How can I track letter sized envelopes? Destroying my "Tracking Uploaded On Time and Validated"

[loggsliquidations]

Many sellers, myself included, sell small items that are letter-sized and can be shipped USPS first class letter postage.  The postmaster told me it is impossible to put a tracking number on a first class letter.  

Shipping the item first class package eliminates the minimal profit.

The problem is, you have to be at 95% to be a top seller and promote listings.  (That's another issue...I don't have a clue how to qualify to promote listings)

There has to be a workaround.  Any ideas.

[tev4all]

Start your items at higher price or charge a dollar or two for shipping. 

FREE shipping, really ain't free, you know it, and most buyers know it too. 

[fab_finds4u]

You need to fatten that envelope by stuffing a tissue inside. Then when it's at least 3/4"  thick it becomes a first class package and gets tracked. Of course it is more expensive but that's what you need to do to have it tracked.

[nobody*s_perfect]

There is no workaround, except to set up a separate account for non-trackable merchandise.

When eBay introduced the tracking criterion for TRS status, there of course was a huge outcry from sellers of little lower-value items such as cards, stamps, and stickers, who have been successful while mailing their items as letters or flats.  eBay basically just shrugged them off, saying "Buyers want tracking."

[loggsliquidations]

Well, that kinda kills some of the high volume/low profit ideas.  There are plenty who still ship that way.  I guess they just aren't going to be top sellers.  Does it also prevent promoted listings if that % tracked goes down?

[yuzuha]

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@loggsliquidations wrote:

Well, that kinda kills some of the high volume/low profit ideas.  There are plenty who still ship that way.  I guess they just aren't going to be top sellers. 

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That's correct. You can still ship that way, you just can't be a Top-Rated Seller if you do.

[southern*sweet*tea]

I am a TRS on this account. I have another account where I ship small paper items in an envelope with a stamp. That account is above standard with a zero percent tracking upload and 100% (so far) on time. That account is not TRS and never will be. I have never had an issue with INRs, but if I did I know I'd have to refund.

On that account I ship "free". I ship in an envelope with one or two ounces of postage using stamps, AND I use Lettertrack. It adds 16 cents each to the cost of my item. You can import from Ebay if you want.

It is pure tracking. There is no acceptance scan and no delivery confirmation, but it is tracked as the letter travels from PO to PO. So yes, you can track a letter, but you cannot get delivery confirmation.

[pjcdn2005]

You don’t have to be a trs to use promoted listings.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/listing-tips/promoted-listings?id=4164&st=12&pos=1&query=...

[lja440]

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@loggsliquidations wrote:

Many sellers, myself included, sell small items that are letter-sized and can be shipped USPS first class letter postage.  The postmaster told me it is impossible to put a tracking number on a first class letter.  

Shipping the item first class package eliminates the minimal profit.

The problem is, you have to be at 95% to be a top seller and promote listings.  (That's another issue...I don't have a clue how to qualify to promote listings)

There has to be a workaround.  Any ideas.

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I occasionally sell coupons I cut them all but am not one to stock up on items I don't routinely use (thugh it was a hoot watching a episode of extreme couponing where this teenage boy bought scads of sanitary napkins he seemd totally confused by). These if they are going good at the time I will list. The lots are sent in a 2 ounce letter, no tracking.  I have several ID's for different type items (media, clothing,..) I also have one for coupons and things other people want me to list. This way it doesn't effect my main ID's

[bigdeals.etc]

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@tev4all wrote:

FREE shipping, really ain't free, you know it, and most buyers know it too. 

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Hahaha. Clearly you haven’t met any of my buyers then.

[bigdeals.etc]

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@loggsliquidations wrote:

Many sellers, myself included, sell small items that are letter-sized and can be shipped USPS first class letter postage.  The postmaster told me it is impossible to put a tracking number on a first class letter.  

Shipping the item first class package eliminates the minimal profit.

The problem is, you have to be at 95% to be a top seller and promote listings.  (That's another issue...I don't have a clue how to qualify to promote listings)

There has to be a workaround.  Any ideas.

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I have one idea that will work, but it might not be worth the effort. Volume those suckers out. Let’s say you sold 5 of your items that don’t have tracking. That means you need to sell 95 other items that DO have tracking. Hypothetically once all those have been recorded into your performance, your tracking percentage should be at exactly 95%. So find 95 items for every 5 of your small items and you’ll be fine... even if those 95 items break even in profit.

Problem solved. It’s up to you to decide if it’s worth the effort.