Inconsistent shipping cost between listing and shipping

[lowerla2003]

I have researched the available postings on this problem but the mainstream answer, especially from eBay, is GIGO (garbage in, garbage out). I have been trying for a while now, months actually, to get my calculated shipping at time of listing to come in line with what the charge is at shipping time.  And I continue to be frustrated - generally I have to eat the difference - well this time it was too outrageous to ignore.  And for all you eBayers out there that think there is nothing wrong, here it is:

Listed blouse/shirt weighing, actually, 11 ounces with padded bag sized 12" x 9" x 2"  First Class - at time of listing calculated for $2.50 - I just reentered the weight and dimensions today to document this. I added $1.35 handling charge to try and accommodate for discrepancies I have been conditioned to expect  - picture attached showing $2.50 eBay calculated shipping charges TODAY so it can't be claimed that shipping charges have gone up and that is the difference.  So when I listed the blouse I entered $3.85 total shipping charges for First Class.  At shipping time today, eBay charged me $4.06 for the same weight and dimensions I gave at listing time which of course is MORE than the shipping charge I had in my listing.  Not much of course, but if I had not included the $1.35 handling charge, I could't have come close to paying the new shipping charge without a loss.  I would like for eBay to try and explain to me where I have gone wrong so that I won't keep having this problem.  To the person in the blog that says their answer is to list with free shipping, you too are suffering because you may not be getting what you planned when you entered the listing - you are ignoring the problem.  As of now, the only answer I have is to either increase my listing price or increase even more my handling charge, which of course displeases buyers. So eBay - what is the answer??

[nodr-45]

@lowerla2003- This is a GIGO situation.

You chose "Large Envelope" in your listing, but you need to choose "Package(or Thick Envelope)". When you select the correct package type the shipping calculator gives you the correct USPS rates.

[pjcdn2005]

$2.75 would be a rate for a USPS first class mail (flat) large envelope, not for a first class package.  Even though you have set up the listing for first class package, you have to specify that you are sending a package. To do that, go to package dimensions and change the package type to 'package'. When you check off envelope instead of package, the calculator assumes you  are going to send  the item as a flat.  First class flat doesn't have tracking and labels for it can not be printed on ebay.   Changing the package type to package will set up the calculator to actually charge package rates so that the buyer pays the package rate.

[pjcdn2005]

You said it so much easier. lol

[lowerla2003]

I chose large envelope which is a thick envelope and I followed eBay's definition in doing that - from eBay's own site they state:

Package (or thick envelope)

• A package is a parcel (or box) less than 84 inches when you add the length plus girth 
• A thick envelope is a large envelope exceeding 3/4 inch thickness

My shipment had dimensions less than 84 inches and exceeded 3/4 inches in thickness.  As you can see I followed exactly eBay guidelines:

• A thick envelope is a large envelope exceeding 3/4 inch thickness"

- I used the same dimensions and weight on both calculations.  And you point out a problem that I overlooked in my analysis - if eBay found a problem with the selections at time of shipping, then they should have had the same concerns at time of presenting shipment options.  So your argument is GIGO - sorry about that - please research  better in the future before you start espousing something you know very little about.  But thank you for trying.

[lowerla2003]

I chose large envelope which is a thick envelope and I followed eBay's definition in doing that - from eBay's own site they state:

Package (or thick envelope)

• A package is a parcel (or box) less than 84 inches when you add the length plus girth 
• A thick envelope is a large envelope exceeding 3/4 inch thickness

My shipment had dimensions less than 84 inches and exceeded 3/4 inches in thickness.  As you can see I followed exactly eBay guidelines:

• A thick envelope is a large envelope exceeding 3/4 inch thickness"

- I used the same dimensions and weight on both calculations.  And you point out a problem that I overlooked in my analysis - if eBay found a problem with the selections at time of shipping, then they should have had the same concerns at time of presenting shipment options.  So your argument is GIGO - sorry about that - please research  better in the future before you start espousing something you know very little about.  But thank you for trying.

[pjcdn2005]

Wow!

We are trying to help you. I simply said that a setting in your listing needed to be changed.  You are not the first person to have this problem so that's why we know how to fix it. I'm certainly not defending how the calculator is set up, only letting you know how to charge for a package rate. I don't agree with the gigo comment in this situation because if it was  straightforward, there wouldn't be so many people having the same problem. However, perhaps you  should do some research first before assuming  that those who answered you don't know what they are talking about.

Regardless of what ebay says, the USPS first class package rate for 11 ounces is not $2.75. That's about what it would cost for a 2 ounce package.  If you go to USPS and ask for a price for an 11 oz large envelope that isn't rigid, odd shaped etc., you will see a similar price and it shows that is for First Class mail large envelope. If you then ask for price for an 11 ounce item and check off that it is a package instead of a large envelope, they will show you a price for USPS first class package and that price will be for a lot more.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Any piece that is over 3/4 inch thick must be mailed as a package, not a flat (AKA Large envelope).

When setting up the shipping calculator, there are two separate drop-down menus. You must choose "Package or thick envelope" in the drop-down menu for "Package type." If that is set to letter or large envelope, then your buyer will be undercharged, even though "First Class package" shows up in the listing because that's what you selected as the "Service" in the other drop-down menu.  In order for the buyer to be charged the correct postage for a package, both menus must be set up correctly.

