Printing FedEx and UPS shipping labels

[geofizz1]

Hello. I have been selling a few things recently, and have been printing USPS labels to get the ebay discount.  All has gone smoothly.  But now I have some bulky items (old suitcases) and according to  ebay's Shipping calculator, it will be cheaper to send them FedEx Ground or UPS Ground.  Or in one case, FedEx Smart Post.

My questions are,

1)  Can I print out FedEx and UPS labels through the ebay Seller Hub, the same as I do for USPS?  If not, can it be done with pirateship.com?  If so, are the rates comparable to ebay, like they are for USPS?

2) I notice the Shipping calculator has radio buttons for in store and ebay rates.  For USPS and FedEx, the list populates with the discounted ebay rates. Not so for UPS.  Not sure what the significance of that is.  I can click the button to see ebay rates though.   What does the buyer charged? always discounted rates?

3) I had never heard of SmartPost, so I looked it up and understand that they hand off the package to  USPS near the destination. Fine.  But what I read said it was used for mass mailings.  Can us occasional sellers use it to send the occasional widget?  And where do I drop them off?  FedEx store or USPS? I'm assuming FedEx.

Thanks in advance.  I just don't want any surprises if I ship with UPS or FedEx. Especially since I just had to sign up for Managed Payments last week, and am not familiar with whatever statements will be generated for that.

[wastingtime101]

1. You can print a label through eBay, but I wouldn't recommend it. Should you need to file a claim it will be very difficult since the account is in eBay's name. Further, those rates are just estimates. A lot of sellers get hit with huge surcharges on their monthly bills (often due to package size), so make sure you know exactly what those charges will be before you use the service. PirateShip does not offer FedEx or UPS services. Stamps.com recently added UPS to their services. You can set up your own FedEx and UPS accounts with the respective carriers.

2. The buyer is charged based on your selected radio button. I charge buyers retail rates because the difference in price helps cover the eBay fees on shipping costs.

3. SmartPost (FedEx) and SurePost (UPS) are shipped with the respective carriers. Those carriers take the package most of the way, then transfer to USPS for the final part of the journey and delivery. It can be a great economical option, but it you have any concerns about damage or lost packages, FedEx (or UPS) will tell you to file a claim with USPS and vice versa. You'll never get a claim paid out. The packages would be dropped off with FedEx or UPS, not with USPS.

[chnon-25]

I also concerned about this issue.

[lja440]

SmartPost needs to be dropped off at FedEx.

As for shipping your suitcases unless they are something special I'd just sell them locally on FM. FedEx is a nightmare in my location. Plus anything hollow is easily crushed in shipping, combined with if it is a common brand then you run into exceeding the normal retail cost.

[geofizz1]

I tried FB Marketplace for a month with no takers.   They are hard sided American Tourister suitcases, so I thought they would be sturdy enough to hold up.

[geofizz1]

Thank you wasting time101.  That is good information.   I have a couple more questions. 

• The surcharge problem is concerning.  How do you find out what the exact UPS and FedEx charges/surcharges will be?
• Regarding the radio button on the shipping calculator, how do you get your choice into your listing?  When I build a listing, I just select what services to offer using the drop down boxes.  I don't consult the shipping calculator, since I don't yet know where the future buyer is.  In fact, I just recently discovered that the shipping calculator existed.

I do have a pirateship.com account because I found it cheaper to insure expensive packages there.  I can easily get a stamps.com account or FedEx or UPS also, but the basic problem remains, I assume - how to get the actual cost to show to the buyer?

[powell-memorabilia]

@geofizz1 

I don't use UPS or FedEx, but those that have been burned with surcharges indicate that you should create your own direct accounts with those shippers, and have items weighed/priced/shipped from a UPS or FedEx location - don't use eBay labels, and don't have them picked up from your home.  The FedEx/UPS locations can provide a true weight/size check, and price accordingly.  If you use eBay labels, basically, you have limited ability to challenge surcharges.  

