2025 Shipping cost for small items seem too highhigh

[eugene.e.bay]

I'm really confused about shipping costs seeming to be so high thru eBay but maybe I've just been out of the loop to long.  Years ago when I sold on ebay I would wrap a small item up, put it either in a tyvak envelope or small box, weigh it in at 8 or 10 ounces, ship it First Class with Delivery Confirmation and only pay $2 or $3 for it to go just about anywhere in the USA.  Now I'm offered only this new service called Ground Advantage which doesn't sound like much of an advantage to me.   Just to ship a small stuffed 8 oz. or so envelope costs around $5.  I don't even see First Class as an option.  I'm just really confused about the limited options.  I am just guessing at box sizes when I fill that part in when creating a listing.   Sometimes for my heavier items I think Priority Flat Rate boxes might be cheaper but I don't even see them offered.  Do I have to do my shipping thru ebay only now?  Seems like I read that somewhere here but not sure.  Can anyone clarify any of this for me or should I just shut up and pay whatever amount ebay says I should pay.  

[monica-sells]

kudos to you for even taking the time to understand shipping.....ignoring the options can ruin a perfectly good sale.....

the cost increases in the past few years from USPS (especially in the under 3 lb range) have been substantial. You need tracking, and to get that service you need to use a service class that offers tracking. The most common is Ground Advantage. "Flat Rate" pricing options are available at discounted rates through ebay shipping (as are all the classes of service). Oddly, you need to enter "specific dimensions" for the Priority Flat Rate prices to populate your choices. I don't have that handy, but I will find it.

You can choose to offer your customers retail or discounted shipping rates. Either way, you get the discounted rate when you pay.

Found the "Flat Rate" sizes

USPS Flat Rate Envelopes: 12x9x1
USPS Small Flat Rate Box: 8x5x1
USPS Med Flat Rate Box: 14x12x3 or 11x8x6
USPS Large Flat Rate Box: 12x12x6
eBay Standard Envelope: 11x6x0.25

[kensgiftshop]

Shipping has gone up quite a bit last couple years.

There is no more First Class packages, it's Ground Advantage now.

You can still use the Flat Rate boxes, but they've made it a little harder to find when you go to buy a label.

The box size makes a lot of difference now so be sure and enter the correct dimensions to get the correct shipping if you use calculated shipping.

No, you don't have to buy your labels through Ebay, you can buy them anywhere, just be sure to upload the tracking numbers to the orders.

[nobody*s_perfect]

A few years ago, USPS merged First Class packages and Parcel Select Ground (and Retail Ground)  into a service which is called Ground Advantage.  At the time of the name change, the rates for packages up to 1 pound did not change.  But since then there have been many rate increases, sometimes more than one per calendar year. So the jump in prices which you see is just a rate increase, independent of the new name.

You do not have to ship through eBay, but you won't find better overall rates anywhere.  Do not guess at box sizes, since eBay packages are eligible for excellent Cubic rates which are based on package volume.  The Priority Mail flat rate boxes are rarely the cheapest option, except for heavy items or large items over 2 pounds going to farther Zones. If you are not seeing flat rate boxes as an option when listing, enter the dimensions   as noted in an earlier post or set a flat price for shipping.

[buyselljack2016]

@eugene.e.bay 

The term "ground advantage" (GA) combined the services of 1st Class and Parcel Post for packages.

1st Class now refers to "letters" and "large envelopes". (items that do not have the characteristics of a package) (untracked in most instances) (could be certified, or insured but not basic tracking)

When combined into GA the former 1st Class "online package" prices remained basically the same, so your $2/$3 packages were at that time already a relic of the past. An 8 oz package has gone up about $1 in the past 5 years.

It is best to have a good idea of size and weight when listing an item. An ounce or an inch difference can cause an unexpected price jump when guessing/estimating.

[simba6]

Shipping has gone through the roof.   Shipping along with taxes is putting the squeeze on sellers to be sure.

[fm2000]

Shipping small items is too expensive, your observation is correct. The cost to ship such items has almost doubled since then. First Class Package is now called Ground Advantage (but still priced by 4 ounce increments). It also goes by ground now, instead of FCP which went by air. It also has zoned pricing now, and not flat rate pricing regardless of zone. We also get biannual increases which often include GA and we are also now hit with "seasonal surcharges". So compared to years ago, we are paying far more for less.

In most cases, the new Ground Advantage Cubic will beat Priority Flat Rate boxes and envelopes. (In this case, GA is the new name for Parcel Post, which is still priced by the pound.) This new service really helps when shipping small, heavy items.