eBay

eagleboy153 · ‎07-18-2019

So I searched and couldn't seem to find any actual answers. USPS shipping is getting out of hand these days. Prices keep increasing way too much every year and I only fear what January 2020 brings. But in the meantime, to try to cut down costs I am trying to find out if eBay has the best rates for USPS shipping rates or are there any other services out there that offer a little bit lower rates?

I saw there was ShippingEasy and ShipStation and of course Stamps.com but I couldn't find any exact rates on their website. I was going to try to test a few rates for recent sales I've had compared to eBay's commercial based pricing, mostly for first class since most of my items are under 1 pound, but I was hoping to get a wide variety of rates so I would know if it is worth it or not to sign up for their programs? I also noticed a site called PirateShip which does have a rate check place but they are exactly the same as eBay, but it's nice they offer that service for free from what I saw.

Also what does it take to get to the next level? how much sales volume do you need to get the super cheap USPS pricing? I know there's some eBayer's that sell things for $1.45 free shipping from the USA and even shipping a 1 ounce item costs me $2.70 minimum, so I was also wondering what kind of volume would you need to do to get to those kind of shipping levels?

Thanks to anyone who can help me get these questions answered! 🙂

nobody*s_perfect · ‎07-18-2019

They all charge the same for First Class packages.

Some items can be mailed as letters or flats, for less, but those services don't have tracking.

eagleboy153 · ‎07-18-2019

Yeah, I try to ship most things out same day shipping because I want my buyers to get their item as fast as possible, if it's after 4:15 pm though I usually take it out the next day. With that said, I also provide tracking for every item so that wouldn't work. But at least that gives me some kind of answer.

So what really needs to happen is for USPS to lower their shipping rates! 😛

earlyant-77 · ‎07-18-2019

"I know there's some eBayer's that sell things for $1.45 free shipping from the USA"

They aren't shipping from the USA. They just SAY they are.

Unless, of course, it goes in a plain white envelope with just a stamp.

eagleboy153 · ‎07-18-2019

You're wrong, go check out stores like eForCity. Of course that's an extreme level, but they ship within the US and provide tracking to the best of my knowledge.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎07-18-2019

USPS has special lower "Presort" rates for volume customers who pre-sort their shipments, i.e., doing part of USPS's sorting work for them.

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/notice123.pdf

obeecat · ‎07-18-2019

I don't use USPS for anything over about $15.00 in shipping costs. When the USPS rate is that high, I find that UPS Ground is going to beat the USPS price much of the time.
I rarely even use Medium or Large flat rate USPS boxes.
I find savings using the USPS Regional A boxes but when you go to Regional B or the Medium and Large flat rate boxes, UPS Ground is going to beat USPS on price.
Even with the 1st Class rate hikes this year, buying the 1st Class shipping through eBay is still one of the best deals going. Prices are basically the same using Amazon's "buy shipping" when selling/ shipping over there.

rockusone · ‎07-18-2019

I know what your talking about. For instance, Office Depot sells some things, w/free shipping at a price that is cheaper than what shipping alone would cost you. And it must in the US cause they have 3-5 day shipping (I think)? I've seen it with other large stores also. I just assumed it is a volume discount.

earlyant-77 · ‎07-18-2019

@nobody*s_perfect wrote:
USPS has special lower "Presort" rates for volume customers who pre-sort their shipments, i.e., doing part of USPS's sorting work for them.

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/notice123.pdf

Exactly. Monster companies with single-origin shipping(or multiple DC's under the same account umbrella).