@rjblg10
First of all, bubble mailers are NOT considered to be "large envelopes," according to USPS, due to the manner in which they are constructed: USPS considers bubble mailers to be packages, while envelopes are flat (no bubbles or internal packing).
Secondly, once the seller has delivered the item to the post office, and received an "acceptance scan" for tracking purposes (either at the USPS counter, or at the 24 hour kiosks in many post office lobbies), that information is electronically sent automatically to eBay. However, if the seller does not purchase their postage directly through eBay, the seller will need to manually enter the USPS Tracking number themselves, on the "Orders" section, below the item which had been sold, where it reads "+Add tracking."
Finally -- you can ship books at USPS Media rate in boxes, or bubble mailers, or envelopes, or whatever -- and the cost is the same at the post office as it is on eBay. And, as you have already discovered, there are several huge bulk booksellers whose inventory was purchased sometimes for pennies, who can offer their buyers free shipping -- which most of us l'il guys cannot afford.
Certainly it is complicated -- and it was less so back when I started selling by mail in 1965.
But that's life. One learns, and adapts.
albertabrightalberta | Volunteer Community Mentor
