Standard Shipping Request

[willie_wonka_001]

Greetings All!   I have a buyer that has hassled me about my shipping methodology (which were clearly stated).  He says I can ship items using standard shipping for a lower cost (as opposed to priority).  I discussed this with my post office, researched it online, and reviewed some discussion in these ebay forums that have all stated Standard Shipping has been eliminated and is now Retail Ground.  The forum actually detailed it as, " The retail Ground (aka Standard Post and Parcel Select) costs are the same."  He continues to state that he still recieved packages in brown wrapping as standard shipping for 4.00 to 5.00, as opposed to the 7.20 for a 1-2 pound Priority item.   Am I missing something?  Can I actually ship these items cheaper?  I mean, heck, if i can offer cheaper shipping costs I realize it could help increase my sales.  I do not look to profit from shipping costs, charging no handling.   Any feedback, responses, links for me to research at would be appreciated.  I suspect this gentleman will be giving me my first negative feedback and am not thrilled about it at all.  This is the message I got from him after mailing the item yesterday (when I was expected to):   " Just Mail it Already ??? Its pd For Its Not worth The hassle If This Is All You Can Do Then That's It !!! Its All A price Scam Ebay & The Post office is Always Going To Go with The Higher Price To Make More Money !!! Its Up To You To Ship on Your Own Wrapped In Unmarked Paper Or Box No Ebay or Rush Labels... For You to Get the lower price !!! Its up To Me Whether I'll pay or Continue Business In The Future !!!"   Thanks in advance for your assistance. Wade User ID  willie_wonka_001

[partial*eclipse · Accepted solution]

$7.20 is the postage for a 1+ to 2-pound item via Priority only if it's going to Zones 1 or 2, via retail.  For Zone 8, the postage cost would be $12.75.

Anyway, you are right and the buyer is mistaken.  He's either making things up or remembering postage rates from years ago.  Currently the retail prices for Priority and Retail Ground are identical for Zones 1 - 4. For online postage, the prices for Priority Mail and Parcel Select Ground are the same or just 5 cents apart for weights up to 18 pounds.  The only reason to offer Parcel Select is if the package is over 1 cubic foot (1728 cubic inches) because then it would incur the dreaded "dimensional weight" for Zones 5 - 8.

Here are the current prices, and a link to the official USPS rates publication.  Invite your buyer to show you how to ship for $4 - $5, other than Media Mail.  We'd all like to know!

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/notice123.pdf

[willie_wonka_001]

Thank you very much for confirming what I have researched.  I have asked several times from the buyer for him to provide me with a source that supprorts his statement regarding Standard Shipping.  The buyer simply states: " I Still Receive Items On A daily Basis With These same Instructions."  All I can figure is sellers: absorb the cost to avoid the harassment, ship media, or he is lying in an attempt to "bully" me into absorbing the costs.  I am unwilling to do these things.  I have blocked him as a future bidder and will await his feedback.  If negative I suspect I will have to contact eBay to get it removed.  I am hopeful it works.

Thank you again!

Wade

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

On eBay, the term "standard shipping" refers to services that deliver a package within about 2-7 days, depending on distance. These are First Class Package Service, UPS Ground and FedEx Ground/Home. It has nothing to do with USPS terminology for 3rd class surface mail -- once known as Parcel Post, then changed briefly to Standard Post and finally named Retail Ground. The online version of Retail Ground is Parcel Select. Media Mail is 4th class mail. These slow services are termed "economy" by eBay.

The buyer who pays $4 or $5 for "standard shipping" likely is receiving small packages via First Class Package Service. The weight limit is 13 oz. (retail rate) or 15.999 oz. (commercial rate). Either that or sellers are short-paying Priority Mail (and being billed for the difference!) or just wrapping part of the mailing cost into the selling price. Would the buyer think that "free shipping" means the sender does not pay anything to USPS?

Bottom line: Just inform the buyer that packages weighing 16 oz. or more cannot be sent via First Class Package Service (standard shipping) regardless of the packaging. The cheapest Priority Mail cost is $5.95 (commercial rate, cardboard FRE or Zones 1 & 2 delivery). Rates for Parcel Select Ground and Retail Ground are comparable, but with slower 3rd class service and no insurance included.

Retail Ground is not available to Zones 1-4, except for hazmat and other specialized contents.

~~C~~

[willie_wonka_001]

Thank you!

Alas the buyer seems a bit stubborn as he knows standard is still available.  But he is unable to provide any source for this information except for the fact, he knows.  🙂

I do appreciate the confirmation.

Thanks again!

Wade