1st class shipping calculated wrong by ebay, or me??

[anasazirose]

I listed a shirt and offered 1st class shipping at a weight of 13 oz.  Ebay's postal calculator resulted in $3.56 1st class from PA 15012 to CA 90210.  The shirt sold to a buyer in KY 40208.  When I enter the zip code on the item's shipping amount, it's still $3.56.  When I attempt to print the label, ebay is wanting to charge $5.57.  It also says I'm saving 23%. 

I went to the USPS shipping calculator, 1st class would be $7.25 retail, so 23% off would be the $5.57 ebay now wants.  Where is the mistake being made?  Why did ebay show shipping of $3.56 for the shirt?  That's what the buyer paid.  It's only a $2 difference on a shirt that no longer fits.  I'm glad to get anything for it at all.  BUT I would like to understand whether this is something I did wrong or whether it's something in the ebay shipping calculator.

Here is a link to the item.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/165321083051

Thank you in advance for helping me figure this out.

[wooden_flower · Accepted solution]

$3.56 is the price for a first class large envelope - also called a flat. A large envelope is a type of first class mail, not a type of packaging.  You can't print a label for a flat because there is no tracking.  So you need to make sure you select package as the type when you set up your shipping.

[anasazirose]

Thank you.  While I did select package, I didn't enter the dimensions, and they were calculated at 1x1x1.  Maybe that was the issue? Either way, at some point, ebay 'said' the package would be $3.56, then only gave me an option for $5.57 (at 13 oz). I am printing the label now, with 8x7x2" dimensions and 8 oz weight.  Shipping 1st class it's $3.81, still off but much closer to what was paid.

I'll double check all my shipping options, thank you so very much!

[wooden_flower]

The lowest price for a first class package retail - which is what you charge your buyers - is $4.50. So every now and then,  read through your listings and make sure none of them show shipping below $4.50, so you can catch it if it happens again.

[stainlessenginecovers]

Dimensions are NOT required for 1st Class so having it at 1x1x1 makes no difference. 

As stated by wooden_flower; the difference is you are shipping a 'package' and not just a 'large envelope'. 

Your listing is not set up correctly. You want 'Package' for the 1st Class Calculator. 

[mtgraves7984]

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@anasazirose wrote:

Thank you.  While I did select package, I didn't enter the dimensions, and they were calculated at 1x1x1.  Maybe that was the issue? Either way, at some point, ebay 'said' the package would be $3.56, then only gave me an option for $5.57 (at 13 oz). I am printing the label now, with 8x7x2" dimensions and 8 oz weight.  Shipping 1st class it's $3.81, still off but much closer to what was paid.

I'll double check all my shipping options, thank you so very much!

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@anasazirose 

You might want to check all your weights, too. The difference in your prices was 13 oz. vs. 8 oz.

If your next shirt weighs in at 13 oz., you'll have the same issue. And, yes... use Package.

[anasazirose]

The package was 8 oz packed.  While doing the listing, I erred on the side of caution and put in 13 oz because I knew that would be the top weight.  I had originally entered 15 oz, but doing that wouldn't allow the listing to start.  I received an error stating that the 'item is too heavy for the shipping option selected'.  Which actually leads me to another question.... Does ebay allow below 16 oz to be sent as 1st class, or has it been reduced to the same 13 oz at USPS retail?

[nobody*s_perfect]

The weight limit for First Class packages is 13 ounces retail, 15.999 ounces online.  If you leave the shipping calculator in your listing set to the default, which is retail, then it will allow you to choose First Class for package over 13 ounces.  

The workarounds are (1) change your site preferences so the shipping calculator shows the online rate; or (2)  just  set the weight to 13 ounces, since the postage cost is the same for 12+ up to 15.999 ounces.

If your scale is accurate, there is no need to "err on the side of caution" by inflating your package weight..  Especially when it bumps you up into the next  price increment (i.e., every 4 ounces for First Class packages)