USPS APV and eBay Label Flow

[berserkerplanet]

Don't think I've seen this posted here in any of the APV threads. Just an FYI...

(yellow highlight added by me)

Been seeing it out of the corner of my eye but it didn't register and I didn't read it previously. Checked my records - it began 8/1/17 on schedule for the rollout.

[loveyourimagination49]

I'm sure once people start seeing the charges, the boards will be filled with; Why wasn't I informed? Ripoff!

[d-k_treasures]

They could have worded that a little better, reminding the seller to verify the dimensions entered when printing the label.

The way they wrote it, it sounds like the USPS can just decide to charge you more.

[mr_lincoln]

@berserkerplanet  Yes, that statement seems to comply with the new APV system by carriers.  Funny thing is those folks who simply drop off in the pre-labeled shipping lane and do not get a clerk to do the Acceptence scan may wind up getting charged ...

One issue I just noticed this weekend was a discrepency in what the Buyer Paid and what eBay & USPS is showing for the Seller shipping cost.  Pic below shows the Buyer paid $ 3.39 for a 14 oz First Class Package, which is wrong of course and then the cost to me comes in as over 6 bucks and with discount down to $ 4.02 ... REALLY?  I was able to correct it but I was a bit surprised when this first came up when I clicked the Print Label button.

[mr_lincoln]

@loveyourimagination49  If Sellers are accurate in their weights and measurements AND stand in line for an acceptence scan there should be NO surprises.

[berserkerplanet]

I don't suppose the use of "ripoff" was for my benefit as I've been using "scam fraud ripoff" on the boards here lately to convey my disdain for that type of ranting?

Anyway, I suspect you are right. Going to be lots of work for the regular front line handlers here.

(they can use the screenshot and the fact that it first appeared 8/1/17* to chastise/cudgel/browbeat educate/coach/inform the ranters 🙂

BTW, I've been fully aware of the APV program since the first announcement, but mostly don't care since I don't underpay, and don't overpay (no refunds for me) - I posted the screenshot since I just noticed the verbiage and had not seen it elsewhere.

*it was 8/1/17 (at least for me). Label page on 8/1 had it, and pages on 7/31 and prior did not.

[berserkerplanet]

Think I saw your post on this elsewhere?, but had no input at the time.

$3.39 is Retail Pricing for an 8oz parcel. I don't see any Occam's Razor explanation for how the shipping calculator could have managed that. Seems like the calculator has started rolling dice to chose actions instead of just misreading commercial/retail flags like before.

The $6.65 would be retail Priority Mail for 1 pound to zone 1&2 which would be the bump for a 14oz pkg as it's over the 13oz retail First Class limit. eBay likes to show big discounts relative to retail pricing. Not sure why it used the lowest Z1&2 PM price unless your buyer's zip actually was a Z1 or Z2 destination. If not, then that logic in the calculator is also suspect.

[rolenboy01]

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@d-k_treasures wrote:

They could have worded that a little better, reminding the seller to verify the dimensions entered when printing the label.

The way they wrote it, it sounds like the USPS can just decide to charge you more.

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They can and probably will try that when ever it strikes their fancy, oh our unmarked chain says your package is too big and we consider it more accurate than a tape meausre with actual numbers har har har.

[mr_lincoln]

@berserkerplanet

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@berserkerplanet wrote:

Think I saw your post on this elsewhere?, but had no input at the time.

$3.39 is Retail Pricing for an 8oz parcel. I don't see any Occam's Razor explanation for how the shipping calculator could have managed that. Seems like the calculator has started rolling dice to chose actions instead of just misreading commercial/retail flags like before.

The $6.65 would be retail Priority Mail for 1 pound to zone 1&2 which would be the bump for a 14oz pkg as it's over the 13oz retail First Class limit. eBay likes to show big discounts relative to retail pricing. Not sure why it used the lowest Z1&2 PM price unless your buyer's zip actually was a Z1 or Z2 destination. If not, then that logic in the calculator is also suspect.

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Thanks for the reply, it was a Z1 for sure, an IN-state shipment.  If I go to USPS and do a zip to zip calculated shipment, First Class does not come up as a choice ... did they drop FC for 14 & 15 oz?  Anyway, when those numbers came up I just sort of shook my head ... fortunately the actual package was below 13 oz so I was able to ship First Class and once I hanced the values the system corrected itself.

[sharingtheland]

Funny thing is those folks who simply drop off in the pre-labeled shipping lane and do not get a clerk to do the Acceptence scan may wind up getting charged ...

Time for one of my dumb questions.  What difference does getting an acceptance scan make?  Just that you can be told at the counter that your postage is off?  <---Is that actually the right answer?  If so, yay me!

I never get acceptance scans; the lines at our blankety-blank post office are ridiculous, and have been at every post office in any area I've ever lived.  So far, kow, no problems.  I never underweigh, either, but I know that I am now at the mercy of the USPS scales.  

