Shipping a Large Item To Puerto Rico. Could I Have Potentially Been Burned?

[fastkc]

I currently have a large item listed. The weight isn't so much the issue but the size of the box is. Weight is 21' and the box is 69" x 13" x 8". I had this item listed as UPS Ground for about $78 flat rate shipping. An interested buyer from Puerto Rico wanted to know how much shipping to PR would be. I looked it up and UPS was the cheapest at $198. 

I'm enrolled in int'l shipping but don't believe PR is considered international. Am I wrong on this? If the potential buyer didn't ask about the shipping could he just have done BIN, paid the $78 shipping and I'd be out approximately $120 to ship to him? I've been selling for a little while now but had never considered this before and I'm somewhat nervous about larger items now. I've changed the listing to Calculated Shipping and give my discount. 

Am I missing something here? Would this go directly from to the buyer in PR or would it be considered int'l and go through EIS? (I've sold many items through EIS). This is a little long-winded but would appreciate any help. Thanks. 

[fastkc]

Yes I'm aware of losing some $ on California. My thinking on the original flat of $78 was to keep the shipping price as low as possible. I would lose a little on California but still make it affordable for others closer to me. 

[fastkc]

Wow. I'm learning alot today lol! What is GA? I DO believe I could get it down to 69 x 13 x 6. That would be 107". 

[fern*wood]

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@fastkc wrote:

Yes I'm aware of losing some $ on California. My thinking on the original flat of $78 was to keep the shipping price as low as possible. I would lose a little on California but still make it affordable for others closer to me. 

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Calculated shipping also offers buyers lower shipping if nearby and you can avoid the need to hold your breath when looking at their address & hoping it isn't California. 

[fastkc]

Thanks for letting me know this. Appreciated. 

[buyselljack2016]

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@fastkc wrote:

Yes I'm aware of losing some $ on California. My thinking on the original flat of $78 was to keep the shipping price as low as possible. I would lose a little on California but still make it affordable for others closer to me. 

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On the not so heavy stuff  (under a pound) that I ship USPS ground advantage (GA)where there is less than a $ difference between close and coast-to-coast I charge a "flat cost".

When it gets heavier with more shipping $$$ I go with calculated. Some buyers have no clue about shipping cost (too much free shipping") , but other buyers are savvy about costs, and a "flat rate" shipping for all can deter sales that are closer to you because of the shipping.

[dbfolks166mt]

Yes I'm aware of losing some $ on California. My thinking on the original flat of $78 was to keep the shipping price as low as possible. I would lose a little on California but still make it affordable for others closer to me. 

     Why not just use calculated shipping and let the cost be set by the buyers location. 

[dbfolks166mt]

Do others exclude Alaska, Hawaii and PR on their listings for this reason? 

     Possibly but since I use calculated shipping I don't exclude them. 

[dbfolks166mt]

Could you explain the surcharges Jack? I haven't ran into that (knock on wood). What would cause them? Thanks

     This should give you an idea of all of the surcharges UPS could possibly tack on after the item is delivered. 

https://support.pirateship.com/en/articles/5604750-all-the-ups-surcharges 

[wastingtime101]

There are many surcharges with UPS and FedEx that are not factored in until the carrier physically reviews the package. If you enter accurate weight and (outer) dimensions, the shipping calculator will account for those surcharges. Most of the surcharges that come through as cost adjustments are a result of packaging / additional handling.

Read more in the FedEx Guide - start on page 126:

https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fedex/us-united-states/services/Service_Guide_2024.pdf

Read more in the UPS Guide - start on page 126:

https://www.ups.com/assets/resources/webcontent/en_US/retail_rates.pdf

You can find guides for all carriers on eBay Seller Center under "preventing shipping label price adjustments."

https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/preparing-your-shipment/packaging-and-measuring

[ryry-jj]

I might just cancel the sale at take the hit to my account.  Big items like this should never be flat rate.  I preach all the time shipping is a real cost, sellers need to know this or they will get smoked.  Always use calculated shipping for 1 up items.  If you have 50 of an items and know what it takes to ship and can account for it in the product, then you have options, but until you reach that learning curve, select calculated shipping

[nobody*s_perfect]

You need to re-read the original post.  There is no transaction yet, and the seller changed the listing to calculated shipping.