What if eBay's USPS postage is not sufficient?

[rosewood85]

I just sold an item and purchased eBay's recommended USPS postage for $8.00.  But what happens if when I take my package to the post office, it is not sufficient (e.g. because the package weighs more than expected, the box is larger than estimated, etc.) ?  Can I purchase more postage while retaining the same tracking? 

[birdsflowersanddogs]

You really need to know the size and weight of the packaged item before it sells. You don't have to buy the box ahead of time, just know the size and weight. I learned early on that a difference of 1 inch on the dimension of the box can dramatically change the shipping price. This is mainly true for dimensions over 12 inches, but it can be an unpleasant suprise and you will have to pay the additional shipping.

[luckythewinner]

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@rosewood85 wrote:

I just sold an item and purchased eBay's recommended USPS postage for $8.00.  But what happens if when I take my package to the post office, it is not sufficient (e.g. because the package weighs more than expected, the box is larger than estimated, etc.) ?  Can I purchase more postage while retaining the same tracking? 

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eBay's recommended postage is based entirely on information that you give them. So it would not be that  eBay's USPS postage was insufficient, it would be that the information you supplied was inaccurate.

If you take it to the post office and the psotage is not sufficient, IMHO you should:

• gather the CORRECT information while at the post office
• go home and void the original label
• enter the correct information and print a new label
• invest in a scale and a ruler and not let it happen again

[fern*wood]

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@rosewood85 wrote:

Thanks, I'll try this out today if I end up being short.  I can get a scale easily, but the issue is knowing the size of the box.  I'm not going to pre-purchase boxes for items of varying sizes that are not guaranteed to sell.  

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I've made mistakes too and shipping definitely has a learning curve.  I don't always have the final box in hand either, but you quickly learn how to measure your item and be especially careful to enter dimensions large enough to cover you.  I say don't estimate, but in all honestly, I have on dimensions when I list, but always go high if there is the possibility it will be over a cubic foot.  If you made a mistake, it will be apparent when you print your label with the correct information--never estimate when you print that. 

[mudshark61369]

@rosewood85,

  "the issue is knowing the size of the box.  I'm not going to pre-purchase boxes for items of varying sizes that are not guaranteed to sell".

Buying boxes is costing you money especially if you buy them retail.  There are so many ways to get free boxes from stores and other places there is really no need to be buying boxes.  Much of what you sell can be put into Free USPS Priority mailing boxes which can be ordered on the USPS site and delivered to your door.  For items that do not fit in in the USPS boxes, if you have a plain box for it you can use the free priority mail stickers on it, and USPS shipping labels.    If you use non USPS boxes, you can offer less expensive shipping options 1st Class for items and packaging under 16oz. which helps sell lower cost items. Parcel Select for items that are very large and or heavy.

FYI you have three similar items for sale right now and one has a guestimated shipping price that is $3 more than the others. 

Occassionally I run across something very large I want to sell.  I will not list it until I have a box for it.  Only once in a long while will I buy a single box for something and I add that cost into the item price.  Other shipping supplies like bubble wrap I get at Sam's Club or Costco in the 240 square foot boxes, 12" wide by 240 squares.   Butcher or craft paper & rolls of tape can be bought at U-Haul for much less than at many retail stores. Their price on smaller bubble wrap rolls are lower than Wally World or other big box stores. 

Besides getting a discount on shipping labels You can schedule pick up from the USPS in most places. You do that through the USPS site, but it has to be done by 2:00am in the morning to make the pick up that day.  I have a regular carrier, and I do not have to schedule pick up, We worked out a signal (a brightly colored sleeve I slip over the out going mail flag on my box) so she knows there are packages waiting on the porch. (talk to your carrier and arange where packages will be left)  That saves me time and gas especially during the Holiday season. 

[sam9876]

Why would you ever buy a box?

[rosewood85]

Very helpful info!  I noticed eBay pre-selected First Class for most of my items.  Can I use a free Priority box with First Class postage, or do I need to purchase Priority postage?  If I need to use Priority postage, should I switch the mailing method in my active listings to Priority?  Or would buyers mind if I switch after they have purchased?  I would think not since it appears to be better or about the same service as First Class.

