Availability of regional rate b shipping with USPS

[provider48]

I am looking for best shipping option on a smaller package.  I noted that Ebay has a regional rate A shipping option, but I don't see a regional rate B option in my drop down menu.  Does anyone know why this is the case?  Thought I would try this medium vs going to Ebay customer support. Anyone? Thank you  

[nobody*s_perfect]

eBay only recently added the Regional A box as an option for sellers to use when setting up their listings.  But eBay has offered the option to purchase postage for the Regional A AND B boxes since shortly after they were introduced.

For years, eBay resisted adding those options and sellers didn't make much fuss about it because the workaround was easy: The rate for the "A" boxes was the same as the regular zoned rate for a 2-pound box, and the "B" box rate was the same as for a 4-pound box (and later raised to match the 5-pound rate).  Then the new rates for 2019 no longer had that convenient matchup, so the pressure increased.

After all that history, I have to say I have no idea why eBay didn't add the "B" boxes at the same time as they added "A".  The postage cost for "B" is now a little bit more than the online rate for 5 pounds, and less than the retail rate for 5 pounds, so you can still use a workaround that way when setting up your listings. Note that this does mess up calculated shipping for international packages, though.

[pooh333piglet]

Keep in mind that often a Medium flat rate box is less cost than Box B. I do use it every once in awhile but use Rate A like I drink water. I end up using the Medium flat rate when I thought I might use B as I see it's a lower cost 

[nobody*s_perfect]

Yes, the Medium FRB is cheaper than the Regional "B" for Zones 6 and beyond.

[provider48]

Thank you.  I was looking at regional rates and they looked to offer a considerable savings for shipments in closer regions.  Not sure I understand your "workaround".  I have a USPS account and can purchase online from that. What concerned me was the volume requirement which I have not achieved although I have done hundreds of shipments over my time as an Ebay member.  I will have to check with my post office.  I was guessing that Ebay was able to offer this because of their clout with the post office.  I am impressed with the response I received using this member forum. Thankyou to you and the others who responded. I am a believer. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

There is no "volume requirement."

With both of the Regional boxes: The farther you ship, the more you save.

The "workaround" dates back to when the postage cost for the Regional boxes was the same as one of the weight-based rates and there was no option to set up the eBay shipping calculator to offer either Regional box.  The rate for the "A" box was the same as the regular zoned price for 2 pounds, so  if you set up calculated shipping for 2 pounds, then that was the rate for the Regional A too. Likewise, the rate for the "B" boxes matched the rate for 4 pounds. The current rates don't match any specific weight-based rate, so there's no easy way to fake the postage cost for the B boxes when steting up a listing with calculated shipping.

[american_cable_assemblies]

Check out https://www.pirateship.com and consider using their USPS Cubic Rates option, which prices packages up to 20 lbs based on zone and box size, up to 0.5 cubic feet (12x12x6, the size of a Priority Mail large flat rate box). The sizes are 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 cu. ft. There's also an option for using and sizing padded envelopes.

Cubic rates are *always* cheaper than every other Priority Mail rate except Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate boxes. They're always cheaper than Regional Rate boxes.