eBay

kcolsen · ‎12-23-2023

On the "Ship your order" page, seller is asked "Is your package size correct?", then is advised "Please make sure you enter the correct package size and dimensions to avoid additional charges from your chosen carrier (i.e., enter 14 when it weighs 13.2 oz)".

"Size" refers to dimensions, such as L x W x H. By using “i.e.”, Latin for “that is”, the advice conflates weight with size.

It's confusing. USPS rounds up weight, but rounds off dimensions (1/2 inch or more over the nearest whole rounds up, and less than 1/2 inch rounds down.)

In one sense, you can always "avoid additional charges" by paying more than required. Would it not, however, be in everyone's interest for eBay to provide clear, and accurate, advice?

redmodelt · ‎12-23-2023

I have never rounded down on size or weight and have been shipping for a lot longer than I have been on eBay. I go with safe not sorry.

lisa5768 · ‎12-23-2023

@kcolsen

Always round up both weight and dimensions. I have never seen a USPS clerk round down dimensions, they round up for even a fraction over. You may have one that does round down but that is not their policy. Relying on that can get you in trouble if it is noticed along the way and charged additional postage.

lisa5768
Volunteer Community Mentor

nobody*s_perfect · ‎12-24-2023

@lisa5768 wrote: .... I have never seen a USPS clerk round down dimensions, they round up for even a fraction over. You may have one that does round down but that is not their policy.....

Clerks are not the final authority regarding USPS policies. As you noted, they can be inconsistent. According to the DMM, USPS rounds up for weight, but rounds off for dimensions. (With exceptions for cubic rates.)

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/223.htm

deserdog · ‎12-24-2023

Exactly. Rounding off dimensions is in their bible, the DMM. But many clerks do not know this.

kcolsen · ‎12-24-2023

USPS policy is summarized in its Quick Service Guide:

https://pe.usps.com/text/qsg300/q150.htm

kcolsen · ‎12-24-2023

Of course, you are free to pay more than you owe to be safe. In some cases, there is a small increase in the overall charge. In other cases, it's a step function- many dollars more.

For those who wish to pay what they owe, but not more, eBay reminds you to use "correct" weight and dimensions. It follows that eBay should state the rounding rules correctly.

kcolsen · ‎12-24-2023

In order to purchase a USPS shipping label from eBay, I would expect to enter the "correct" weight and dimensions into eBay shipping calculator. "Correct" means 1) accurately measured by me, and 2) rounded up or down according to the official rules.

My principal point is eBay reminds us to use the correct weight and dimensions, but does not state the official rounding rules correctly. The eBay text is incorrect.

kcolsen · ‎12-24-2023

Clerks that don't know the rules is a training issue. We can't solve that problem in this forum.

In this forum, we can identify problems in eBay's control, as for example, misstating the USPS rounding rules.

fern*wood · ‎12-24-2023

I understand the rounding rules on dimensions for USPS and wonder if those same rules apply to others like UPS or FedEx? Maybe that’s why eBay is vague or maybe they just don’t know the rules.

kcolsen · ‎12-24-2023

Keeping track of rules is what eBay does for a living; it encourages use of the platform.

yuzuha · ‎12-24-2023

@redmodelt wrote:
I have never rounded down on size or weight and have been shipping for a lot longer than I have been on eBay. I go with safe not sorry.

Same. If I had a package that was so close on dimensions that it was nearly over dimensional weight, I would either not use that particular box OR I would round up to be safe.

kcolsen · ‎12-25-2023

That's a reasonable approach, especially for small packages.

Would you round up to be safe if that added $15 to the shipping charge? USPS surcharges large packages that exceed a threshold.

yuzuha · ‎12-25-2023

I would avoid using a box that came that close to hitting dimensional weight when rounding unless it was absolutely necessary and the item couldn't possibly fit in anything smaller.