First Class package and weight display

[sqid98-half]

When I am sending a First Class package less than 15 ( or 16 oz ? now )  I see ebay offers a rate

that looks like a flat rate, and also an option for a calculated one. I choose the flat rate and the label does

not allow any entry of actual weight, and the label prints with  0lbs, 0 oz.. I asked at the post office

and the clerk told me if it matches what you would get when you calculate it, then it's ok.

I went with that and had not been having problems with my shipments. Then I had one clerk refuse

my package because she said it didn't show the weight. I took it to another post office in the city

and it was accepted without question.

Why can the weight not be entered on these labels? If it doesn't matter and there is some algorithm

basis for an agreement with the post office on these type of packages why did I get one refused?

Maybe it was just this one clerk being nasty and officious and making up an excuse to give me a hard time,

I wouldn't rule that out.

I compliment most of the postal clerks out there and thank them for their good work during this difficult time.

The vast majority of them are helpful and professional.

sqid98

[johnrj1226]

1.  First Class Packages (up to 15.9 oz) DO NOT HAVE a Flat Rate .  The FCP label rates are variable and are determined by actual package weight and the ship from/to postal zone.

2.  Ship two FCP packages recently and the ship  weights  were clearly shown on the  label & my receipt.

3.  How much did you pay to ship your 0 lb. 0oz. package?

[sqid98-half]

I  paid what ebay calculated.. it does not present any option to enter weight anywhere.

I thought somehow it detects the product being sent (in this case a video game)  and has a typical weight for

these items and then calculates postage based on zone yes.

The other option is for a box which is calculated. The one I am choosing is for an envelope style package.

[lexismah]

Do you have your shipping preferences set to offer carrier-specific discounts to buyers? I could be mistaken, but I thought if you don't, your first-class labels will only print up to 13 oz, hence the 0.0 weight showing when you select FC.

If you offer the discount you will be able to enter the actual weight up to 16 oz for first-class. A 16 oz first-class label will automatically print a visible 15.9 on the label.

Check your shipping preferences here:  https://www.ebay.com/ship/prf

If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.

[sqid98-half]

---

@lexismah wrote:

Check your shipping preferences here:  https://www.ebay.com/ship/prf

If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.

---

Thanks.. looks like you hit the nail on the head..

Have only been selling for some months.. never knew about this feature.

I see it.. and I'll search for an article that explains how this actually works..

I saw nothing along these lines when I searched the issue here..so sometimes it's

not so easy to even know what questions one needs to ask,  but you had the insight and a good one.

Does this mean the buyer is the one choosing which service to use?  I don't get it..as yet.

I want to choose the service I use based on cost obviously, and I don't see why it matters who is

choosing in order to get the label to display the weight...  🤔

[pjcdn2005]

It shouldn't matter whether you are using retail or carrier discount pricing on your listing.  You are not even specifying the service that you are using on your listing and not using calculated shipping so I don't see how it could affect you.  I don't use ebay or USPS labels so I can't look at a ebay label to see the same thing that you do but there has to be an area for entering the weight on the label, otherwise, how would they know what to charge?  eBay may make it possible to estimate the shipping on your listing form but the label needs specific information.  

Perhaps @orangehound can you give you more specific information than I can. 

[southern*sweet*tea]

When setting up shipping costs, you have calculated and flat rate. Flat rate means YOU enter the amount you want to charge for postage.

I sell a lot of lightweight stuff, and charge a flat rate of either $3.50 or $3.75 First Class. That is what the buyer pays. The shipping cost will not be calculated to buyer location. When I print my labels, I enter the weight and the price shown is what I pay for the label.

[orangehound]

---

@pjcdn2005 wrote:

It shouldn't matter whether you are using retail or carrier discount pricing on your listing.  You are not even specifying the service that you are using on your listing and not using calculated shipping so I don't see how it could affect you.  I don't use ebay or USPS labels so I can't look at a ebay label to see the same thing that you do but there has to be an area for entering the weight on the label, otherwise, how would they know what to charge?  eBay may make it possible to estimate the shipping on your listing form but the label needs specific information.  

Perhaps @orangehound can you give you more specific information than I can. 

---

@pjcdn2005 

I have no idea what the OP is describing ... unless they are confusing a PM flat rate with First Class.  Either that or it is a software error, because eBay has been having some software glitching over the last 7-10 days. 

@sqid98-half 

I'm curious.  How much did you pay for this 0 pound, 0 ounce flat rate package?

[Anonymous]

I too have noticed that my last three packages of First Class mailing did not have weight or zone displayed on the label. I have been an eBay seller for many years and this is something new.  Previously all packages showed weight.  I found it strange but did not question it, I just assumed it is another of eBay's constant unexplained need to change things.

[sqid98-half]

---

---

@sqid98-half 

I'm curious.  How much did you pay for this 0 pound, 0 ounce flat rate package?

---

less than 5 bucks multiple times... I even asked at  the postal service about it..and he said

if the postage is about the same as the calculated one then it's all good.  Has been refused

just ONE time in months of this.  It's thick envelope, they just check with their scale then

the package is on it's way.   Wish I had taken a screencap to show exactly what's happening,

but it's an option that ebay offers with no prompts to enter any info.

[sqid98-half]

---

@pjcdn2005 wrote:

It shouldn't matter whether you are using retail or carrier discount pricing on your listing.

---

I don't exactly know what you mean by carrier or   retail discount pricing,  it's with USPS, and

it's an ebay label that comes out  slightly cheaper than if I plug  numbers in the calculated

option.

I choose the one that's just sitting there as first class package, and it opens up no window for more info

when I choose it.  Why is it offered as an option if it's not appropriate somehow. I have no problem

considering the possibility it's an ebay "glitch"  but then why have I had multiple packages delivered just fine ?

The USPS is already implementing some stricter automatic package checking to defeat the cheaters eh?

Have had 0 problems for insufficient postage once it gets past the clerks.

The official answer from ebay, by the way, wasn't much help at all.

"Thanks for your email about shipping. I'm happy to give you more information about using calculated shipping.

If you use calculated shipping, eBay automatically calculates USPS, UPS, and FedEx shipping costs for your buyers based on the size and weight of the package, and the buyer's location

If you want to use calculated shipping, select the "Calculated: Cost varies by buyer location" option when you list your item. Your handling and packaging costs are included in the shipping cost, but aren't displayed to buyers.

For more help with using calculated shipping, go to:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/pay/calculated-shipping.htm "

[fern*wood]

Where exactly are you seeing a flat rate option for 1st class? 

[johnrj1226]

@Anonymous 

Can't  say what you are/aren't doing and what you  are/aren't seeing but -

just purchased a shipping label through eBay labels for a First  Class Package shipment.   Did enter a  weight of 4 oz. and the  L W T dimensions it was shipping from Atlanta, GA area to Wisconsin (zone 5).  The package weight was on the  label, shipping zone and my purchase cost ($2.84).  Been  shipping via FCP since it first  came out and always provided the same shipping details when I was purchasing the labels.

To the best of my knowledge don't believe you can purchase a First Class mail shipping label thru eBay but never shipped anything via First Class mail.

[Anonymous]

 I have  always purchased shipping labels on eBay and most have been First Class Mail. They always showed all the information of weight and zone as you stated.  I have not changed anything, and  in the past month or so they stopped showing weight or zone. The area is blank and it  just has the "F" indicating first class. They have arrived at their destination without any problem so far.   I thought everybody was getting the same new page as eBay has been on a changing streak of late and changing all pages.  Has anyone else had this happen?

[fern*wood]

I just printed two and the weights I entered clearly show on both.