eBay

tinman · ‎01-15-2023

I created a listing for a wooden nickel with the category "Coins & Paper Money, Exonumia, Wooden Nickel". It allowed using the standard envelope shipping option. It also allowed the buyer to pick the standard envelope option when they purchased it. When I went to the shipping page, it did not show the std. env. option (which the buyer picked). I had to ship first class, paying over $3 for an item that sold for 99 cents. I look at other listings for wooden nickels and they also use standard shipping option. Any clues why this is happening? I pulled my other wooden nickels from my listings.

Thanks for any help.

ms.rodriguez* · ‎01-15-2023

Only some categories allow that option. Look at the other ad with the same wooden nickel? Look at that category and then look at yours. Alot of sellers post on the wrong category on purpose to get the cheaper envelop rate. Do not do that. Instead, report that seller. They are not playing by the rules.

sapphire_studio · ‎01-15-2023

I have heard (although I'm not positive if it's true) that you can't send an eBay standard envelope to Alaska, Hawaii or US territories like Puerto Rico. Was your buyer by any chance in one of those locations?

Normally if you're posting in a category it's not allowed you wouldn't even be able to select it as an option when setting up the listing like you say you did. I've seen other posts of people Where they have to Spring for First Class even if the buyer only pays for eBay standard envelope if they're outside the continental 48 States.

wastingtime101 · ‎01-15-2023

@sapphire_studio wrote:
I have heard (although I'm not positive if it's true) that you can't send an eBay standard envelope to Alaska, Hawaii or US territories like Puerto Rico.

What you heard isn't accurate. Yes, there have been some issues with PR, but that's usually because the buyer entered their address with PR as the country instead of putting PR in the State field and US in the country field.

@sapphire_studio wrote:
Normally if you're posting in a category it's not allowed you wouldn't even be able to select it as an option when setting up the listing like you say you did.

Also not accurate (unless eBay changed something very recently). It's a constant problem with sellers thinking items like greeting cards are eligible because they can select it as an option when creating the listing, then ending up disappointed they can't purchase the label after the item sells. eBay should be blocking sellers from selecting that shipping choice when setting up the listing in an ineligible category.

GLORIOUS!

sapphire_studio · ‎01-15-2023

I'm not surprised the information about Alaska and Hawaii is wrong that I have read because it seems like that would cause a lot of issues and something they would fix.

I definitely am pretty shocked that I was wrong about the 2nd part. I thought I hear people complain all the time that they can't select eBay standard envelope when they go to list (because they're category is not covered).

I only list in the app but I never see it as an option unless I'm posting a pokemon card and then it's suddenly there.

They should definitely fix that and not allow people to select that as an option if they're posting in a category that it's not allowed.

wastingtime101 · ‎01-15-2023

It's a low value, low risk item @tinman. Using the same packing requirements as ESE designates (link), you can ship that item in a PWE (plain white envelope) with a postage stamp, untracked.

If a buyer files a not received claim you will have to refund because you can't prove delivery. But low value, low risk so it's up to you.

Your tracking metric will take a hit, but most accounts can afford a few of those and it will age off after 3 months. You can check your seller dashboard and do the math on it.

GLORIOUS!

wastingtime101 · ‎01-15-2023

I'd like to do some testing with the category issue @sapphire_studio, but since I have business policies set up that would interfere.

GLORIOUS!

12345jamesstamps · ‎01-15-2023

I think the key word is "nickel". The word is considered a coin which most people agree to. It has to go as a parcel. Some sellers get lucky sometimes. Some do not. Coins cannot go as postcards or stamps in a small envelope. It is considered a parcel due to thickness of the envelope. Lucky it wasn't someone from Canada who purchased it. That would have been about $13. I made that mistake in the past. I understand the word wooden but nickel is considered a metal.

sapphire_studio · ‎01-15-2023

No the Ebay Standard Envelope Program works for Coins:

https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/ebay-labels-services/ebay-domestic-shipping-services/ebay...

tinman · ‎01-16-2023

Yes, and I did that with another that I sold and boom, it was lost in the mail so I refunded the buyer. I asked at the PO if I could get a tracking number and they said no.

tinman · ‎01-16-2023

Thanks, I did look at others that sold and almost all were in the category I selected - Coins & Paper Money, Exonumia, Wooden Nickel. Thats why I am confused.