eBay

bemore.c.t · ‎05-31-2022

Hey. I recently bought an item that was not competitively priced but had free priority USPS shipping. The seller then shipped First Class. I messaged them then they said they use the most economical method. I feel cheated since I know the shipping cost is built into item price. What reason can I use for returns for this bait and switch?

paceauto1 · ‎10-06-2022

I never stated "always". However, all information I provided is correct. Typically, first class is slower. If I had to take an educated guess based on my experience, first class will be slower by a day or two about 70% of the time when compared to priority. There are many variables at play. For example, the proximity of the recipient to the shipper and the proximity of the recipient to their regional sorting facility are two variables. The point is that you cannot change shipping services on a buyer unless you inform the buyer and they agree. The item and service are both part of the transaction. A seller has to deliver both the correct item and shipping service as part of the transaction or the seller is in the wrong.

buyselljack2016 · ‎10-06-2022

Priority mail shipments are capped at 3 days.

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In theory, but not in reality.

I've had 1st class coast-to-coast , delivered in 2 days.

I've had Priority take a week to got 2 states away.

Priority Express is the only service with a "cap", and all that means is USPS will refund the postage for a failed time frame delivery................ if requested.............. and then only if they can't find a way to weasel out of it.

fab_finds4u · ‎10-06-2022

Please don't preach to me and please do not tell me what I said was false.

I made a statement taken directly word for word from USPS -about.usps.com> kit1 _009 USPS Priority Mail Fact Sheet.

Maybe you should Google USPS Priority is a subset of First Class and get the same links. Another link on the same Google search says First Class mail is considered a Priority mail over other standard services.

Priority Mail is an extention of First Class Mail. Like it or not what I said was not false.

nanniestreasurechest · ‎10-06-2022

A seller has to deliver both the correct item and shipping service as part of the transaction or the seller is in the wrong.

Well, I guess I've been wrong a few times then because I've had items listed as USPS Parcel and realized when it's time to ship that it's less expensive to use a medium Priority flat rate box and have changed it. That's what happened in the purchase I stated above. Since I offer free shipping, I price my items taking into consideration a fluctuation in shipping because it may cost me more to ship to someone in California than to Kentucky. As long as the package is scheduled to be delivered in the time frame that is given the seller when they purchase, then I don't think there should be an issue.

pjcdn2005 · ‎10-06-2022

It's all about customer perception. Whether it is true or not, many buyers are going to think that 'expedited' Priority shipping is going to faster than 'standard' First class. It's possible that some buyers are going to make that decision based on the service being used so free shipping or not, sellers should not be downgrading shipping. Apparently some don't think first class is a downgrade but a buyer might.

I would probably be annoyed at the seller too. It's unlikely that I would do anything about it especially if the item arrived within the eta but I can understand why a buyer would be bothered by it.

paceauto1 · ‎10-06-2022

I don't care what you think or what that bureaucratic memo says, I KNOW for a fact from experience that a First Class package shipped from Pennsylvania to California takes longer than a Priority Mail package. If I ship a Priority Mail flat rate envelope to California, it will get there in 2 days about 90% of the time if I had to estimate. Occasionally, it will be 3 days if the location is rural. If I do the same thing with First Class, it will almost always take 3-5 days. I'm not saying that 1 or 2 out of 10 first class packages wouldn't get there in a couple days but it's unlikely. I've shipped hundreds of each that distance. In fact, I can show you a current in transit tracking number from California to Pennsylvania that has a scheduled delivery day of next Tuesday. It was shipped Yesterday on Wednesday. Had the seller used an expedited shipping service like Priority Mail, it would have been here Friday or Saturday. Message me on eBay if you would like me to show you the tracking.

paceauto1 · ‎10-06-2022

Upgrading a shipping service is obviously ok. You know very well I'm referring to downgrading the shipping service just so a seller saves a couple bucks. If you can give the buyer a faster shipping service and it's cheaper for you, that's great. The clear (but not so clear to some) point here is don't change the shipping service to one that is potentially slower for the buyer. Another issue I haven't even touched is that expedited services though USPS offer insurance. That may not mean much since buyers have eBay to protect them most of the time but it's still a part of the shipping service that the buyer paid for as part of the transaction.

As an example, I've had packages shipped to customers where the mailman delivered to a wrong address. USPS actually has GPS installed in those scanning devices they have when they scan a package as delivered. In those scenarios, USPS is responsible for the mistake. Since the package is scanned as delivered, there's not much I can do to aid the customer and eBay won't assist either. It is up to the customer to work things out with their local USPS branch. However, the customer really doesn't have a way of being compensated if, for some reason, the Post Office can't recover the package from the wrong address unless there is insurance on the package. So, If a seller were to switch out an expedited shipping method for a non-expedited, non-insured method, the buyer can't be compensated by USPS for a claim. This would be a very rare occurrence but a very possible one.

paceauto1 · ‎10-06-2022

There's always going to a certain percentage of time where shipments, no matter the service used, take longer than expected. I did not mean guaranteed when I said "capped". I meant that the shipping service timeframe, barring mistakes and acts of nature, has a maximum expected transit time. It's 3 days for Priority and 5 days for first class.

deserdog · ‎10-07-2022

I agree, a seller cannot arbitrarily switch shipping services. And as far as some sellers saying shipping is not built into the price of "free shipping" item, that is ridiculous. Who pays for the shipping, the shipping fairy?

ms.rodriguez* · ‎10-07-2022

It could have been a typo. Anyway, you got the earrings, right? Are they nice? Let it go. Why stiff a seller because your earrings did not arrive 24 hours earlier? If you live in the kinda close to the seller, there would have been no difference in delivery time. Let it go. Make this your good deed of the day.

lakefor94 · ‎10-07-2022

@bemore.c.t wrote:
Hey. I recently bought an item that was not competitively priced but had free priority USPS shipping. The seller then shipped First Class. I messaged them then they said they use the most economical method. I feel cheated since I know the shipping cost is built into item price. What reason can I use for returns for this bait and switch?

You are considering returning the item because of the shipment method? Must not need it then.

I can say that I advertise Free Priority shipping on higher priced items that weigh under a pound. I do this because I sell parts and know that customers want fast handling and shipping. Same day handling if you purchase by noon. I would not downgrade the advertised Priority shipping to 1st Class Package to save a few dollars when Priority was advertised.

Selling items buyers need can be competitive when it comes to estimated delivery times. Buyers will at times pay more for an item to get it a day or two sooner, thus the seller with the quickest delivery wins.

Posting ID

fairydust_factory · ‎10-07-2022

I agree with you. It's kind of like Priority is 2-3 days and First Class is 3-4 days, basically I somethings notice that my listings do that if I'm not watching. The next listing I make is Priority and it will automatically fill that area in if I don't watch it. No one has ever complained to me about it or anything. It's never been an issue.

You can still make a 3 ounce package Priority mail if you want to.

monster-deals · ‎10-07-2022

@bemore.c.t wrote:
but took 7 days as first class.

7 days or 7 business days?

lesegouts · ‎10-07-2022

Postage rates vary tremendously depending on addresses.

tydsales · ‎03-27-2024

There’s a bunch of people saying it’s no big deal and I disagree. Whatever shipping service advertised or selected is what should be used period. On top of that First Class letter does NOT come with tracking, while priority and now ground advantage do. This not only is better for the buyer but provides protection for the sellers.