A few quick Shipping questions

[cardswithrob]

Hello community,

I am new to selling and wanted to ask a couple of quick questions. I've done my research but just wanted to clarify on a few things!

If the listing says USPS Parcel Select Package but I switch it to a faster shipping USPS Priority Mail Package is that considered ok? It is only .10 more to do so.

When you list an item do you find significantly more luck to do faster shipping? I've been experimenting with this but don't have enough volume yet to make a conclusion. To sum this up, is it worth to list every item USPS Priority over the slower shipping times?

Last one, this one might be obvious. I've found mixed answers for this though. Can I ship an item in a Priority mail box when the service is USPS Parcel Select Package. Again might be obvious, but I watched a video where the guy said it didn't matter.

I appreciate everyone, thank you!

Robert

[cardswithrob]

Here is a visual for my first question.

[kensgiftshop · Accepted solution]

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@cardswithrob wrote:

If the listing says USPS Parcel Select Package but I switch it to a faster shipping USPS Priority Mail Package is that considered ok? It is only .10 more to do so.

When you list an item do you find significantly more luck to do faster shipping? I've been experimenting with this but don't have enough volume yet to make a conclusion. To sum this up, is it worth to list every item USPS Priority over the slower shipping times?

Can I ship an item in a Priority mail box when the service is USPS Parcel Select Package. Again might be obvious, but I watched a video where the guy said it didn't matter.

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If the listing has standard shipping, you can ship it priority.

If it has priority, you can not ship it standard.

You can upgrade shipping, but not downgrade.

If you use a priority mail box, you have to pay priority mail shipping.

[klhmdg]

I list with Parcel Select 1st and then the option of Priority.

Most people use an App and I found that the App does not always show the cheapest or will only show the 1st option.

I have more sale with the cheaper shipping option 1st.

As for using a Priority box for Regular shipping.... big no no!

Even if you turn it inside out and retape if the PO finds out you will be billed and the buyer can also report you.

I was even told not to re-use old Priority boxes that have already been used.

Good Luck!

[cardswithrob]

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated!

[cardswithrob]

Glad I didn't do that! I will keep this information in mind, thank you!

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@cardswithrob wrote: .... Can I ship an item in a Priority mail box when the service is USPS Parcel Select Package. Again might be obvious, but I watched a video where the guy said it didn't matter....

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Don't watch any more of the videos by that guy. Don't believe everything you see on the internet.  As noted in the other post, you absolutely cannot use Priority Mail boxes for other services.  Not even if you wrap them in brown paper, turn them inside out, or use used ones. It's actually printed right on the box.

[divwido]

for this, yes. My goal is to get the item there as soon as possible. Priority can be two days or maybe three. Parcel Select is very slow and costs slightly more money-so yes, this is OK.

[cardswithrob]

Thank you everyone for all your help.

Any idea on why medium flat rate service isn't an option? This isn't a huge deal as I can just use my own box, but just curious!

[cardswithrob]

Answered my own question. Thanks once again for all your advice it helps a lot when you're a new seller. (:

[kensgiftshop]

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@cardswithrob wrote:

Any idea on why medium flat rate service isn't an option?

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It's there, just takes a couple more clicks to find it sometimes.

On the shipping page, click carrier packaging (I think that's what it's called).

It should show all the options for USPS boxes, just scroll down until you find it.

[myboardid]

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@cardswithrob wrote:

Thank you everyone for all your help.

Any idea on why medium flat rate service isn't an option? This isn't a huge deal as I can just use my own box, but just curious!

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You can't use any old box for flat rate shipping, no matter the size.  You MUST use the specific flat rate box for the size you want to pay for. 

Also, regarding Parcel Select vs Priority - I always charge parcel select but upgrade to Priority at no extra charge.  For extra large or very heavy boxes, Parcel Select is great.  At that point, the price difference is substantial.  And Retail Ground (the Parcel Select you buy over the Post Office counter) can be cheaper for oversized packages traveling to zone 5 or farther.

Note - all this will probably change when they announce new rates in January. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

Yes, the new rates for January will have a dimensional weight for Retail Ground too.

[mobley120]

Something else you might want to research: on mid to large size packages other carriers' "such as UPS" rates might not be as costly as USPS's rates; I have found UPS to be 20% less expensive on larger packages.

To upgrade your means of shipping, is a plus for the buyer and such is a good thing, no probs.

Faster shipping is a good thing too, and such will be reflected in the feedback that you'll receive. But you'll have to come to terms with what you might need for a "no pressure" handling time.

Last question is just as you said obvious, No, you absolutely can not use priority boxes for nothing else but priority postal labeling. And flat rate postal labeling has to match its designated package.

And If you haven't done so, it'd be wise to sign-up with carriers' websites of your choice, plus USPS’s website, as you can get free priority boxes from USPS and also you can read the do's and do not's of shipping.

And if you’re a new member of eBay, “although many fail to do this” it'd be wise to thoroughly read eBay's TOS, there is a section in it that you are given a choice whether to opted-out or accept. And that choice doesn't prevent you from being an eBay seller or buyer, nor a member of eBay.

[buyselljack2016]

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@cardswithrob wrote:

Thank you everyone for all your help.

Any idea on why medium flat rate service isn't an option? This isn't a huge deal as I can just use my own box, but just curious!

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Flat rate boxes are sometimes a great value, but sometimes they are not. Sometimes cost more for short distance, or lighter weight.

You may want to "bookmark" the USPS web site rate fold (notice 123) to compare rates even if you are using calculated shipping.

This is the current one:

https://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/Notice123.pdf

Proposed for Jan 2020

https://pe.usps.com/resources/PriceChange/January%202020%20-%20Notice123.pdf