply to dimensions.  You can look this up on any of the carrier's websites.  

[rfmtm]

Sorry that is not correct.  The last range of rates goes from 13oz to 15.99oz, which the carriers round to 16oz or 1lb and is considered as one pound or under.  Any fraction over 1 lb goes to 2 lbs.

[rfmtm]

The problem here is not with weight as ebay has always allowed entry by pound and ounces and correctly rounded them up, both when creating the listing and when creating the label.  The problem is while ebay allows the fractional dimension input when creating a label it was not extended to when you create a listing, causing you to have to reenter the dimensions when creating the label if you want to get the correct Cubic Rate discounts.

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@rfmtm wrote:

Sorry that is not correct.  The last range of rates goes from 13oz to 15.99oz, which the carriers round to 16oz or 1lb and is considered as one pound or under.  Any fraction over 1 lb goes to 2 lbs.

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on ebay, since 2011 (at least) any item over 15 oz, needs to be rounded up to 16 oz and (was not eligible for 1st class and had to 'jump up' to Priority) and then, just for a while, 16 oz was the same price for Now GA, but past couple months (and probably forever going forward) 15.1 oz is 16 oz is 1 lb and cost MORE than 15 oz.

As far as 'dimensions' Just try sending a package that is 22-3/8" and call it 22" and watch the $4 ADD get sent to you later. 

The 'explanation' ONLY gives the Weight as an 'example but it CLEARLY says to do the same for both Weight and Dimensions- as I showed. 

[rfmtm]

Yes you are right, since Ground Advantage replaced First Class Package there is no longer the 16oz threshold bumping you to Priority, as Ground Advantage extends beyond one pound up to 70 pounds.  And yes GA now has it own thresholds of where rates change, but the rounding up to the next pound still starts at anything over 16oz. 

Note one thing though, ebay's calculator now knows when to switch between regular and  Cubic Rates, which is why the fractional dimensions are needed.  In the Cubic Rate mode anything between one and twenty pounds is based only on those dimensions and not the actual weight.   Much the same as large packages at regular rates are based on dimensional weight, if that exceeds the actual weight.

As far as dimensions, you are sort of right.  This is because dimensions are only rounded until you hit the max limit for the longest dimension or exceed the total cubic inches allowed for the service used.  Then any fraction over that max is rounded up and now considered oversized for that service, which certainly will cause a jump in cost.  You have to read the tariffs on the carrier's website very carefully see this.

[rfmtm]

For those unfamiliar with the details of Cubic Rate and why fractional dimensions are important to get the best discounts by staying in the lowest .1 cubic foot rate tier, here are the  rules from USPS:

Cubic Rate for boxes are calculated as follows:
Cubic Box OD = L" x W" x H" / 1728 Round Down all dimensions to lowest quarter inch before calculation, then Round Up the result to the next .1 cubic foot.
Cubic Max OD = 0.500cu ft
Cubic Max Weight = 20#
Cubic Max Length = 18"L

Cubic Rate for envelopes is calculated differently:

Cubic Softpack Tier 0.1 - Length plus Width measures more than 00" up to 21"
Cubic Softpack Tier 0.2 - Length plus Width measures more than 21" up to 27"
Cubic Softpack Tier 0.3 - Length plus Width measures more than 27" up to 31"
Cubic Softpack Tier 0.4 - Length plus Width measures more than 31" up to 34"
Cubic Softpack Tier 0.5 - Length plus Width measures more than 34" up to 36"