Cheapest Shipping Option for a 2.0-ounce package

[notyourmommaspanties]

Hello,

I used to sell on eBay like 5 years ago and I have just recently returned and shipping is very different! I sell individual women's underwear and put them in small padded envelopes & when it's packaged, 1 pair & packaging weighs like 1.4-ounes... Years ago, I could print a first class package shipping label and complete the sale... Now that I started back up, I chose 'First Class' when I created the listing and since I was posting the item for $7.50 with free shipping, (shipping costs $2.xx), and posted my items... Fast forward & I sold a pair of boyshorts, for $7.50 and when I go to print the label, the cheapest option is USPS Ground Advantage costing $4.xx to ship a 2-ounce item? I spoke to someone at eBay, who said I can go on USPS.com & purchase a first class label & return to eBay to upload the tracking information... I created a USPS.com account & tried to print a label - but it only has USPS Ground Advantage - once again at $4.xx... Furthermore,  USPS does not offer tracking information for First Class packages... I honestly do not mind paying the $4.xx just to complete the sale, but if that's the cheapest shipping option, I need to refigure my prices... Does anyone have any suggestion, please? Thanks!   #NervousEbaySeller

[1786davycrockett]

@notyourmommaspanties 

A couple years ago, USPS First Class Packages and USPS Parcel Select were combined into USPS Ground Advantage; so that's going to be your least expensive method of shipping, especially if you want tracking.

Lots of new USPS changes have occurred during the past few years (including today -- January 19) -- and very likely many more to come.

Better buckle up.

[kensgiftshop]

There is no more First Class packages, it's Ground Advantage or Priority Mail with USPS.

Ground Advantage is the cheapest you're going to get with tracking.

[fm2000]

The cost to ship small, lightweight packages like that has gone up dramatically in the last few years. It really costs over $4 to ship a package like that now, a 12 oz package can easily cost over $5 and 12-15.9 package can be over $6, almost $7 cross country to zip codes with a (newly introduced) remote ZIP code surcharge.

The prices you pay on eBay for shipping are cheaper than you can get at usps.com or at the post office, so you should buy them on eBay (eBay has the base commercial rate instead of the retail rate.)

[nobody*s_perfect]

---

@notyourmommaspanties wrote: ,,, put them in small padded envelopes & when it's packaged, 1 pair & packaging weighs like 1.4-ounes... Years ago, I could print a first class package shipping label ... I spoke to someone at eBay, who said I can go on USPS.com & purchase a first class label & return to eBay to upload the tracking information...  

---

As usual, eBay customer support is giving out misinformation. As noted above, USPS no longer has a service called "First Class package."

Your padded envelope with a small garment inside can be mailed as a First Class flat (AKA Large envelope). Postage cost for 2 ounces is $1.77.  There's no tracking, so you have to weigh the postage savings against the risk of fake "Item not received" claims. eBay doesn't sell postage labels for First Class letters or flats, so you'll have to purchase postage at the Post Office, or just put stamps on.

[aspme]

USPS ground advantage price is the same up to 4oz.  you could ship 2 maybe 3 for the same cost. maybe reconsider selling singles, and sell them in lots of 2 or 3?  priced accordingly