eBay

happydaysantiques · ‎06-20-2017

I'm trying to calculate shipping costs for a 16 x 16 x 9 package. I've calculated length + girth to be 80", which is below the 84" to be considered a LARGE package. Am I wrong? The USPS site is giving me two different amounts. If I click on Package (after entering the from/to zip codes and weight), I get one amount. If I click on Large Package and enter the dimensions, I get a much greater amount.

Thanks so much for your help.

partial*eclipse · ‎06-20-2017

The 84-inch threshold for the "balloon rate" applies to all Retail Ground and Parcel Select packages. It also applies to Priority Mail packages that are going to Zones 1 - 4.

For Priority Mail packages that are going to Zone 5 - 9, thre's a different threshold: Packages over 1 cubic foot (1728 cubic inches) are charged a "dimensional weight" based on package volume. In this case, the Priority price would be the 12-pound rate.

Also, the length-plus-girth of your package is 16 + (16 + 9 + 16 + 9) = 66 inches (not 80). Girth is the distance around the package. Length (the longest side) is only counted once.

happydaysantiques · ‎06-20-2017

Wow, you are sooo well informed! Thanks for your reply, partial*eclipse. Yes, I need to use Priority Mail.

Hmmm...so when I prepare the listing form, should I show it as a Large Package? Or will eBay automatically apply the "dimensional weight" for those zones, if I show the dimensions?

partial*eclipse · ‎06-20-2017

The term "large" actually has no official meaning. Just enter accurate package dimensions and you'll be fine.

lintbrush* · ‎06-20-2017

The USPS site clearly states under Large Package "Any dimension over 12 inches" whereas Package doesn't require dimensions to be entered

A package with all dimensions 12" or under cannot be over 1 cu foot. When you simply click on Package and skip the dimensions, you are getting lower, inaccurate pricing.

LxWxH = cu. in. If package is over 1 cu ft (1728 cu in) and going via Priority to Zones 5 through 9, then it will ship by dimensional weight. DimWeight for USPS is - Cu In ÷ 194

happydaysantiques · ‎06-20-2017

And thanks, again, partial*eclipse.

I've been selling here since 1999. You would think I'd know all the "ins" and "outs" of shipping. But, alas, I'm still learning....

pargran3 · ‎06-20-2017

The site says any measurement over 12 inches simply because it was too confusing to people to try to figure out cubic inches.

It is not accurate. If the dimensions add up to less than 12+12+12 it is not a large package.

If using the calculated shipping on eBay, yes entering the dimensions of the package will get an an accurate priority quote for the buyer or potential buyers zipcode as on file with eBay.

The cost will be figured on the dimension. Never list as large package. Use the dimensions.

Radine

partial*eclipse · ‎06-20-2017

@pargran3 wrote:
The site says any measurement over 12 inches simply because it was too confusing to people to try to figure out cubic inches....

Exactly. That 12-inch threshold is just a shortcut, so sellers don't have to enter the dimensions for packages that mathematically just can't be over either of the surcharge thresholds (i.e., over 1 cubic foot or L+G over 84 inches).

lintbrush* · ‎06-20-2017

@pargran3 wrote:
The site says any measurement over 12 inches simply because it was too confusing to people to try to figure out cubic inches.
It is not accurate. If the dimensions add up to less than 12+12+12 it is not a large package.

If using the calculated shipping on eBay, yes entering the dimensions of the package will get an an accurate priority quote for the buyer or potential buyers zipcode as on file with eBay.
The cost will be figured on the dimension. Never list as large package. Use the dimensions.

Radine

As I said, any package with all dimensions 12" or less cannot be over 1 cu foot.

Conclusively, any package with any dimension over 12" has the potential to be over 1 cu foot but it may not be. That's how their phrasing breaks down in layman's terms. You can choose Large Package and enter 20x14x6 and it will NOT charge you DimWeight but 20x14x7 will.

michael_atw · ‎06-20-2017

hahahahha, if it's not a large package, don't pay for a large package.

happydaysantiques · ‎06-20-2017

Oh, my! I'm so impressed with all of your informative responses. Thank you!

I think I'm going to have to offer Ground shipping, in addition to Priority. I've been reluctant to do so, because the item is quite unique and I want to be precautionary. But with the high cost of Priority shipping, I doubt I'll get a buyer. Guess I'll insure it and take my chances.

Thanks again, everyone. I'm keeping this thread for future reference.

partial*eclipse · ‎06-20-2017

If you just offer Priority, you won't lose the buyers in Zones 1 - 4. So you have to choose the tradeoff between bigger potential customer base vs risks associated with ground shipping. Since you're in New York, a significant percentage of the US population is within your Zones 1 - 4.

happydaysantiques · ‎06-20-2017

Thanks, partial*. You make very compelling points. I'll have to give it some more thought.

lintbrush* · ‎06-20-2017

I'm with partial*eclipse.

if I want to ship it via Priority, then I'm going to ship it Priority. If a Zone 5-8er wants it, then they'll pay the DimWeight charges. My buyer base may be slightly smaller, but it's worth it if I don't trust the item via ground.