Priority Mail Rates

[primebuydirect]

Hello.

I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong, so thought I would ask the community.

Last night I processed a priority mail shipment. It was 1 lb. 4 oz, and the postage was $11.62. Today I processed another priority shipment, this time it was 1 lb. 12 oz, and again the rate was $11.62. So, that obviously did not look right, so I started entering different weights between 1 and 2 pounds, and no matter what I entered the cost was always $11.62. Has anyone else had this happen? Last week those same packages would have shipped for around $10 each, and the amounts for each would have certainly been different. 

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

Pete

[iamalwaysright]

That’s correct. Price tier for weighted Priority mail are based off 1 pound increments. They are also based by zone. It’s likely the ones you sent last week are in a closer zone to you.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Any weight that's above 1 pound but not over 2 pounds will go at the 2-pound rate when you're shipping via Priority Mail.  Ounces only matter if you're using First Class.

Postage rates for Priority Mail are based on weight and distance (unless you're using flat rate packaging).  So the package that cost around $10 was not going as far as the more recent packages that cost $11.62.

[primebuydirect]

Hello

Thanks for your reply. If what you are saying is correct, then:

1. Pricing must have recently increased as I don't recall paying that much for a priority mail package in that weight range.

2. The eBay shipping calculator needs some work. The highest Priority Mail rate (not a flat rate box) it shows for a 1-2 pound package is $9.94. 

On another note, it's sort of hard to believe a better rate cannot be negotiated with the postal service. But, that's not a battle any of us sellers can do anything about. 

PREVIEW

[wastingtime101]

The last rate change was on January 22nd. The next change is coming July 9th.

The USPS commercial rate for a 2 pound package ranges from $8.23 - $13.17 for most zones. You may find eBay's rates to be slightly lower than that.

The price at a retail post offices ranges from $9.80 - $17.05 to most zones for a 2 pound package.

The eBay shipping calculator is spot-on for USPS. To know why you're seeing a cap of $9.94 we need to know your exact parameters - can you post a screenshot?

When I put in a 2 lb package with dimensions of 10x10x10 and a zip code of 90210 (California), I'm seeing rates ranging from $9.80 to LA up to $17.05 to NYC. Switching from retail to online rates I see a range of $7.53 to LA up  to $13.17 to NYC.

[primebuydirect]

Hello wastingtime101.

Thanks for your reply.

Below is a screenshot of the shipping calculator page showing the parameters. Regarding the two shipments of $11.62 I mentioned in my initial post here are the details:

1. Weight: 1 lb. 10 oz. - Box size: 8x6x15 - Ship To Zip: 95945 - Ship From Zip: 75019

2.Weight: 1 lb. 7 oz. - Box size: 6x5x5 - Ship To Zip: 98660 - Ship From Zip: 75019

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

You're in Texas, and those 3 sample cities happen to be located in  Zone 5 and 6 for you. Note that the above discussions included coast-to-coast examples.  You're getting lower prices because those distances are shorter. The prices shown by the shipping calculator would be higher if you chose locations that were farther away, such as Maine, Washington State, Hawaii or Alaska.

[iamalwaysright]

Haha, 90210. RIP Dylan