Shipping items with First Class Envelope

[eyb0ss.goods]

I wanted to sell some small items that would fit easily into a regular-sized letter through the mail. I see eBay has an option for sending things like postcards and other small items using this shipping service with included tracking. But because of my category, I can not use this shipping label purchase in the eBay interface. I can buy labels on other sites for USPS for around 1.20 to ship these times but there is no tracking. Would there be a reason why to not do this? since eBay won't let me buy it through them, or is there a way I am missing in which I can ship for much cheaper than around 3.50? 

[lamber9347]

@eyb0ss.goods You should NEVER ship an item without tracking. Tracking is the only manner in which you can prove that you shipped the item. Tracking is the only manner in which you can prove the item was delivered to the buyer. Without tracking you are basically playing the odds that you will most likely lose your item and your money, all for trying to save a few dollars. 

If your item is small the weight will be minimal. First class with tracking purchased on eBay will ship for as low as $3.49 to many states. It is completely worth paying for first class with tracking for any item. Best of luck to you....

[nobody*s_perfect]

It's OK to ship your items as a letter or flat (AKA Large envelope) without any tracking. Many successful sellers of small lower-value items such as cards, stamps, decals etc. have found that the rate of fake "not received" claims is very low.

The only real drawback is that you won't be eligible for TRS status, which requires that you use tracking to prove a certain rate of on-time shipping.

[tiguro0]

Hi. I agree never ship an item without proof of shipping. I use Pirate Ship. Very easy to use and reasonable prices. Gives you a tracking number and keeps a record of everything you ship thru them. Give it a try. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

How does Pirate Ship provide tracking for letters and flats?

[4t9rwes]

I planned to do this because they are cheap decals and i cant ship it for 3.50 and make any money. But i dont see a shipping option for an envelope. I just marked the item as dimensions unknown and as first class and thought I'd just mark as shipped afterwards. Now im seeing some posts saying i could get a strike for not including a tracking. This is so confusing ha. And almost everything that pops up is the envelope option ebay allows for cards and collectable money but not for stickers. I dont mind not having a tracker as it would cost too much. Its worth the lower shipping to have an item lost refund happen every once in a while. I just am not seeing the envelope shipping option and dont want an issue. Thanks

[annadryl]

Ebay was able to eke a deal with USPS for better rates with (minimal) tracking. First with trading cards, then with stamps and related stuff like blocks and postcards. Coins took awhile, but were eventually added in as well. It's not for anything flat-and-light, that would be too many categories and more deals were ever brokered, at least not yet.

The bottom line is that the USPS can't ever give ebay or most others the cheap rates that they give the "Big A" and others because the money isn't there for them. A $3.89 1stC package brings in more revenue than a .58 cent stamp.

If the USPS had to provide tracking for all letters for the price of a stamp... they just can't do that. So only a few small categories are "in". At least yet.

It comes down to A) send with a stamp and face the fact that there is no tracking, or

                                     B) pay the $3.89 and pass that onto your customer if you can...

Best of luck, this postal inflation hurts all of us and you're not alone. The days of a quick and easy $5 ebay sale are WAY behind us.

[nobody*s_perfect]

You do not get a strike for not including tracking.

Set up your listing with a flat rate for generic "Standard" shipping.

[rangerkate]

Oh yes you do get seller strikes for not using tracking.  I learned that from sending bumper stickers and maps through the mail--cheaper than the $3.49 eBay price WITH tracking--and lost my top seller status for a while.

It's quite the conundrum!  Not worth it to sell little flat items anymore.

[nobody*s_perfect]

The term "strike" as originally used in the above post can be interpreted in different ways.  Sellers can lose TRS status for having too many shipments lacking tracking, but that's not the same as your transaction defect rate. 

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/seller-levels-performance-standards/seller-levels-performance-stan...

[kh-phdan]

Hello Everyone,

Due to the age of the thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thanks for your understanding!