Shipping rate options?

[reelworks]

I was going to list some items which would ship in a 12x6x1" envelope that weight 7 oz.

The fact that it'll be a rigid package looks like it will rule out First Class Mail?

Postal rules say First Class Mail large envelope can't be rigid or 'unbendable' so does that mean it must go via Parcel Select?

If so then the shipping would be double what others are selling the same item for with free shipping.

Others selling these same items for less than I can ship them for.

Although I have almost nothing invested in the items, I can't see them selling since my shipping will be higher than others have them listed for with free shipping.

The way I see it the only way they can ship is via Parcel Select which shows me $4.85, and I see them selling for $5 free shipping for two by several other sellers, including a few from China.

The items in question are currently listed at $4.23 each wholesale if buying a large quantity.

Its starting to look like I'm better off throwing them away then listing them.

How is that possible?

[fern*wood]

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@reelworks wrote:

How is that possible?

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That happens with many items.  I've stopped selling several items that just don't make sense now based on the fees/postage.   Sounds like you will have to use ground advantage so possibly you can create a listing for several of the items at once that might be appealing based on the postage cost. 

[reelworks]

I really don't get this, I listed the item, the only options were Parcel Select and Priority, and I let it sit, it was listed for months. It now sold, and the invoice says the buyer chose "Parcel Select" and has paid $2.55?

I didn't have any other options selected. The only option was Parcel Select, which it does say as "Buyer Selected" but it undercharged the customer by less than half of what eBay charges me.

The buyer is also at the furthest possible zone. I can't figure out how they got charged less than what the shipping calculator showed it for my own zip? (It was one of five I sold, this was the last one and the ad just kept getting put back up as a relist, the other four all got charged correctly.

They did this to me last fall too, I sold something weighing 30 lbs and listed it at the Priority Mail Large flat rate box rate. It sold, and they charged the buyer $6.55. I lost money on that one. The size and weight alone for that one definitely eliminated all lesser means.

[reelworks]

I should have typed "Ground Advantage" was selected, I keep forgetting they renamed "Parcel Select" after 30 or so years.

I don't even see any rate under Ground Advantage that's as low as what the buyer was charged.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

If the package qualified for a cubic rate for Ground Advantage or Priority it would not be shown on a normal rate chart.

When you buy shipping, cubic rates are automatically calculated. If you select carrier packaging and flat rate, you may pay more than the calculated rate would be if it qualifies for cubic.

A recent addition, poorly understood and not well supported by the calculated rate for buyrs.

[njfleamarket]

Then how did eBay charge the buyer $2.55 for a Ground Advantage package that was listed at 12x1x10" and 10 oz I intentionally put it in a larger, rigid envelope so it would go Ground Advantage because USPS won't pickup large first class envelopes on command nor do I get a discount in eBay.

When I relisted the ad, I intentionally went in and calculated shipping to double check it and to my own zip, it showed only one rate, at $5.65. Yet somehow a buyer in CA got charged $2.55 for

Buyer Selected, Ground Advantage. I'm not even sure there is a Ground Advantage Option that goes that low?

I've sold 4oz items to buyers 40 miles away and it calculated $5.65 or more, and charged me $4.72.

Is there a way a buyer can trick the shipping calculator somehow? I can't see how it only charged $2.55 when the buyer is 3000 miles away and the package was too heavy to go First Class, (which even still would be over $4 even closer).

I tried to see if there was a cheaper option when I shipped but the only lower option than Ground Adv. was media mail for $4.85.  It simply doesn't list First Class Mail for larger items which makes no sense as to why the buyer got charged so little?

First class mail is not an option anyhow due to weight and rigidity of the package.

[reelworks]

That's pretty much what I was thinking, how can a package that weighs 10 oz that's listed as Ground Advantage get charged only $2.55 at checkout. First class is off the table by weight and size, and I went back as if to do a relist and the only option checked off is Ground Advantage and it doesn't even show any other option than the Priority Mail options or FedEx options.

Now we get the email saying that they're going to discount rates to buyers so we don't have that little bit of cushion to make up for these screw ups in their calculator or billing system.