eBay

happydaysantiques · ‎01-15-2020

Hi, everyone. I listed a Zero case last night and checked the shipping rates this morning. It looks like they are way off, and I don't know why. I'm in NY and used 90210 to see how much to ship to CA. It shows $57 to ship Parcel Select.

I shipped an identical case to CA in November via Parcel Select, and the cost was $27. The 21x16x9 box weighs 7 pounds, and that information is correct on my listing (I checked twice). The new USPS rates go into effect AFTER my listing ends.

May I have your thoughts on what I should do? Thanks so much.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎01-15-2020

The Zone 8 shipping cost for Parcel Select is $26.40 for 7 pounds but your package is subject to a dimensional weight of 19 pounds, which costs $57.16. The dimensional weight has been applied to Parcel Select Ground since last June, so I don't know why the dimensional weight was not applied to your November package. Perhaps you entered the dimensions incorrectly.

However, the dimensional weight is not applied to Retail Ground, so if you're shipping that item to Zones 5 - 9, you can use Retail Ground which will ship at the 7-pound rate. This loophole will be eliminated when the new rates go into effect on January 27.

southern*sweet*tea · ‎01-15-2020

It's showing $42.91 to ship to me, zip 38868. If you go to the PO and ship Retail Ground, right now that cost would be $20.84, but that will change after the new rates go into effect.

Using your measurements and zip code 12009 I calculated the price on USPS.com and this is what I got:

Have you checked pricing with Fedex and UPS?

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nobody*s_perfect · ‎01-15-2020

As for what you should do: Leave the listing as it is, with Parcel Select Ground, but try to find a smaller box.

A significant percentage of the potential buyers live in your closer zones where the shipping cost isn't as outrageous as farther zones, so I wouldn't mess around with offering Retail Ground, which can't be used for Zones 1 - 4 and will soon be a moot point anyway when it starts requiring dimensional weight on January 27..

The threshold for dimensional weight is 1728 cubic inches and the dimensions of the case itself are 1404 cubic inches. Your current box at 21x16x9 has a volume of 3024 cubic inches. Perhaps this item, known for its sturdiness, can be packaged safely in a smaller box.

If you do find a box that is smaller but still sufficient, you should compare the costs for Parcel Select Ground and the online rate for Priority Mail; sometimes the difference is insignificant. The shipping calculator at usps.com only shows retail pricing but if you use eBay's shipping calculator you can choose to display either retail ("In store") or online ("eBay") rates.

http://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator

happydaysantiques · ‎01-15-2020

Thank you for your response, nobody*s_perfect. Unfortunately, I can't go to the PO, which is required for Retail Ground.

I believe my dimensions/weight were correct because I reuse a template for these cases and also check them for accuracy each time. And I always identify the box as "Large Package," along with the correct weight and dimensions. I've sold 3 since June, but one only went to nearby MA and I don't recall where the third one went. Guess maybe it was an Ebay error in November.

happydaysantiques · ‎01-15-2020

Thank you for your response, southern*sweet*tea. Sadly, UPS and FedEx are not options for me. Nor is going to the PO, as required with Retail Ground.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎01-15-2020

I don't know why eBay even offers "Large package" as an option since the shipping calculator is supposed to go by the exact dimensions that are entered. IMHO it could be a source of error and I never use it.

For that box, even the 19-pound rate is only $14.38 to Zones 1 & 2 (such as NY to MA) so it might not have been noteworthy at the time.

happydaysantiques · ‎01-15-2020

Thank you for the additional information, nobody*s_perfect. The box I'm using is the one the case was received in, from Zero. It's the correct size. Looks like I'm going to have to live with the high shipping cost and pray for a nearby buyer.

coffeebean832 · ‎01-15-2020

@nobody*s_perfect wrote:
I don't know why eBay even offers "Large package" as an option since the shipping calculator is supposed to go by the exact dimensions that are entered.

Agreed- and eBay should also change "Large Envelope" to read "Large Envelope (flat)" as too many new sellers don't know the difference between large envelope and package.

coffeebean832 · ‎01-15-2020

@happydaysantiques wrote:
Looks like I'm going to have to live with the high shipping cost and pray for a nearby buyer.

As long as the buyer is the one paying for shipping does it matter if they're near or far? Or is your concern return shipping costs on a not as described claim?

happydaysantiques · ‎01-15-2020

Thank you for your response, coffeebean832.

Gosh, I hadn't even thought about return shipping!

No, I'm concerned about the high shipping cost in general. It's hard to sell a $65 item when shipping is almost the same amount. But I've had success with these cases in the past, and am hoping to sell one more before the rates again increase.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎01-15-2020

@coffeebean832 wrote: ... eBay should also change "Large Envelope" to read "Large Envelope (flat)" as too many new sellers don't know the difference between large envelope and package.

IMHO it would be even better if they completely avoided the use of the word "envelope," since an envelope could be a letter, flat or package depending on weight, dimensions (including thickness), flexibility, etc.

happydaysantiques · ‎01-15-2020

Oh darn it...

The one I sold to CA in November was a SMALL case, not a large one like this one. Sorry. My mistake.

Actually, my FIRST mistake...ever! No, really.

coffeebean832 · ‎01-15-2020

@happydaysantiques wrote:
It's hard to sell a $65 item when shipping is almost the same amount.

That's the kind of situation where most of your buyers will likely be in a closer zone. Sellers who live on the opposite coast will get buyers close to them.

As you're limited to using only one shipping service and you said you're not able to use a smaller box there's really nothing you can do about the rates. Continue researching the product to see what others are selling for, including shipping- not only on eBay but on other retail sites, as well. Make sure that you can stay competitively priced. If the shipping limitations price you out of the market then you will know it's time to stop sourcing and move on to a different product.