Based on the labels I printed out just now, I need to rethink my whole shipping charge policy (oh as if I have some chart somewhere that I've created).   The costs are getting a bit too steep.

[berserkerplanet]

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Thanks for the reply, it was a Z1 for sure, an IN-state shipment.  If I go to USPS and do a zip to zip calculated shipment, First Class does not come up as a choice ... did they drop FC for 14 & 15 oz?  Anyway, when those numbers came up I just sort of shook my head ... fortunately the actual package was below 13 oz so I was able to ship First Class and once I hanced the values the system corrected itself.

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Well that's good. Looks like the eBay calculator is getting that part right - they used the buyer's zip to obtain the Priority Mail amount that it would be if retail (since 130z is the limit for retail FC).

If the buyer was Zone 8, eBay could have said your discount was $4.33 (1# retail PM to Z8 is $8.35). eBay is so good to us and always reminding us of all the things they do 🙂

USPS.com is all retail pricing and only retail pricing. Retail FC Mail only goes up to 13oz. There is no "up to 16oz" First Class Package there or at the PO. Online only through eBay, PayPal, Endicia, Stamps, etc.

I'm confused though. Are you talking about the $4.02 14oz package from the screenshot here? Why did it end up below 13oz? What do you mean by "once I hanced  changed the values the system corrected itself"?

[rolenboy01]

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@sharingtheland wrote:

Funny thing is those folks who simply drop off in the pre-labeled shipping lane and do not get a clerk to do the Acceptence scan may wind up getting charged ...

Time for one of my dumb questions.  What difference does getting an acceptance scan make?  Just that you can be told at the counter that your postage is off?  <---Is that actually the right answer?  If so, yay me!

I never get acceptance scans; the lines at our blankety-blank post office are ridiculous, and have been at every post office in any area I've ever lived.  So far, kow, no problems.  I never underweigh, either, but I know that I am now at the mercy of the USPS scales.  

Based on the labels I printed out just now, I need to rethink my whole shipping charge policy (oh as if I have some chart somewhere that I've created).   The costs are getting a bit too steep.

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Yes post office lines are ridiculous and its usually for stupid reasons like people buying books of stamps, there should be 1 line specifically for that and that alone, all clerks shouldn't be tied up with anything and everything, they could save a lot of problems if they brought back stamp machines seems like those would be cheaper than paying an extra employee, it also seems like people are clueless about being able to buy stamps elsewhere for some odd reason, luckily are local has a kiosk for pre-paid packages only but the unfortunate part is the clerk who is supposed to run that area is usually gone half the time having to fix other peoples mistakes.

[mr_lincoln]

@berserkerplanet

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@berserkerplanet wrote:

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Thanks for the reply, it was a Z1 for sure, an IN-state shipment.  If I go to USPS and do a zip to zip calculated shipment, First Class does not come up as a choice ... did they drop FC for 14 & 15 oz?  Anyway, when those numbers came up I just sort of shook my head ... fortunately the actual package was below 13 oz so I was able to ship First Class and once I hanced the values the system corrected itself.

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Well that's good. Looks like the eBay calculator is getting that part right - they used the buyer's zip to obtain the Priority Mail amount that it would be if retail (since 130z is the limit for retail FC).

If the buyer was Zone 8, eBay could have said your discount was $4.33 (1# retail PM to Z8 is $8.35). eBay is so good to us and always reminding us of all the things they do 🙂

USPS.com is all retail pricing and only retail pricing. Retail FC Mail only goes up to 13oz. There is no "up to 16oz" First Class Package there or at the PO. Online only through eBay, PayPal, Endicia, Stamps, etc.

I'm confused though. Are you talking about the $4.02 14oz package from the screenshot here? Why did it end up below 13oz? What do you mean by "once I hanced  changed the values the system corrected itself"?

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Okay, your reply makes sense, I sort of remembered eBay Sellers get First Class up to 15 oz or so but definately above 13 oz.  I think you may be finally understanding the pic ... the item was listed as First Class and at 14 oz ... and the Buyer clearly paid a First Class rate ... however, I was being charged something other than a First Class rate for a 14 oz package.

As to what I meant by changing the value ... I do NOT pre-package anything that I sell, I estimate the weight based on the item and additional packing material ... so the listing weight was 14 oz but the package when I was finished was under 13 oz ... so when I changed the weight value in the little window there the pricing updated and was correct NOT showing the $ 4.02 discounted rate off the $ 6.65 price ... make sense now?

[pingpong517]

did you look at the anouncements at bottom of page?

this has been talked about for awhile... USPS is doing now, what the other have been doing.....

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

@loveyourimagination49  If Sellers are accurate in their weights and measurements AND stand in line for an acceptence scan there should be NO surprises.

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I think s/he is referring to the sellers that will be surprised because they haven't heard of the program, which has been announced for how long now? You know, the same sellers who are surprised that we can't leave negs and that an FVF is charged on shipping...