Any way to change shipping method after sale?

[irlandaise]

I sold a souvenir postcard with free shipping and just went to generate a mailing lable for it. I'm sending it (with additional protection) in a greeting-card-sized envelope. My cheapest option for postage is for a First Class Mail Package, which is over $2.50 for a 2oz mailing. It appears that I correctly chose "Letter" as the package type when I created the listing, but I think I made a mistake by choosing "USPS First Class Package" as the shipping method. It was the only option I saw that said "First Class," but I guess it really is just for packages. Is "USPS Retail Ground" what I would think of as "First Class Letter"?

I'll change the information for future sales, but in the meantime, is there any way I can get eBay's label generator to offer me postage for a standard letter for the item I need to mail out now? If not, I think I'll forego the tracking option and just put 2oz worth of regular stamps on the envelope.

[thatisrathernice]

You shouldn't really sell items on ebay without a tracking number. It is for your protection as without a tracking number there is no proof you even sent the item. 

As far as changing the shipping always ship the same class of mail stated in your listing. USPS Retail Ground starts at $6.65 and is for larger items you wouldnt want to send priority due to cost. First class mail is for just about the same items you would put a stamp on except it comes with tracking. I believe you chose the right option.

See more here: https://www.usps.com/ship/mail-shipping-services.htm

[missjen831]

You can't buy that kind of label from ebay. You can only buy a tracked first class package label I believe. And NO retail ground is NOT first class letter either. 

[irlandaise]

So even though I chose "Letter" as the package type, it is in fact not possible to generate an eBay label for a First Class Mail letter and I have to use First Class Mail package postage?

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

That is partly correct -- online prepaid labels are for packages ONLY, which includes tracking. But you can offer First Class Mail (non-machinable letter) and Priority Mail (FRE) if you wish. I do it all the time!

If you wish to send the item as a non-machinable letter, just hand-write the name and address on the envelope (or type a label in Word), affix a stamp, and drop it in the outgoing mail. The NM surcharge is $0.21.

I regularly send postcard orders (up to 3 cards) in a #11 envelope lined with light cardboard; each card is sleeved and also backed with card stock. (Poster board or scraps from recycled file folders are ideal.) The result weighs 2 oz. and I affix a 3 oz. stamp, currently $0.91. That's $0.49 letter + $0.21 second ounce + $0.21 NM surcharge.

My postcard listings include multiple classes of mail so the buyer can choose. Using the fixed-rate option, I specify FCP for a trackable FC package, Standard for an NM letter and Priority Mail FRE. I type in the dollar amounts I wish to charge. I don't bother with "letter" and just leave it as "package/thick envelope" with a weight of 2 oz. The designation affects nothing because no calculation is involved.

~~C~~

[rixstuff]

It will come out about the same price if you put a regular stamp on it and pay for tracking separately so go ahead and use the first class 2 oz package label.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Tracking is NOT AVAILABLE for letters! The shape and size of the envelope dictates the class of mail. For packages, tracking is FREE so the OP cannot pay for tracking.

OP, either void the label and affix stamps OR use a rigid envelope that is thicker than 1/4 inch. That makes it a package -- but it might weigh more than 2 oz.

~~C~~

[partial*eclipse]

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@rixstuff wrote:

It will come out about the same price if you put a regular stamp on it and pay for tracking separately so go ahead and use the first class 2 oz package label.

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No, that's not how it works.

If you put an ebay package label on your item which is actually a letter (and which is thus not eligible for tracking) then your buyer's Post Office could upgrade it to Priority  Mail, and charge your buyer several dollars' in Postage Due.

You cannot print your letter postage on eBay, and you cannot purchase tracking for it at the PO.  USPS does not provide tracking for letters or flats (AKA Large envelopes).  USPS provides free tracking for all package postage, including First Class.  eBay sells labels only for packages, not for letters or flats.

Just put a couple of stamps on your letter and drop it in the mailbox.  ebay does not require tracking, and it's not cost-effective for many smaller items.

[partial*eclipse]

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duchess-at-speakeasy wrote: ...  OR use a rigid envelope that is thicker than 1/4 inch. That makes it a package -- but it might weigh more than 2 oz....

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Online postage for a First Class package is $2.61 for any weight up to 4 ounces, so the extra weight wouldn't affect the postage cost.

[partial*eclipse]

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@irlandaise wrote:

So even though I chose "Letter" as the package type, it is in fact not possible to generate an eBay label for a First Class Mail letter and I have to use First Class Mail package postage?

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eBay will sell you labels for packages, but not for letters or flats.  You do not have to mail your item as a package, you can mail it as a letter but you just won't be able to purchase that postage through eBay.

[mr_lincoln]

@irlandaise The cheapest cost for a First Class package that has tracking is $ 2.77 - 8 ounces of less and you can print that through eBay's labeling portal.  And by "package" you can use a bubble pack envelope plus your item and it will still most likley be under the 8 oz.  We've done that more than once without issue or rejection of it NOT being a "package".  We'll even add a piece of cardboard inside to stiffen it for shipping.  eBay aside, the USPS has different thickness measurements they use to determine if a piece of mail like that can go through one of their automatic sorting machines or not.   I have watched them measure this on other customer's items at the counter.  I believe they even have posters about all of this stuck on the wall in most post offices ...

[partial*eclipse]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

@irlandaise The cheapest cost for a First Class package that has tracking is $ 2.77 - 8 ounces of less and you can print that through eBay's labeling portal. ......

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@mr_lincoln

eBay's postage cost for a First Class package is $2.61 for up to 4 ounces, and $2.77 for 5 - 8 ounces.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

O M G ! 

There is no First Class "minimum rate" for up to 8 oz.  Gah!!!

FCP up to 4 oz. costs $2.61 and FCM up to 3 oz. costs $2.67.   The weight printed on the label should match the actual weight, although as long as the cost is the same it shouldn't matter.   But we all know how PO clerks like to argue about FCP vs. FCM!

~~C~~

[mr_lincoln]

@partial*eclipse

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@partial*eclipse wrote:

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

@irlandaise The cheapest cost for a First Class package that has tracking is $ 2.77 - 8 ounces of less and you can print that through eBay's labeling portal. ......

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@mr_lincoln

eBay's postage cost for a First Class package is $2.61 for up to 4 ounces, and $2.77 for 5 - 8 ounces.

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Thanks ...

[irlandaise]

"You cannot print your letter postage on eBay, and you cannot purchase tracking for it at the PO.  USPS does not provide tracking for letters or flats (AKA Large envelopes).  USPS provides free tracking for all package postage, including First Class.  eBay sells labels only for packages, not for letters or flats."

If I buy postage and tracking from eBay, does the mailing have to LOOK like a package, or can it look like a letter? Can I send small, flat items in regular envelopes but call them packages for the purpose of buying postage from eBay and having them tracked by USPS?