Choosing a better shipping method after the buyer paid.

[ikbenliam]

I have a quick question. Today I got my first sale, and the shipping method I offered and the buyer chose was USPS Media Mail. However, when I select "print shipping label" on eBay, there are many shipping methods that I can use to ship the product. There was an option for USPS First class mail, which shipped a lot faster than USPS Media mail, but only costs about 40 cents more. I am willing to spend an extra 40 cents so that the buyer can get the product quicker. If I do choose the more expensive shipping method, that wouldn't charge the buyer extra right? Should I choose the faster shipping method, or should I go with the original method the buyer chose? Thank you very much! 🙂

[chinohighcowboys1963 · Accepted solution]

If you want to upgrade the shipping, that’s fine. No, the buyer won’t be charged the extra amount.

[ikbenliam]

Thank you! 🙂

[mod-designs4u]

Hello. No, the buyer won't be charged extra for the shipping cost per the shipping method "you" select. The buyer has already paid for the shipping cost based on the shipping method "he" selected. If I were in the same situation I would just ship it out Media Mail. Indeed, paying .40 cents more is a pittance and your buyer would receive the item faster. It could be possible that the buyer "wants" delayed shipping for some reason (on vacation, porch pirates, etc.). The only time I consider changing a shipping method is when the buyer has a P.O. box for a shipping address and FedEx is the shipping method (FedEx Ground won't deliver to a P.O. box). I usually only offer one shipping method on my listings (the least expensive - USPS or FedEx) so there's less confusion on the cost and estimated arrival time. IMO, buyers are more likely to just use the default shipping method without exploring all the available shipping options.

When I list my items I compare the shipping cost after entering the weight and dimensions of the parcel. It will give you the estimated shipping cost for the West Coast, Middle America and the East Coast. I select either USPS or FedEx based on the cost estimate. It used to be that I shipped my light and middle weight parcels USPS and my large/heavy parcels FedEx. However, due to the habitual raising of shipping fees by the USPS I've been shipping more light and middle weight parcels FedEx Ground or FedEx SmartPost.   

[ikbenliam]

Thanks! 🙂

[discountdeals_1]

Make sure you understand Media mail fully. I was using it for things that technically didn’t qualify for the service, but thought it did!

[nobody*s_perfect]

As a previous poster tactfully hinted: Video games cannot be shipped via Media Mail.

Here's the official ruling:

https://pe.usps.com/text/csr/PS-334.htm