[rosewood85]

Are Priority Mail boxes free at the post office?

[sam9876]

If you can create a package that weighs less than 16 ounces in your own packaging, you should use First Class.

[sam9876]

Get free boxes here:

https://store.usps.com/store/results/shipping-supplies/_/N-7d0v8v

[rixstuff]

Also consider that you get a discount from Ebay for shipping charges.  I have a postal clerk who freaks out and ALWAYS wants to charge me more when I use an Ebay label - even when it is correct. If you put in the weight and dimensions before printing the label you should be fine.

[fern*wood]

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@rosewood85 wrote:

Are Priority Mail boxes free at the post office?

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Yes, but usually the types are limited.  They are easy and free to order---plus they get shipped right to your door.

[sharingtheland]

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@rosewood85 wrote:

Very helpful info!  I noticed eBay pre-selected First Class for most of my items.  Can I use a free Priority box with First Class postage, or do I need to purchase Priority postage?  If I need to use Priority postage, should I switch the mailing method in my active listings to Priority?  Or would buyers mind if I switch after they have purchased?  I would think not since it appears to be better or about the same service as First Class.

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 - No, you cannot use a Priority box for First Class shipping.

 - Get a postal scale.

 - You currently don't have anything listed that will require super thought on packaging size and weight

 - If you upgrade to Priority and the listing says First Class, no buyer will be upset

 - If you are unsure of Priority vs First Class, you can use Standard Shipping in the listing

 - Get a postal scale

 - Have boxes on hand for your items, ahead of time

 - The savings is more than 45 cents

 - After a while you'll get the hang of it - I've never had a postage due situation and I don't stand in line at the post       office

 - Get a postal scale

[a_c_green]

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@rosewood85 wrote:

Very helpful info!  I noticed eBay pre-selected First Class for most of my items.  Can I use a free Priority box with First Class postage, or do I need to purchase Priority postage?  If I need to use Priority postage, should I switch the mailing method in my active listings to Priority?  Or would buyers mind if I switch after they have purchased?  I would think not since it appears to be better or about the same service as First Class.

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Right, but if the package is 15.999 ounces or less, First Class Package will get it there just fine; no difference in time vs. Priority postage on the same item. For domestic packages of 1 pound and up, Priority Mail will give you the same delivery times; Parcel Select is slower. Think of Priority Mail as First Class for heavier packages.

First Class Package must use your own box. Priority Mail boxes must have corresponding Priority Mail labels on them, although you can use your own boxes instead for non-Flat Rate Priority Mail.

If using Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, you must use the corresponding PM Flat Rate label for each. Avoid Flat Rate boxes for light items or you'll probably overpay your postage to get it there.

[skatefool]

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@rosewood85 wrote:

Very helpful info!  I noticed eBay pre-selected First Class for most of my items.  Can I use a free Priority box with First Class postage, or do I need to purchase Priority postage?  If I need to use Priority postage, should I switch the mailing method in my active listings to Priority?  Or would buyers mind if I switch after they have purchased?  I would think not since it appears to be better or about the same service as First Class.

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I'll chime in to what the others have said....

Never use Priority boxes for non-Priority shipping... USPS or otherwise !!! 

You can use any kind of box for Priority... but Priority Mail boxes may ONLY be used for Priority, even if you have a used  Priority box.  Priority flat-rate boxes must be used for flat-rate.  Non flat-rate Priority boxes will NOT be accepted for flat-rate.

Buyers won't care if you upgrade shipping to Priority after the purchase, but never  drop your service level from what you have specified in the listing.

 If you plan to use Priority mail, change your listing to reflect it. 

Flat-rate Priority is the same price to ship anywhere within the US, non-flat-rate will be more expensive to distant places the farther it goes, so be sure to price that cost into your shipping charge.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes can also only be used with RR labels.

We need to stop leaving those out, they're a great deal for some shipments. Much more useful than the Flat Rate boxes (although that may change at the end of the month).