Shipping Calculator Disallowing Multiple Box Shipments

[hurley_byrd_wfp]

I sell a huge number of items that are restricted in size/weight into USPS Flat Rate boxes, etc....  I have the shipping calculator set up so that when a customer wants more that the restricted quantity, the calculator would roll over and simply add another box or boxes as needed. 

A few weeks ago this rollover stopped and eBay now tells the buyer that "we do not ship to their state".. disallowing the buy to purchase or forcing the customer into local pick up, which a few customers accept unknowingly. 

Has anyone else experienced this issue?  I spoke to a CSR on eBay chat...... that was worthless.  He kept telling me that since the USPS Reg Flat Rate met its  max weight..... that the calculator cannot meet the buyer's needs!!!  WOW. 

Thoughts!!!!
Thanks
Pete

[rfmtm]

The calculator does not know how to handle multiple boxes.  So exactly how did you set this up when it worked?

[hurley_byrd_ias]

Yes, you are correct.  This does not nor ever has worked from what I can find.  I searched our last 200 sales and the only high level multiple box orders came from other shipping options, etc...  My mistake.  

I have been running listing like this for years now, along with a multitude of other options for various items. I can only imagine how much money we've missed as buyers simply walk away.  Most buyers won't write, as you are aware. 

By the way, here is what a customer will see if I keep the local pick up as a ship option. Hence, I have had a few recent orders come through with Local Pick Up as the ship option because recently I added Local PU to all my listing.  The customer would expect Free Shipping when they click the Confirm & Pay button...... as you can see, even though in the lower left corner it states local pu.  I just finished removing all my local pick up options.


Thanks for replying,
Pete

[fredoniacoinandtreasure]

I've never been able to automate this, but knowing the amounts of the one item I sell that will fit in the various flat rate boxes I set additional shipping for multiple orders so that by the time I need 2 or 3 boxes, I have been paid for them. So if someone buys say 1 2 pound lot, shipping fits in a small flat rate, 4 lots needs a medium flat rate so each order in a multiple adds a bit so 4 covers the medium box and since 3 fits in a small I actually make a bit more. Works out.

[rfmtm]

Yes, local pickup can be problematic when buyers don't read.

One workaround for you would be to do a Variation listing, where the variations are the quantity of the item.  Make the listing flat rate free shipping and build the shipping cost into each variation price. 

This gives you total control over the break points for what fits in any particular size flat rate box.  Plus buyers always like to think they are getting free shipping.  This will also allow you to add the local pickup option again, if you want.