First Class Postage eBay discount?

[fancyfindsandtreasures]

Where is the eBay discount on First Class Postage?  

Today, 1/18/16, USPS raised the first class postage to $2.60, but there is no discount from eBay for printing postage through eBay like there used to be.

Almost all of my items are 3 oz, which I used to pay $2.04 to ship; today (1/18) it is now $2.60 through eBay!!!  I know postage rates were increase but a jump of $0.56 per item is about 27%.  

I sell jewelry and some of my items will cost more to ship than the actual cost of the item...that's a sure way to put customers off and buy overseas where they can afford to offer free shipping.   Charging $2.60 for postage will put me out of business in a few months!

You'd think eBay would be on top of this postage hike and have the discount in place to implement when USPS raised their postage.  

I'll be researching other online shipping companies for a discounted rate.

Any suggestions on where to look for a discounted First Class Shipping rate?   

[gsn13579]

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@gsn13579 wrote:

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@nettrader-2009 wrote:

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@gsn13579 wrote:

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@fuzzface50 wrote:

"Where is the eBay discount on First Class Postage?"

Ebay never had a discount(except the trs discount), they just let you beleive there was one. . It was the same price as it was for buying online at usps.  

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Actually even TRS sellers NEVER received a discount from ebay on First Class Packages, little lone regular sellers!

Ebay just tried to make sellers think they received a discount shipping through ebay,becuase ebay makes money on every label printed through their system...

The reality is for FCP you could get the same rates from anyone that sold online labels!

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But, but, but, you would have to pay to subscribe to a service to print FCM labels? No?? You cannot buy FCM on USPS.com.

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Actually it is my understanding that Stamps.com offers a FREE subscription for ebay sellers...

I am calling them first thing tomorrow to confirm...

Personally I would rather at this point give my shipping label business to them rather than ebay, if I can do  it for the same price or lower... you are aware that ebay makes money on every USPS label that is printed through ebay?

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I can confirm that Stamps.com does offer a FREE account for ebay sellers...

I can also confirm that Stamps.com rate for 1-3 ounces is $2.54 purchasing labels through them online...

[eclectic_seller_too]

Checking the forums for this subject. So, now, I get it. However, if sellers are going to pay $2.60, why are buyers paying $.06 less for shipping, which is what happened on two items I sold today.

[posting*master]

Because they are paying the retail rate. The ebay shipping calculator will show the retail rate unless you adjust your Site Preferences.

[eclectic_seller_too]

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@post*master wrote:

Because they are paying the retail rate. The ebay shipping calculator will show the retail rate unless you adjust your Site Preferences.

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Sorry to be dense, but if they're paying the retail rate, why aren't I? Also, checking on USPS, the rate for 3 ounces is $2.60. Finally, adjust Site Preferences for what & where?

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Simple solution:

Specify the package weight as 4 oz.  Buyers pay retail rate at $2.74.  You pay online rate at $2.60.  You get an extra $0.14.

Or raise your asking price by $0.06 or $0.10 or whatever.  Buyers won't even notice and you'll get the total amount you want.

~~C~~

[eclectic_seller_too]

That sounds good. Thanks, duchess.

[posting*master]

duchess' solution (inflate the package weight of 3-ounce packages) makes much more sene than changing your Site preferenes, since that would cause ALL your listings with the shipping calculator to show the online rate rather than the retail rate.

[eclectic_seller_too]

Thanks, postmaster. As long as I remember to do that, should be fine. Guess I'll have to read all the fine print about postage increases tomorrow. Thanks, again.

[brorick]

Another problem with shipping is that they only offer First Class Packages and not First Class Envelopes.  I sell paperback books that are slightly less than 1/4" thick and fit in a 6" x 9" envelope.  At 5 ounces, the USPS First Class Envelope rate is $1.89.  When the discounts were in place, eBay charged me $2.04, which of course included tracking.  Now that it's gone up to $2.60, I'm just going to print my own label, slap four Forever stamps on and skip the tracking.

Rick 

[posting*master]

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@brorick wrote:

.... slightly less than 1/4" thick and fit in a 6" x 9" envelope.  At 5 ounces, the USPS First Class Envelope rate is $1.89.  When the discounts were in place, eBay charged me $2.04, which of course included tracking.  Now that it's gone up to $2.60.... 

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So is the piece a flat (AKA large envelope) or a package?  USPS definitions don't overlap.

[nowthatsjustducky]

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@brorick wrote:

Another problem with shipping is that they only offer First Class Packages and not First Class Envelopes.  I sell paperback books that are slightly less than 1/4" thick and fit in a 6" x 9" envelope.  At 5 ounces, the USPS First Class Envelope rate is $1.89.  When the discounts were in place, eBay charged me $2.04, which of course included tracking.  Now that it's gone up to $2.60, I'm just going to print my own label, slap four Forever stamps on and skip the tracking.

Rick 

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If I remember correctly, before the USPS changes, a 5 ounce parcel was something like $2.25 when purchased online.  $2.04 was for 1-3 ounces, and 4 ounces was $2.13.  So for your 5 ounce book package, the shipping cost with tracking only went up 35 cents.  Up your prices by a mere 50 cents and the postage increase is more than covered.

[pinkelephantsboutique]

Until or unless something changes,1-3 oz is 2.60-flat

from 4 -15.99 oz gets the % off, but off of a higher rate,pretty sure almost all rates went up

[moondogblues]

little lone

"let alone"

Couldn't help myself...it happened twice.

[lookng2015]

looks like an autocorrect error to me

[trencher7]

So I have been shipping a lot of 3oz packages for $2.45 on eBay after the discount.  Just today it jumped to $2.60.  Is it an error or was there a reason the discount vanished?