Shipping Calculator Inaccurate

[rushcomics1]

This morning I sent invoices to several customers, combining shipping based on the shipping calculator.
I undercharged the customers because the shipping calculator was wrong.
I always add 50 cents handling to help cover eBay shipping charges but it was still too high.

Example:  I invoiced one customer $3.68 for an 8 ounce envelope first class.
If the shipping calculator was right, it should have cost me $3.18, which gives me 50 cents for handling.
Instead, the cost was $4.09.

What's going on with the shipping calculator?

[fab_finds4u]

I looked at your listings that ended. Clicking on shipping details shows 4.15 as the cheapest rate.

[monica-sells]

which shipping calculator gave you the $3.18 price?

[fab_finds4u]

You know that the calculator is for tracked labels, right? That would be the rate for a First Class Package, not an envelope.

[monica-sells]

I am guessing the OP combined the 5 Archie comics.....they totalled 8 ounces and computed the shipment based on an 8 ounce 1st class estimate package,,,which is why I can't figure where the 3.18 is coming from.

even same zip to same zip with 8 ounces is not that cheap

The ebay calculator is simply an API extension from the USPS database. It is rarely inaccurate.

BTW...Can't use media mail for comics...Just an FYI

[nobody*s_perfect]

$3.18 is the postage cost for a 9-ounce First Class flat (AKA Large envelope). Apparently when checking the shipping calculator, you chose "Large envelope" rather than "Package."

[monica-sells]

@nobody*s_perfect 

thanks...that is what i suspected, but i could not find that number for my life...LOL

[nobody*s_perfect]

You might want to bookmark this link to the USPS's official rates publication:

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/notice123.pdf

[monica-sells]

what throws me off there is the first class table only goes to 13 ounces and does not reflect the commercial/discounts...

I see where you found the 3.18 though....Thanks!

[nobody*s_perfect]

Why would there be discounts?  There is no "eBay rate" for a service if eBay doesn't sell labels for it.

The weight limit for flats is 13 ounces, the same as for retail First Class packages.

[monica-sells]

sorry...i was referring to 'parcels'

nothing is 4.09 (or 3.59 based on the OP handling charge) as to what he was seeing

"...Instead, the cost was $4.09...."

[nobody*s_perfect]

You must be looking at the Retail rates for parcels.  Here are the current Commercial rates for First Class packages (AKA "eBay discount"). You can see that $4.09 is the current rate to ship 5+ to 8 ounces to Zone 3.  Pro tip: In Notice 123, use your browser's search function to find any cited price.

[monica-sells]

holy smokes....there it is!

(wiping the sleepers out of my eyes)

thanks again for the browser tip

[albertabrightalberta]

I may be all wet but Is it possible that the OP calculated media mail rates but because comic books don't qualify, shipping was calculated at 1st class? 

[nobody*s_perfect]

No; the current postage cost for Media Mail up to one pound is $3.65.