Skyrocketing Priority Mail Rates?

[gazrok]

I sell golf clubs in those 4x4x38 USPS priority tubes on a weekly basis for years and am very familiar with what it has historically cost to ship each type and size of club.

today I logged in to print some labels for very standard sized clubs and the price has nearly tripled. (from around $9.xx to $25.xx)

what on earth is going on?  Is this a USPS thing or an eBay discount thing?

[nobody*s_perfect]

This is a USPS thing.  On April 3, they set up new surcharges for large packages.  For packages with a length over 30 inches, there is now a surcharge of $15.  Some sellers say it would be cheaper to ship via UPS or FedEx now, but I worry about hidden fees that get charged later.

There's an excellent summary of the new fees in post #7 in this thread:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/Ebay-Charged-the-Seller-too-Low-for-Shipping/td-p/32828520

[adamdean]

I just experienced EXACTLY the same problem; have no idea what to do now! I may have to shut-down all golf club sales. It's that TRUMP guy they put in charge of the USPS he has destroyed everything he touches.

[gazrok]

brutal...

thank you for the quick replies .

[glasser]

I have had very few issues with later charges from UPS or FedEx but that can happen. You will surely find much cheaper rates with those carriers probably 40% less or more. USPS clearly wants out of the larger package market.

[gazrok]

It was so nice to just order those USPS branded tubes, pop in the clubs and go for a very reasonable price.  Not looking forward to buying 3rd party packaging for clubs and dealing with a second pickup or dropoff each day.  Very disheartening

[1tuna]

this also applies to fishing rod sellers

I am curious what good is no brand packaging

does`nt it cost the same to send the long triangle box  no matter whats printed on them

@gazrok 

[gazrok]

I'm talking about buying unbranded packaging and shipping with UPS vs getting the free branded packaging and shipping with USPS.

[heckofagame]

From the UPS site:

An Additional Handling charge may apply if your shipment requires special handling as stated in our UPS Terms and Conditions of Service/Carriage . Those criteria include:

• A package with the longest side exceeding 48 inches or second-longest side exceeding 30 inches.
• A shipment where the average weight per package is greater than 50 pounds or packages over 50 pounds with the weight not specified on the source document or the UPS automated shipping system used.
• A package that is not fully encased in corrugated cardboard. Any cylindrical-like item, such as a barrel, drum, pail or tire, that is not fully encased in a corrugated cardboard shipping container.

[gazrok]

seems like this would be perfectly fine for golf clubs of every size. definitely going to look into switching to UPS for golf clubs ASAP

[stainlessenginecovers]

Just pass on the increase to buyers? Everyone selling something of size will be in the same boat. 

[adamdean]

I just removed "FREE SHIPPING" from all of my golf club listings.

[adamdean]

My sales are now DOA. Unbelievable. I've been around since 2001 and never seen it this bad.