Is it okay to ship package using USPS first class package if buyer paid priority mail package fees?

[ten_to_twelve]

I recently sold an item that is 9 oz .  I can send it at a lower cost if I ship it first class package (I am assuming here). My listing was advertised shipping via priority Mail package... a few $$ more than first class. 

I am not a huge business so every $$ counts. My question: is it okay to change shipping service if it would save money or do I have to stick to what was stated my in listing? 

[nobody*s_perfect]

No, it's not OK.  First Class package is sometimes slower than Priority Mail, so it would be considered a downgrade in shipping service. The only way that would be acceptable is if the buyer said it was OK, and if you gave him a refund for the difference in cost.  

[mlop-3568]

No. Think of it this way, would it be okay if you order prime rib in a restaurant and got roast beef instead?

[orangehound]

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@ten_to_twelve wrote:

I recently sold an item that is 9 oz .  I can send it at a lower cost if I ship it first class package (I am assuming here). My listing was advertised shipping via priority Mail package... a few $$ more than first class. 

I am not a huge business so every $$ counts. My question: is it okay to change shipping service if it would save money or do I have to stick to what was stated my in listing? 

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I would say it is risky.

On one hand, Priority Mail and First Class Package are usually sent together, and arrive at the same time ... I tend to think of First Class Package as lower weight Priority Mail without the insurance.

On the other hand, Priority Mail and First Class Package go through different shipping priorities, and I have noticed that Priority Mail shipments appear to get processed first and then First Class Packages second ... so, there have been a few instances where I've seen as much as a 2-day delay between the processing of Priority Mail and First Class Package.   It is rare ... but can happen.

[Also,  most customers who aren't familiar with shipping think Priority Mail is a much faster service than First Class Package, and they could be offended if they notice you chose what they consider to be a slower service.]

I would guess that 95% of the time, the buyer wouldn't notice a difference because they'll get their item quickly.   But if they do and if they are picky, then you are risking a well-deserved negative on your feedback for not delivering with the service you advertised.

[aproudparent2010]

NO it is NOT okay. You listed shipping by Priority Mail so that is how you must ship.

[dbmm-media]

buyer bought item with priority mail.  you need to ship priority mail. 

[dirk12955]

NO

[bsarafian]

If the buyer pays for a specific service they should get what they paid for (unless of course you're giving them a free upgrade).  Even if First Class and Priority take the same amount of transit time you can't just switch from what they paid for to something cheaper unless they agree to it.  As precious as a few dollars may be to you, you'll find your reputation is way more precious.  A few negatives with things like "Dishonest seller!", "Bait and Switch", "Rip-off" can do a great deal of damage to your prospects of future sales. (And yes, some people will do that even over a few dollars).

While there are some people who may not pay attention there are others who do, and some might react very strongly to this sort of thing even though you had no bad intent. I'm not implying you're trying to be dishonest, I'm saying that there is potential for some people to perceive it that way and react accordingly. Some people might notice the difference and ask you about it and perhaps request a (completely deserved) refund for the difference. There are other buyers whose knee-jerk reaction to any problem is to shout/accuse on feedback without giving you the chance to "make good" and that kind of damage is hard to undo.  Plus, you must see how it's unfair to pay more something more and purposefully be given something less?

[a_c_green]

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@ten_to_twelve wrote:

My question: is it okay to change shipping service if it would save money or do I have to stick to what was stated my in listing? 

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Of course you stick to what was stated in your listing, but more to the point, you stick to what the buyer paid for.

On the other hand, if your listing was quoting Priority Mail for a shipment of 1-2 pounds, and your packed item ends up at 9 ounces instead, you can still pay for Priority Shipping (as you should), but you're still going to save a bit on the unexpectedly lower weight price range.

[juststuffisell]

As has been noted by everyone; No!

If you choose to ignore everyone and ship 1st class anyway instead of what the buyer paid for, if you end up with a negative or neutral feedback from the buyer, most of those complaints from the affected sellers are posted in this part of the community:
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/bd-p/selling-db

If you are lucky and buyer doesn't catch it, then you made a couple extra bucks 😉

Good luck!

[johnrj1226]

If the  price is only a "few $$ more" do what  is right & ship it via Priority Mail  as you advertised vs. pocketing the "few $$ more". It does matter if you aren't a huge small business or a small business.   A few $$ won't  hurt a a small business but not  doing what you advertise will .

I was  taught many years ago "When in doubt do what is right" in life.  Guess Donald & I had similar teachers - mine was Mom. 

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@ten_to_twelve wrote:

I recently sold an item that is 9 oz .  I can send it at a lower cost if I ship it first class package (I am assuming here). My listing was advertised shipping via priority Mail package... a few $$ more than first class. 

I am not a huge business so every $$ counts. My question: is it okay to change shipping service if it would save money or do I have to stick to what was stated my in listing? 

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[froggyjump]

First class goes faster, that's how it is.

Likely because it is smaller so post office give it priority over priority. They can mail more packages this way.

Send it first class.

The only orders i ever have which are late are almost always, those sent via priority mail.

[johnrj1226]

You are  wrong - USPS estimates the average delivery time for FCP & Priority are the same 1 - 3 business days.  We ship via by both.   Priority is almost always no more than 3  business days, some time  less, from GA to the West Coast States - FCP can take 3 to 4 days -sometimes longer.  Have shipped 1522 packages and 45% of them to the Western US States.

Secondly, USPS received  more $$  for Priority mail than FCP -  God and the Postmaster General knows  the USPS can use more money.  You don't shoot yourself in the foot.

[evry1nositswindy]

Priority was stated in your listing because you set it up that way when you created the listing.  You set it up that way so you ship that way.  Your buyer may have chosen your item over another one because of the faster shipping.  Proximity and faster shipping drive many buyers.  Do what you said you would do.  Also, keep in mind that the flat rate envelopes are also priority and may be cheaper, depending on distance.  Of course they may not be right for your item.

[robot-hands]

While technically speaking 1st Class and Priority take the same trucks and are the same speed, Priority has what is called "implied value".

You would be denying your buyer some of that "implied value" whether it arrives at the same time Priority does or not and it could open you up to bad feedback.