USPS First Class - eBay Calculator vs actual charges & Large vs Thick Envelopes

[dcintennessee]

I just printed a label for a First Class Large Envelope - 4 oz, and just over .25" thick. The eBay shipping calculator says $1.61 for First Class Package, but my actual charge is $2.61. (I have screenshots)

According to prior research, $1.61 is correct for a Large envelope, while $2.61 is for a Thick envelope/package at .75" or greater.

This is significant due to a large number of items I'm preparing to list, where I've set prices by using rates from the eBay Shipping Calculator. Does the eBay Shipping Calculator (still) show rates that can't actually be purchased via eBay? And in order to get tracking, I'll need to price the new items (only a few are listed) at the Thick Envelope/Package rate, even if they qualify for the Large Envelope rate?

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@arpharph wrote:

And this is still going on now!  Only it is worse.  Cost is now over $3 for a 6 ounce large envelope and the costs varies by region.  But the calculator still shows $1.75 for a large envelope.  ....

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This is "still going on" because that's how USPS works.

USPS rates for flats (which are sometimes referred to as Large envelopes) are based only on weight, and rates for packages which are based on distance as well as weight.  When eBay uses the term "Large envelope" they are referring to flats, not to packages.  Postage cost of $1.75 is correct for a flat that weighs 6 ounces.

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

eBay only prints labels for packages, not for letters or flats.  If your item is eligible to be mailed as a letter or flat, you need to mail it at the PO or just use stamps.

[kh-gary]

Hi everyone,

Due to the length of time that has passed since this thread began, we have locked it from future replies. If this is still an issue that warrants discussion, don't hesitate to begin a new thread here: https://community.ebay.com/t5/forums/postpage/board-id/shipping-returns-db.

Thanks.