[johnrj1226]

My guess  is these suitcases, when packaged, will far exceed the  limits for standard shipping rates and will incurred a dimensional rate surcharge.  For example, USPS limit is 1 cubic foot or 1728 sq. in.

Both FedEx and UPS have a similar policy.  Check it out  so you won't be really surprised.

[pcobra93]

"Dimensional weight" is a POOR excuse for the nightmare charges some incur form FedEx or UPS....since we put the DIMENSIONS and WEIGHT in to the label calculator this should NEVER be an issue. If you go to UPS or FedEx and pay there, they never charge your card more later....This is a complete racket they have going on through Ebay....and Ebay allows it.....period

[geofizz1]

Ah, yes. Dimensional weight. I remember that from shipping things out via FedEx at my last job.  And oversize charges for UPS. Yes, I'm sure these would incur dim. charges.  I still don't know how to get all the charges to be shown to a buyer who looks at an auction. 

And I agree, since we have to type in the dimensions and weight, I don't see any reason that ebay can't include the dim. charge for FedEx, and the various extra charges for UPS.  My guess is laziness.

[pcobra93]

The best part of this is that UPS and FedEx do not argue the dimensions....they add it to the weight. I have had a couple over the last 3 months that have been exactly double the weight. I get the drop off receipt with the weight THEY come up with at the retail stores.... So, I have proof that their wight at the dist centers is WRONG.

[wastingtime101 · Accepted solution]

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@geofizz1 wrote:

Thank you wasting time101.  That is good information.   I have a couple more questions. 

• The surcharge problem is concerning.  How do you find out what the exact UPS and FedEx charges/surcharges will be?
• Regarding the radio button on the shipping calculator, how do you get your choice into your listing?  When I build a listing, I just select what services to offer using the drop down boxes.  I don't consult the shipping calculator, since I don't yet know where the future buyer is.  In fact, I just recently discovered that the shipping calculator existed.

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1. As I suggested, go directly to UPS or FedEx to buy labels.

2. On this page under carrier specific discounts for buyers, you can set up your shipping preferences to charge buyers retail rates instead of online rates, but also as I mentioned above - with UPS and FedEx you'll get hit with surcharges after the fact. Some small (fuel, residential) and some much more significant (dimensional).

The shipping costs for hard sided American Tourister luggage will far exceed the value of the item. Even brand new you can get deals - their site has a 50% off sale going on now.

If you're determined to list it on eBay, list it as local pickup only without a shipping option. The merchandise isn't worth the cost and risk that comes with shipping. Remember, you can always donate it to: a local church, volunteer group, fire/police/EMS dept, shelter, or any thrift. @geofizz1 

[annadryl]

Why not offer local pickup as some of your other items are listed? The end price (if it even sells for the starting bid) would be five times(!) the item's price with shipping. That's crazy! I just don't see them going for that price. But I can see it selling for $20 if someone nearby needs it and can pick it up. Good luck~

[wastingtime101]

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@geofizz1 wrote:

how to get the actual cost to show to the buyer?

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Sorry I missed that question. Calculate what the dimensional rate is. Adjust the weight in your listing form to correspond with the dimensional weight charge. Factor any of the smaller surcharges and put those in as a handling fee. That's the closest you'll get to showing the actual UPS or FedEx rate.

[geofizz1]

Thank you.  That sounds like it would work.  And I will adjust my  Manage Shipping Settings page.  I am familiar with calculating FedEx prices online - I used to do it at work.  Can't remember if I did it for UPS, but if all else fails, there is a Ship Center about 2 miles away.

I am offering Local Pickup also.  These suitcases have been on Facebook Marketplace for quite a while now, with no takers, so I decided to try ebay.  They are part of a group of items I am selling for an estate. Not my items, so I feel obligated to try to get some $ for the suitcases, but I may end up telling the owners to donate them.