Seller shipping lesson First Class Mailing USPS

[sharonslane]

I just wanted to share something I learned today (I've been a very casual seller on and off for 17 years). I listed an item that only weighed 4 oz. When listing, I chose "USPS First Class Large Envelope". What I learned was that there are 2 distinct "First Class Large Envelope" choices. The one I chose was apparently for a flat, large envelope which the buyer paid $1.40 for shipping. When I went to print the shipping label it charged me $2.61 (with my ebay discoount). I couldn't figure out why the buyer was only charged $1.40 but I had to pay more. 

I figured out that you cannot print USPS First Class shipping labels for "flat" large envelopes. You can only print shipping labels for USPS First Class Thick envelopes. I didn't know the distinction or notice the 2 separate choices when listing my item for sale. Since my item was being mailed in a large envelope that was thick and not flat I should have chosen the other choice. 

So, watch your choices when listing something that is to be shipped by USPS First Class Mail. There is no way to print a label for a large, flat envelope. There is, however, a choice for "large, flat envelope" when listing your item for sale which is different from a thick envelope. You can print a shipping label for thick envelopes but it does cost more to ship these. I guess I've just been luckily making the right choice up until now.

Be sure to check the accuracy of the actual weight of the item when inside the envelope as well. That way you may avoid any possible delay in your item arriving at it's destination for "not enough postage paid".

I hope that wasn't too confusing. If anyone wants to more clearly explain this who understands what I'm saying then please do. I'm not the best at explaining things clearly. 

[lja440 · Accepted solution]

To simplify.

Tracking is only available on PACKAGES. Not letters or flats unless it is Priority. So when you ship First Class choose 'thick envelope/package'.

[kswoodsman]

AND apparently we , as sellers, no longer get upto $50 of insurance with USPS First Class Package. This seems to be something new starting with the 2018 pricing schedule.

By the time we add ANY insurance amount to a First Class Package we are at the price of Priority Mail but for the extra costs it doesn't seem to arrive the least bit sooner.
Some things we just learn the hard way.

[a*river*runs*through*it]

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wrote:
AND apparently we , as sellers, no longer get upto $50 of insurance with USPS First Class Package. This seems to be something new starting with the 2018 pricing schedule.

By the time we add ANY insurance amount to a First Class Package we are at the price of Priority Mail but for the extra costs it doesn't seem to arrive the least bit sooner.
Some things we just learn the hard way.

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I've been selling a long time and I can tell you that I have never had automatic insurance of any value on a First Class package.

It is only on Priority Mail.

[pjcdn2005]

I'm sure that first class did not have $50 insurance included but Priority does.

[sam9876]

First Class has never had any insurance included.