Help with USPS Parcel select ground

[hooked*on*vinyl]

Hi I'm new to the forum and in need of some help. I recently sold two items that I used the shipping Parcel select ground to attract customer since it was cheaper than priority. Well when I went to purchase the postage I didn't have that option so I had to use priority mail which was about $1 more in this case since the package weight was only 2lb. 

Second question: What service options is the best/least to attract buyers other than free shipping?

All replies are greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[aproudparent2010]

I offer as many options as possible to my buyers

[nobody*s_perfect]

eBay has decided to phase out access to Parcel Select Ground labels, even though USPS has made no changes in their services or policies, and it's offered by all other online postage sellers including PayPal, endicia, stamps.com, etc.  You can purchase Parcel Select Ground postage through PayPal at

www.PayPal.com/shipnow

As you saw with the label you purchased, the savings with Parcel Select is small.  And the delivery time can be very long. For Zones 1 - 4, the USPS online price for Priority Mail is  less than a dollar more than Parcel Select Ground. If you're a TRS you get a 3% discount when purchasing Priority labels through eBay, which often makes it cheaper than Parcel Select. 

IMHO Parcel Select ground should only be offered when necessary such as for hazmat or Oversize packages (i.e., length-plus-girth above the Priority limit of 108 inches).

[friskya]

I found myself in a similar situation once. I went ahead and shipped Priority, then sent the buyer a message that I had "decided to upgrade their shipping at my expense, since the difference between services was minimal".

In looking at your items, I would probably offer Priority Cubic from Pirate Ship as a flat rate. It looks like most of your items would fit into a small enough box with enough packaging to protect it to fit into Tier 2 pricing. Just pick an amount, add 12.55% (or more - your choice) for eBay fees and have at it! Sometimes you'll win, sometimes you'll lose, but in the long run, it should even out.

[monster-deals]

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@hooked*on*vinyl wrote:

Hi I'm new to the forum and in need of some help. I recently sold two items that I used the shipping Parcel select ground to attract customer since it was cheaper than priority. Well when I went to purchase the postage I didn't have that option so I had to use priority mail which was about $1 more in this case since the package weight was only 2lb. 

Second question: What service options is the best/least to attract buyers other than free shipping?

All replies are greatly appreciated.

Thank you

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Free shipping (which isn't even a thing) only attracts buyers the furthest from you making you lose money.

Stop using Parcel, the cost is nearly identical unless you have an exceptionally heavy item or something dangerous that needs to be transported by ground.