Shipping Rate Too High

[primebuydirect]

Hello all,

Question about calculating postage after selling an item.

One of my auctions sold. I’m shipping one trading card in a 4” x 8” bubble envelope. I went to the print shipping label page, entered the information including envelope dimensions and weight (less than a couple ounces) for first class mail. Price came to $2.70. I thought that can’t be right.....seems way too high. I took the package to the post office and cost was $1.45.

So, either I’m doing something wrong or the system isn’t calculating correctly. Knowing me it’s probably the former. 🙂

Anyone have any ideas why the difference?

Thanks in advance.

Pete

[nobody*s_perfect]

At the Post office, you mailed your item as a flat (AKA Large envelope).  But eBay only prints labels for packages.

[anthology-of-treasures · Accepted solution]

Consult the USPS rate guide to reconstruct exactly how something could have gone wrong.

What is the thickness of this package? If its too thick it can't sent as a flat, but must be sent as a 1st Class package.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping-Returns/Shipping-Rate-Too-High/m-p/29996804#M286397

Look up the retail pricing for large envelopes (flats). $1.45 matches a 4 ounce flat.

Look up the commercial pricing for first class package services. $2.70 matches zone four to up to 4 ounces.

You don't appear to have a Top Rated account so you should be using Pirateship to print labels since they give you $100 insurance and commercial pricing plus cubic pricing. eBay only gives you $50 insurance and no cubic pricing. After you become Top Rated switch to eBay labels to get the extra 3% discount off commercial rates, although cubic pricing form Pirateship may be cheaper for certain small items.

[primebuydirect]

Thickness is about 1/4".

But, as the previous poster replied eBay only prints postage for packages, and I was not aware of that. So, I guess I won't be able to use that option. 

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated.

Regards,

Pete

[lintbrush*]

The service you purchased does not come with any tracking.

That's fine if you don't mind not being able to prove delivery, but without tracking/delivery, if a buyer opens an Item Not Received, you will be refunding.

There are sellers who do ship PWE (Plain White Envelope) or Flats and accept the risk.  Just wanted you to be aware of it too.