eBay

bs_stuff · ‎01-06-2022

I listed an item yesterday with calculated shipping costs based on weight, package size.

A buyer made an offer today and i accepted it.

I sent an invoice and the shipping costs jumped up from what he saw. He sent me the screen captures; offer and invoice.

it went from approximately $23 to $33 from the offer time to the invoice time. I'm not sure what happened. the address looks the same... and i don't think i changed anything...

i suspect there is a loose nut on the keyboard (that would be me), but i don't even know where to begin to look for the problem.

it isn't about the money, i will charge him only what it costs to ship it, or what he saw when he made the offer.

I just want to explain it to him and see where the problem is so i don't make the mistake again....

nobody*s_perfect · ‎01-06-2022

@bs_stuff wrote:... was wondering about what happens between 'offer' and 'invoice' date/time. and perhaps if the system "freezes" the calculated shipping costs once a day or something like that.....
it was a good point about "dont send and invoice unless you have to"... a subtle thing i forgot.
i couldnt even reconcile the shipping cost on listing i first made to the offer costs to the invoice costs; all three are different....

The shipping calculator never freezes. Whether it's in a listing or on the label purchase form, the shipping calculator (for USPS anyway) shows whatever rates are in effect at that moment, even after the listing ends. If your buyer pays for an item on January 8 and you purchase the USPS shipping label on January 9, then they will pay the old rate and you will pay the new rate.

When a buyer is making their payment, there's a "change" link so they can change the name and/or address that the package is sent to. Of course, this will often change the shipping cost, since it will be adjusted to charge the correct amount for the new address.

When a seller sends an invoice, that freezes the shipping cost at whatever price they entered on the invoice; if the buyer changes the address as part of the payment process, then the invoiced amount might be too low or too high.

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nobody*s_perfect · ‎01-06-2022

We can probably help if you provide specific details, including package weight and dimensions, service used (e.g., Priority Mail?), both ZIP Codes, and both exact prices. And the listing number would help, too.

wastingtime101 · ‎01-06-2022

The first question is: why did you send an invoice @bs_stuff? There's absolutely no reason to send an invoice unless you need to make a price or shipping adjustment. Buyers can pay directly from their purchase page or by clicking on a link in the e-mail from eBay. eBay also sends payment reminders. Sending an invoice firmly locks in the pricing, so potentially a buyer could change their address when they pay to a zone that's much further away and the difference in shipping would cost you a bundle.

This is going to be a difficult one to address without more info, particularly because it's UPS not USPS. We can give it our best shot if you provide some more details such as:

Package dimensions

Package weight

Ship to zip code

Ship from zip code

Original shipping price the buyer saw

New shipping price when you sent the invoice

There are several possibilities including the buyer having a different zip code in their search settings therefore seeing a different rate, including you adjusting shipping on the invoice without realizing it, including the buyer's registered address and shipping address being different and the list goes on.

GLORIOUS!

snowcakevintage · ‎01-06-2022

USPS fees have just increased as well.

Priority Mail Express will see a rate increase of 4.3% for Commercial Base (online postage) in 2022, with rates will starting at $23.50 (previously $22.75).
Priority Mail will see a rate increase of 2.7% for Commercial Base (online postage) in 2022, with rates starting at $7.37 (previously $7.16).
First Class Package Service will see a rate increase of 7.4% for Commercial Base (online postage) in 2022, with rates starting at $3.37 (previously at $3.01).
Parcel Select Ground will see a rate decrease of 12.1% for Commercial Base (online postage) in 2022, with rates starting at $7.22 (previously $7.01).
Media Mail rates will increase by 12.1% in 2022. Rates will start at $3.19 (previously $2.89).

nobody*s_perfect · ‎01-06-2022

USPS new rates go into effect on January 9.

https://pe.usps.com/resources/PriceChange/January%202022%20-%20Notice123.pdf

https://www.prc.gov/docs/120/120190/Notice%20CP2022-22.pdf

mtgraves7984 · ‎01-06-2022

I just want to explain it to him and see where the problem is so i don't make the mistake again....

@bs_stuff

For what it's worth, s&h pricing mishaps are usually the seller's error. No need to explain it to your buyer (or to invoice your buyer, for that matter... eBay does that), but it's good that you want to learn. My guess is that you miscalculated the weight or dimensions of your package. Upward and onward and all...

bs_stuff · ‎01-06-2022

I accept the fact that i am the person (seller) who screwed this up....

most responses are helpful as i am trying to learn....

i knew the shipping prices for some carriers were going to change. but it isn't jan. 9th yet.....

i was wondering about what happens between 'offer' and 'invoice' date/time. and perhaps if the system "freezes" the calculated shipping costs once a day or something like that.....

it was a good point about "dont send and invoice unless you have to"... a subtle thing i forgot.

i couldnt even reconcile the shipping cost on listing i first made to the offer costs to the invoice costs; all three are different.

i seem to remember starting the listing from a similar one and changing most of it. perhaps i missed the weight, package size, etc.

Like i said, I am probably the person who screwed the pooch on this one.

i appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions.

wastingtime101 · ‎01-06-2022

@bs_stuff wrote:
perhaps if the system "freezes" the calculated shipping costs once a day or something like that.....

Absolutely not.