USPS

[zowiepops]

WHERE IS E-BAY? Of Course MIA - when this really matters to eBay sellers:

CALL TO ACTION: Save the U.S. Postal Service

The U.S. Postal Service has become one of our most essential services during the COVID-19 crisis. It is the means by which millions of Americans can access staples like face masks and disinfectants. It is delivering social security checks, tax refunds, and coronavirus stimulus checks. It will also play a major role in the 2020 elections.

[voguevintage]

I don't agree with you. Ever hear of bulk discount? That's why Amazon pays less than you do. When you build a company like that and do that kind of volume, than you can be upset if you can't get the same rates. Bulk rates are also why eBay charges you less for shipping labels than you could get them directly from the Post Office. Be thankful for bulk discounting from the USPS.

[bbravo65]

@voguevintage 

...may I correct some of your statement...

1- e-Pack from China was a shady trade deals that previous president Obama signed up with China

2- again, another shady deal that Amazon is an "upper-hand"...if anyone believes about "deep state" then USPS has it too...

3- USPS "losses" stem also directly from the congressional mandates the burden of pre-funding of retiree health benefits- over 5 billions dollars annually...Congress has the power to change that, not the President and his Administration...but politicians in Congress are spending-lovers so "nothing-burger"...

4- Lysander Spooner would be well-challenged by the Postal Unions for his idea of privatized postal services...

5- our American consumers won't be happy if USPS being privatized...shipping rates will be increased significantly...

6- the bailout for USPS that everyone talking about was a Democrat congresswoman, Nancy Peloci's idea that she enclosed in her second stimulus package...although USPS has lost in business, they didn't ask for bailout during the recession in 2008 with mutual stimulus money from Obama, the only "help" they got is the loan from Federal Bank...

...USPS problems is a tangle between its Management, Congress, the Postal Unions, the President and his Administration...with agenda, bipartisanship, cronyism...

[chapeau-noir]

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@voguevintage wrote:

I don't agree with you. Ever hear of bulk discount? That's why Amazon pays less than you do. When you build a company like that and do that kind of volume, than you can be upset if you can't get the same rates. Bulk rates are also why eBay charges you less for shipping labels than you could get them directly from the Post Office. Be thankful for bulk discounting from the USPS.

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Exactly - it is illegal for the USPS to deliver parcels for less than their stated rates.  Amazon actually pre-sorts at their distribution centers (bulk sorting) and then delivers them to the USPS sort centers.  All the USPS does is last mile service.

The thing sinking the USPS is the ridiculous prefunding that was authorized in 2006 during the Bush Administration.  The senate seems to be holding up DeFazio's bill to eliminate this (gosh, wonder why?).  If it were not for the prefunding mess (which had to be accumulated within 10 years) the USPS would be solvent with their existing services.

[chapeau-noir]

1- e-Pack from China was a shady trade deals that previous president Obama signed up with China

A president can't sign 'trade deals' with another country regarding terminal dues, which is basically what this is about, = because they are set by the UPU.  China has been a member of the UPU since, I think around WW I.  In 2010, for instance, China was a net importer, the US a net exporter (this is in mail, not freight), and the lower terminal dues was a profitable enterprise for the USPS.  It was only when ecommerce developed so quickly that the balance changed and we became a net importer with China - this was by 2015 - a new deal was negotiated (US and Canada) with the UPU for 2016 - not enough of a change, though.  In 2019 an extraordinary session was called to recategorize China's status, which I agree absolutely should be done.

From checking around I see that on July 1, 2020 if we receive enough through the USPS we can have self-declared rates, so I'm curious as to what will happen. 

[thefeelingreturns]

YOUR QUESTION - what is it about the USPS that needs saving?

Thousands of eBay sellers who sell inexpensive items will be put out of business without the cheaper shipping options offered by the USPS. (Who's going to pay $12 to ship a $5 or $10 item? There is not comparable cheap shipping available in the private sector.) This would cause eBay to take EXTREME losses on their profits. THESE SELLERS ARE WORTH SAVING!

Also, the USPS is the largest public sector employer in the US outside of the military. All those people would lose their jobs. THESE JOBS ARE VITAL RIGHT NOW AND THE PEOPLE WORKING THEM ARE WORTH SAVING!

YOUR QUESTION - And what can eBay do about it?

eBay is a large corporation with lobbyists and they have the ability to significantly influence Congress, for the benefit of their own bottom line and the bottom lines of all the sellers that would be negatively impacted as well as all the people who work for eBay who may lose their jobs or income if eBay loses income.

The USPS is a vital public service that has existed as long as the Constitution. It provides vital shipping services, not for profit, but to benefit the public at large. It does things that need to be done, that cannot be done by the private sector.

[thefeelingreturns]

I ask the following question sincerely: how do you plan to ship all your items without the USPS, or if the prices quadruple as they are expected to? I looked at your listings and they all appear to be cheaper USPS listings. Without the USPS, how will you sell your 6.95 movies, games and other items? Won't this make it so you can't sell these items anymore? (Again, I ask sincerely, with not intent to offend.)

[golfingaddict]

You and others should really check out ebay Main Street

https://www.ebaymainstreet.com/issues/postal-policy

They are aware of the postal issues and they have recommendations and information for ebay sellers.  There are also ways for buyers and sellers to participate.

Ebay Main street in general is a great resource to find issues that affect sellers and ebay as well as buyers.  

They have many topics that they are aware of and are working with in DC.

[thefeelingreturns]

eBay's statement at the top of the abovementioned page:

"eBay supports postal policies that set the framework for a viable postal system, guarantee access to reliable and affordable shipping alternatives, and support the hundreds of thousands of small ecommerce businesses that use the eBay platform."

[escuintla]

Behind all this scheme is the president Trump. Somehow he hates the USPS and wants it privatized. He is asking for the rates to go up.....again? We are not going to be able to make a living or a buck. The end. 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/postal-service-to-review-package-delivery-fees-as-trump-influence-...

[cjsupplies1980]

USPS is its own worst enemy. Poor management and decision making are by far their largest obstacles. We recently shipped an item from Oregon to a buyer in Pennsylvania. The item was scanned in at the Pennsylvania distribution center but was then sent to Seattle Washington.
So this package will go from the west coast to Pennsylvania then back to the west coast before arriving back in Pennsylvania where it had already been several days ago. Customer support stated ground service packages "go wherever they fit". How can any business expect to be successful with those type of operating decisions?

[bobstechbooks]

Put the blame where it belongs.  The e-pack deal was made during the last Bush administration.  Ebay lobbied for the deal

[luckythewinner]

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@thefeelingreturns wrote:
YOUR QUESTION - what is it about the USPS that needs saving?
Thousands of eBay sellers who sell inexpensive items will be put out of business without the cheaper shipping options offered by the USPS. (Who's going to pay $12 to ship a $5 or $10 item? 

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Is there some proposal out there to raise the minimum USPS postage rate to $12 that I am missing? 

If so, who is proposing it?

Has it actually been presented to Congress or is it just someone talking? 

[getjez]

Anyone in here experiencing ebay first class shipment delays? I have over 40 packages in statuses (IN TRANSIT) for like 3 weeks now. Im getting worried buyers are complaining.