Changing Postage Values

[ny_packrat_1]

Hello. I just got back into selling and am having a problem with shipping labels. I am selling some small items that fit in a 9 x 6 envelope with a weight of 2 to 3 ounces I listed the item with Free Shipping. When I go to print a shipping label there is no option for an envelope and it automatically figures postage between $3.50 - $4.50 no matter what value I put in for measurements. Actual Postage directly thru the Post Office is $ .68. Anybody have an idea how I can change Postage Values?

[1786davycrockett]

@ny_packrat_1 

Since eBay does not offer a discount on USPS First Class envelopes (except for the eBay Standard Envelope (ESE)), there is no option for printing First Class postage -- you purchase First Class postage directly at the post office.

However, there are certain items which can be shipped inside the ESE.

What are you attempting to mail?

[ny_packrat_1]

Thanks for your reply. I'm selling decals, stickers, postcards etc. Yes they are going First Class. Just trying to figure out why eBay figures such a high amount for shipping an envelope and i would like to be able to print a label with tracking as the Post Office will not add tracking to First Class. 

[1786davycrockett]

@ny_packrat_1 

Fortunately, decals, stickers & postcards can be shipped using the eBay Standard Envelope (ESE), and you CAN purchase discounted USPS First Class postage for the ESE at the time that you are about to print your eBay mailing label.  The option is for "eBay Standard Envelope," and you will probably get a "warning" message that the ESE is to be used ONLY for certain items.

You can use a standard #6 or #10 plain white envelope to mail your items, but the value of the items inside the ESE may not exceed $20.00 for a single item, or $50.00 for multiple items, and the thickness of the envelope can not exceed 1/4".

The easiest packing method is to trim 2 thin, flexible strips (using the material from a cereal box or a 12 pack of soda) that fit snugly inside a #6 or #10 envelope;  then place the item that you are shipping inside a thin glassine envelope or a penny sleeve -- anything thicker may get kicked out by the USPS automatic sorting machines -- and fit it between the two flexible strips.  Insert into the envelope; seal the envelope;  weigh the envelope;  include the rounded up measurements for the envelope; & run off your postage.  Trim off the excess label, and tape the label securely (all edges) to the envelope, and mail.

The ESE also comes with eBay insurance, as well as metered mail "tracking" (which is NOT the same as regular USPS Tracking, but slightly similar).  Mail your ESEs by going to your post office, and dropping the ESEs into the "Metered Mail" slot in the post office lobby. 

Do NOT hand the ESEs to the USPS counter employees or USPS Delivery drivers, and expect them to "scan" the "tracking" number -- the "tracking" number can ONLY be scanned at a USPS Distribution Center, and NOT at a local post office.  And some USPS employees seem to believe that eBay is running a scam, and that the ESE is not legitimate USPS business metered mail.

The "tracking" scans may show delays in "acceptance" and "delivery," as well.  The initial scan may not appear for a day or so, since the scan can only be done at a USPS Distribution Center, and there may be delays if mailed on a Friday, or during a three-day holiday weekend.  Same situation for the delivery of the ESEs.

Finally, when the ESE receives a "Delivered" scan, that ONLY means that the ESE has been received by the post office matching the ZIP Code of the buyer's address -- the actual delivery to the buyer may take several more days, especially if the "Delivered" scan was made on a Friday, or during a three-day holiday weekend.  So warn your buyer not to be too concerned about that "Delivered" message, if their mailbox is still empty -- it's REALLY on its way!

Many eBay sellers (myself included) have been using the ESE for years, without any problems or complaints from buyers; and, if you are very careful in how you prepare your ESEs, and in how you actually MAIL your ESEs, you will probably discover that they will work out fine for you, too.

Here is the eBay information page about the ESE:

https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/choosing-a-carrier-and-service/ebay-standard-envelope

[ny_packrat_1]

Thank You very much. I found it on the Buy Postage Page. This has been driving me crazy. One more question. If these are not going to be scanned at the Post Office when dropped off can they just be put in any Mailbox or do they still have to be dropped at counter.

[1786davycrockett]

@ny_packrat_1 

As I had previously written, the ESEs should be dropped into the "Metered Mail" slot in the lobby of most post offices -- leaving the ESEs with a USPS counter employee is occasionally a problem (or even "asking for trouble"), as many USPS counter employees don't recognize the ESE as being standard business metered mail, and the counter worker will attempt to force you to purchase additional First Class postage to cover the difference in postage -- and there have been several previous threads regarding counter employees and USPS supervisors who have refused to accept ESEs at all!

So it's safest to just use the "Metered Mail" slot, where the ESEs will be mixed in with other USPS business metered mail throughout the day.

At the end of the day, all this accumulated metered mail is gathered up, and sent to the next USPS Distribution Center, where this separated mail is automatically sent into the automatic, high-speed sorting machines, and will receive its initial scan -- which is important for several reasons:  it is the sellers' proof that the ESE is actually on its way to the buyer, and it is also all the proof that the seller is required to have for filing an eBay insurance claim, in cases where the ESE becomes "lost" in the system.  (Note that the insurance is through eBay -- not USPS.)

The alternative methods of mailing an ESE -- leaving them in a residential mailbox, or dropping them off in a USPS "blue-box," or handing them to a USPS delivery driver, or adding them to the business mail where you work -- will probably delay the ESE from being delivered, as it will be mixed in with other non-metered mail, and will necessitate undergoing additional sorting procedures at the USPS Distribution Centers.

Additionally, by using these alternative mailing methods, the ESE may be delayed additionally if the ESEs are not delivered back to the branch post office in time for the afternoon shipment of mail to the USPS Distribution Center -- the ESEs might sit overnight at that post office, and won't be sent to the Distribution Center until late the next day, or even later -- and there have been several recorded instances where mail has been left sitting inside a USPS delivery driver's truck over an entire weekend!

Using the ESE can be tricky, as you can see.  But, if you are well aware of how USPS handles different sorts of mail, and of how the mail makes its way through the USPS system, you can make the ESEs work for you, just as they are working for many other eBay sellers.