eBay

nikkisnextlevel · ‎02-01-2023

I am new to this platform.

I made my first sale using the “flat rate” shipping. I knew the $17 I charged him would not be enough for how heavy the item was, but I was under the impression that I would just have the difference deducted from my earnings.

While putting the “flat shipping” amount in, the part where it asks for weight and measurements was no longer showing.
I printed out the LABLE and dropped it off to post office. I did not wait in line as it was already Labeled so I just left it like I have my other sales from the other platforms I have sold on.

So, the buyer went to pick up his purchase and was told by USPS he owed money! Why? What did I do wrong?? I do not understand. Please help!

mtgraves7984 · ‎02-01-2023

What did I do wrong??

@nikkisnextlevel

You did not research the shipping method's cost. I don't know what size, but I'm guessing that when you printed your label you entered some USPS Flat Rate packaging for your vacuum and didn't ship it in a (same) USPS Flat Rate box. If I'm correct, USPS is now wanting the difference in the cost you paid and the actual cost to ship the package.

If you'd waited for the counter clerk, they'd have told you of the problem and asked for more money... and you could have either paid the correct cost or taken it home to re-package.

Since you can't go back in time, you can send the buyer the amount it'll take to get the package out of the Post Office. Is your buyer okay with that, or are they 'out' and sending the package back to you? If they're sending it back, you'll still have to pay the postage due to pick it up from your Post Office.

For what it's worth... shipping is one of the hardest things to master selling online. We all empathize... hang in there.

mtgraves7984 · ‎02-01-2023

@nikkisnextlevel

I just checked your Sold items again... sorry, it wasn't the vacuum, it was the Bowling Bag. Dang... I'll bet that's even larger and heavier than that vacuum. Be careful shipping the things you've sold today! Oh, well...

stainlessenginecovers · ‎02-01-2023

There is 2 completely different types of 'Flat Rate Shipping'.

The first, is the one where YOU decide how much to put in the 'shipping' portion of your listing. This is vs. Calculated, which you input the size & weight and ebay will figure the shipping.

Then, there is USPS Flat Rate, which is a Bubble Envelope, Small Medium or Large Box and is offered by the Unites States Postal Service and you have to ACTUALLY HAVE THAT BOX OR ENVELOPE in your possession as it is a specific size, which many of your items would NEVER FIT in.

So, what you need to do is go to the USPS Website and input the furthest zip code, then size and weight and you will see the options that will be available for you.

Sounds like you just picked one of the USPS Flat Rate labels and put it on the box, which is WRONG.

1786davycrockett · ‎02-01-2023

If your items are quite heavy and bulky, it wouldn't be a bad idea to check out UPS and FedEx -- their rates might be cheaper than USPS for heavy, bulky items.

mtgraves7984 · ‎02-01-2023

So, the buyer went to pick up his purchase and was told by USPS he owed money!

@nikkisnextlevel

I don't know if you know, since you're new here... but you can issue a partial refund to your buyer an amount (suitable) to pay for the Postage Due, so that they'll not be out-of-pocket any shipping/retrieval costs.

Find the order and use the drop-down menu to the left of the order to 'Issue refund'. Fill in the amount that you and the buyer agree on, Confirm and Submit. The buyer's refund is immediate and the PO won't be left 'holding the bag'.

The refund will come from your Payouts, or as you describe, "just have the difference deducted from my earnings."

tthodgepodge · ‎02-01-2023

Reinforcing previous poster. Use UPS or Fedex for large items. And use the "calculated shipping" link to see estimates with your discount. Additionally, you can set it so buyers also see the shipping cost you see rather than the retail cost.