Shipping option changed from Media mail (Customer selected) to Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope

[computorite]

I got an email from  eBay yesterday and the buyer had selected Media Mail as the shipping option. It was for some 3.5" floppies. When I went to print the shipper, it showed that Media Mail was the Buyers preferance, but it was greyed out, and Priority Mail was shown as the 'selected' option. I was not able to changed it BACk to what the listing was set for. I sent the buyer a message and askd how they wanted to handle this, but so far I haven't heard from them. Finally, in desparation, today I shipped it, as an off-size Priority Mail item. I hope this works. I have never seen this before. Has anyone else experienced this?  Trying to speak to a live person on Customer Support is basically impossible. I just hope the buyer doesn't get hit with additional charges, or that the USPS doesnt just reject it at some point. According to eBay, shipping is super easy! Except when THEY do something like this! 

[monica-sells · Accepted solution]

"...According to eBay, shipping is super easy! Except when THEY do something like this..."

Blank media no longer qualifies for media mail.....so, it is not available when you go to use ebay labels

https://pe.usps.com/text/csr/ps-334.htm

It's a funny rule...IF there was something recorded on them, then yes, they are eligible

[kensgiftshop]

There has to be something on them to be considered media.

To buy Media Mail through Ebay, the item has to be listed in a category that qualifies for Media Mail.

[pjcdn2005]

Unfortunately, there are some categories where ebay allows the seller to offer media mail even though that item is not allowed to be used for that item. In those cases, the label will default to another service.   There are also cases of an item that is allowed to be sent media mail and media will still be grayed out.  For example, there may be a book listed under collectibles that is eligible to be sent media but ebay doesn't recognize collectibles as a media category. In that situation, you may have to print a label with another online label provider such as Pirate Ship. 

[buyselljack2016]

@computorite 

as explained, blanks do not qualify as MM.

but as an aside: 

Please enlighten me.   What is    "an off-size Priority Mail item", and why would you expect charges/rejection?

Likely could slip those into a Padded FRE

[monster-deals]

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@kensgiftshop wrote:

There has to be something on them to be considered media.

To buy Media Mail through Ebay, the item has to be listed in a category that qualifies for Media Mail.

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Ebay has known about the manga category for about 2 years and hasn't fixed it.

[anasazirose]

IF the item qualifies for media mail (blank media doesn't), and ebay doesn't make it available, you can purchase the label on Pirate Ship and enter the tracking number into ebay.

Ebay ought not to let media mail be offered for an item when they won't allow the label for media mail to be purchased for that item.

[fm2000]

In some categories you can list software in, eBay may or may not allow you to choose Media Mail when you go to ship it. You need to have an account with a third party provider like Pirate Ship, so you can print the Media Mail through them (you can import your eBay listing through PS, it is easy.) If you sell lots of software, this is something you will run into often.

It is a good idea to have a backup provider like Pirate Ship anyway, in case eBay's shipping system is down when you go to print labels.

[computorite]

OK, I learned something! I have never sold or shipped blank media before, so this has never come up for me. 

If I chose 'USPS Priority Mail, 1-4 days', I can list my dimensions and it goes, I guess, based on the total volume of the package, not to exceed 70 pounds. That's what I was trying to say by the 'non standard, etc'. I went ahead and sent it as a FRE with my actual dimensions. It was receive yesterday, and so far, I haven't heard any complaints. I'll pay the extra if they were charged for it. I did consider wrapping the diskettes in tissue and putting them in a FRE. Then I didn't know whether to unfold the boxes and put them there, too, or what. Hopefully, this won't come up again, since I don't have any more diskettes!   

I will certainly keep Pirate Ship in mind for those times when things don't go right at eBay Thanks for tip,  everyone! 

[computorite]

I was trying to do that by memory and it failed me. When you see the various entries for Priority Mail, the very first one does not give an dimensions, or anything about envelopes or small, medium, large boxes, etc.  THAT was the one I was looking for, and it wasn't there. So, I selected the FRE padded envelope and gave my dimensions, hoping ti would make it to the destination without being tagged (rejected) by the USPS or cause the buyer to be charged for excess postage. She received it yeasterday and I haven't heard anything negative, so far. I will reimburse her if it does.  

I have read those rules over and over, over the past 20+ years, and I never saw that restriction. From now on I will include an OLD software with it!   LOL

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@computorite wrote: ... I have read those rules over and over, over the past 20+ years, and I never saw that restriction. From now on I will include an OLD software with it!   LOL

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If a package contains any items that are not eligible for MM, then the package is not eligible.  If that were not the case, sellers could toss an old paperback into any package and then ship it via MM.  You might find this chart useful. It was prepared for USPS staff, so it probably reflects questions and issues that are commonly asked.

https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2013/04apr/Media-Mail-Guidelines.htm

[computorite]

OK, per several notes here, I have opened my account at Priate Ship!  I can't wait to try it, to see how much it saves me. Shipping is getting very expensive! If Ican save even a little over eBays rates, it'll be worth  it, I'm sure. Thanks for all the help, everyone! The Community has always been my best friend. It took me awhile to figure it out this time, since I haven't used it for a long time. 

Bob

[buyselljack2016]

@computorite 

If you selected Padded FRE for the label, and used a Padded FRE then there would be no additional charge for you or the buyer from USPS.

If you used "packaging" other than a Padded FRE with a Padded FRE label, then someone could (should) end up being charged.

[computorite]

Yes, I selected Flat Rate Padded Envelope, even though I used a box that  was about 8x6x6. The customer received it OK and wanted to pay me for the extra postage, But I told her it was covered. I will try not to make the same mistake again. Maybe, if Pirate Ship saves me some money, it will all be worth it. 

Thank you.

Bob

[nobody*s_perfect]

You'll save $ when you use Pirate Ship for Priority Mail cubic postage (because eBay doesn't offer it) and for eligible Media Mail items when eBay labels decides not to offer MM. Other than that, AFAIK Pirate Ship's prices for domestic shipping are not better than eBay's. It does offer other advantages, especially with record-keeping.