Changing from first class to ground advantage

[evry1nositswindy]

I am still working on changing all of my listings that offer first class shipping to ground advantage.  It's taking me a long time, because it isn't just changing the shipping type.  In every one of my listings, I have a statement at the end that says FREE FIRST CLASS SHIPPING with tracking IN THE US.  Ships from my non-smoking home in the US.  Thank you for looking.   There are 2 paragraphs after this so I can't just do a bulk edit.

So now I have to go into each listing and change that to FREE GROUND ADVANTAGE (formerly first class) SHIPPING with tracking IN THE US.  Ships from my non-smoking home in the US.   Thank you for looking. 

Then I have to delete the service, add the new service, and tick with box for free shipping.  Even with copy and paste, this takes a long time because I have to go into each listing. 

Does it really matter??  When my item sells, I choose ground and it works just fine.  Do we all need to change the shipping from first class to ground on the listing when we can choose that when we print the label?

[1786davycrockett]

@evry1nositswindy 

There is still no clarity on this, from either eBay or USPS.

One of the earlier suggestions (from eBay) was that First Class package listings that had not been changed by a specific date, would eventually be changed by eBay to "shipping not specified -- contact the seller," or some such language.

This seems to be more a continuing issue with eBay, rather than USPS, since the eBay shipping labels have now converted to USPS Ground Advantage, with the option for USPS First Class packages "grayed" out.

I guess the only way all of us will know for sure, is when we reach the eBay mandated deadline, which I thought I had read was near the end of October (someone correct me, please, if I'm wrong!).

[ryanrobyn]

I have several stores and have changed nothing. When an item sells Ebay just automatically changes it.

[wastingtime101]

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@evry1nositswindy wrote:

I am still working on changing all of my listings that offer first class shipping to ground advantage.  It's taking me a long time, because it isn't just changing the shipping type.  In every one of my listings, I have a statement at the end that says FREE FIRST CLASS SHIPPING with tracking IN THE US.  Ships from my non-smoking home in the US.  Thank you for looking.   There are 2 paragraphs after this so I can't just do a bulk edit.

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Yes, you can @evry1nositswindy . All you have to do is find and replace 2 words.

Select all listings, pull into bulk editor.

Select all listings in bulk editor.

Click on bulk edit -> item description

Select "Find text and replace it"

In "Find what" enter FIRST CLASS

In "Replace with" enter GROUND ADVANTAGE

Apply changes.

Then submit all listings to save the updates.

Any listing that still has FIRST CLASS in the desc will be updated to GROUND ADVANTAGE with just a few clicks.

Updating shipping is separate from updating the description, but that can also be done with bulk edit.

[lamber9347]

I had the same problem and went item by item myself. I took the opportunity to update my listings, changed out some photos, created new ones, updated descriptions, changed some prices, and overall made good updates to each and every one of my listings. So, while it took me a full week, it was actually beneficial to me. I ended up selling many items which had been listed with little to no views and I do believe my changes led to these sales.

I even pulled a few listings, compiled similar items together to create small lots, and sold every single one of those. In the end it cost me a week of work, but I sold so many 'older' listed items that it turned into a great selling experience for me. I never would have done this had ground advantage not changed so I turned it into a positive for me....

[evry1nositswindy]

Wow @wastingtime101 I didn't know that!  Would it be case specific?  I should have asked sooner because I have been at it off and on all day.  I have 26 categories that have some first class listings.

Let me ask you another question.  Is there any way to sort my listings by note?   On each listing, I added a note as to the location of my item.  I would love to be able to pull up all the listings that have note A1 and then go to that shelf to be sure everything is there.  

[wastingtime101]

1. I don't know if case specific as I never had to test it. My text was always consistent so F&R was always straightforward for me.

You could run a test with two listings in bulk edit - intentionally mismatch case to see if change is made or not.

2. Sorry, no way to sort or filter by note that I'm aware of. Custom SKU, yes. Note, no.

[evry1nositswindy]

I have never used custom SKU @wastingtime101 .  Where do you see that information?  I need to see it when it sells, as this tells me where to go and find the item.  Would it be visible on the orders page?  I would take the time to change every single listing if that was the case.

[wastingtime101]

Custom label (SKU) is on the listing form under title/category area.

It is visible on the Seller Hub orders page with every item that sells.

It is visible on the Seller Hub active listings page if you customize the table and add Custom label SKU - and once you add it to your customized view you can sort by that column.

I believe you cannot use the exact same custom SKU for more than one item, so if you are labeling inventory location like A1 maybe your custom SKU would be A1 - 1 and A1 - 2, etc - with the last number meaning nothing at all since all you need is A1.

[evry1nositswindy]

Thanks for the info, but with needing different numbers, I cannot sort by shelf ID since there are numerous items on one shelf.  I would need to sort by A1 and then see all 30+ books on that shelf.   Good info though! @wastingtime101