If "Letter" or "Large envelope" is selected in the drop-down menu for 'Package type" then that's what your buyer will be charged for, regardless of what is selected in the other drop-down menu, for "Service."  If "letter" or "Large envelope" is selected as the package type, then that's what your buyer will be charged for regardless of what you have entered as the package dimensions or the service chosen.

The minimum cost for a First Class package is $2.66. So any time a price shows up as less than that, you can be sure that the shipping calculator has not been set up to charge  for a package.

If you set up calculated shipping with  the ""Package type" set to letter ro large envelope, but expect to see calculated postage for a package, then THAT is a case of GIGO.

[fern*wood]

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@lowerla2003 wrote:

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- - if eBay found a problem with the selections at time of shipping, then they should have had the same concerns at time of presenting shipment options.  So your argument is GIGO - sorry about that - please research  better in the future before you start espousing something you know very little about.  But thank you for trying.

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Ebay isn't going to tell you anything since they have no idea how you intend to ship and that you want to ship as a package---maybe you wish to charge for a flat & ship with no tracking since some sellers do. 

Before accusing others of knowing little, you might want to consider whose shipping isn't calculating properly, and then listen to the sellers that know why and are trying to help.

You have been given excellent information from professionals that know what they are talking about.

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@lowerla2003 wrote:

I chose large envelope which is a thick envelope and I followed eBay's definition in doing that - from eBay's own site they state:

Package (or thick envelope)

• A package is a parcel (or box) less than 84 inches when you add the length plus girth 
• A thick envelope is a large envelope exceeding 3/4 inch thickness

My shipment had dimensions less than 84 inches and exceeded 3/4 inches in thickness.  As you can see I followed exactly eBay guidelines:

• A thick envelope is a large envelope exceeding 3/4 inch thickness"

- I used the same dimensions and weight on both calculations.  And you point out a problem that I overlooked in my analysis - if eBay found a problem with the selections at time of shipping, then they should have had the same concerns at time of presenting shipment options.  So your argument is GIGO - sorry about that - please research  better in the future before you start espousing something you know very little about.  But thank you for trying.

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The words large envelope mentioned in this isn’t the same thing as the large envelope selection in the eBay shipping selection menu.   That’s just describing what the dimensions need to be for it to go as package/thick envelope which is actually the package option.   The large envelope option is for flats.    

@Anonymous 

a lot of sellers seem to be getting confused over this.  Is there a way they change the drop down choice to say package/thick envelope instead of package.  Or something to cut down the confusion 

[kensgiftshop]

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@lowerla2003 wrote:

  So when I listed the blouse I entered $3.85 total shipping charges for First Class.  At shipping time today, eBay charged me $4.06 for the same weight and dimensions I gave at listing time which of course is MORE than the shipping charge I had in my listing. 

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On your first class packages are you using calculated shipping or a fixed price for the shipping.

With the new zone shipping, the $3.85 might cover packages going east, but not one's going West.

[nodr-45]

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

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@Anonymous 

a lot of sellers seem to be getting confused over this.  Is there a way they change the drop down choice to say package/thick envelope instead of package.  Or something to cut down the confusion 

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It already says "Package (or thick envelope)".

If anything is adjusted it should be "Large Envelope" that gets changed to "Large Envelope (Flat)".

[kare-bearb]

@lowerla2003 

1.  First Class package / Parcel / THICK envelope is now ZONE-based.

You have to use calculated shipping, not flat rate to all, when setting up your listing if you want the buyer to pay the correct amount of shipping.

eBay will look at the buyer's zip code & calculate the correct amount for the buyer to pay.

2.  If you are going to use eBay Shipping labels for First Class, you have to make sure that your listing is set up for First Class package / THICK envelope, not LARGE envelope.  eBay First Class labels are only for packages / THICK envelopes because they include tracking.

When creating your listing, you would select this in the area where you input the package dimensions.  This is separate from where you select how you will ship the item.

For LARGE envelopes .... think documents .... flat, floppy, no more than ¼ " thick.

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@nodr-45 wrote:

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

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@Anonymous 

a lot of sellers seem to be getting confused over this.  Is there a way they change the drop down choice to say package/thick envelope instead of package.  Or something to cut down the confusion 

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It already says "Package (or thick envelope)".

If anything is adjusted it should be "Large Envelope" that gets changed to "Large Envelope (Flat)".

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A seller on the shipping board says theirs only says package not package thick envelope in the selection box.  

I agree adding flat to the large envelope selection would be useful too 

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

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@nodr-45 wrote:

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@myangelandmyprincess wrote:

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@Anonymous 

a lot of sellers seem to be getting confused over this.  Is there a way they change the drop down choice to say package/thick envelope instead of package.  Or something to cut down the confusion 

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It already says "Package (or thick envelope)".

If anything is adjusted it should be "Large Envelope" that gets changed to "Large Envelope (Flat)".

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Or, given the rash of these complaints lately, maybe changed to "Large Envelope (NOT a parcel)"