eBay

windyma · ‎10-25-2021

The past couple of months of selling, I offer two shipping methods to buyers (parcel or priority). When I go to print the label after the buyer has paid, it is showing a label for a method I never approved such as, priority flat rate envelope. Buyers have told me that their invoice is showing the two correct invoices. Then when I try to change the shipping method to the one requested/paid for by the buyer, I am not given the option of mailing parcel post. I end up having to eat the cost and send priority. I have never had this problem until the last two auctions I have run. I did get notice the EBay is experience of shipping issues, but not sure if this is related. I would appreciate any help/suggestions fellow eBayers may have. Thank you!

kare-bearb · ‎10-25-2021

eBay Shipping no longer offers Parcel Select labels.

Unfortunately, they default to the inappropriate PM fre.

They still allow you to offer Parcel Select when you are creating the listing.

Probably because many sellers do not use eBay Shipping for their labels.

You can use Paypal Shipping to purchase your Parcel Select labels .... www.paypal.com/shipnow

or

You can open an account with Pirate Ship .... www.pirateship.com

Pirate Ship will import info from your eBay account.

or

You can use www.stamps.com

etc.

windyma · ‎10-25-2021

Thanks so much for your help!

nobody*s_perfect · ‎10-25-2021

eBay has decided to phase out access to Parcel Select Ground labels, even though USPS has made no changes in their services or policies, and it's offered by all other online postage sellers including PayPal, endicia, stamps.com, etc. When it's not offered, the shipping label page usually defaults to the first option on the list which is flat rate envelope. You can purchase Parcel Select Ground postage through PayPal at

www.PayPal.com/shipnow

But do compare prices before you do that. For Zones 1 - 4, the USPS online price for Priority Mail is less than a dollar more than Parcel Select Ground. If you're a TRS you get a 3% discount when purchasing Priority labels through eBay, which often makes it cheaper than Parcel Select. The shipping calculator in eBay listings defaults to show the retail price for Priority Mail, so the price difference looks bigger than it actually is for sellers who purchase postage online.

IMHO Parcel Select ground should only be offered when necessary such as for hazmat or Oversize packages (i.e., length-plus-girth above the Priority limit of 108 inches).

windyma · ‎10-25-2021

So it might be best just to offer buyers first class (depending on weight) or priority, rather than parcel? I am not a very active seller, so forgive my ignorance in this matter! Thanks so much for your helpful response!

nobody*s_perfect · ‎10-25-2021

@windyma wrote:
So it might be best just to offer buyers first class (depending on weight) or priority, rather than parcel? ...

Yes, exactly. Offer First Class package for packages up to 15.99 ounces and Priority Mail for everything else.

If you have items that are eligible for Media Mail, offer that BUT IMHO you should also offer Priority Mail as a second choice so buyers can choose whether they want it fast or cheap. I usually stop offering MM around December 1 due to holiday-related shipping delays.